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Miscarriage

Miscarriage is one of the most common problems of early pregnancy. It happens to between 10 and 15% of all women and occurs in 25% of all pregnancies

There are all sorts of issues which can affect your chances of miscarrying, these range from genetic conditions, lifestyle and underlying health issues. Most miscarriages are due to a genetic abnormality in the embryo and, as such, are out of anyone’s control.

Age also plays a large part with the risk of miscarriage. Your risk of miscarriage is approximately equal to how old you are. For example, women around thirty years old have a 30% risk, whilst those over forty have a 50% chance of miscarrying.

Most miscarriages will occur before you reach seven weeks. Some occur between  8 and 12 weeks gestation. In a few cases, they can occur between 12 – 16 weeks.

 

It is very rare for a miscarriage to occur after 16 weeks.

Morning Sickness

It is perfectly normal to read a lot into the uncomfortable physical signs of early pregnancy.

However, symptoms of pregnancy, like morning sickness or vaginal bleeding, are not always signs of an impending miscarriage. For instance, vaginal bleeding can occur in up to 50% of normal healthy pregnancies.

If you are at all concerned, please contact us in our rooms or if out of office hours contact Dr Skinner on his paging service.

If you’re less than six weeks pregnant, Guy can arrange a simple blood test which will determine the levels of the hormones associated with a healthy pregnancy.

 

After six weeks, an ultrasound is the best check there is.

What Happens If It Keeps Happening?

Repeated miscarriages are emotionally and physically draining.

It’s important to know, it is rare that a recurrent pregnancy loss is due to underlying problems in the mother or father.

If you do repeatedly miscarry, there are a number of tests which can be performed. Guy can talk you through each one, the likelihood of it being the cause for you, and whether there might be other factors at play.

Trying Again After A Miscarriage

Your body will recover quite quickly after a miscarriage. We recommend trying again for another pregnancy after one cycle.  

If you do have any concerns about your pregnancy, or your health after a miscarriage, please contact our rooms.

FAQ’s

You may not. Often, a miscarriage will occur early and be put down to a heavy period or an unusually timed period. Most times, the only time you will know if you’re having a miscarriage is if there is torrential bleed and severe lower abdominal pain.

If this happens, please contact your doctor, gynaecologist or obstetrician.

Approximately 30% of all known pregnancies miscarry.  

There are many early miscarriages which are not known, so the figure is likely to be higher. 

In most cases, miscarriages are due to genetic abnormalities in the foetus.

Most miscarriages occur around the 5-7week mark of your pregnancy. In a few cases, miscarriages will occur up to the 12week mark. It is very rare for anyone to have a miscarriage after this.

If the bleeding is not too heavy and before the 12week mark of your pregnancy, you can stay at home. 

But please contact your doctor, gynaecologist or obstetrician as soon as possible afterwards to let them know, and let them guide your next steps. 

If the bleeding is very heavy, or there is severe pain in your lower abdomen accompanied by blood loss, you should go to the hospital, or call your doctor.