An Overview of Infertility & Miscarriage: Statistics & Support

The subject of miscarriage is difficult to think about due to the stigma attached to it, even though it is a common condition. The more you know about the topic, whether you have been through it yourself or have a loved one who has, the better prepared you will be for the subject. The information provided here will help you understand miscarriage statistics and support you.

What is a Miscarriage?

The term miscarriage refers to the spontaneous loss of pregnancy before the 12th week of gestation, known as an early miscarriage, or between the 12 and 24 weeks, known as a late miscarriage. When a loss occurs before 10 weeks of pregnancy, it is called a sporadic loss – before an official diagnosis of a “clinical pregnancy” is made by ultrasound or pathology. A recurrent pregnancy loss occurs when a woman loses two or more clinical pregnancies in a row.

What Are The Statistics of Miscarriage?

It is estimated that one in five women will experience a miscarriage during their pregnancy. Approximately 10-15% of pregnancies that are known to be pregnant end in miscarriage. It does not include miscarriages that occur before a clinical pregnancy has been confirmed, in which case losses may range from 30-50% before a missed period has been noticed. The majority of miscarriages occur during the first trimester, but 1-5% occurs during the second trimester. Repeat miscarriage affects approximately 1% of women wanting to get pregnant.

Symptoms:

It is not uncommon for some women to experience symptoms and signs before they have a miscarriage, while others don’t. You might notice vaginal spotting (which is usually dark brown and changes to pink or red), a decrease in breast tenderness or fullness, and no fetal movement or heartbeat. The signs of a miscarriage include cramping and bleeding. Pregnant women who experience these miscarriage symptoms should consult their doctors immediately.

What Are The Causes of Miscarriages?

• Abnormal Hormone Levels:

When hormone levels are abnormal, the uterine lining may not develop sufficiently, which can cause miscarriage. As a result, the fertilized egg may not be able to successfully implant and nourish. Having hormonal imbalances puts women with thyroid, adrenal, diabetes, and PCOS at higher risk for miscarriage.

• Uterine Structure:

Miscarriages are often caused by structural problems of the uterus, which interfere with the implantation of the fertilized egg. By impairing the normal function of the uterine lining, obstructions such as uterine fibroids can prevent proper implantation, thus resulting in a loss of pregnancy. Another cause of structural issues is DES (synthetic estrogen) exposure, resulting in a T-shaped uterus that can also contribute to miscarriage.

• Cervical Issues:

Miscarriages can also be caused by an improperly functioning cervix, similar to structural problems with the uterus. The term “incompetent cervix” refers to the weakened cervical muscle and inability to close when the fetus gains weight. By doing this, the body is unable to create a stable environment for the fetus to grow properly and puts pressure on the cervical opening.

• Infections:

German measles (rubella), herpes simplex, ureaplasma, cytomegalovirus, and chlamydia can affect the development of the fetus, resulting in miscarriage in some instances. Furthermore, certain bacteria may exist in both women’s and men’s genital tracts and be harmful to pregnancy. A woman’s uterus can become infected with these bacteria, causing an embryo to not grow properly and resulting in a loss of pregnancy.

Miscarriage Support:

You and your partner may experience many intense feelings of loss and grief after losing a baby, regardless of the length of the pregnancy. Don’t be hard on yourself during this difficult time. Give yourself grace and understanding. Grief and sorrow are natural and expected reactions to the loss of a child or a pregnancy. There is nothing wrong with feeling angry or depressed. Let your partner know how you feel and work together to heal. In addition, it is important to recognize that grief may manifest itself differently for different people, and that support might need to be tailored to fit their needs.

Friends and family can also be great resources for support. It might be that you have a friend or relative who has gone through miscarriages themselves, or maybe you just need a distraction or someone to talk to. If you would like to talk further, you might consider joining a support group or talking to a grief counselor. It is comforting and reassuring to be with others who are experiencing the same pain. This is a difficult time, so remember to take good care of yourself and seek out support.

The Tie Between Infertility and Miscarriage:

It is not proven that miscarriages cause infertility. You may need more information about your reproductive health if you are having trouble conceiving after a miscarriage. In most cases, an underlying health condition can lead to a second miscarriage for a woman who has already suffered one. Attempting to conceive can also be difficult due to some of the common causes of miscarriage.

A Word From Hegde Fertility:

Having a healthy pregnancy can be challenging if you are experienced a miscarriage and are trying to conceive. Speaking with a fertility specialist can help you find a solution to having a healthy pregnancy. Getting pregnant begins with a visit to Hegde Fertility Center where you can gain a deeper understanding of your fertility health, find peace of mind, and embark on the journey toward a healthy pregnancy.