Is it possible to distinguish a miscarriage or missed pregnancy by discharge. How does an early miscarriage occur? Signs of a miscarriage. What does an early miscarriage look like?

Since 15-20% of pregnancies end unsuccessfully in the early stages, you should know what kind of discharge occurs during a miscarriage. It is not uncommon for a woman to not even realize that she has lost a child. The blood-containing discharge that accompanies a miscarriage is mistaken for menstrual flow, as time converges. Signs that signal the likelihood of a miscarriage allow you to pay attention to health and make an appointment with a doctor to save the fetus.

miscarriage or menstruation

It is not easy to distinguish the loss of a child from menstruation, since the nature of the discharge depends on the health of the woman, her lifestyle. Menstrual bleeding that begins on time makes you think that fertilization did not occur. But pay attention to the calendar: if there was a delay of only a couple of days, this may not indicate an irregular cycle, but a spontaneous abortion. During such periods, a woman suffers from pain more than usual.

If a spontaneous abortion occurs, the menstrual cycle is delayed, lengthened, the volume and color of the discharge changes. On closer examination, elements of the fetal egg are found.

It is possible to distinguish a fetal egg from other secretions by density and size. The appearance of a large muco-blood clot may indicate an interrupted pregnancy.

Women rarely pay attention to this, so at home it is almost impossible to understand that a miscarriage has occurred.

If menstruation does not come on time, while unusual pains are noted in the lower third of the abdomen, in the lumbar region, a spontaneous abortion is likely to occur. In a situation where a woman regularly suffers from pain during menstruation, it will be quite difficult to recognize a spontaneous miscarriage.

Determine exactly what is happening by one of two methods:

  • hCG analysis.

With an ultrasound examination, the doctor sees if a fertilized egg is present in the uterus, checks the heartbeat, and controls the degree of development of the embryo. The gynecologist will tell you exactly if there is a high probability of losing the fetus. Ultrasound allows you to assess the condition of the cervix and the organ itself.

The first days after fertilization, the egg is so small that even ultrasound will not give accurate information. A blood test for chorionic gonadotropin comes to the rescue. This is the name of the hormone produced by the female body during childbearing. If a miscarriage occurs, the level of hCG in the blood remains for 5-7 days. The concentration of hCG with a threat of miscarriage or an abortion that has begun will be lower than it should be at this stage of pregnancy.

If the gynecological examination showed that the cervix is ​​open, the pregnancy cannot be saved. With a closed cervix and a live embryo (according to ultrasound), there is a chance of maintaining pregnancy. For this, hormone therapy, antispasmodics and other drugs are prescribed.

Symptoms

For a barely born fetus, the most dangerous period is the time when menstruation was supposed to be, that is, 2-3 weeks of development. A miscarriage at such an early date goes unnoticed, without specific sensations. The first sign is spotting, which differs slightly from menstrual flow.

Typical symptoms:

  1. pain in the lower back, sacrum, coccyx;
  2. cramps in the lower third of the abdomen;
  3. discharge that occurs after a slight delay in menstruation;
  4. the appearance of blood clots and mucus.

It happens that bleeding does not open during a frozen pregnancy. The woman does not notice discharge, she is not tormented by pain, rejection does not occur. The condition is life-threatening, as there is a high risk of infection of the uterus. The fading of the fetus in the mother's womb is associated with a high probability of blood poisoning. Timely made ultrasound allows you to diagnose the condition and take timely measures.

Fetal rejection during a missed pregnancy can occur, but this rarely happens, symptoms:

  • spasms, sharp pain in the lower third of the abdomen;
  • elevated temperature;
  • heavy bleeding.

The volume and color of discharge during a missed pregnancy varies.

Threat of abortion

In a situation where there is a high probability of rejection of the fetus, but this did not happen, there is a threat of miscarriage. The diagnosis is made with an increased tone of the uterus. Against the background of a delay in menstruation, pulling pains in the lower abdomen appear. There are no hemorrhages. The development of bleeding indicates a miscarriage that has begun and requires a different approach to treatment.

Discharge during miscarriage

Uterine bleeding is the most dangerous symptom of a miscarriage. Allocations are weak at first, then intensify. If you visit a doctor at this time, there is a chance to save the fetus.

The deterioration of the condition occurs without prerequisites, suddenly, many factors can provoke a miscarriage. Observing pieces of tissue in such menstrual flow, it is urgent to visit a doctor.

Practice shows that in 80% of cases, the death of the fetus occurs long before the removal of its particles from the female body. For this reason, pieces of tissue, elements of the fruiting egg can be observed, that is, the uterus is cleared gradually. If complete rejection occurs, a grayish bubble is found among the blood-containing secretions. Rarely fix white particles. Pain and bleeding stop 2-3 days after cleansing the body.

If the uterus has been cleaned without drugs and medical procedures, you will not have to be treated. If the ultrasound showed that elements of the fetus and placenta remained in the body, these tissues are urgently removed to avoid infection.

After a spontaneous abortion, menstruation is expected in 1-1.5 months.

If a miscarriage provoked by the unpreparedness of the body for pregnancy occurred at 7-8 weeks of gestation, an egg similar in size to a quail is found in the secretions. The fruit is gray in color with reddish veins.

If rejection occurred at 8-12 weeks, the discharge contains a formed egg, close in size to a chicken, somewhat elongated. The fruit is flesh-colored, with veins.

At an even later date, the fetus leaves the uterus with fragments of the placenta.

The reasons

A miscarriage indicates that the body is not ready to bear a fetus. But pathology does not put an end to motherhood. Supportive therapy, regular visits to an experienced gynecologist and attention to the body allow a woman to know the joy of having a baby, even in a difficult case.

Risk factors:

  1. emotional stress;
  2. anomalies in the development of the genital organs;
  3. previous abortions and miscarriages;
  4. hormonal disbalance;
  5. pathology of the hemostasis system;
  6. infections;
  7. diseases of the uterus and appendages;
  8. malformations of the fetus.

The beginning of pregnancy is a difficult period for the female body, various factors cause a sharp reaction that provokes rejection of the fetus. Being pregnant and surviving an abortion without complications, one or more children can be easily carried in the future. Knowing in advance what kind of discharge women have with spontaneous miscarriage, the expectant mother can determine that there is a cause for concern.

Do not be afraid!

Rejection of the fetus in the early stages shows that something is wrong with the body. There is no reason to be upset: if the fetus survived, development would most likely go wrong, and the child was born with abnormalities or died during childbirth. Early miscarriage is an evolutionary mechanism that allows strong individuals to survive.

It is important to understand in time that what happened is not menstruation, but the discharge accompanying the miscarriage. This makes a woman take care of her health and exclude such a situation in the future. Once realizing that a miscarriage occurred in the early stages, the expectant mother is more attentive to herself, carefully monitors the symptoms, controls the discharge, knowing what to expect, what to fear, and what signals the normal course of pregnancy.

Summing up

Noting the changes taking place in the body, the changing nature of the discharge, visit a doctor. In the early stages of pregnancy, even if the body is not ready for this, it can be saved. If there are gynecological or hormonal diseases and preservation is impossible, do not panic - rejection of a non-viable fetus does not mean that it will not be possible to give birth in the future.

If a woman has had a natural abortion, plan a new pregnancy in advance. In this case, they register with a gynecologist, regularly undergo examinations and take tests, and strictly follow the prescribed drug support program. This minimizes the risks and allows you to endure and give birth to a healthy baby. You can plan a new pregnancy 3-6 months after the miscarriage and the treatment.

Miscarriage is a spontaneous termination of pregnancy, which is accompanied by premature birth of the fetus. This phenomenon most often occurs before 20 weeks.

Classification of miscarriages

Pregnancy is a quivering and full of pleasant expectations time. But sometimes it happens that this state is interrupted. How to determine an early miscarriage? What are its causes and how to prevent it? These questions are asked by many expectant mothers. To prevent complications and unpleasant consequences, you need to know the answer to them.

There are the following types of miscarriages:

  • threat characterized by bloody discharge and uterine contractions. Such spontaneous abortion in most cases can be stopped, and the pregnancy is maintained;
  • an abortion that has begun is characterized by profuse bleeding and cramping pain. It is not possible to save pregnancy in this condition;
  • incomplete abortion occurs in cases of partial rejection of the fetus;
  • complete abortion is carried out with complete rejection of the fetus, in which the uterus contracts and the bleeding stops completely;
  • An ordinary miscarriage is a situation in which a woman has an arbitrary termination of pregnancy for the third time in a row with rejection of the fetus.

Septic miscarriage

This type of spontaneous abortion occurs as a result of infection of the contents of the uterus.

How to determine a miscarriage of a septic nature? The symptoms of this condition cannot be confused with anything. Vaginal discharge acquires an unpleasant odor, bleeding appears, the woman experiences a feverish condition and pain in the lower abdomen. It is impossible to delay calling an ambulance for a septic miscarriage.

What causes a miscarriage?

A miscarriage occurs in 1 out of 6 pregnant women, and most often in the early stages. Experts identify the following most common causes of spontaneous abortion:

  1. Anomalies in the development of the fetus.
  2. Diseases of the immune, cardiovascular, endocrine, excretory system of the mother.
  3. Bad habits.
  4. Rough intercourse.
  5. Wrong way of life.
  6. Viral or bacterial infection. It penetrates the fetal membrane and infects the fetus.
  7. Nervous disorders and quarrels;
  8. Maternal overweight or underweight.
  9. Excessive physical activity and too active sports.
  10. Hormonal disorder.
  11. abortion. Previous abortions can lead to both miscarriage and infertility.
  12. Polycystic ovary syndrome.
  13. Toxic effects on the body (harmful production, poor ecology);
  14. Rhesus conflict, as a result of a mismatch between the Rh factor of the child and the mother.
  15. An accident in which the body primarily fights for the life of a woman.
  16. Age over 35 years (the optimal age for bearing a child is considered to be 20-35 years old) or a recent IVF procedure.
  17. Eating herbs with abortive properties (tansy, thyme, parsley).
  18. Anomalies of the uterus.
  19. Some medicines.

For the most part, spontaneous abortion occurs in the early stages, when a woman is not even aware of the pregnancy that has begun. In this case, the fetal egg is excreted from the body along with menstruation.

Future parents should responsibly approach the process of preparing for childbirth, change their lifestyle and treat all existing diseases.

Symptoms of a miscarriage

If symptoms of spontaneous abortion are detected, a woman should immediately seek medical help. Spontaneous abortion can be evidenced by:

  • unexplained and sudden weight loss;
  • disappearance of pregnancy symptoms (breast swelling, toxicosis, drowsiness);
  • false contractions;
  • real contractions, accompanied by severe pain and periodicity;
  • violations of the digestive tract;
  • red, brownish or dark brown discharge;
  • bleeding of increased intensity with clots, cramps and pain in the lower abdomen or in the lumbar region;
  • any unusual vaginal discharge.

The most basic signs that help determine the onset of a miscarriage are pain and bleeding. Threat discharge may not be red, but brown. But this factor should not embarrass the expectant mother and force her to seek help from a doctor.

An increase in the tone of the uterus is also a sign of an imminent abortion, but only in cases where it is accompanied by severe pain in the lower abdomen. To avoid such a combination of circumstances, you can refuse to lift weights and exercise.

With a frozen or ectopic pregnancy, a complete miscarriage does not always occur, so a visit to the doctor with the symptoms described is mandatory.

Early miscarriage

How to identify an early miscarriage and not confuse its symptoms with the usual pregnancy companions? Very simple: you need to try to know the exact symptoms.

Rejection of the fetal egg can occur in the early stages of pregnancy without any, at first glance, reasons. However, it often happens that the rejection of the fetus occurs already after a few weeks from the moment the development of the embryo stops. The reasons for this may be:

  • incorrect implantation of the embryo to the wall of the uterus;
  • hormonal imbalance;
  • chromosomal mutations;
  • pathology of the uterus;
  • intrauterine infection;
  • mechanical damage to the fetal bladder under impact;
  • multiple pregnancy;
  • previous spontaneous abortions.

It is possible to determine unequivocally a miscarriage in the early stages by the occurrence of convulsions, bleeding and blood clots in the discharge. If a piece of tissue is observed in the discharge, similar to a burst bubble, then it can be argued that the miscarriage has already occurred.

When does a miscarriage occur?

Most often, miscarriage occurs in the early stages of pregnancy (2-3 weeks). The woman does not even suspect that it happened. It is almost impossible to determine an early miscarriage on your own, it resembles normal menstruation and is accompanied by the same symptoms (pain in the lower abdomen and bleeding).

Much less often, a miscarriage occurs from 3 to 20 weeks of pregnancy. And if spontaneous rejection of the fetus occurred after 20 weeks, then this phenomenon is called stillbirth.

How to determine a miscarriage?

In order not to get confused during a spontaneous abortion and thereby not cause complications, you need to remember that:

  • miscarriage does not occur instantly, but lasts for several hours or days;
  • at the stage of a threatened miscarriage, a woman should consult a doctor with spotting or pain in the lower abdomen, then the pregnancy can still be saved;
  • the inevitable abortion can no longer be stopped, but you can call an ambulance.

How to determine what is happening - miscarriage or menstruation? If a woman is not yet aware of her interesting situation, but is waiting for the imminent arrival of menstruation, then the delay should be the first wake-up call. When the arrival of menstruation has shifted by several days, and after the start, blood clots are observed in the discharge, this indicates a miscarriage in the early stages. Postponing an appointment with a doctor can be dangerous for a woman's health.

The doctor will be able to determine the miscarriage that has occurred by conducting an ultrasound diagnosis, listening to the fetal heart rate, and passing an analysis to determine the level of hCG in the blood.

If there are pieces of tissue in the spotting of a pregnant woman, then it is advisable to put them in a sterile container and take them to a doctor, this will help the doctor determine a possible miscarriage and prevent the development of complications.

If an incomplete abortion has occurred, then medical or mechanical cleaning may be prescribed to free the uterine cavity.

When the threat of fetal rejection is associated with a loose closure of the cervix, then special rings are placed on it. Shortly before the baby is born, the doctor will have to remove them.

Treatment after determining a miscarriage

If a threat of miscarriage is detected in the early stages or later, the doctor recommends that the patient observe bed rest, sexual rest and try to move less. At this time, a woman should try to avoid stressful situations and be less nervous in order to maintain a pregnancy. If the patient is too impressionable and emotional, then she is prescribed drugs that calm the nervous system (valerian or motherwort).

The next step in treatment should be getting rid of the cause of the miscarriage. Hormonal drugs (Dufaston, Utrozhestan) or even surgery can be used.

But one of the factors contributing to the speedy recovery of the body, doctors consider a positive attitude. Thanks to him, it is possible not only to save the pregnancy, but to facilitate the process of childbirth.

Prevention

To minimize the risk of miscarriage, you must follow the following rules.

Pregnancy is a long-awaited event for every woman. But sometimes with a long delay, bleeding may appear. How to determine the nature of such bleeding? Normal menstruation or miscarriage in the first months of pregnancy? It is necessary to understand the differences between these processes.

Menstruation after a long delay can be a miscarriage

Difference between miscarriage and menstruation

According to statistics, about 13% of women, not knowing about pregnancy, lose a child in the first weeks after conception. Miscarriage is the termination of pregnancy for periods of not more than 6 months, occurring spontaneously. The birth of children after the 22nd week of pregnancy means premature birth. In this case, the baby can still be saved. The most dangerous period is the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.. But sometimes spontaneous miscarriage is possible immediately after conception and fertilization. Then the woman does not even know about the interesting situation, continuing to live a normal life.

It is very difficult to independently determine whether a miscarriage has occurred or not. Especially if the bleeding began exactly at the time of the planned menstruation. If the delay happened for a couple of days, then we can already talk about the successful fertilization of the egg and spontaneous abortion. In this case, menstruation proceeds with severe pain, the discharge becomes more abundant. The duration also often increases. The color of menstruation in this case becomes brighter (scarlet, occasionally brown). After an early miscarriage, blood clots (remnants of the fetal egg) are often present in the discharge. But the woman's condition remains satisfactory, and she does not have a reason to visit a gynecologist.

Spontaneous abortion may cause pain in the lower abdomen, which often radiates to the lumbar region. There are cramping aching pains, deterioration of health, weakness, nausea, dizziness. The presence of such symptoms is not at all necessary, but if they appear, it is better to consult a doctor immediately.

The appearance of any suspicious vaginal discharge (especially red and brown) is a wake-up call for any woman. With a timely visit to the doctor and the appointment of maintenance drugs, you can save the pregnancy. And also reduce the risk of developing inflammatory processes in the uterus.

The onset of a miscarriage is associated with the unpreparedness of the female body to bear a healthy child. Nature has laid down natural selection, and if in this case the fetus is not viable, then spontaneous rejection of the embryo begins.

In the first weeks after conception, a miscarriage is similar to normal menstruation.

How to identify a miscarriage

Outwardly, it is almost impossible to distinguish between menstruation and miscarriage, especially with several days of delay. Ultrasound at such times will be uninformative. The fetal egg (or its remains) is too small for such an apparatus. The gynecologist during the examination also cannot say with certainty whether there was a pregnancy. Both at the onset of menstruation and with successful fertilization, the uterus slightly increases in size, which makes it impossible to accurately determine the cause of the bleeding.

Two alternative methods can be used to determine a possible pregnancy: a blood test for the level of "pregnant" hormone and changes in the basal temperature graph during the menstrual cycle.

When a fertilized egg is attached to the uterine cavity, a certain hormone begins to be produced in the woman's body - chronic human gonadotropin. Tests to determine pregnancy are valid when the value of this indicator increases. In the first weeks, the level of hCG is quite low, and it is almost impossible to determine it by urinalysis. A blood test is used to diagnose pregnancy. Even after a spontaneous miscarriage, hCG in the blood remains elevated for another 10 days. And according to the results of the tests, you can find out whether conception has occurred.

Some women for successful fertilization measure basal temperature during the menstrual cycle for several months in a row. According to the parameters graph, you can find out whether conception has occurred and whether a miscarriage has occurred. The temperature values ​​during the fertilization of the egg change significantly, therefore, by comparing the previous graphs, we can conclude whether there was an interruption. During pregnancy, the basal temperature in the last phase of the menstrual cycle rises.

Temperature fluctuations will help to understand whether there was a miscarriage

Causes of miscarriage

Not always only the presence of diseases and pathologies leads to termination of pregnancy. There are several risk factors:

  • unpreparedness of the body for pregnancy;
  • hereditary factor;
  • excessive physical activity;
  • diseases of the female organs;
  • previous abortions;
  • failure in the hormonal background.

There may be even more reasons for a miscarriage, no one knows how a particular female body will react to the onset of pregnancy. According to statistics, every woman, once in her life, had a spontaneous abortion. Moreover, most of them did not even know about their interesting position.

Every woman should understand the difference between regular menstruation and spontaneous miscarriage. In a natural abortion, particles of the fetal egg may remain in the endometrium of the uterus. And their untimely removal threatens the development of the inflammatory process and severe complications for the woman. But with careful monitoring by a gynecologist, the risk of developing pathologies is minimal. Most women who have experienced a miscarriage successfully carry and give birth to healthy children in the future. Having figured out the reasons for the termination of pregnancy, assessing the general condition of the body, in a few months it will be possible to start a new planning for the baby.


According to statistics, an early miscarriage occurs in every 15-20 pregnant women. In reality, the figure is higher, since a woman may not recognize a spontaneous abortion due to ignorance of her situation. In this case, they mistakenly assume a failure of the menstrual cycle.

The first sign of a threatened miscarriage is bleeding. According to statistics, in 50% of cases, even when seeking medical help, the pregnancy is terminated.

There are other warning signs that are a mandatory reason to visit a doctor:

  1. Pain in the lower abdomen. Often given to the lower back.
  2. Allocations. With blood or brown. With small secretions, miscarriage can still be prevented.

    Excessive bleeding reduces the chances of a good outcome. If there are pieces of tissue in the discharge, then nothing can be done.

  3. Uterine tone. This sign is alarming if there are pain sensations at the same time, and the mother feels discomfort.

The same symptoms are typical for spontaneous abortion at a later date, but they usually appear brighter. There is no clear answer why miscarriage occurs at an early stage.

The reasons may be different:

Cause essence
Hormonal disbalance In the female body, the balance of hormones. In case of violations, there is a risk of abortion. Often failures are expressed in an excess of testosterone or a lack of progesterone.
Physical aspect Severe injury, bad fall, excessive physical activity - unpleasant consequences are possible
Rhesus conflict Immune reaction of a female body with a negative Rh factor to an Rh-positive fetus
Medicines and herbs The first trimester of pregnancy is a contraindication for most drugs and some herbs. They can cause threats that provoke miscarriage, lead to defects in the development of the fetus.
Lifestyle Bad habits, including food - a direct threat to the unborn child
Infection This applies to diseases of the genitourinary system and infectious lesions of other internal organs. Alarm call - temperature above 38°C. Miscarriage is often associated with this cause.
Abortion If a woman previously artificially terminated a pregnancy, then after the next conception, the body may react with spontaneous rejection
Genetics Chromosomes are involved in the formation of the fetus - an inheritance from the parents. Chromosomes sometimes contain mutating elements that are perceived by the female body as foreign objects. This phenomenon is called natural selection.
state of mind The cause of a miscarriage is constant stress, severe emotional overload, problems with the nervous system
Bath, hot tub There are many opinions on this subject, but practice confirms that using a hot bath can provoke a miscarriage.

Most causes of miscarriage can be ruled out if you plan your pregnancy correctly and take the necessary precautions during it.

How long can you get pregnant after a miscarriage?

Many parents are concerned about whether it is possible to get pregnant after a miscarriage or not. You should not plan a new child until the problems that caused the previous miscarriage are resolved.

You need to give your body time to recover.. After a miscarriage, at least six months must pass before a new pregnancy.

Prayers for Preservation in Threatened Miscarriage

At the risk of abortion, attention should be paid not only to the physical aspect, but also to the spiritual world. Sincere faith can work miracles.

Prayers for a threatened miscarriage can be addressed to the following Saints:

  • Jesus Christ.
  • Holy Mother of God.
  • Xenia of Petersburg.
  • Nicholas the Wonderworker.
  • Matrona of Moscow.

There are many texts of prayers, but the main thing in turning to the Saint is faith. A prayer for preservation can be said in your own words, but sincerely.

You can turn to the Mother of God with such a prayer: “Most Holy Theotokos, do not turn Your face away from me, the sinful servant of God (name), and accept this prayer to You, with all my heart offered up, save the fruit of my womb and be safely born at the right time, favor Your great and indescribable mercy.

An appeal to Xenia of Petersburg can be like this: “Holy mother, Xenia! Your soul, illumined by God, guided by the Most Holy Theotokos, your body has known trials, endured cold and hunger, in the temple

Your Lord's gift is glorified. I pray for your help and compassion, accept my request, tell the Lord God, but pray for my good thoughts. Protect from troubles and damage, ailments and misfortunes.

Illuminate my long-awaited child with your grace, help to endure and give birth to him in good health, grant wisdom and happiness. You are my hope, with you I glorify the Lord our God, now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen!".

How to distinguish a miscarriage from menstruation?

It is difficult to understand whether menstruation has begun or a miscarriage has occurred. According to statistics, every fifth woman loses a child without knowing it.

Sometimes miscarriage is difficult to distinguish from menstruation if previously they were accompanied by painful sensations. In this case, pain in the lower abdomen and deterioration of well-being looks like the usual signs of critical days.

It is often impossible to determine the differences even when examined by a gynecologist or on an ultrasound scan. The surest way to find out the truth is to take an analysis for hCG (hormone).

Active production of human chorionic gonadotropin begins from the first days of pregnancy. A pharmacy test may not detect an increase in hCG at an early stage; only a blood test will provide accurate information.

Another option– measurement of basal temperature and scheduling. It is better not to engage in such a check - it wastes the precious time necessary to save the child.

Recovery after a miscarriage and how to survive it?

After a miscarriage, a woman needs to recover. This applies to both physical condition and spiritual balance.

It is important to follow a few rules:

  1. Do not plan another pregnancy the next six months.
  2. Eliminate causes of miscarriage. In case of problems with hormones, undergo the necessary therapy. Cure all chronic diseases. Get rid of bad habits, go to proper nutrition.
  3. Do not withdraw into yourself and believe in the best. According to statistics, 90-95% of women give birth to healthy children even after several miscarriages.
  4. Think about a change of scenery- moving or going on vacation. This will help you cope with the loss more calmly and improve your health.
  5. See a psychologist if you're having a hard time- you shouldn't be ashamed of it.
  6. Meditation. This practice will teach relaxation and will be useful in the future.

Expectant mothers need to remember that the health of the child and the course of pregnancy depends only on them. You need to take care of yourself in this position.

Useful video

It's good when the pregnancy is desired. However, two clear stripes on the test do not at all guarantee that the baby will be all right until birth. Sometimes the female body, for some reason, independently gets rid of the fetus some time after its appearance. We are talking about miscarriage in early pregnancy. Why is this happening and is there a way to prevent trouble?

Let's turn to impartial statistics: a quarter of all early-term pregnancies are doomed to spontaneous termination. In order to be able to influence the course of events, it is important to know the causes of a miscarriage and its signs.

How does an early miscarriage occur?

Unfortunately, in the presence of serious prerequisites for spontaneous abortion at an early stage, it is almost impossible to reverse the pathological process. The fetus at this time is so small that the woman does not even understand what is happening to her. At first glance, it looks like the resumption of the menstrual cycle after a long delay (1 - 2 weeks). Menstruation, more abundant than usual, is accompanied by pulling pain in the lower abdomen. In addition, not all women go to the hospital after the incident. Only a few get to see a doctor - mostly those who are frightened by the appearance of a blood clot that has come out, resembling a torn bladder. Ideally, all women need a medical examination - if there really was a miscarriage, then additional cleaning may be necessary after it.

When a woman is aware of her "interesting" situation, it is much easier for her to predict the onset of a spontaneous miscarriage at an early date. First of all, you should carefully monitor the sensations in the lower abdomen and back. Painful dull and pulling spasms, smearing discharge with bloody or tissue lumps signal danger. If you seek medical help immediately, there is a chance to keep the pregnancy.

An early miscarriage is said to be when the pregnancy ends spontaneously before the 12th week of the fetus's existence. A late miscarriage occurs for up to 22 weeks, and subject to the timely and coordinated actions of doctors, a premature baby has every chance of surviving.

Early miscarriage: prejudice

There are many myths in society about the causes of spontaneous abortion. How to avoid an early miscarriage, you will be told on any women's forum, but not all advice can be trusted. It is reliably known that before the 12th week of pregnancy, the following factors do not pose a threat to the intrauterine development of the fetus:

  • air travel by plane;
  • minor blunt trauma in the abdomen;
  • moderate exercise;
  • a single case of spontaneous abortion up to 12 weeks in history;
  • active sex life;
  • stress.

The real causes of miscarriage in the early stages

Doctors cite many socio-biological and medical factors as the reasons for spontaneous abortion. It is often very difficult to determine what exactly caused the misfortune: sometimes a miscarriage is based on one factor, and sometimes a whole complex. A certain percentage of women are familiar with this pathology firsthand: the unfortunate survived several miscarriages in a row. In medical circles, this phenomenon was designated as habitual miscarriage. We list the most serious and common factors that cause the threat of miscarriage in the early stages:

  • most often, the body itself gets rid of non-viable offspring if the appearance and development of the fetus is associated with a certain anomaly or genetic pathology. This may be a hereditary “breakdown” at the gene level or a spontaneous mutation caused by radiation, a dangerous virus, or a difficult environmental situation. Medicine, alas, cannot change or prevent this process. That is why thorough preparation for the upcoming pregnancy is impossible without the advice of future parents from a geneticist;
  • a significant danger to the normal development of pregnancy is a violation of the immune and hormonal systems. A woman needs to pass the necessary check at the stage of planning a child, then doctors will be able to eliminate all the "pitfalls" in advance. Quite often, progesterone deficiency, an excess of androgens, pathologies in the activity of the thyroid gland and adrenal glands become an obstacle to fulfilling the dream of motherhood;
  • Another urgent problem for the successful development of the fetus in the womb of a woman is the Rhesus conflict. The mother's body reacts to the fetus as a foreign object and gets rid of it, since the Rh factor of its blood is with the “-” sign, and it was taken from the father with the “+” sign. If concerns about this are real, the situation is corrected with the help of immunomodulatory therapy even at the stage of pregnancy planning;

  • The undoubted enemy of a healthy pregnancy is infection (regardless of origin). In particular, these are all diseases that are transmitted “through the bed”: herpes, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis, syphilis, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, etc. Pathogens, affecting the fetal membranes, infect the fetus, which leads to miscarriage at an early stage of pregnancy;
  • a disappointing ending of early pregnancy awaits a woman with chronic inflammatory and infectious diseases of internal organs. The most insidious of them: viral hepatitis, rubella, pneumonia, influenza, severe tonsillitis;
  • it is extremely difficult for the female body to cope with pregnancy because of the stress caused by abortion. Artificial termination of pregnancies in the past threatens with secondary infertility and habitual miscarriage in the future. A woman must certainly inform the doctor about such facts of her biography during pregnancy planning;

  • one should not ignore such individual characteristics of the female body, such as, for example, congenital anomalies of development and oncological diseases of the internal genital organs, ICI. These and other pathologies exclude pregnancy as such.

The first symptoms of a miscarriage in the early stages

The nature of the development of a miscarriage excludes simultaneity - spontaneous abortion can be divided into several stages. So, let's find out how to determine an early miscarriage.

The first "bells" are painful sensations covering the back in the lumbar region and lower abdomen. Often at the same time, brownish or reddish clots stand out from the genital tract. Blood during an early miscarriage is a very dangerous sign that indicates that tissue detachment has begun. Even a few drops of blood on underwear are a serious reason for immediate medical attention. Reliable prevention of spontaneous abortion is a regular visit to the antenatal clinic for a routine examination and delivery of all necessary tests. Only in this way will the expectant mother be sure that everything is in order with her baby.

What does an early miscarriage look like: the main stages

The first stage of the pathology, the signs of which we learned above, is very common in expectant mothers. To save the baby, expectant mothers are forced to lie on the conservation of almost the entire prenatal contractions. The initial stage of the pathology is marked by hypertonicity of the uterus, bleeding and discomfort, reminiscent of contractions.

The second stage of violation leads to more serious consequences. At this moment, all the signs already indicate a full-fledged miscarriage at an early stage: a fragmentary detachment of the fetal egg from the inner wall of the uterus begins. However, at this time, the trouble can still be prevented, doctors say. This is possible thanks to the immediate and coordinated intervention of professionals, provided that the pregnant woman got to the hospital in a timely manner.

The next stage of spontaneous abortion at an early stage is a miscarriage on the go. Now there is nothing to help the fetus. The pregnant woman is suddenly seized by sharp spasms, bleeding begins almost immediately - the most convincing sign of an early miscarriage. This indicates the final death of the fetal egg, which comes out in whole or in part (incomplete miscarriage). In the photo, a fetal egg with an early miscarriage:

Pathology ends with a complete spontaneous abortion. After an early miscarriage, the uterus contracts and quickly returns to "pre-pregnant" size. A complication in this case is an incomplete abortion or missed pregnancy (diagnosed on ultrasound), when there is a high risk of pus formation or the onset of sepsis.

How to recognize a miscarriage early

At first glance, it is quite simple to determine a miscarriage, so some women believe that if they feel well after the incident, they can neglect a visit to the hospital. However, this is a dangerous delusion: all signs of spontaneous abortion at an early stage are also characteristic of other, more serious diseases that, without proper diagnosis, can be mistaken for a miscarriage:

  • ectopic pregnancy;
  • malignant formation in the cervical region;
  • bloodless torsion of an ovarian cyst;
  • cervical injury.

These conditions can be excluded only within the walls of a medical institution.

What to do with an early miscarriage

Unfortunately, doctors are not able to radically change the course of events at the very beginning of pregnancy - you cannot go against nature.

It is common practice to prescribe Tranexam to stop bleeding. If a woman has had several failed pregnancies in the past, Utrozhestan will be prescribed. When, thanks to the efforts of doctors, the pregnancy can be brought to the second trimester, with a threatened miscarriage, it is worth applying stitches or a pessary if there is a short cervix with isthmic-cervical insufficiency. In principle, this is where the methods of dealing with pathology end.

Now we list what will not help in the process of developing a miscarriage:

  • bed rest - a conscious decrease in the mother's motor activity cannot stop a miscarriage if there are real prerequisites for its accomplishment;
  • taking drugs: No-shpa, Papaverine, Magne B6, Analgin.

A few weeks after a complete miscarriage, a woman needs to see a doctor and donate blood to analyze the level of hCG. If all indicators are normal, there is nothing to worry about. However, if the level of the hormone has not decreased at all, or has decreased, but has not dropped to the required minimum, there is a possibility of a mole. This is a dangerous complication that requires immediate medical attention.

An abortion in progress can be completed in several ways. If, during the examination, blood is still excreted from the vagina, and the fetal egg or embryo is still in the uterus, the doctor may determine the following tactics of action:

  • expectant approach lasting up to 7 days (perhaps the body will reject the unnecessary without outside interference);
  • a drug approach (a woman is prescribed Misoprostol, under the influence of which the uterine muscles are strongly compressed and bring the remnants of the fetal egg out);
  • surgical cleaning (if vaginal bleeding becomes massive).

How to prevent early miscarriage

To exclude all possible factors that provoke an early miscarriage, you need to acquire offspring under the professional guidance of a doctor. To do this, a woman undergoes a full examination not during pregnancy, but even at the stage of planning a child. This is the only way to make sure that there are no various “breakdowns” at the cellular level and internal pathologies. Moreover, future parents are reviewing and adjusting their usual lifestyle in accordance with the upcoming changes: at this stage, it is important to put an end to addictions, adjust the daily routine and diet.

Early miscarriage: how to understand where to go next

After such a crushing failure, the woman is recommended to undergo a rehabilitation course of treatment. If the cause of the incident could not be established earlier, doctors will conduct the necessary diagnostics to determine it now. This is important, otherwise a woman runs the risk of facing the same problem the next time she prepares for motherhood.

The ultrasound procedure is a mandatory step after an early miscarriage. If there are fragments of an egg or embryo in the uterus, a woman will need a cleaning to avoid the development of inflammation or infection. After all the necessary procedures, the doctor will prescribe the patient a course of antibiotic therapy, which will exclude various infectious diseases, as well as a course of hormones that will put the woman's endocrine system in order.

Among other things, a failed mother is in dire need of professional psychological support. The loss of a baby, even if it is so tiny, leaves an indelible imprint in the mind of a woman. It is important to experience this moment with the support of a psychologist or relatives.

It is wrong to fence oneself off from the outside world and remain alone with one's misfortune, so negative emotions will simply “eat up” all hope for the best. Psychologists recommend that women who have experienced a miscarriage not be ashamed of their feelings and not hold back aggression and tears - the sooner you can get rid of them, the faster the recovery will come. And in no case should you be afraid of the future: modern medicine and competent doctors will do everything possible so that a new pregnancy ends with the triumphant cry of a long-awaited baby!

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