Table of Contents
The topic of pregnancy often comes with surprises. whether you first heard about it from a family member or a close friend, the staggering reality of up to 1 in every 3 pregnancies ending in miscarriage is rarely disclosed.
Curiosity naturally arises regarding the causes behind these heartbreaking losses and why they have sparked increasing worry over access to quality healthcare for miscarriages, particularly in specific regions of the United States.
What is miscarriage?
What causes miscarriage?
- Advanced maternal age: The risk of chromosome abnormalities, which can lead to pregnancy loss, As age increases.
- Autoimmune disorders: Many individuals with autoimmune disorders like lupus or Sjogren’s syndrome have successful pregnancies, but they do face a higher risk of miscarriage.
- Certain illnesses: Poorly controlled diabetes or thyroid disease can elevate the risk of miscarriage.
- Uterine conditions: Conditions such as uterine fibroids, polyps, or malformations can contribute to miscarriage.
- Previous miscarriages: Experiencing a miscarriage slightly Increases the risk of having another miscarriage in subsequent pregnancies. For example, if the risk of miscarriage is one in 10, it may increase to 1.5 in 10 after the first miscarriage and four in 10 after three.
- Certain medications: Some medications can potentially harm a developing pregnancy. It is advisable to plan pregnancy and seek pre-pregnancy counseling if you have a chronic illness or condition.
How is miscarriage diagnosed?
In many cases before the availability of early pregnancy ultrasounds, miscarriages were diagnosed based on symptoms such as bleeding and cramping.
. Nowadays, routine ultrasounds can detect a miscarriage or early pregnancy loss even before individuals notice any symptoms.
Miscarriage treatment options vary depending on individual circumstances and personal preferences. When a miscarriage occurs in the first trimester (up to 13 weeks of pregnancy) without complications, the following options are typically available:
1. Non-intervention: In some cases, no medical intervention is necessary as the body naturally passes blood and pregnancy tissue at home. Within two weeks, about 80% of those who experience bleeding as a sign of miscarriage will pass the pregnancy tissue.
Important information: This option may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with conditions like anemia that make heavy bleeding unsafe.
2. Medication: The most effective medicinal approach involves using mifepristone followed by misoprostol. Using only misoprostol is less successful but still an option; it helps around 70-80% of individuals pass pregnancy tissue.
Important information: After taking misoprostol, bleeding and cramping usually start within hours.
if bleeding doesn’t begin or if there’s remaining pregnancy tissue in the uterus, a surgical procedure may be required – this occurs in approximately one out of ten people using both medicines and one out of four people using only misoprostol.
Important information: If someone experiences life-threatening bleeding or shows signs of infection, this becomes the safest choice.
In cases where a miscarriage happens during the second trimester (after 13 weeks), it is important to consult with your doctor for guidance on the safest and most appropriate plan. Generally speaking, second-trimester it often requires medical procedures and cannot be managed at home.
Red flags: When to ask for help during a miscarriage
If you encounter any of the following symptoms during the initial 13 weeks of pregnancy, it is crucial to promptly seek medical attention by contacting your healthcare provider or visiting the emergency department:
- heavy bleeding combined with dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling faint
- fever above 100.4° F
- severe abdominal pain not relieved by over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil). Please note: ibuprofen is not recommended during pregnancy, but is safe to take if a miscarriage has been diagnosed.
When you reach the 13-week mark of your pregnancy, it is crucial to promptly get in touch with your healthcare provider or head straight to the emergency department if you encounter any of the following issues:
- any symptoms listed above
- leakage of fluid (possibly your water may have broken)
- severe abdominal or back pain (similar to contractions).
How is care for miscarriages changing?
with political intervention ably, safe and effective miscarriage care has been greatly affected..
- The use of dilation and evacuation (D&E) as a treatment for second-trimester miscarriage has been prohibited in certain states. D&E involves the removal of pregnancy tissue through the cervix, without the need for surgical incisions. This procedure can be crucial in cases where complications like excessive bleeding or infection arise during a miscarriage, potentially saving lives.
- Many laws and lawsuits that interfere with miscarriage care offer an exception to save the life of a pregnant patient. However, complications may develop unexpectedly and worsen quickly, making it hard to ensure that people will receive prompt care in life-threatening situations.
In the end, if laws or court decisions prohibit or limit access to abortion services,. This includes measures that constrain medications and procedures used for both abortion and miscarriage care.
