Miscarriage(Spontaneous Abortion)
by
Debra Wood, RN DefinitionMiscarriage refers to the premature end of a pregnancy before the developing baby is able to survive outside the uterus. Miscarriage can occur during the first or second trimester, before 20 weeks. Most occur in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. They often are unexpected and isolated events. About 15%-20% of recognized pregnancies end this way.
Causes TOPMiscarriages often occur for the following reasons:
In some cases, the cause of miscarriage is unknown. Risk Factors TOPMiscarriages are more common in women 35 years and older. Other factors that may increase your chance of having a miscarriage include:
Symptoms TOPMiscarriage may cause:
Recurrent MiscarriageWhile miscarriage usually is a one-time occurrence, up to 1 in 20 couples experience 2 miscarriages in a row, and 1 in 100 have 3 or more. In some cases, these couples have an underlying problem. Couples who have experienced 2 or more miscarriages should have a complete medical evaluation to learn the cause and how they can prevent another one from occurring. Cause of repeat miscarriages may include:
Diagnosis TOPYou will be asked about your symptoms, the length of your pregnancy, and when you first noticed a change in your condition. Physical and pelvic exams. Prior to miscarriage, tests may include:
After miscarriage, tests may include:
Imaging tests may be used to evaluate the uterus and surrounding structures. These may include:
Treatment TOPImmediate care usually involves observation only, especially in early or first trimester miscarriages. Medication may be indicated in the event of heavy bleeding or cramping. A dilation and evacuation (D&E) may be needed if uterine contents are not spontaneously passed through the vagina. During a D&E, the doctor dilates the cervix, inserts a tool into the uterus, and suctions out remaining material. Support ServicesA counselor or support group may be needed to help deal with the emotions surrounding a miscarriage. Prevention TOPBefore you start to plan your next pregnancy consider the following regarding your health:
If a specific cause of the miscarriage was found, certain treatments may help prevent future miscarriages. Treatments may include:
RESOURCES:The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists http://www.acog.org March of Dimes http://www.marchofdimes.org CANADIAN RESOURCES:The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada https://sogc.org Women's Health Matters http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca References:
First trimester pregnancy loss. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:
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Miscarriage. American Pregnancy Association website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Updated MAy 2, 2017. Accessed September 8, 2017. Miscarriage. March of Dimes website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Updated July 2012. Accessed September 8, 2017.
Second trimester pregnancy loss. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:
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Recurrent pregnancy loss. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:
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Last reviewed September 2018 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Beverly Siegal, MD, FACOG Last Updated: 9/30/2013 | |
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