Miscarriage, also referred to as spontaneous abortion, is a very distressing and touchy event experienced by many women globally. Miscarriage is a very distressing and touchy event experienced by many women globally. Miscarriage occurs when a pregnancy ends before the baby can live outside the womb, usually before 20 weeks of pregnancy.
About 10-20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriages. One thing about miscarriages is that the real numbers or global statistics aren’t really known because some miscarriages happen before the woman knows she’s pregnant. In this article, we’ll look at the symptoms and causes of miscarriage.
The Process
After the sperm fertilizes the egg, the egg travels down the fallopian tubes and implants itself in the uterus lining. The embryo begins to form, and the woman may start to experience the usual pregnancy signs. However, if a problem such as a chromosomal abnormality or other health issues happens, the embryo may not develop properly, which often leads to miscarriage.
As soon as the body detects that the pregnancy is not progressing, the hormone levels may start to drop. This may signal the body to end the pregnancy. After which, the woman may start experiencing symptoms of a miscarriage.
Symptoms of Miscarriage
- Vaginal bleeding
- Cramping
- Passing tissues or clots
- Lower back pain
- Little or no pregnancy symptoms
- Pelvic pressure
Causes of Miscarriage
Genetic abnormalities: Sometimes, the baby might have problems with its genes or chromosomes, which makes them not to develop fully. Although these abnormalities happen naturally, it can lead to miscarriage.
Moreover, hormones in the female body help maintain pregnancy. So if for any reason, a woman’s hormones are not balanced, it can affect pregnancy, which can also cause miscarriage.
Infections: Some mothers may be carriers of certain infections, like some sexually transmitted infections or illnesses, which can harm the pregnancy and lead to miscarriage.
Structural abnormalities of the uterus: The normal shape of the uterus is often described as a pear shape. It’s wider at the top and narrows down to the bottom, which then connects to the cervix.
But in some cases, the uterus tended to take an unusual shape. If the uterus has unusual shapes or growths like fibroids, it makes it hard for the baby to grow and stay healthy in its lining, which can lead to miscarriage.
Lifestyle factors: Pregnancy is one of the most sensitive periods in a woman’s life. Because of that, there is a long list of habits that can affect this period. One of the many habits is drinking too much alcohol, which can increase the chances of a miscarriage.
Unknown causes: Sometimes even doctors don’t know why a miscarriage happens, which can be really frustrating for those that are affected by it.
Summary
Miscarriage, or spontaneous abortion, is a difficult experience that many women go through around the world. It happens when a pregnancy ends before 20 weeks. It is quite common, with about 10-20% of known pregnancies ending in miscarriage. However, the real number might be higher because some miscarriages happen before a woman even knows she is pregnant.
Furthermore, see a doctor if you have vaginal bleeding, especially heavy bleeding or clots. If you feel severe pain or cramping in your belly, or if you pass a tissue, get help. Also, look out for fever or chills, a sudden loss of pregnancy symptoms, or if you feel really stressed.
