Preventing Miscarriages

For every four couples who welcome new babies into the world each year, there's one which won't, falling victim to that dreaded word - miscarriage.

Miscarrying can be attributed to several causes: the mother-to-be may be too young or too advanced in age, problems related to the pregnant woman's reproductive system, chromosomal abnormalities, drug abuse, or presence of sexually transmitted diseases.

Chromosomal abnormalities, immune abnormalities and progesterone deficiency are some of the reasons of miscarriages. However they don't exist without a cause.

I will admit, there may be physiological factors contributing to miscarriage requiring medical intervention, however, in my case, it was a matter of restoring the delicate balance of my hormones and reproductive system. I had six miscarriages before having my beautiful daughter. But when it was right, it was right. I had her at the age of 44 and conceived her without fertility treatments. I had a totally uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery and if I do say so myself, my daughter is perfect in every way.

Trisomy: It is a type of chromosomal abnormality where there will be three chromosomes of one type rather than normal pair. This results in an embryo with 47 chromosomes instead of 46 and will either abort, or develop into a baby with congenital abnormalities. It is more common as reproductive age increases and the abnormalities are not very likely to recur.

Most pregnant mothers and their support person focus their attention to the growing baby in the womb. Sometimes too much focus and worrying about the pregnancy can bring about unwanted stress as it is coupled with the trials and physiological changes that the pregnant mother undergoes. This may be hard to control but it should be noted that it could lead to a miscarriage as well.

So the idea is, get thoroughly checked out for all possible causes after a miscarriage although some doctors, like Mary Stephenson, MD, a professor of obstetrics and gynaecology and director of recurrent-pregnancy-loss program at University of Chicago

Medical Centre says when planning to get pregnant you should get checked out. Sensible woman, I say.

The most obvious sign of miscarriage is bleeding. If you notice unusual bleeding during your pregnancy, you will need to talk to your doctor, who may perform an ultrasound scan to visualize your developing baby. In many cases, when a miscarriage occurs, your doctor may wish to undertake a procedure known as a curette.

Miscarriage does not define a woman

Though I have now had multiple miscarriages I am careful to not identify myself with that label. My pregnancy history does not define me as a woman or define my femininity. Being careful to detach myself from the feelings of failure and realize this experience does not define me as a person has helped me to stay centered and helped me to heal from these losses.

As long as the vaginal bleeding is experienced as mild and painless, there is little risk of pregnancy miscarriage involved. When you find the bleeding to be heavy and terribly hurting, then it marks pregnancy miscarriage. Painful vaginal bleeding indicates that the baby has stopped developing. Consult your doctor to clean out your womb in such a case. Such miscarriages can immensely affect the womans mental health and can push her towards depression. It is up to her spouse and family members to give her adequate attention and care to overcome the loss of baby.