What is a Miscarriage? What Are the Symptoms of Miscarriage?

It may be surprising to hear, but miscarriage is quite common. Research shows that 25% to 50% of all pregnancies may end in miscarriage. While miscarriage is common, it remains a taboo subject in our society, rarely discussed. This situation can cause women who have miscarried to feel alone and helpless. Moreover, miscarriage can be an emotional devastation for individuals and couples trying to start a family. It is completely natural to experience deep sadness after a miscarriage. Your doctor may refer you to a psychologist for support. Our goal is to help you understand whether there is a biological cause for the miscarriage. Additionally, we aim to show that most women can continue to successfully conceive with the help of our innovative technologies. In this article, we will address the topic of miscarriage symptoms for you.

Research shows that 25% to 50% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage. This is a very high number!

Often, these miscarriages occur so early in the pregnancy that a woman may not even know she is pregnant. These early losses can sometimes be documented through blood tests (called chemical pregnancies), but there is no other clinical evidence of pregnancy.

Having a miscarriage does not mean that you, as a couple, cannot have a baby again.

After a miscarriage, pregnancy can occur again, and there are many reasons to be hopeful.

What is a Miscarriage?

A miscarriage is defined as pregnancy loss that occurs before the 20th week of pregnancy. Recurrent pregnancy loss or recurrent miscarriage refers to multiple miscarriages happening consecutively. Symptoms of miscarriage include back pain, abdominal pain, fever, severe cramps, and vaginal bleeding accompanied by tissue and blood clots.

Causes of Miscarriage

1. Genetic Abnormalities

Chromosomal abnormalities in the mother, father, or the embryo are responsible for at least 50-60% of first-trimester losses. This is the most common cause of early pregnancy loss.

2. Age

Women over 40 are at higher risk for health conditions that may affect pregnancy and are more likely to have eggs with chromosomal disorders, making advanced age a common cause of miscarriage.

3. Anatomical Abnormalities

The most common anatomical abnormality is congenital uterine shape disorders, especially a septate uterus. Fibroids or polyps in the uterus are also associated with miscarriage but can be surgically removed.

4. Immunological Factors

Placental insufficiency and miscarriage can result from abnormal blood clotting. Common causes of abnormal blood clotting include antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) or lupus anticoagulant.

5. Endocrine Disorders

Miscarriage risk increases when thyroid and pituitary hormones are not balanced.

6. Miscarriage Treatment

The treatment path for miscarriage depends on the results of the tests performed. If a hormonal issue is detected through tests, treatment may be medical.

If there is a structural defect in the uterus, treatment may be surgical.

Consult with your doctor to determine whether surgical treatment (such as fibroid removal) is necessary and when it should be done. If diagnostic tests reveal no issues with the reproductive system, such as structural, chromosomal, hormonal problems, or fibroids, we may suggest trying to conceive again once your menstrual cycle returns (usually 4-6 weeks later).

Examples of these tests and treatments include:

• PGS and IVF

The most common cause of pregnancy loss is aneuploidy, a genetic issue that causes an embryo to have the wrong number of chromosomes. Many miscarriages are caused by these chromosomal abnormalities, so one treatment option is preimplantation genetic screening (PGS). This test allows for genetic analysis of embryos before implantation through IVF. Genetic testing increases the chances of a healthy pregnancy and birth. Only healthy, chromosomally normal embryos are allowed to implant in the uterus, significantly reducing the chances of miscarriage.

• Blood Test

A simple blood test provides information about several hormones that affect pregnancy, including progesterone and thyroid hormones.

• Ultrasound

Ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of organs and other structures in the body, allowing doctors to detect fibroids, polyps, and uterine growths that may cause infertility or miscarriage. In this article, we have covered the topic of miscarriage and miscarriage symptoms. Click here to visit our website for more content.