Showing posts with label Miscarriage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Miscarriage. Show all posts

Monday, August 07, 2017

Periods After Miscarriage

Periods After Miscarriage If you have suffered a miscarriage, you may wonder when your periods will return. If you are planning on trying to get pregnant again, getting your period is a signal that your body is back on track. It's hard to tell exactly when your period will return and what it will be like when it does. Here is plenty of information so you can be ready and know what you can expect.


When Will You Have Periods After Miscarriage?
While it is different for every woman and the circumstances of her miscarriage, it is fairly common for a woman's period to resume in about 4 to 8 weeks. If the miscarriage occurred in the very beginning of the pregnancy, the period may return in about four weeks; if it is a late term miscarriage, it could take from two to three months to get back to normal.





What Will the First Period After Miscarriage Be Like?
When your period does return the first one may be different from your previous periods. If you were used to having light periods, you may have much heavier ones; if you are used to heavy bleeding, you may be surprised to find such a light flow. After a woman loses the fetus, she will experience light or heavy bleeding on and off for a couple of days or several weeks.


The other thing many women experience is Blood Clots. There is nothing to worry about; it is just a process of putting the body back to where it was before.


With each woman going through their own experience, periods after miscarriage vary for different people. Here are some types of new cycles you might expect:



  • ŸIn between spotting and a very light period

  • ŸYou may have cramps or not have them at all

  • ŸHeavy bleeding that suddenly stops and ends up to be spotting

  • ŸA light flow that ends up turning into spotting

  • ŸA combination of spotting for a few days, stopping, then a heavy flow begins


Sometimes you may experience the following which are not considered periods at all:



  • ŸNothing but spotting for days

  • ŸSpotting that comes and goes

  • ŸA heavy bleeding cycle where you go through a pad an hour for more than a week


The blood that is passing after the miscarriage helps to remove toxins that may have been building up in the uterus. This also helps to clear the way for the menstrual cycle to get back to normal.


What If Your Periods After Miscarriage Are Irregular?
No women enjoy having irregular periods so having to go through irregular periods after suffering a miscarriage is extremely difficult. The irregular periods seem to be a constant reminder that you are not pregnant any more. Being irregular not only means you don’t know when they are coming but your flow could be heavy, light, or you might not even have any bleeding at all.


1. Your Body May Be Trying to Pass a Clot or Tissue Left in the Uterus
If you have a miscarriage and it is in the beginning of the pregnancy, you might not even realize you are having a miscarriage; it may appear to be your regular period. But if your miscarriage comes later your uterus may be trying to pass some of the existing placenta or left over tissue.


2. Your Periods Are Irregular Before Pregnancy
If you were one of those women who always had irregular periods, chances are you will be back to the same schedule after your miscarriage. If you were always regular before the miscarriage, but irregular after, you should contact your doctor.


3. You Are No Longer Ovulating Regularly
Under normal circumstance, the uterine lining is shed when you produce an egg. If there is no egg, the lining will keep growing and getting thicker and thicker which could result in bleeding. Just like a period, it could be heavy bleeding or spotty.


4. You Are Either Too Heavy or Too Thin
Extremes in weights could result in irregular periods. Sometimes when women become too thin from too much exercise or dieting they don't even get their periods anymore.


5. You Might Be Expecting Again
If you have been the gamut of having a heavy period then a light one and then no period at all, you will have to wait out those irregular periods. If you don't have your period again after several months, you should check with your doctor to make sure that you are not pregnant again too soon after the miscarriage.


When Can You Get Pregnant After Miscarriage?
Your body can actually recover fairly quickly from a miscarriage. Within a couple of days, your body will function as it did before you were pregnant. But your emotional state may have a lot more to do with when you can get pregnant again after a miscarriage than your physical state. Give yourself the chance to grieve and feel the emotions that come with this experience, such as sadness, anger and guilt. When you are ready to think about getting pregnant again you may want to talk with your doctor.






















Miscarriage Condition



Best Time for Pregnancy



One miscarriage



Many women who have had one miscarriage have waited around six months before getting pregnant again. There has been no proven time to get pregnant so if everything is okay with you, you may not need to wait.



Two or more miscarriages



Having more than one miscarriage might require you to speak with your doctor to see if there is any reason why you have miscarried more than once. Talk with your doctor before getting pregnant again.



A molar pregnancy



If you experience a molar pregnancy you will find out that it is when the uterus develops a benign Tumor when the placenta ends up with a group of cysts instead of resulting in a pregnancy. Your doctor might want you to wait from 6 months to a year before you become pregnant again.


Saturday, July 01, 2017

Early Miscarriage Around 4 Weeks

Early Miscarriage Around 4 Weeks A pregnancy is always an overwhelming experience in a woman's life, and it can be quite shattering to know they are looking at a miscarriage. About 20% of all pregnancies end in miscarriages and most of these cases happen during the first 20 weeks of gestation. What many women don't know is that sometimes a miscarriage occurs even before a woman misses her period or realizes she's actually pregnant. You may, however, notice it if you experience amiscarriage at 5 weeks or even at 4 weeks. You will notice certain symptoms that will be physical and sometimes emotional as well.Find out early miscarriage symptoms and the way you can deal with the situation.


Signs of Miscarriage at 4 Weeks
It is possible to outline several signs of early miscarriage. Some of these signs are definite, while others are specific factors that may cause miscarriage in some cases.


Definite Signs

  • ŸYou will have a miscarriage if you're experiencing heavy bleeding after being pregnant for some time. It should be heavy bleeding that could soak a pad in less than a few hours.

  • ŸIf your breathing rate is fast and you're experiencing strong cramps followed by bleeding, you're having a miscarriage.

  • ŸAnother definite sign of miscarriage is passage of tissue, which may look like thick Blood Clots.


It is worth mentioning that bleeding usually indicates certain underlying problems, but a little bit of bleed that doesn't accompany with cramps is usually okay. This may happen when your body stretches to accommodate your growing baby. All you have to do is lie down for some time and cramps should go away.


Possible Signs
In addition to some definite signs, you may notice some possible signs of a miscarriage at 4 weeks. You shouldn’t take these signs lightly and consult with your healthcare provider for confirmation.



  • Bleeding intermittently: If you bleed intermittently, this may mean you're having a miscarriage. This usually happens when your hormone levels fall. It is therefore important to check your blood HCG levels to confirm what's causing problems in your case.

  • Cramps: You are more likely to have a miscarriage if you're experiencing severe cramps. Again, it is not a definite sign because you're going to experience some cramping throughout your pregnancy. Cramping that accompanies with bleeding is usually more serious.

  • No pregnancy symptoms: Sudden loss of pregnancy symptoms usually means that something isn't just right. It may be due to a pending miscarriage. You may not feel nauseous for a couple of days with little breast soreness. This is not always a cause of concern though, especially if it's after weeks 10 when your hormone levels balance out and placenta takes control of things.

  • A fluctuating pregnancy test: You may notice your pregnancy test fluctuating between negative and positive if you test super early. If you're a couple of weeks pregnant and your test isn't always positive, you may experience a miscarriage. This is usually common with a miscarriage at 4 weeks. Discuss it with your doctor and have yourself checked for an Ectopic Pregnancy.


How Does It Feel Like?
A miscarriage can have a devastating effect on the mother. It will actually have a physical and mental toll on you. When the miscarriage occurs when you're less than six weeks pregnant, you may feel as if you're experiencing a very heavy period. You may even notice small blood clots that could be up to 2cm in size. This will also accompany with mild pain and cramping. You may not need any medical intervention for miscarriages that happen this early in pregnancy.


However, a miscarriage will always be very upsetting because most women develop a bond with their baby so early in pregnancies, which is the reason why they find their miscarriages very isolating, diStressing, depressing, and lonely. It is important for both partners to console each other and recognize the fact that they can actually conceive again.


What Happens After a Miscarriage at 4 Weeks?
In case of an early miscarriage, your body is more likely to complete the process naturally without making you go for any further medical intervention. The bleeding may continue for some time but it usually stops in a week or so. You may need some rest with some painkillers and someone to comfort you.


Your doctor may ask you to confirm your miscarriage using a pregnancy test. Moreover, if your miscarriage symptoms persist even after a couple of weeks, you may have to go see your doctor who will conduct some tests to confirm why your body isn't recovering as it should.


Sometimes, your bleeding won't stop after a couple of weeks, which usually means there still are some pregnancy tissues left in your uterus. This usually happens when you have an incomplete miscarriage. If that's the case, your doctor may opt for one of the following two approaches:



  • Expectant management: Your doctor will check for signs of infection, and if there are no signs, they will wait for another week for bleeding to stop without a treatment.

  • Medical management: Your doctor will decide that you need some medical intervention to complete the miscarriage. They will suggest certain medicines for this.


When both these approaches don't work for any reason, your doctor may decide to perform a minor operation to ensure there isn't any pregnancy tissues left in your womb.

Abdominal Pain After Miscarriage

Abdominal Pain After Miscarriage Going through the pain of losing a pregnancy is usually not easy. Following a miscarriage, you could encounter a roller coaster of different emotions along with physical symptoms as your body fully recovers from the misfortune. Losing your child leaves you upset. Again, you may have abdominal pain after it.This is usually in the lower area of your abdomen. So, can this be termed as a usual side-effect of the miscarriage, and if that is correct, why? What could be happening at such a time?


Is It Normal to Have Abdominal Pain After Miscarriage?
When a woman loses a pregnancy, they can physically and emotionally be affected. The pain in abdomen is usually not one of the best. Most of the women who have had a miscarriage encounter some abdominal pain along with cramps. The discomfort level is not usually the same for all women. This is usually determined by the pregnancy stage when the miscarriage occurs.


All the same, the abdominal pain that is linked to a pregnancy loss does not necessarily stay for a period of two months. In such a case, it would be very vital to seek a medical practitioner for a further examination.


There are various reasons as to why a pregnancy can be terminated. One of these is a pregnancy outside the uterus or Ectopic Pregnancy. This condition of a miscarriage leads to changes in the anatomy of the woman’s body that are unusual and should be assessed. Additionally, when a miscarriage occurs, it is possible for the placenta parts to be reserved within the uterus and not removed with the rest of the conception products. The retained tissue of the placenta can lead to an infection that can threaten the life of the mother. A simple ultrasound assessment can be applied to establish whether the entire placenta has been removed from the uterus.


What Other Symptoms May Occur Except Abdominal Pain After Miscarriage?
Total physical recovery from pain after miscarriage can take between few weeks to a period of a month. Your recovery will be dictated on the extent to which your pregnancy had gone.


1. Anemia
A miscarriage in some women can lead to anemic conditions. This condition is normally characterized by a low count of red blood cell or hemoglobin. It usually causes exhaustion feelings, irritability, tiredness and physical weakness. Your healthcare giver could make recommendations for you to use certain iron supplements and maybe, make some changes to your diet in order to get help with this.


2. Bleeding
After the miscarriage has been endured, or following the operation, the amount of bleeding could be same as that of a usual period. In most cases, the bleeding will be somewhat lighter. The length of bleeding is, however, different for various people. This may last for a week or as long as three weeks, dying off gradually (on and off) before it stops completely. Most caregivers advise the use of sanitary pads in such moments.


3. Infections
Occasionally, a woman will get some uterus infection in the first few days of a miscarriage. The physical infection signs could be tenderness at the lower region of the belly or lower abdominal pain after miscarriage, a fever and probably an offensive discharge with an awful smell. Usually, the infection also activates heavier bleeding. Your caregiver may try to detect whether there is any pregnancy left in the uterus with the use of ultrasound.


4. Milk Flow
If the miscarriage occurred after fourteen weeks of your pregnancy, then there are possibilities of producing milk from the breasts. However, it is common to have breast milk produced later during the pregnancy for some women. When milk comes in, the breasts will get filled anytime about two to five days following the miscarriage. Your breasts may feel swollen, painful and hot.


Healing After Miscarriage


Physical Recovery
Treatment depends on how and when the miscarriage occurred.


If it happened at the initial stages of pregnancy, usually with 7-8 weeks, you will get recommendations from your doctor to let your body expel any placenta or fetal tissue by itself. This could be in form of a huge period along with strong cramping.


However, if the miscarriage occurred somehow later or if you never experienced any signs that your pregnancy was in a tricky situation, such as abdominal pain after miscarriage and bleeding, until an ultrasound did not work to assess the heartbeat, medical intervention would be required.


As an option, medication could be given to make your body release the tissue of pregnancy that normally happens 24 hours to a number of days afterwards. Again, your doctor could make suggestions to perform a dilation and evacuation process, a uterus suction to take away any placental or fetal tissue. Although mild cramping could be experienced for a 1 or 2 days along with a light bleeding, it is always a safe procedure.


Emotional Recovery
On the other hand, women often feel sad, grieved, and anxious of future pregnancies, anger or guilt following a miscarriage.



  • Grief is a natural response and must not be denied or suppressed. Talk to people about how you feel to help you deal with your feelings.

  • Guilt: Women may feel that they were responsible for the miscarriage. They may start looking out for things like foods and drugs they took and take them as the reason for the miscarriage. That is usually not the case and no guilt should be felt along those lines.

  • Anxiety: Women feel that this could happen again in the future and therefore want to talk to their doctor concerning the chance of such a thing happening again. While the risk of having another miscarriage occurs, women who have had a miscarriage can still get pregnant and deliver a healthy baby after successfully completing the pregnancy term.


Do I Need Any Tests After a Miscarriage?
If you get a miscarriage during your first trimester, you may not need tests. The causes of miscarriages happening at this time are usually not known and therefore, such tests may not really help you. However, if you have had several of them in your first trimester or had one in your second trimester, some tests may be recommended to establish what could be causing them. Here are some of the tests:



  • Chromosome tests: These small, thread-like structures found in cells carry genes and some miscarriages are a result of problems from the chromosomes. Therefore, you and your partner can be tested to check the possibility of issues with your chromosome. The miscarriage tissue can also be tested to establish the situation.

  • Tests on hormones: Hormones are body chemicals. Many of them or a very few of them for specific ones can cause some issues that could lead to a miscarriage situation. You may get your blood tested to confirm some issues with hormones or maybe, you may undergo an endometrial biopsy procedure that is done to remove a small portion of the uterus lining to look for hormones.

  • Bloods tests for immunity check: Body immunity protects you from infections. If the immune system is low, a miscarriage can result.

  • Viewing the uterus: An ultrasound using sound waves can be used along with a computer screen to screen the uterus. A hysteroscopy can also be conducted by inserting a special scope via the cervix to check your uterus. An X-ray of your uterus can also be carried out.

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Miscarriage

Miscarriage

Miscarriage describes pregnancy loss during the first 20 weeks or around the first to second trimester. Medical journals also refer to miscarriage as spontaneous abortion, which is the reverse of the induced abortion done in medical facilities. Up to 20 percent of pregnant women experience miscarriage and the majority of these women lose pregnancy during the first trimester. Miscarriage has numerous causes. Risk factors may increase the chances of miscarrying and women have different ways to get over the loss.


Causes of Miscarriage
Several factors can cause miscarriage ranging from chromosomal level to the mother’s health conditions.


Genetic Factors
Genetic factors are the foundation of development and abnormal development is one of the reasons why a woman miscarries. Genetic development failure affecting the chromosomal construction results to developmental process as it grows. Some abnormalities include the following:



  • Blighted ovum. This is the case where a fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterine wall, but the embryo does not develop.

  • Molar pregnancy. This type of pregnancy is the development of a benign Tumor in the uterus instead of having an actual fetus growing, which may seem like an actual pregnancy. Extra paternal chromosomes developed in the fertilized egg. The problematic genetic coding will transform the placenta into a mass or cyst that will grow. This case is often a rare cause of miscarriage.

  • Intrauterine fetal demise. Unlike blighted ovum, a forming embryo is already present in the uterus, but it stopped developing and resulted to its death even before the mother experiences signs of pregnancy.


Maternal Conditions
Several conditions of the mother can cause complications and affect pregnancy resulting to miscarriage. The following are some of the known conditions:



  • Thyroid problems

  • Hormone-related issues

  • Infections

  • Uterine and cervical problems

  • Uncontrolled Diabetes


Individuals also have some misconceptions of several miscarriage causes. However, they don’t really trigger this problem and these claims are backed up by studies. Examples of these conditions or activities are:



  • Sexual intercourse

  • Exercise

  • Work or jobs where environment subjects mothers to radiation or chemicals


Risk Factors of Miscarriage
Every pregnant woman can miscarry, but several risk factors can increase the chances of losing pregnancy. Common risk factors include the following:



























































Factors Description



Risk Ractors



Description



Age factor



Older women have higher tendency of miscarrying compared to women with younger age. Mothers of this age show higher risk in conceiving infants with chromosomal abnormalities. The prefect time for a women to conceive a baby is 24-28 years old.



Miscarriage history



Miscarriage risk likely increase with the number of times a woman gets pregnant. Pregnant women who miscarried twice or more have increased chances of miscarrying again.



Cervical or uterine issues



Congenital abnormalities in the uterus like adhesions, shorter cervix or also called cervix insufficiency increase the risk for miscarriage. Several studies about the linkage between uterine fibroids, or benign masses growing in the uterus, and miscarriage were conducted.



Chronic diseases



Blood clotting issues, poorly managed diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and other hormonal issues like polycystic ovary syndrome are among the risk factors of miscarriage.



Infections



Numerous studies state that infections boost risk factors for miscarriage. Examples of these infections are Rubella, Mumps, Hiv, parvovirus, listeria, and Measles.



Congenital defects and gene-related issues.



Genetic abnormalities experienced in previous pregnancies for the mother and other members of the family have a higher tendency of miscarrying than the usual.



Medications



Several medications boost miscarriage risk, whether they are over the counter medications or other NSAids. It’s vital to consult a physician first before taking medications while pregnant to prevent their adverse effects.



Environmental toxins



Being exposed to toxic environments and chemicals such as lead, arsenic, benzene and others can affect pregnancy and result to miscarriage.



Diet and lifestyle



Vices like smoking, drinking and drugs are known for boosting the risk of miscarriage. Other studies concentrating on other food components like caffeine can affect pregnancy and cause this unfortunate event.



Paternal factors



Fathers’ medical conditions can also affect pregnancy. This risk increases with the father’s age and negative effects on sperm due to toxic environments, like being exposed to industrial chemicals and harsh pesticides.



Obesity



Several studies show some linkage between obesity and miscarriage.



Diagnostic procedures



Even medical conditions done during pregnancy can also boost miscarriage risk like Amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling.



Symptoms of Miscarriage
Symptoms include cramping or pain on the lower back or abdomen, Mucus or fluid flowing from the vagina, and spotting or bleeding. Fluids released through the vagina must be kept in a clear container and bring it to the physician for testing.


What Happens After Miscarriage?
An induced or spontaneous passing of the tissue can cause cramping and light bleeding for several days. Using pads or tampons and taking other medications like ibuprofen will deal with the cramping. Women who miscarried must avoid several activities like douching, swimming and sexual activities until spotting has completely stopped.


Heavy bleeding or increasing pain intensity is a sign of needing medical attention. Other signs like dizziness, feeling weak or lightheaded require emergency medical attention.


When Can Another Conception Be Possible?
Spontaneous or not, miscarriage will require women to take some time before trying to conceive again. In general, it will take around four to six weeks before a woman will have her period. Several experts may give a go signal for conception after the period, but it will be best to wait some more time to ensure complete physical and emotional recovery. Ovulation may occur within two weeks after miscarriage, so it is advisable to use contraceptives to prevent pregnancy before the mother is ready.


How to Cope With Pregnancy Loss
Coping with miscarriage is both on the physical and emotional level. Some women will feel that their body is ready to conceive again, but emotionally speaking, they are still not ready for the next baby. Women cope in various ways and on their own time. For some, coping means trying to get pregnant again right after miscarriage, while others will wait some months before trying again. Emotional burdens and feelings of sadness can be discussed with a care provider or therapists.


In general, a woman who miscarried must always think that she is not at fault in the problem and that the time for healing can take some time. This may require space off from other people or doing usual activity like work. As the partner understands the grief of the mother, the other individual may not grieve as much. And although space is crucial, it’s best for women to not withdraw from people. Numerous support groups can be useful in moving on and restoring quality of life.

Signs and Symptoms of Miscarriage

Signs and Symptoms of Miscarriage

Miscarriage is when a woman loses the fetus during the early stages of the pregnancy and it can happen with 10 to 25% of pregnancies. There are many different possible causes for a miscarriage including trauma and infections and the symptoms can vary from person to person. It is possible for the miscarriage to occur very early in the pregnancy and for the woman not to even know that she was pregnant. If the miscarriage occurs later in the pregnancy, however, there may be more noticeable symptoms such as cramping and abdominal pain that is mild to severe. Read on to find out all the possible symptoms and how you should deal with a miscarriage.


Signs and Symptoms of Miscarriage
1. Spotting or Bleeding
Although spotting or bleeding may be a sign of a miscarriage, it is possible to experience these symptoms and still have a healthy pregnancy. Despite that, bleeding (whether light spotting or a heavier flow) is one of the first signs of a miscarriage so you should always visit your doctor if you are pregnant and experience this symptom.


2. Cramps
While pregnant, it is possible to have stomach cramps because your ligaments are stretching, but these cramps may also indicate a miscarriage. You should always talk to your doctor if you experience cramping during pregnancy and this is especially true if your cramps only occur on one side or feel stronger than your normal Menstrual Cramps or if you are also bleeding.


3. Back Pain
In some cases the cramps associated with miscarriage will not be abdominal. They may also come in the form of lower back pain that is dull to moderate. If you experience back pain during your pregnancy and also experience bleeding, you should make an appointment with your doctor to check.


4. Vaginal Discharge
Another common sign of miscarriage is vaginal discharge. This can include Blood Clots or other fluids. Any time that you experience discharge that includes vaginal irritation or is foul-smelling, you should talk to your doctor immediately as this may indicate a problem. If you discharge fetal tissue (which will be grayish and possibly have blood clots), then you should try to take a sample of it for your doctor to check.


5. Decreased Activity of the Baby
Although most miscarriages happen during the first trimester of pregnancy, they can occur later on as well. If this is the case, a change in the activity level of your baby may be one of the signs and symptoms of miscarriage. Because of this you should always pay close attention to how active your baby is. If he or she suddenly or drastically decreases their activity level, talk to your doctor.


6. Change in Pregnancy Symptoms
Another possible sign that you are experiencing a miscarriage is if your pregnancy symptoms undergo a change. The symptoms that may change include Breast Tenderness, vomiting and nausea. Any sudden change that occurs before your second trimester can be because of a decrease in the pregnancy hormones so your doctor may do a blood test.


7. Negative Pregnancy Test
If you have a positive pregnancy test and later have a negative one, this may indicate a miscarriage, but that is not always the case. It is also possible that you had a false positive result or that you have an Ectopic Pregnancy. If you have a negative pregnancy test after a positive one, you should consult your doctor.


Video: What Does A Miscarriage Look Like and how to react:





What to Do If You Suspect You Are About to Miscarry?
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above and associated with miscarriage, you should contact your doctor right away. If you are cramping or bleeding, your doctor will probably do a blood test (which they may repeat in a few days) and check where the bleeding is coming from. If there is any risk of an ectopic pregnancy, you will probably have an ultrasound and if the spotting continues. At that point, your doctor can determine what your risk of miscarriage is or if the miscarriage has already occurred.


It is possible that the embryo will be smaller than you expected which could indicate you are not as far along in the pregnancy as you thought. You may also need a second ultrasound and more blood tests to complete the diagnosis.


If the symptoms occur during the second trimester and your cervix is opening or shortening, your doctor may want to perform a cerclage (stitching the cervix shut) to reduce the risk of miscarriage.


It is possible to have cramping and light bleeding for several weeks and if so, you can take acetaminophen and wear sanitary pads (no tampons). During a miscarriage, the cramping and bleeding will most likely worsen. You should try to save the discharged tissue so your doctor can determine why the miscarriage occurred.


Medical Treatments for Miscarriage
Threatened Miscarriage
If you have a threatened miscarriage, it is possible that your doctor will ask to rest, avoiding exercise, traveling and sex. This may continue until your pain or bleeding subsides.


Miscarriage
There are several main choices for treating a miscarriage:



  • Expectant Management. You can choose to allow the miscarriage to discharge naturally, which could take anywhere from a few weeks to three or four and can be emotionally difficult. In some cases, medical treatment is necessary.

  • Medical Treatment. You can take medication (either oral or vaginal) to speed up the rate at which the expulsion occurs. In 70 to 90% of cases, this is effective within a day.

  • Surgical Treatment. Suction dilation and curettage is another option in which your doctor dilates the cervix and removes the tissue. This is necessary if you have an infection or heavy bleeding.


Home Remedies for Miscarriage

  • Physical recovery. Usually physical recovery will take between a few hours and several days. Your period should come back in four or six weeks and you should avoid placing anything in your vagina for two weeks.

  • Future pregnancies. It is possible to get pregnant right after your miscarriage and this is not necessarily bad. Having multiple miscarriages is very rare and fewer than 5% of women will have two miscarriages in a row. If you do have multiple miscarriages in a row, you should talk to your doctor to determine the cause.

  • Emotional support. It may take a long time to emotionally recover from a miscarriage. You should do your best to take time enough to grieve and talk to your friends and family. If you are especially depressed, you should talk to your doctor.

  • Prevention. In many cases you can’t prevent a miscarriage but it does help to try to take good care of your baby and yourself. You should have regular prenatal appointments and avoid risk factors (such as alcohol and cigarettes).

HCG Levels after Miscarriage

HCG Levels after Miscarriage

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) tests the level of placenta-produced hormone during the early part of pregnancy. The hCG level increases in a predictable pattern in healthy pregnancy. Pregnancy that will end up to miscarriage shows hCG levels don’t increase accordingly while post-miscarriage level will bring back to the measurement before getting pregnant, which varies among women. Read on to learn how long it takes HCG levels to return to normal after miscarriage and what you should pay attention to if trying another pregnancy. It is best to monitor and consult a physician about the changes on this level and see if there are abnormal fluctuations or increased in count that are indicative of other health issues. How Long does It Take for HCG Levels to Return to Normal after Miscarriage?
Returning the hCG level to normal level depends on the pregnancy term and the initial measured level. Duration before hCG level returns to normal level can be within days in an early pregnancy or after a few weeks. 1. HCG Levels at the Time of Miscarriage
The duration of pregnancy affects the hCG levels on the body. For instance, the American Pregnancy Association indicates that the hCG levels is around 1,080 and 56,500 mlU/mL within two weeks after the first missed menstruation. Higher levels mean longer duration before it restores to normal count post-miscarriage. 2. Time Needed to Return to Normal
If a woman miscarried, the doctor will either remove the placental tissue through surgical procedures or see if it detached on its own. Without the placenta, hCG levels will drop to negative levels lower than 5mlU/L. The American Pregnancy Association explains that hCG will drop to negative level around four to six weeks after miscarriage. 3. Considerations
  • Choriocarcinoma


It is vital to know the actual cause if the hCG level continues to increase despite miscarriage. Towards the end term of pregnancy, the placental root cells grow during miscarriage or after normal delivery and cause choriocarcinoma. Several studies show that the chemotherapy can treat choriocarcinoma in up to 90 percent of the cases as long as treatment is started early.


On the other hand, molar pregnancy can cause gestational trophoblastic disease and studies show that 10 percent of the collected cases show increased levels of hCG after removing the molar.



Another case when hCG levels continue to rise is when a woman had both a normal pregnancy and an ectopic pregnancy at the same time, even if the mother miscarried. Ectopic pregnancies, the instance when the fetus develops outside the uterus such as Fallopian tube, requires surgical operation or medications to stop the pregnancy. In essence, ectopic pregnancy cannot continue, particularly if they are in tubes, and will require different procedures like inducing surgically or medically. According to studies, one out of 4,000 pregnancies can be concurrent intrauterine or extrauterine pregnancies that require special medical attention. 4. Getting Pregnant Again
Pregnancy after miscarriage is quicker than many people expected. The next menstrual flow will start again after four to six weeks after miscarriage. In several rare cases, ovulation may start sooner, like two weeks after miscarriage. HCG level rises with the presence of new pregnancy and can be used as sign to see if the pregnancy is failing or not. Personal Experiences of Other Women
Several women who miscarried are quite aware of their hCG level. They have been monitoring their conditions since the time they suspect the possibility of miscarriage. They take note of their hCG level and consulted with their physicians. The following is one example of how long it takes for their hCG levels to go back to normal. Slow Recovery
I want to share my story here for other future mom’s reference. After miscarriage, I found comfort by reading other women’s stories here who coped despite the unfortunate event. Nevertheless, my case is somewhat unique, so I wanted to share it in case some future moms will have the same scenario. My hCG numbers are rare after miscarriaging (I was already on my tenth week, and took my ultrasound but we found out that our baby stopped developing on its sixth week). My blood test showed 56,000 hCG level. Took misoprostol two days after the blood test and after a week, my hCG is down to 1000. Around a week and a half, it’s down to 600 and decreased up to 130.2 after two weeks. My hCG level is finally at zero after 11 tests. Several days when my results showed 0 hCG when I got my very first AF post-miscarriage. It might take a while and although I’m very worried, I’m glad that I didn’t have any complications. My body took a slow turn. We tried, but I had no other news as of the moment since I had my period on the past week. My recovery is somewhat slow and other women might follow the same healing timeframe. However, remember that you’ll get through this part of your life. Don’t give up and good luck when you’re ready to conceive again. Quick Recovery
Watch a video for one more case--hCG levels 6 days after miscarriage:


When Can I Get Pregnant After Miscarriage?

When Can I Get Pregnant After Miscarriage?

During the first three months of pregnancy, the risk of miscarriage is quite high. Statistically, 10% to 20% of all pregnancies result in miscarriages. A miscarriage is defined as the sudden loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks. This is a common event, yet very difficult for a woman and her partner to deal with. After recovering from the impact of a miscarriage, the most common question asked by women is, “when can I try to get pregnant again?” It is important to speak to your health care provider and make sure you have emotionally and physically healed before you try to become pregnant again. A healthy lifestyle is imperative for a healthy pregnancy. Here are some tips to help you go through a healthy pregnancy after experiencing a miscarriage. When Can I Get Pregnant After Miscarriage?
After a miscarriage, trying to get pregnant again can be Stressful and confusing. If you are thinking about getting pregnant soon after a miscarriage, it is important to understand the steps you can take to promote a fruitful pregnancy. Recovery and Preparation
It is very important that you give yourself time to heal both emotionally and physically before you try to conceive again. Physical recovery after a miscarriage is quick and takes only a few days. After about a month, your body will be working normally and your menstrual cycles will begin once again. It is possible to become pregnant during your first menstrual cycle after your miscarriage. The most important part of the healing process is the mental healing. You want to make sure that you and your partner are emotionally ready to try again. A miscarriage can cause a severe feeling of loss and confusion, especially if it is the first pregnancy. You may feel anger and guilt. Give yourself time to recover and do not push yourself through your grief. When Can I Get Pregnant?
Once you are emotionally and physically stable and ready to become pregnant again, it is important to talk to your family physician for further guidance. Depending on how many miscarriages you have suffered, you must also keep a few pieces of information in mind.
  • If you have had one miscarriage. For some time, it had been recommended that women wait at least six months before they try to get pregnant again. However, recent studies have shown that there is no sure evidence to support this. Research has actually found that it is better for women to conceive in the first six months after a miscarriage and that this decreases the chances of complications. If you are ready right after your miscarriage, there is no reason to delay your next pregnancy.

  • If you have had more than one miscarriage. If you have had two or more miscarriages, you must talk to your family doctor before trying to conceive again. You may have to undergo some tests to determine the underlying cause of your miscarriages. Your doctor may also recommend some treatment methods before you attempt another pregnancy.

  • If you have had a molar pregnancy. A molar pregnancy is when a benign Tumor forms in the uterus. This occurs when the placental develops into abnormal cysts instead of a fetus. Your family doctor may recommend that you wait at least six months to a year before you try to conceive after a molar pregnancy.


What the Research Says
Studies have shown that women who become pregnant within six months of their miscarriage have better chances of proceeding with a healthy pregnancy. Compared to those who waited longer than six months to become pregnant, women who got pregnant earlier on had a lesser risk of suffering complications during pregnancy and labor. Similarly, women who waited over two years to become pregnant after a miscarriage were at greater risk of a life threatening Ectopic Pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy is when the egg is implanted outside the uterus, most often in the Fallopian tubes. These women were also more likely to undergo a C-section and/or have a low-birth-weight baby at a premature age. The same study included women who had miscarried late in pregnancy and similar results were found when compared to those who miscarried earlier in pregnancy; both groups were better off conceiving earlier rather than later. However, the study showed that women who have signs of infection or weak immune systems might have to wait longer to conceive after a miscarriage. Do I Need to Go Through Special Tests before Attempting Another Pregnancy?
If you have had more than two miscarriages, you may want to undergo some tests to determine the cause of the miscarriages before you try again. Some tests that can identify the issues include:
  • Blood tests. a comprehensive checkup of your blood levels can trace any hormonal or immune system problems.

  • Chromosomal tests. both you and your partner will have blood tested for chromosomal issues. If the tissue from the miscarriage is available, this will be tested as well.

  • Ultrasounds. an ultrasound can give a clear image of the uterus and can help doctors detect any issues with the structure of the uterus.

  • Hysteroscopy. a small scope may be inserted through your cervix into your uterus that can give an inside view of your uterus and Fallopian tubes.

  • Hysterosalpingography. This is a minimally invasive technique that uses a dye to highlight the inside of the uterus and the Fallopian tubes in x-rays.

  • Sonohysterogram. A fluid is inserted into your uterus and an ultrasound is performed to detect any issues in the lining of the uterus.


A number of tests and procedures can be performed to help identify the cause of the miscarriage. However, the majority of women undergo miscarriages for unknown reasons, and go on to have healthy subsequent pregnancies. Things to Do to Improve Chances of Healthy Pregnancy
A healthy pregnancy needs a healthy body. If you have an active and healthy lifestyle, you can increase the chances of having a healthy baby and pregnancy. If you are planning on conceiving or if there is a chance of you getting pregnant, it is important that you take a folic acid supplement. This will help in the development of your baby’s brain. Having a healthy weight can also improve your chances of healthy pregnancy. Being under or overweight can cause complications during your pregnancy and during labor. A healthy diet is essential and you should try to limit your caffeine intake. Smoking, alcohol and illegal drugs must be avoided at all costs. If you have had previous miscarriages, you will have to take extra care for future pregnancies. If you are pregnant again after multiple miscarriages, consult with your midwife or family doctor to devise a plan for monitoring and maintaining your pregnancy. Deal with Your Emotions and Feelings in the Process
Becoming pregnant again after a miscarriage can be both an extremely happy and an extremely stressful experience. You will be overjoyed at being given the chance to become a mother again but at the same time you might be anxious about the possibility of suffering another miscarriage. You may not want to tell anyone about your pregnancy until you are further along. The grief you felt during your miscarriage may resurface. Do not worry, as this is normal. It is important that you share your feelings with someone, be it your partner or other family and friends. A counselor or your family doctor can also help you cope with your emotions during this time.

Abdominal Pain After Miscarriage

Abdominal Pain After Miscarriage

Going through the pain of losing a pregnancy is usually not easy. Following a miscarriage, you could encounter a roller coaster of different emotions along with physical symptoms as your body fully recovers from the misfortune. Losing your child leaves you upset. Again, you may have abdominal pain after miscarriage.This is usually in the lower area of your abdomen. So, can this be termed as a usual side-effect of the miscarriage, and if that is correct, why? What could be happening at such a time?


Is It Normal to Have Abdominal Pain After Miscarriage?
When a woman loses a pregnancy, they can physically and emotionally be affected. The abdominal pain after miscarriage is usually not one of the best. Most of the women who have had a miscarriage encounter some abdominal pain along with cramps. The discomfort level is not usually the same for all women. This is usually determined by the pregnancy stage when the miscarriage occurs.


All the same, the abdominal pain that is linked to a pregnancy loss does not necessarily stay for a period of two months. In such a case, it would be very vital to seek a medical practitioner for a further examination.


There are various reasons as to why a pregnancy can be terminated. One of these is a pregnancy outside the uterus or Ectopic Pregnancy. This condition of a miscarriage leads to changes in the anatomy of the woman’s body that are unusual and should be assessed. Additionally, when a miscarriage occurs, it is possible for the placenta parts to be reserved within the uterus and not removed with the rest of the conception products. The retained tissue of the placenta can lead to an infection that can threaten the life of the mother. A simple ultrasound assessment can be applied to establish whether the entire placenta has been removed from the uterus.


What Other Symptoms May Occur After Miscarriage?
Total physical recovery from pain after miscarriage can take between few weeks to a period of a month. Your recovery will be dictated on the extent to which your pregnancy had gone.


1. Anemia
A miscarriage in some women can lead to anemic conditions. This condition is normally characterized by a low count of red blood cell or hemoglobin. It usually causes exhaustion feelings, irritability, tiredness and physical weakness. Your healthcare giver could make recommendations for you to use certain iron supplements and maybe, make some changes to your diet in order to get help with this.


2. Bleeding
After the miscarriage has been endured, or following the operation, the amount of bleeding could be same as that of a usual period. In most cases, the bleeding will be somewhat lighter. The length of bleeding is, however, different for various people. This may last for a week or as long as three weeks, dying off gradually (on and off) before it stops completely. Most caregivers advise the use of sanitary pads in such moments.


3. Infections
Occasionally, a woman will get some uterus infection in the first few days of a miscarriage. The physical infection signs could be tenderness at the lower region of the belly or lower abdominal pain, a fever and probably an offensive discharge with an awful smell. Usually, the infection also activates heavier bleeding. Your caregiver may try to detect whether there is any pregnancy left in the uterus with the use of ultrasound.


4. Milk Flow
If the miscarriage occurred after fourteen weeks of your pregnancy, then there are possibilities of producing milk from the breasts. However, it is common to have breast milk produced later during the pregnancy for some women. When milk comes in, the breasts will get filled anytime about two to five days following the miscarriage. Your breasts may feel swollen, painful and hot.


Healing After Miscarriage


Physical Recovery
Treatment depends on how and when the miscarriage occurred.


If it happened at the initial stages of pregnancy, usually with 7-8 weeks, you will get recommendations from your doctor to let your body expel any placenta or fetal tissue by itself. This could be in form of a huge period along with strong cramping.


However, if the miscarriage occurred somehow later or if you never experienced any signs that your pregnancy was in a tricky situation, such as abdominal pain after miscarriage and bleeding, until an ultrasound did not work to assess the heartbeat, medical intervention would be required.


As an option, medication could be given to make your body release the tissue of pregnancy that normally happens 24 hours to a number of days afterwards. Again, your doctor could make suggestions to perform a dilation and evacuation process, a uterus suction to take away any placental or fetal tissue. Although mild cramping could be experienced for a 1 or 2 days along with a light bleeding, it is always a safe procedure.


Emotional Recovery
On the other hand, women often feel sad, grieved, and anxious of future pregnancies, anger or guilt following a miscarriage.



  • Grief is a natural response and must not be denied or suppressed. Talk to people about how you feel to help you deal with your feelings.

  • Guilt: Women may feel that they were responsible for the miscarriage. They may start looking out for things like foods and drugs they took and take them as the reason for the miscarriage. That is usually not the case and no guilt should be felt along those lines.

  • Anxiety: Women feel that this could happen again in the future and therefore want to talk to their doctor concerning the chance of such a thing happening again. While the risk of having another miscarriage occurs, women who have had a miscarriage can still get pregnant and deliver a healthy baby after successfully completing the pregnancy term.


Do I Need Any Tests After a Miscarriage?
If you get a miscarriage during your first trimester, you may not need tests. The causes of miscarriages happening at this time are usually not known and therefore, such tests may not really help you. However, if you have had several of them in your first trimester or had one in your second trimester, some tests may be recommended to establish what could be causing them. Here are some of the tests:



  • Chromosome tests: These small, thread-like structures found in cells carry genes and some miscarriages are a result of problems from the chromosomes. Therefore, you and your partner can be tested to check the possibility of issues with your chromosome. The miscarriage tissue can also be tested to establish the situation.

  • Tests on hormones: Hormones are body chemicals. Many of them or a very few of them for specific ones can cause some issues that could lead to a miscarriage situation. You may get your blood tested to confirm some issues with hormones or maybe, you may undergo an endometrial biopsy procedure that is done to remove a small portion of the uterus lining to look for hormones.

  • Bloods tests for immunity check: Body immunity protects you from infections. If the immune system is low, a miscarriage can result.

  • Viewing the uterus: An ultrasound using sound waves can be used along with a computer screen to screen the uterus. A hysteroscopy can also be conducted by inserting a special scope via the cervix to check your uterus. An X-ray of your uterus can also be carried out.

Signs of Infection After Miscarriage

Signs of Infection After Miscarriage

Miscarriage is an unfortunate event and refers to the loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week. More than 10% of pregnancies end in miscarriage for many different reasons. Sometimes, the miscarriage occurs so early in the pregnancy that a woman doesn't even know about it. It becomes even diStressing when a miscarriage results in an infection. Over 3% of women develop an infection when they experience a miscarriage during their first trimester. It is possible to treat miscarriage after effects, but it still puts you in a better position to select a right treatment option if you know signs of infection after miscarriage.


Signs of Infection After Miscarriage
You may notice several after effects of a miscarriage.


You are more likely to develop an infection if tissue from the pregnancy is still inside your womb. This usually causes serious bleeding.


A closer pelvic exam will show pieces of tissue coming out of your cervix, which is another sign of an infection.


An infection may have already developed if you're noticing a bad smell coming from your vagina.


Fever is another sign of infection after miscarriage.


You may also experiencepain in your belly if you're infected.


What to Do
It is important to look for a treatment when you feel you may have developed an infection. You need to bear in mind that post-miscarriage infections can sometimes be life threatening if not treated in a timely manner. You will be better off letting your doctor know about your condition and recommend a treatment option.


Your doctor may ask for an ultrasound to confirm if any of the pregnancy is still there in your uterus or not. After these tests, they will prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection. You may sometimes require an operation in order to remove the remaining pregnancy.


How to Prevent Infection After Miscarriage
Your doctor will recommend some medications to help clear your infection, but until the bleeding stops, you can try a number of ways to manage your condition better. For starters, you should avoid using tampons and stick to sanitary pads instead – you can use tampons again on your next period. Similarly, you should avoid taking baths and go for showers instead. Avoid swimming and sexual intercourse until you have recovered completely. Along with taking these precautions, you should keep using the prescribed antibiotics as directed.


Considerations After Miscarriage
A miscarriage is a dreadful experience for women, and it is obvious to see them have all sorts of questions after the infection has cleared. Many women are often worried about conceiving again because they think they will experience the same situation again. Some even decide not to become pregnant again. It is important to discuss your thoughts with your caregiver to make a right call.


1. Having Another Miscarriage
It is common to ask if you are going to have another miscarriage after the first one. It usually depends on your unique circumstances. If this is the first time you have experienced a miscarriage and have other normal pregnancies before this unfortunate event, the chances are your subsequent pregnancies will be normal and healthy. You may need to worry about your condition if you have a couple of miscarriages in a row, especially without any normal pregnancies before your miscarriages. You need to work with your doctor to determine the underlying cause of your recurrent miscarriage.


2. Continuing with Sexual Intercourse
It is yet another common concern for women after they notice signs of infection after miscarriage. The common sense says you should let your bleeding stop completely before you have sex again. It usually means to wait between one and three weeks – it may take longer depending on the complications involved in miscarriage. Continuing with sexual intercourse won't give your body enough time to heal. You should also consider how you feel about having sex again after losing a baby. Sometimes, you may want to conceive again and want to have sex with your partner as soon as possible – you can become pregnant once again at least after a week of your miscarriage. Whatever the case, be sure to discuss it all with your partner and share your thoughts with your doctor to ensure if it is safe to have sex again.


3. Becoming Pregnant Again
It is worth mentioning that there is no evidence that taking a break before you decide to conceive again will prevent future miscarriage. It means that if you're feeling fine, you can definitely have sex again and hope to become pregnant. Some caregivers may suggest not to conceive until a month after your miscarriage, especially if you have lost a substantial amount of blood. It is also a good idea to delay your attempts to conceive if you have high Blood Pressure or Diabetes. It is usually quite tempting to start attempting to conceive again to recover your loss, but it is always a good idea to discuss it with your caregiver and ensure that you're feeling healthy enough to complete your pregnancy without a hitch.


It is important to point out though that your fertility will return usually within 1-6 weeks after your miscarriage, so it is fine to try to conceive again. In case you're not feeling well, you may decide not to conceive again for some time. You should discuss it with your caregiver who may guide you about appropriate contraception.

Periods After Miscarriage

Periods After Miscarriage

If you have suffered a miscarriage, you may wonder when your periods will return. If you are planning on trying to get pregnant again, getting your period is a signal that your body is back on track. It's hard to tell exactly when your period will return and what it will be like when it does. Here is plenty of information so you can be ready and know what you can expect.


When Will You Have Periods After Miscarriage?
While it is different for every woman and the circumstances of her miscarriage, it is fairly common for a woman's period to resume in about 4 to 8 weeks. If the miscarriage occurred in the very beginning of the pregnancy, the period may return in about four weeks; if it is a late term miscarriage, it could take from two to three months to get back to normal.





What Will the First Period After Miscarriage Be Like?
When your period does return the first one may be different from your previous periods. If you were used to having light periods, you may have much heavier ones; if you are used to heavy bleeding, you may be surprised to find such a light flow. After a woman loses the fetus, she will experience light or heavy bleeding on and off for a couple of days or several weeks.


The other thing many women experience is Blood Clots. There is nothing to worry about; it is just a process of putting the body back to where it was before.


With each woman going through their own experience, periods after miscarriage vary for different people. Here are some types of new cycles you might expect:



  • ŸIn between spotting and a very light period

  • ŸYou may have cramps or not have them at all

  • ŸHeavy bleeding that suddenly stops and ends up to be spotting

  • ŸA light flow that ends up turning into spotting

  • ŸA combination of spotting for a few days, stopping, then a heavy flow begins


Sometimes you may experience the following which are not considered periods at all:



  • ŸNothing but spotting for days

  • ŸSpotting that comes and goes

  • ŸA heavy bleeding cycle where you go through a pad an hour for more than a week


The blood that is passing after the miscarriage helps to remove toxins that may have been building up in the uterus. This also helps to clear the way for the menstrual cycle to get back to normal.


What If Your Periods After Miscarriage Are Irregular?
No women enjoy having irregular periods so having to go through irregular periods after suffering a miscarriage is extremely difficult. The irregular periods seem to be a constant reminder that you are not pregnant any more. Being irregular not only means you don’t know when they are coming but your flow could be heavy, light, or you might not even have any bleeding at all.


1. Your Body May Be Trying to Pass a Clot or Tissue Left in the Uterus
If you have a miscarriage and it is in the beginning of the pregnancy, you might not even realize you are having a miscarriage; it may appear to be your regular period. But if your miscarriage comes later your uterus may be trying to pass some of the existing placenta or left over tissue.


2. Your Periods Are Irregular Before Pregnancy
If you were one of those women who always had irregular periods, chances are you will be back to the same schedule after your miscarriage. If you were always regular before the miscarriage, but irregular after, you should contact your doctor.


3. You Are No Longer Ovulating Regularly
Under normal circumstance, the uterine lining is shed when you produce an egg. If there is no egg, the lining will keep growing and getting thicker and thicker which could result in bleeding. Just like a period, it could be heavy bleeding or spotty.


4. You Are Either Too Heavy or Too Thin
Extremes in weights could result in irregular periods. Sometimes when women become too thin from too much exercise or dieting they don't even get their periods anymore.


5. You Might Be Expecting Again
If you have been the gamut of having a heavy period then a light one and then no period at all, you will have to wait out those irregular periods. If you don't have your period again after several months, you should check with your doctor to make sure that you are not pregnant again too soon after the miscarriage.


When Can You Get Pregnant After Miscarriage?
Your body can actually recover fairly quickly from a miscarriage. Within a couple of days, your body will function as it did before you were pregnant. But your emotional state may have a lot more to do with when you can get pregnant again after a miscarriage than your physical state. Give yourself the chance to grieve and feel the emotions that come with this experience, such as sadness, anger and guilt. When you are ready to think about getting pregnant again you may want to talk with your doctor.






















Miscarriage Condition



Best Time for Pregnancy



One miscarriage



Many women who have had one miscarriage have waited around six months before getting pregnant again. There has been no proven time to get pregnant so if everything is okay with you, you may not need to wait.



Two or more miscarriages



Having more than one miscarriage might require you to speak with your doctor to see if there is any reason why you have miscarried more than once. Talk with your doctor before getting pregnant again.



A molar pregnancy



If you experience a molar pregnancy you will find out that it is when the uterus develops a benign Tumor when the placenta ends up with a group of cysts instead of resulting in a pregnancy. Your doctor might want you to wait from 6 months to a year before you become pregnant again.


Miscarriage at 4 Weeks

Miscarriage at 4 Weeks

A pregnancy is always an overwhelming experience in a woman's life, and it can be quite shattering to know they are looking at a miscarriage. About 20% of all pregnancies end in miscarriages and most of these cases happen during the first 20 weeks of gestation. What many women don't know is that sometimes a miscarriage occurs even before a woman misses her period or realizes she's actually pregnant. You may, however, notice it if you experience amiscarriage at 5 weeksor even a miscarriage at 4 weeks. You will notice certain symptoms that will be physical and sometimes emotional as well. Keep reading to find out more about miscarriage symptoms 4 weeks and the way you can deal with the situation.


Signs of Miscarriage at 4 Weeks
It is possible to outline several signs of miscarriage at 4 weeks. Some of these signs are definite, while others are specific factors that may cause miscarriage in some cases.


Definite Signs

  • ŸYou will have a miscarriage if you're experiencing heavy bleeding after being pregnant for some time. It should be heavy bleeding that could soak a pad in less than a few hours.

  • ŸIf your breathing rate is fast and you're experiencing strong cramps followed by bleeding, you're having a miscarriage.

  • ŸAnother definite sign of miscarriage is passage of tissue, which may look like thick Blood Clots.


It is worth mentioning that bleeding usually indicates certain underlying problems, but a little bit of bleed that doesn't accompany with cramps is usually okay. This may happen when your body stretches to accommodate your growing baby. All you have to do is lie down for some time and cramps should go away.


Possible Signs
In addition to some definite signs, you may notice some possible signs of a miscarriage. You shouldn’t take these signs lightly and consult with your healthcare provider for confirmation.



  • Bleeding intermittently: If you bleed intermittently, this may mean you're having a miscarriage. This usually happens when your hormone levels fall. It is therefore important to check your blood HCG levels to confirm what's causing problems in your case.

  • Cramps: You are more likely to have a miscarriage if you're experiencing severe cramps. Again, it is not a definite sign because you're going to experience some cramping throughout your pregnancy. Cramping that accompanies with bleeding is usually more serious.

  • No pregnancy symptoms: Sudden loss of pregnancy symptoms usually means that something isn't just right. It may be due to a pending miscarriage. You may not feel nauseous for a couple of days with little breast soreness. This is not always a cause of concern though, especially if it's after weeks 10 when your hormone levels balance out and placenta takes control of things.

  • A fluctuating pregnancy test: You may notice your pregnancy test fluctuating between negative and positive if you test super early. If you're a couple of weeks pregnant and your test isn't always positive, you may experience a miscarriage. This is usually common with a miscarriage at 4 weeks. Discuss it with your doctor and have yourself checked for an Ectopic Pregnancy.


How Does It Feel Like?
A miscarriage at 4 weeks can have a devastating effect on the mother. It will actually have a physical and mental toll on you. When the miscarriage occurs when you're less than six weeks pregnant, you may feel as if you're experiencing a very heavy period. You may even notice small blood clots that could be up to 2cm in size. This will also accompany with mild pain and cramping. You may not need any medical intervention for miscarriages that happen this early in pregnancy.


However, a miscarriage will always be very upsetting because most women develop a bond with their baby so early in pregnancies, which is the reason why they find their miscarriages very isolating, diStressing, depressing, and lonely. It is important for both partners to console each other and recognize the fact that they can actually conceive again.


What Happens After a Miscarriage at 4 Weeks?
In case of a miscarriage at 4 weeks, your body is more likely to complete the process naturally without making you go for any further medical intervention. The bleeding may continue for some time but it usually stops in a week or so. You may need some rest with some painkillers and someone to comfort you.


Your doctor may ask you to confirm your miscarriage using a pregnancy test. Moreover, if your miscarriage symptoms persist even after a couple of weeks, you may have to go see your doctor who will conduct some tests to confirm why your body isn't recovering as it should.


Sometimes, your bleeding won't stop after a couple of weeks, which usually means there still are some pregnancy tissues left in your uterus. This usually happens when you have an incomplete miscarriage. If that's the case, your doctor may opt for one of the following two approaches:



  • Expectant management: Your doctor will check for signs of infection, and if there are no signs, they will wait for another week for bleeding to stop without a treatment.

  • Medical management: Your doctor will decide that you need some medical intervention to complete the miscarriage. They will suggest certain medicines for this.


When both these approaches don't work for any reason, your doctor may decide to perform a minor operation to ensure there isn't any pregnancy tissues left in your womb.

Monday, June 13, 2016

When Do Most Miscarriages Happen?

When Do Most Miscarriages Happen?

Miscarriage is also called spontaneous abortion because it refers to the natural loss of the pregnancy. If your miscarriage occurs before you're twelve weeks pregnant, you will have an early miscarriage. It is called a late miscarriage though if it occurs between twelve and twenty weeks of pregnancy. If you lose your baby after twenty weeks, it is called stillbirth. It is never easy to deal with miscarriages, because they will affect you physically, mentally and emotionally as well. However, learning when do most miscarriages happen and if you can do something about it can alleviate your concern.


When Do Most Miscarriages Happen?
Most women don't know about their miscarriage because it happens even before they know they are pregnant. In fact, almost half of all fertilized eggs die spontaneously before a woman knows she's pregnant. The miscarriage rate in women who are pregnant is about 15-20%. When do most miscarriages happen? Well, that's usually during the first 7 weeks of pregnancy, and the rate drops incredibly after 7 weeks when it's possible to detect the heartbeat of a baby.


What Causes the Miscarriage?
It is equally important to know "What causes the miscarriage?" Not all the causes of miscarriages are clear yet, but most miscarriages that occur during the first trimester of pregnancy have something to with chromosomal abnormalities in the baby. Chromosomes carry genes which determine a person's physical attributes such as hair, sex, blood type and eye color.


Are You At a Higher Risk of Miscarriage?
You already know the answers to the questions, "When do most miscarriages happen?" and "What causes the miscarriage?" It's time to know if there is anything that put you at a higher risk of miscarriage. Well, any woman can miscarry, but some of the most common risk factors include the following.



  • Age: Older women are at a higher risk of miscarriage because they are more likely to conceive a baby with specific chromosomal abnormalities. Moreover, your risk of miscarriage will increase with more child you bear.

  • A History of Miscarriages: You are more likely to have a miscarriage if you have had more than two miscarriages in a row in the past.

  • Chronic Disorders: You are at a high risk of miscarriage if you have certain inherited blood clotting disorders, hormonal disorders or autoimmune disorders.

  • Uterine or Cervical Problems: Having severe uterine adhesions, abnormally short cervix, or certain congenital uterine abnormalities will increase the likelihood of having a miscarriage. Some experts have found a link between uterine fibroids and miscarriage, but there's no real evidence because most fibroids don't cause real problems.

  • A History of Genetic Problems: If someone in your family has a genetic abnormality or you've experienced one in your previous pregnancy, the chances are your next conception will also end in a miscarriage.

  • Infections: Certain issues like Mumps, listeria, Measles, Rubella, Gonorrhea, parvovirus, and Hiv will increase the odds of having a miscarriage.

  • Drinking, Smoking, and Using Drugs: Several studies have established a link between miscarriages and high levels of caffeine consumption. The same is true for smoking and excessive drinking.

  • Medications: Use of specific medications may contribute towards having a miscarriage. This is true for both prescription and OTC drugs, including NSAids, such as aspirin and ibuprofen.

  • Environmental Toxins: Several environmental factors may also increase your risk. The list includes arsenic, lead, large doses of radiation, and some chemicals such as benzene, formaldehyde and ethylene oxide.

  • Paternal Factors: Sperms can get damaged due to certain environmental toxins, but they can still fertilize an egg. The risk of damaged sperm fertilizing an egg increases with the father's age and increases the risk of miscarriage.

  • In addition, you are more likely to miscarry if you're obese. Similarly, diagnostic genetic testing may also increase the risk in some women.


Can You Prevent a Miscarriage?
Since you have known the answer to "When do most miscarriages happen?" can you take some measures to prevent one? Actually, there is nothing one can do about miscarriages resulting from genetic abnormalities in the fetus. You may want to work with your healthcare provider to identify other factors that lead to miscarriages. A healthy lifestyle before and during pregnancy will also help prevent any complications. Here are some other tips to help you reduce the chances of miscarriage that results from other factors.



  • Make sure to take 400mg of folic acid or more every day and start taking it at least a couple of months before conception.

  • Be active and exercise regularly.

  • Try meditation and other ways to manage Stress.

  • Stick to a well-balanced diet.

  • Make sure to keep your weight in check.

  • Quit smoking and limit your exposure to secondhand smoke.

  • Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages.

  • Avoid any exposure to poisons such as formaldehyde, lead, ethylene oxide, etc.

  • Take steps to keep your abdomen safe and don't engage in any sporting activities with risk for injury. Avoid contact sports as much as you can. Wear your seatbelt when driving.

  • Don't take any medication without checking with your healthcare provider first. This is true for OTC drugs as well.

  • Take special steps to avoid environmental hazards such as infectious diseases and X-rays.

Sunday, June 05, 2016

How Long After a Miscarriage Can You Try Again?

How Long After a Miscarriage Can You Try Again?

It is never easy to recover emotionally from a miscarriage, but there is no need to wait and delay pregnancy after that. If you think you are emotionally ready, you can proceed. BBC News says that conceiving within six months of a miscarriage has no negative effects on the health of the mother. Still, many women ask, "How long aftermiscarriage can you try again?" Keep reading to learn more about it.


How Long After a Miscarriage Can You Try Again?
If you have a natural miscarriage, you will have to wait till the bleeding and cramping disappear completely. It is important to bear in mind that you should not wait for more than two weeks to carry a lost pregnancy or else you will end up dealing with physical complications. Sometimes you need D&Cto clear the tissues completely.


Now, the big question is, "How long after a miscarriage can you try again?" If you follow the current guidance from the World Health Organization, you need to wait for at least six months before you try to conceive again. However, the latest study shows that you do not have to wait this long; in fact, you will have lower risks of miscarrying if you conceive within six months of your first miscarriage. This also lowers risks of Ectopic Pregnancy. The general rule is to wait till you are both physically recovered and mentally prepared to try another pregnancy.


There are certain circumstances when you will be better off waiting for at least six months to conceive again. For instance, you should wait longer if you have had an ectopic pregnancy or molar pregnancy. It is also a good idea to wait if you are suffering from another infection or illness. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider before trying again if you have had repeated losses.


What are My Chances of Having Another Miscarriage?
How long after a miscarriage can you try again is a common question, but it is also common for women to ask about their chances of having another miscarriage. Statistics show that about 85% of women who miscarry face no issues with subsequent pregnancies. The success rate is 75% for women who may have more than a couple of losses. You need to understand this fact, but it is never going to be easy for someone who has just recovered from such a loss. You can take certain steps to make this period much more Stress-free. For instance:



  • Talk to your healthcare provider and ensure that your pregnancy is carefully monitored.

  • Do not involve in activities such as baby showers until the arrival of your baby.

  • Do not pay too much attention to what people around you say about how to go through your pregnancy successfully. Always follow your own heart, talk to your partner, and follow the advice of your medical team.

  • Do not think too much about your last miscarriage. This will take a toll on you emotionally that will affect your health in a negative way.


What's more, you can find support groups online and offline and actively participate to help release stress and find answers to your questions. Working with counselor throughout your pregnancy may also help.


Tips and Notes for a Healthy Pregnancy
While it is important to know how long after a miscarriage can you try again, you should also pay attention to certain tips to make things easier. Here are some basic steps you can take to ensure a healthy pregnancy:



  • Stop smoking and leave all bad habits. Smoking excessively or drinking alcohol or caffeinated beverages will increase your risk of miscarriage.

  • Keep your body temperature low. You are more likely to miscarry if your body temperature stays around 100F. Be sure to take Tylenol when you are sick or have a fever. Do not take hot baths while pregnant.

  • Be sure to take other safety precautions. You should travel safe and wear seatbelt in your car. Never engage in contact sports and avoid skiing. Leave these activities for time when your baby is born.

  • What's more, you can also make some lifestyle changes and go on a healthy diet to improve your chances of a healthy pregnancy. For starters, take 400mcg of folic acid every day and eat organic food when possible. Be sure to spend some time doing exercise – a short walk with your partner will do the trick. Meditate to reduce your stress and avoid chemical exposure.


Do I Need Tests Before Trying?
When you have questions about how long after a miscarriage can you try again, you may consider getting a few tests done to be sure about everything. Your doctor may order blood tests to detect if there are any problems with hormones. They may also order chromosomal tests if you have had more than two miscarriages in the past. Your doctor may also order tests to detect uterine problems. The tests may include ultrasound scans, which use ultrasound device to take images of your uterus; hysteroscopy, which involves inserting a lighted telescope into your uterus for images; sonohysterogram, which helps identify any problems in the lining of your uterus.


These tests will help determine the cause of your miscarriage and ensure that you do not have to deal with the same again. Even when your doctor fails to pinpoint the cause of your miscarriage, you should not lose hope because up to 70% of women with unexplained miscarriages still manage to have healthy pregnancies.

Saturday, June 04, 2016

First Period After Miscarriage

First Period After Miscarriage

It is never easy to deal with a miscarriage; in fact, it is among the most devastating things a woman has to deal with in her life. Going through a miscarriage is difficult, but dealing the aftermath of the miscarriage is also hard. Many women experience miscarriage before12 weeks, and some women have a miscarriage so early in their pregnancy that they do not even realize they were pregnant. However, if you know you have had a miscarriage, you should also be prepared for what comes next. Something you are going to notice after a miscarriage is a change in your menstrual cycle.


When to Expect Your First Period After Miscarriage
Your ovaries are likely to produce an egg about a couple of weeks after your miscarriage, which means you are going to experience your first period in 4-6 weeks after your miscarriage. Interestingly, your body treats a miscarriage as a period, which is the reason that in a 28-day cycle you are probably going to ovulate 14 days after your miscarriage. It means your period will arrive about 28 days after your miscarriage.


It is important to understand that since most women do not have regular cycle, it is therefore important to see your doctor if you do not have your period after 6 weeks of your miscarriage. Among many other things, they will consider how far you were into your pregnancy when you had your miscarriage because it has an impact on when to expect your first period after a miscarriage. It may take longer to have your first period if you were into your second trimester when you had a miscarriage.


What Will Your First Period After Miscarriage Be Like?
Some women experience no change when they have their first period following a miscarriage. For others, it can be quite heavy. What you should bear in mind is that your first period can be quite different from your regular period, so do not worry if you notice something different. Still, it is a good idea to go see your doctor if your period is highly abnormal with a substantially changed pattern.


Keep in mind that there is no "normal" for your first period after miscarriage. It can be:



  • Very light and no more than spotting or very heavy

  • Terribly crampy or not that uncomfortable

  • Heavy in the beginning and drop off to spotting in no time

  • Light spotting for a few days, stop and then start again with heavy bleeding


Some women even experience bleeding for several days or weeks. The bleeding can be light or heavy. If it stops after a few days and does not return after 20 days, know that you have just had your first period after miscarriage. If you generally have lighter periods, your first period following miscarriage may be quite heavy. In some cases, you may notice Blood Clots with bleeding.


Take Care of Yourself After Miscarriage
While it takes some time for your body to recover after a miscarriage, you can take steps to help accelerate recovery. Here are some important things to keep in mind when you have a miscarriage.



  • Give your body some time to recover before you try again to conceive. While you can try whenever you feel you are ready, it is a good idea to give yourself a few weeks before trying again. This will help your body to heal and also lower your chances of having another miscarriage, which is a possibility when you try too soon after your first miscarriage.

  • Maintain a balanced diet and take plenty of rest after your miscarriage. Having a miscarriage can be an overwhelming experience, both emotionally and physically. It is, therefore, important to take steps to help your body recover. The most important thing is to maintain a balanced diet and provide your body with nutrients to recover quickly. You may also continue with your prenatal vitamins for quicker healing.

  • If you have a miscarriage, be sure to talk to your doctor about it. They will complete a physical test to identify the underlying causes of your miscarriage. This will help you make better moves when you become pregnant again. A miscarriage can happen due to an underlying medical condition, and it is important to treat it first or else your pregnancy may again result in a miscarriage.

What Can Cause a Miscarriage?

What Can Cause a Miscarriage?

It is never easy to recover emotionally and physically from a miscarriage. What many women do not know is that miscarriages are quite common and affect about 10-25 % of pregnancies, especially before 20 weeks. Understanding the causes of miscarriage may help them handle things better and prevent a potential miscarriage.


What Can Cause a Miscarriage?
There may be different things at play when miscarriages happen during the first trimester as compared to when they happen during the second trimester.


Possible Cause of an Early Miscarriage
Mostly, first trimester miscarriages are the outcome of irregularities with chromosomes of the fetus. Here is more about issues that may lead to an early miscarriage:



  • Chromosome Problems


Chromosomes are blocks of DNA and contain detailed instructions about how the body develops, what color of eyes a baby will have, etc. There will be problems if the baby does not receive enough chromosomes or receives too many of them. Why it happens is still unclear, but when it happens, it normally results in a miscarriage. In fact, studies show that about two-thirds of first trimester miscarriages are due to chromosomal abnormalities. Talk to a maternal fetal medicine specialists or a genetic counselor if you have had a miscarriage due to a genetic problem.



  • Sperm DNA Fragmentation


A miscarriage may happen when strands of sperm DNA break and fail to deliver DNA to the egg. You are 2-5 time more likely to have a miscarriage if your partner already has this condition. Sperm DNA fragmentation may occur due to antidepressant use, smoking, chemotherapy, exposure to heat or an enlargement of veins in the scrotum. IVF clinics and male Infertility specialists offer help in this regard.



  • Placental Problems


Apart from chromosome and DNA disorders, what can cause a miscarriage in early pregnancy? It is the role of the placenta to supply mother's blood to the baby. Any problem with this organ will affect the development of the baby and may result in a miscarriage.



  • Age Factor


While anyone can have an early miscarriage, women under 30 years of age are less likely to have it. Research shows that 2 in 10 pregnant women between 35 and 39 years of age have a miscarriage. Similarly, more than half of pregnancies result in a miscarriage for women over 45 years of age.



  • Other Causes


In addition, you may find many other causes that lead to first-trimester miscarriage. The list includes smoking during pregnancy, Obesity, drug misuse and excessive alcohol use. You may also increase your risk of having a miscarriage if you drink more than 200 mg of caffeine a day. What's more, some women experience an early miscarriage due to low progesterone levels that lead to problems with implantation.


Possible Causes of a Late Miscarriage
What can cause a miscarriagein second trimester? There can be a number of reasons. For instance:



  • Chronic Health Conditions


You are more likely to have a miscarriage in the second trimester if you have chronic health conditions such as lupus, Diabetes, Hypertension, coeliac disease, kidney disease, and over-or under-active Thyroid gland.



  • Infections


Your pregnancy may end in a miscarriage if you have infections such as HIV, Bacterial Vaginosis, cytomegalovirus, Rubella, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia or Malaria.



  • Food Poisoning


Eating contaminated food may cause food poisoning that may increase your risk of miscarriage. You may develop Listeriosis by eating un-pasteurized dairy products; Salmonella by eating raw or partly cooked eggs; or Toxoplasmosis by eating undercooked or raw meat.



  • Medications


Certain medications can also increase your risk of miscarriage. The list includes misoprostol used to treat rheumatoid Arthritis; retinoids used to treat acne and eczema; and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen. Always talk to your doctor before taking any medicines during pregnancy.



  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome


What can cause a miscarriage? It could be due to a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Caused by hormonal changes, PCOS makes your ovaries to become larger than normal, which often results in infertility. Even if you are fertile and have this condition, your pregnancy is more likely to end in a miscarriage. Still, a large majority of women with this condition manage to have healthy pregnancies.



  • Abnormalities with Womb


Any abnormality with the uterus may lead to second trimester miscarriages. This usually happens when you have an abnormally shaped womb or have non-Cancerous growths called fibroids.



  • Weakened Cervix


The muscles of the neck of the womb or the cervix may become weak by an injury to the area after a surgical procedure. This muscular weakness leads to cervical incompetence and causes the cervix to open early during pregnancy. This often leads to a miscarriage.


What Does Not Cause a Miscarriage?
It is common to ask "What can cause a miscarriage?" But it is equally important to know what does not cause it. Let's have the popular myths about miscarriage debunked.


1. Exercise
You do not increase your risk for miscarriage by staying active during pregnancy. In fact, if you exercise under the supervision of your doctor, you actually lower your risk of having a miscarriage. Exercise helps by reducing aches and pains, stress and gestational diabetes risk.


2. Stress
There are conflicting studies on miscarriage and stress, but there is no clear evidence that even too much stress caused by the death of a parent or spouse has anything to do with a miscarriage. Women who are constantly under stress often drink excessively, smoke, or take drugs, which in turn affect pregnancy.


3. Moodiness
Due to a change in hormones, it is quite natural to experience quick mood shifts. However, research shows that there is no connection between excessive bad moods and miscarriage. However, it is a good idea to let your doctor know about it because it can lead to Depression, which may not cause a miscarriage but is still not good for your mental and physical wellbeing.


4. Sex
You do not have to worry about having a miscarriage just because having sex with your partner. It is important to ensure that you do not have any other medical condition that prevents you from having sex during pregnancy.