When we talk about miscarriage, we are referring to the involuntary loss of the pregnancy before the 22nd week of gestation, or when the foetus does not yet weigh more than 500g. The percentage of miscarriages is between 10% and 20% of pregnancies that do not go to term. Most miscarriages occur between 6 and 12 weeks of gestation.
Miscarriage: signs and symptoms
This type of miscarriage can be due to both maternal problems and problems in the embryo. As a rule, miscarriage occurs in different stages. The first symptom that usually appears is the state of alertness known as "threatened miscarriage", within which we can name some of the main symptoms:
- Vaginal bleeding during the first weeks of gestation. Its abundance is variable and may include clots or placental abruption. About half of the women who experience this symptom in the first trimester of pregnancy suffer a miscarriage.
- Abdominal cramps reminiscent of similar pain during menstruation.
- Low back pain with severe pinching in the lower back.
- Reduction or disappearance of pregnancy symptoms.
Causes of miscarriage
It is difficult to know precisely why a miscarriage has occurred, but it is very unlikely that it is due to something the pregnant woman has done. A normal, healthy lifestyle of exercising, working or having sex does not cause a miscarriage. We can even point out that a minor injury, such as a fall, does not usually cause a miscarriage.
However, we can highlight some of the most common anatomical, genetic and physiological causes:
- Genetic alterations in the couple's karyotype that predispose to generate genetically abnormal embryos.
- Diseases such as diabetes, which may increase the risk of miscarriage.
Presence of any malformation in the uterus that makes it difficult for the pregnancy to be carried to term.
Presence of an immunological disease such as antiphospholipid syndrome, which can cause repeated miscarriages.
It is important to note that when a couple has suffered two or more miscarriages, the chances of a new miscarriage are higher; this is why a study of the possible causes should be initiated to prevent a recurrence.
What are the consequences?
After suffering a miscarriage, it is common for the woman to experience a traumatic situation. These emotional consequences include denial, where the pain of losing the foetus is such that they often refuse to attempt pregnancy again after a miscarriage.
It is very important in coping with a miscarriage that the couple receives support and help from those closest to them in order to make a full recovery.
Can a miscarriage be prevented?
What should be done is a study to see if the miscarriage has been caused by a treatable cause.
The basic screening for repeat miscarriages includes:
- Complete clinical history of the couple, assessing in an important way the existence or not of underlying diseases and the woman's age.
- Analysis of the karyotype of both partners (genetic study).
Study of the uterine cavity to rule out any malformation.
Immunological and thrombophilia studies. To rule out alterations in the blood that may predispose to a new miscarriage and that are treatable.
Study of the genetic male factor if it is a case with the rest of the studies normal and with some suspicion that the semen may be the cause of the miscarriages.
However, on many occasions all the studies are correct and in these cases it will probably be necessary to resort to in vitro fertilisation treatment with genetic diagnosis of the embryos before implantation.
Barcelona IVF is at your disposal for any queries you may have on the subject. You can contact us at info@bcnivf.com .
