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The Little Surgery |
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Miscarriage |
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What is a miscarriage?Miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy at any time in the first twenty eight weeks.Nearly all of these are in the first twelve weeks.
What causes it?The chances are that if you suffer a miscarriage, no-one will be able to tell you exactly why.It is most likely to happen because there is something wrong with the baby and it has no chance of developing normally. Sometimes it is because you have some other illness during your early pregnancy (probably an infection causing a fever). After the first three months of pregnancy you are unlikely to have a miscarriage- but if you do, it might sometimes be because the neck of your womb is weak.
How common is it?Miscarriages are amazingly common - it is possible that up to one in six pregnancies ends in a miscarriage, and having one does not mean that you are more likely to have one the next time you get pregnant.You are more likely to have a miscarriage if you are pregnant with twins or triplets. Very rarely, you may have a problem that makes miscarriage more likely.
What are the symptoms?First, you will probably notice that you are losing blood through your vagina.On its own, light bleeding is called a threatened miscarriage and is often nothing to worry about. You may then get cramping pains in your stomach and heavier bleeding, often with clots of blood.
When should I go to my GP?You should see your GP if you have any vaginal bleeding in pregnancy.If the bleeding is heavy, and sepecially if there are clots or you have a lot of pain, you should ring up and speak to your GP immediately. He or she will advise you about what to do next.
What tests will my GP do?Your GP may want to do an internal examination. He or she may refer you to the hospital within the next couple of days to have a scan of your womb.If you are more than 6 weeks pregnant, the scan may help to tell if your baby is alive. If it looks like you are having a miscarriage, your GP will refer you to hospital straight away.
What is the short term treatment?If you do not need to go to the hospital straight away, your GP will probably suggest that you rest.This may not make a lot of difference, but it certainly won't do any harm.
How can I stop it getting worse?If you have had a miscarriage, there is sadly nothing you can do to turn the clock back.If you have had a threatened miscarriage, you have a good chance of going on to have a normal healthy baby. It is a good idea for all pregnant women (and especially if you have had a threatened miscarriage) not to overdo things. You may also feel more comfortable avoiding sex until after three months of pregnancy - although this probably doesn't make much difference. Far more importantly, you must make sure that you do not smoke and keep your alcohol intake to one or two drinks, once or twice a week.
Will I need regular checkups?If you have had a threatened miscarriage, your GP may arrange a scan to check that all is well.If you have had 3 or more miscarriages, or have had a miscarriage unusually late in pregnancy, your GP may get you to see a specialist.
Will I need to be referred to hospital?If you have bleeding in early pregnancy which settles without any pain or clotting, you may not need to be seen before your routine antematal booking appointment at the hospital.If the bleeding does not settle, you will probably need to be referred to hospital for a scan.
If you have a miscarriage, you may need an operation to open up the cervix and empty out the womb.
 Here is a site which may be useful Hygeia a site for people who have lost a baby through miscarriage.
And visit this excellent UK site run by Dr Danny Tucker
Dr Ruth Livingstone at ruth.livingstone@ukonline.co.uk |
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