WHAT IS MISCARRIAGE?

Miscarriage is the Premature termination of a pregnancy before the fetus can survive outside the uterus.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Uterine cramps.
• slight to heavy vaginal bleeding.

Most miscarriages are only "threatened," and the pregnancy continues to term. Symptoms may be the same for threatened miscarriages as for those in progress.

CAUSES

During the first trimester (3 months):

• An abnormal or defective fetus.
• Uterine abnormalities that prevent the fertilized egg from growing normally.

During the second trimester:

• Uterine abnormalities that cause detachment of the fetus and placenta.
• Severe psychological stress.

Anytime:

• Use of drugs that harm the fetus.
• Infections, especially virus infections, such as German measles or influenza.

WOMEN MORE AT RISK

• Stress.
• Poor nutrition.
• Illness that has lowered resistance.
• Recent serious infection.
• Medical history of endocrine diseases, such as diabetes mellitus or hypothyroidism.

HOW TO PREVENT

During pregnancy:

• Obtain regular medical checkups.
• Eat a normal, well-balanced diet.
• Don't drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes or use recreational drugs.
• Don't use any medications, including non-prescription drugs, without consulting your doctor.

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES

• Suggestive symptoms.
• History and examination by a doctor.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• Uterine infection, signaled by fever, chills and aching.
• Hemorrhaging from other body parts.
• "Incomplete" abortion, in which some placenta or fetal tissue remains in the uterus, or missed abortion, in which the fetus dies but remains in the uterus.

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

• For a threatened miscarriage, follow your doctor's orders. Bed rest is often enough to stabilize the pregnancy.
• After a miscarriage:
• Expect a small amount of vaginal bleeding or spotting for 8 to 10 days.
• Wait through 2 or 3 normal menstrual cycles before planning the next pregnancy.

ACTIVITY

• For a threatened miscarriage: Rest in bed until symptoms disappear. Avoid sexual intercourse until the outcome is known.
• After a miscarriage: Reduce activity and rest often for 48 hours.

DIET

• For a threatened miscarriage: Drink fluids only, if bleeding and cramping are severe.
• After a miscarriage: No special diet.

CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY, IF

• Vaginal bleeding occurs during pregnancy.
• Bleeding and cramps worsen during a threatened miscarriage or you pass tissue.
• Fever and chills occur during a threatened miscarriage or following miscarriage.
• Bleeding (other than vaginal) or unexplained bruising occurs after a miscarriage.
• Infection develops while you are pregnant