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Signs and Symptoms of a Miscarriage

A spontaneous abortion, or miscarriage, is the term that medical professionals use for a pregnancy that ends on its own before term, usually within the first 20 weeks although most miscarriages happen during the first 13 weeks. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, between 10 to 25 percent of all pregnancies will end in a miscarriage.

  1. Reasons for Miscarriage

    • There are a variety of reasons why a miscarriage can occur, and many times, not just one reason can be pointed to. Miscarriages happen when there are chromosomal abnormalities, which mean that the baby is not developing correctly, so the body will naturally terminate the pregnancy. Hormonal problems, maternal health issues and even infections of reproductive and non-reproductive organs can play a role in miscarriage as well. Also, if a woman suffers physical trauma, such as falling while pregnant, or if the egg does not implant into the uterine lining, this may cause an abortion. According to WebMD, the mother's age also plays a role in a potential miscarriage as women over the age of 35 have a higher risk of miscarrying.

    Symptoms of Miscarriage

    • One major symptom of miscarriage is brown or bright red bleeding that may be accompanied by cramps. While most pregnancies experience "spotting" or implantation bleeding, i.e., a few drops of pink or brownish blood along with vaginal discharge that happen around the same time as your period would occur, miscarriage bleeding is much worse. According to BabyCenter.com, the bleeding during a miscarriage is that of a medium to heavy flow and may include blood clots. Other symptoms of miscarriage include painful contractions, back pain and reduced swelling and tenderness in the breasts. You may also lose weight during a miscarriage. Remember, miscarriage is a process done by the body so it is not just a one time event. If you have any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.

    Future Pregnancy

    • Miscarriages do not mean a woman can never have a successful pregnancy in the future. A women must seek medical attention during and after a miscarriage to make sure that the problem that caused the miscarriage before is either completely healed or is medically supervised. Your doctor will be able to help you decide whether or not to become pregnant again, and what to do during pregnancy to avoid complications. According to WebMD, to prevent miscarriage, you must remain as healthy as you can be. This means to eat healthy and stick to an exercise regimen. Avoid drugs, smoking and alcohol and take folic acid daily which helps embryonic development. The healthier you are, the healthier the environment will be for your unborn baby.

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