A miscarriage is the loss of the baby before 20 weeks gestation, most often this occurrs before 12 weeks.
***Key Points***
Miscarriage brings with it an array of emotions. Your grief reaction is individual to you and impacted by so many factors, such as how long it took you to become pregnant or wether this is your third or fourth miscarriage or your first pregnancy.
If you are here because you have experienced a pregnancy loss, we are so very sorry and the heartbreak you are experiencing.
It is not often until you start to talk to other women about their experience that you realise how common it is.
About one in five of all pregnancies end in miscarriage.
Sharing your experience, talking to other women about your loss can help you to process these emotions.
***Key Points***
***Experiencing a miscarriage***
You might experience cramping, strong period pain and bleeding which might indicate you are having a miscarriage. For some women, they don’t know it has happened, there are no signs or symptoms. You may have no idea anything is wrong until you go for a routine scan that shows your baby has no heart beat.
If you think you are having a miscarriage you should go to your local doctor or hospital.
You cannot prevent a miscarriage from happening and may not ever find out the reason. Often a miscarriage happens when the baby has not developed properly – there may be a chromosomal problem, issues with blood clotting, immunity problems, medical conditions or physical problems that may impact the growing baby – ask your care provider about your unique situation.
Remember to use sanitary pads not tampons during a miscarriage.
***Experiencing a miscarriage***
***Treatment for a miscarriage***
What is the treatment for a miscarriage?
If an ultrasound has confirmed that the pregnancy has ended in general there are a number of options open to you
- Wait to miscarry naturally
- Elect to have a dilation and curettage – sometimes known as a D&C
- Take a tablet to induce a miscarriage
For some women, it’s not until they start bleeding that they know anything has happened to their baby, and you may have a complete miscarriage straight away
Talk to your doctor or specialist about the most appropriate way to progress for your individual situation and make a decision together that you are happy with.
Your risk for miscarriage increases as you get older, if you smoke, if you drink alcohol or have a history of having recurrent miscarriages.
***Treatment for a miscarriage***
***Causes of a miscarriage***
What are the causes of a miscarriage? – I am trying to find answers
It is important to know that in around 50% of cases a medical explanation for our pregnancy loss with not be found. This can be reassuring for some but disappointing for others.
Be reassured that usually after you have had a miscarriage you can go on to have a successful pregnancy next time.
***Causes of a miscarriage***
***The emotions of pregnancy loss***
The emotions of a pregnancy loss
The loss of a baby can affect you and your partner and it may take time for the grief to subside. You will also be experiencing the physical and hormonal changes of the loss of a pregnancy. The support of your family and friends can be comforting at this time.
Be kind to yourself. The aftermath of a pregnancy loss can be a very sad and often feel a very lonely time. Allow yourself time, care for yourself physically and accept practical support from friends and family.
In Australia, women who experience miscarriage, and their partners, will soon be entitled to two days of paid bereavement leave as landmark legislation was put to the federal parliament on 24th June 2021
***The emotions of pregnancy loss***
***Support services***
For support you can contact SANDS 24 hour phone support 1300 308 307,
Pink Elephants Support network
REFERENCES
Pregnancy Birth Baby – miscarriage
Better Health Channel – miscarriage
Raising Children Network – miscarriage
***Support services***
References
Pregnancy Birth Baby – miscarriage
Better Health Channel – miscarriage
