Miscarriage Doesn't Mean You Won't Have a Healthy Pregnancy Next Time!
Many mums who've suffered a miscarriage wonder if there was anything they
could have done to prevent it, but it's simply
not their fault. Most of these failed pregnancies are due to an abnormality in the developing fetus and are nature's way of protecting us. If you're experiencing an
ectopic pregnancy, for instance, the body may spontaneously expel the fetus in order to protect itself.
Miscarriages are not caused by exercise, sex, something you ate or any other normal
activity. So unless you are deliberately looking for ways to cause a
miscarriage, rest assured that it wasn't your fault and that it'll be
safe to try for another pregnancy after your body has a bit of a rest.
What are the chances of miscarriage?
For a normal healthy young woman the chances are 15-25% according to the
latest statistics. The chances do increase with age however, up to about 50% if
you're over 45.
Most of these will happen during the first trimester. As you become
further along in your pregnancy, the chances will decrease. What are the symptoms
of miscarriage?
If you notice any unusual back pain or abdominal pain which feels similar to a menstrual cramp,
this may be an indication. Other symptoms are bleeding, pink or grey coloured mucus,
contractions which occur at regular intervals or any clots or unusual tissues
passing from the vagina. If you are experiencing any of these, they may be
warning signs you may be about to miscarry, call your doctor and rest as soon as you can to
minimize the risk.
In the event that you do miscarry, it's vital that all fetal tissue is
removed from the body to prevent infection or excessive blood loss. In most
cases the body will expel these itself but in case this doesn't happen, your
doctor may advise a D & C (dilation and curettage) which will make sure
everything is cleared away and healing can begin.
Physical healing is easily handled by your body, but emotional healing is
important as well. If you are feeling unhappy or feeling a sense of loss after a
miscarriage, this is perfectly normal. Find support wherever you can; friends,
family, your partner or your doctor may be sources of strength and comfort at
this time. If you are still feeling depressed, there is help out there. If there
are no local support groups near where you live,
dailystrength.org/ offers good free online support.
And now the good news...
Pregnancy after miscarriage
The chances of achieving a healthy pregnancy next time around are very good,
about 20-25% which is only slightly higher than someone who's never miscarried.
If you miscarried early in the pregnancy, the chances may be lower still.
You may be wondering at this stage if there's anything you can do to prevent
miscarrying again. Because most miscarriages are caused by fetal abnormalities,
there isn't much we can do to prevent these. However to ensure any future
pregnancies are healthy, we can make sure we have a healthy diet which includes
enough folic acid, regular exercise and try not to worry and stress out too
much.
There are certain situations to avoid as well, especially during the first
trimester. Among these are contact sports or extremely vigorous activity, smoke
filled rooms, alcohol and people with an infectious disease.
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from miscarriage to home
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