Often, there are situations of early pregnancy termination, when the woman does not even know that she is pregnant. In these cases, a miscarriage can be confused with menstruation. Symptoms that clearly indicate that this is not a normal period can be alarming. For example, the color of the blood is bright red or dark red, severe cramps and the release of pieces of tissue. In general, at the beginning of a spontaneous abortion, the bleeding resembles menstruation. However, with a miscarriage, the bleeding intensifies over time.
If any bleeding occurs during pregnancy, you should immediately contact your doctor, as not all bleeding is a sign of miscarriage, about half of the time it passes without problems. The doctor should conduct an examination to determine whether a spontaneous abortion has occurred or not. If large clots and tissue fragments have passed, it is advisable to keep them in a container for examination by a doctor.
How to recognize a miscarriage?
Miscarriage and menstruation have many common symptoms, but the consequences are completely different. If you are trying to get pregnant, the first thing to do is take a pregnancy test. This can be done even if the bleeding is still ongoing. If the result is negative, most likely the cycle is normal. If the bleeding is different from usual, it is recommended to contact the gynecologist of the MC " Bogolyuby " to make sure there are no problems.
If a pregnancy test is positive, it does not necessarily mean that a miscarriage is occurring. Bleeding during pregnancy is common, occurring in 15 to 25 percent of women in the first trimester. It may be simple implantation bleeding, which is a small amount of blood that occurs when the embryo attaches to the lining of the uterus.
What is spontaneous abortion and what are its causes?
A spontaneous abortion or miscarriage is defined as a pregnancy loss before 20 weeks. In most cases, it occurs within 12 weeks of pregnancy. The most common signs, as mentioned, are bleeding and cramping. To determine if a miscarriage has occurred, the doctor will check the cervix. If you have a history of miscarriages, it is advisable to consult a doctor before starting a new pregnancy to find a solution and increase the chances of success.
The causes of miscarriage are not always clear. Having debunked the false myths, it should be said that spontaneous termination of pregnancy is not a consequence of emotional shock or minor injuries, such as a fall or slip , but can be caused by serious blows, such as a car accident. In the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, one of the main causes of miscarriage is a problem in the fetus - a genetic defect or hereditary disease.
Miscarriage: how to diagnose and what to do?
In case of bleeding during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, to determine whether it indicates a miscarriage, the doctor conducts a pelvic examination to check the condition of the cervix. If it is open, there is a high probability of spontaneous abortion. An ultrasound examination will help to determine whether the fetus is still alive. Blood tests are also prescribed to check the level of the pregnancy hormone hCG.
If the fetus and placenta have already been expelled from the woman's body, no treatment is needed. Bleeding and cramping will stop on their own after a short time. If fetal fragments are still present, the doctor may keep the patient under observation to make sure the uterus empties on its own.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict a miscarriage. If it does happen, it is normal to feel grief, anger, and guilt. To feel better, it is a good idea to talk to a therapist about how you are feeling. If you are worried about having another miscarriage, discuss it with your gynecologist, who can recommend any necessary diagnostic tests. It is important to remember that many women who have had a miscarriage go on to have healthy babies.