The loss of pregnancy during the first 20 weeks is termed as miscarriage.
About one in five pregnancies can end in miscarriage. Fortunately, about 90%of women who have had one miscarriage later on have a normal full term pregnancy and a healthy baby.
Recurrent pregnancy loss is said to happen when three pregnancy losses occur in a row prior to 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Miscarriages, especially recurrent pregnancy loss can cause extremely strenuous phase for the couples.
An elaborate view regarding miscarriage and solutions for the same can prove to be of help.
Vaginal bleeding is the most common symptom of miscarriage.
Please note that light vaginal bleeding is not uncommon during the first 3 months of pregnancy. It may not always be a sign of alarm, but it is important to notify your doctor about the same.
In case of miscarriage the vaginal bleeding may be accompanied by cramping & pain in your lower abdomen.
Ectopic pregnancy is a condition where in the embryo implants outside the uterus, generally the fallopian tube. Miscarriages with ectopic pregnancies may have severe symptoms such as extreme abdominal pain, feeling light headed or fainting along with vaginal bleeding. Ectopic pregnancy can be a serious condition and needs immediate medical help.
Miscarriages during the first three months (First trimester) of pregnancy:
About 75% of the miscarriages occur during this time frame.
Genetic problems:
Most of the miscarriages during the first trimester are caused due to some defects in the chromosomes. Chromosomes are blocks of DNA that form the genes. They contain detailed set of instructions. These instructions are followed during the development of the baby and hence they determine how the overall development occurs including the external features, internal organs, colour of the hair, skin, eyes etc.
For reasons still unknown, sometimes things go wrong at the point of conception and the foetus receives more or less number of chromosomes than normal. Miscarriage in such cases can be termed as the nature’s call as the baby would not have been able to develop normally.
Placental problems:
Placenta is an organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy. It carries out the very important function of supplying nutrients from the mother to the baby and carrying away the waste in the reverse direction. If the placenta fails to develop correctly it can lead to miscarriage.
Some factors that increase the risk of miscarriage are –
Age- The risk of miscarriage increases significantly above 35 years of age.
Smoking.
Alcohol consumption.
Use of illicit drugs.
Obesity.
Over consumption of caffeine.
Miscarriages during the second trimester:
1) Chronic health conditions:
Some health conditions, especially if they are long term and not properly attended to can lead to miscarriage.
The health conditions include:
Diabetes.
Hypertension.
Thyroid dysfunction.
Anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS)
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
2) Certain infections like sexually transmitted diseases, Rubella, HIV, Bacterial vaginosis, Malaria may increase the risk of miscarriage.
3) An abnormally shaped uterus can cause miscarriage.
4) fibroids in the uterus may some times lead to miscarriage.
5) Weak cervix – Cervix is the opening of the uterus. Weakened cervix or cervical incompetence is when the muscles of the cervix are weaker than normal. The weak cervix can cause the uterus to open too early during pregnancy leading to miscarriage.
6) Some medicines can increase your risk of miscarriage. It is very important to consume any medicines only with medical advice.
The first step to be taken in case you feel any symptoms of miscarriage, is of course to contact your doctor.
An ultrasound scan is usually done to check for the heart beat and other details of your baby.
Blood tests also may be performed to check your hormones developing during pregnancy. These need to be checked twice with a duration of 48 hours.
If the miscarriage is confirmed your doctor may advise certain medications or pessaries to have the pregnancy tissue completely pass out of your uterus. Surgical management may some times be needed for the same.
Certain investigations can be performed to check the possible cause of miscarriage, especially if it is a case of Recurrent miscarriage.
Karyotyping: This test is performed to check the chromosomes of the fetus for any kind of defect. The same test can be done for you or your partner as chromosomal defects are an important cause of pregnancy loss during the first 3 months of pregnancy.
Ultrasound scan: This scan helps to detect any kind of structural deformities in the uterus or other issues such as Ultrasound scan: This scan helps to detect any kind of structural deformities in the uterus or other issues such as fibroids or polyps or polycystic ovaries.
Blood tests: These tests may be performed to check for conditions such as thyroid dysfunction, PCOS, Antiphospholipid syndrome, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, sexually transmitted diseases.
The news of pregnancy brings in great joy in the family. It brings new hopes & new dreams along with it. Loss of this dearly awaited pregnancy can be very much disturbing to both the partners as well as the family members. The scenario can be much more upsetting with recurrent pregnancy loss which is when pregnancy loss occurs three or more times in a row.
Is there no solution, no hope for pregnancy loss? Hope certainly exists. Hope with a scientific direction and well- planned protocol.
At Dyumna Women’s clinic we have an established treatment protocol to avoid pregnancy loss based on our experience of helping our patients over past 20 years.
Miscarriages can happen due to various reasons and elaborate investigations still may not be able to identify the definite cause. Investigations are still very important to make a detailed analysis of your case study.
In- depth case history and detailed study of your investigations forms the base of our treatment plan. Certain investigations may be additionally advised if needed.
Any cause if identified, is certainly addressed in our treatment protocol in the proper manner depending on the cause.
Along with it and also in case of unidentified reasons for miscarriage, it is very important to address the possible causes.
Ayurved emphasises on four basic factors for conception to occur in the first place. These four factors are also very important to prevent pregnancy loss and for a full term pregnancy to occur.
These factors basically are:
- Exemplary quality of ovum as well as sperm.
- Correct environment in the reproductive system of female for conception to take place and successful full term pregnancy to occur.
- Metabolism of both the partners to be at optimum level.
- Ovulation to take place correctly and copulation to occur in the fertility window.
For more details please refer our article, Normal reports – still no success?
We invariably address all the above factors in our treatment plan along with any identified cause for your pregnancy loss. We advise treatment schedule for male partner as well to address the quality of sperm as per the four basic factors for conception.
Herbomineral preparations and Rasayanas– Personalised medicines in the form of herbomineral preparations are prescribed.
Specialised procedures– Abhyang , Swedan, Virechan, Uttar Basti, Basti, Yoni-dhavan,Yoni- Pichu are advised as per the need for detoxification and rejuvenation.
Life style modifications- We suggest corrections in your diet & sleep pattern as indicated.
Yogasanas,
Pranayam & meditation play a very positive role in our treatment plan. They help to create a positive mind set and also to improve metabolism at physical level.
All these measures in our treatment plan are taken so as to address the known and unknown causes of miscarriage and attend to the basic factors necessary for a successful full term pregnancy.
That means this treatment strategy helps to improve the quality of ovum as well as sperm. It aids in creating healthy conditions and a friendly environment in the female reproductive system for the sperm as well as for the full term growth of the fetus. The body metabolism of both partners is also aimed to be optimised.
We take every precaution to be with you & to help you overcome your loss.
Every cloud has a silver lining! Let us discover it!!