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Spontaneous abortion
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Miscarriage refers to a pregnancy in which the fetus (the future baby) cannot survive, or is stillborn before the 20th week of pregnancy.
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- Abdominal pain
- Cramping and labor like symptoms
(i.e., vaginal bleeding)
- Fever
- Can be divided to 4
categories:
- Threatened abortion -- excessive
vaginal bleeding and cramping
- Inevitable abortion -- the cervix
opening dilates, while the sac around the products of
conception (the fetus and placenta) ruptures, causing the
fluids to leak into the vagina.
- Incomplete abortion -- parts of
the fetus are expelled, but the placenta remains intact.
- Complete abortion -- all of the products of conception are expelled (including the placenta). This may look like a blood clot or lump with a disc-shaped placenta resembling a honeycomb at the base, so if you do miscarry, do not look for an actual "fetus." It may be necessary to collect the expelled material so that your doctor can evaluate it.
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- Unknown in half the cases
- Chromosomal abnormalities --
chromosomes carrying the parents' genes (i.e., eye color,
baldness, etc.) can be damaged (bent or broken) during the
early stages of fetal development (after the sperm
fertilizes the egg, the male and female chromosomes begin to
share genes and divide).
- Hormonal abnormalities -- in some women, the level of Progesterone (which
prepares the uterus for the fetus) is low.
- Infections of the uterus (womb) or the cervix (part of the uterus that opens in to the vagina) by bacteria such as Syphilis or viruses.
- Abnormalities of the uterus or
cervix -- fibroids (benign tumors of the uterus) and a
damaged cervix due to repeated D&C (dilation and
curettage)
- Abnormal immune reactions -- the immune system protects the body against foreign invaders using specific cells and Proteins
(antibodies). In some cases, the fetus and the placenta (where the fetus is attached to the uterus), mistaken for foreign invaders, are attacked by the mother's immune system.
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- The first miscarriage is usually not
worked up extensively, since the chance of subsequent
pregnancy is very good.
- A general physical exam, coupled
with a review of the full medical history of the patient
- A pelvic or bi-manual exam, in which
the physician looks and feels for abnormalities in the
vagina, cervix, and the uterus. This is uncomfortable,
but generally painless.
- Examination of expelled products of
conception may be done.
- Beta HCG is a chemical hormone
detected in the blood during a normal pregnancy. After
a miscarriage, the blood levels of this chemical fall.
- A blood test is done to ascertain
the degree of blood loss, liver or kidney function,
hormones, and to look for infection.
- Blood tests for immune problems
(check for antibodies such as lupus anticoagulant)
- The products of conception may be sent for genetic studies (chromosomal abnormalities). Ultrasound uses sound
waves (painless) to see if the fetus has a heartbeat, to
determine what is left in the uterus after miscarriage, and
to show fibroids and other structural problems.
- Hysteroscopy can directly look in
the uterus using a thin, penlike camera.
- Endometrial biopsy (scraping a bit
of the lining of the uterus) sometimes needs to be done.
- Conditions that may be
similar:
- Ectopic Pregnancy
(pregnancy outside the uterus)
- Menorrhagia (heavy
menstrual bleeding)
- Cancer of the cervix
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- Alcohol
- Smoking
- Medications such as those used in
treatment of cancer or acne
- Presence of other diseases (i.e.,
heart, diabetes, and thyroid disease)
- After one miscarriage, the risk of
second one is 10%-13%
- After two miscarriages, the risk of another rises to 35-40%
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The
following treatments can prevent or reduce the risk of a
miscarriage:
- Normalizing low Progesterone levels
- Normalizing the abnormal levels of
thyroid hormones
- Controlling sugar (glucose) levels
in diabetes
- Surgical correction of abnormal uterine structures or removing Uterine Fibroids
- Management of pain and bleeding
- Antibiotics for infections
- Tylenol for pain and fever.
Avoid painkillers from a class known as non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (i.e., aspirin, Ibuprofen,
Naproxen) because they may worsen the bleeding.
- Surgical procedures such as
D&C (dilation and curettage) or D&E (dilation and
evacuate) are used to dilate the cervix and remove the
products of conception.
- If Depression ensues, then psychological counseling may be helpful.
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- If cramping, bleeding, or passing of
any of the products of conception occur, contact your doctor
or call 911 immediately. The doctor may refer you to
an obstetrics & gynecology (ob-gyn) specialist.
- Do not become depressed. Your chances are very good for second pregnancies. More information is available at the pregnancy and infant loss center at 1-612-473-9372, or by visiting www.miscarriages.tripod.com.
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