Miscarriage: what it is and how to cope
Although miscarriage is a common occurrence, it can be difficult to process emotionally, especially if the pregnancy was difficult to achieve and is happily anticipated. If it happens to you, seeking support for yourself and your partner is an important part of self-care.
Miscarriages take place before the 20th week and affects 10 to 20% of all pregnancies. Medical or surgical treatment may be necessary in some cases, depending on the situation. In most cases a miscarriage does not compromise future pregnancies.
There are two types of miscarriage:
- Early miscarriages, which affect between 10 and 15% of pregnancies and which occur during the first trimester of pregnancy;
- Late miscarriages, which affect less than 1% of pregnancies and occur during the second trimester.
Vaginal bleeding, pain, or abdominal cramps together with a pinkish discharge are signs of possible miscarriage. Early miscarriages generally occur because the embryo is not developing properly due to chromosomal abnormalities.
Sometimes a miscarriage can be caused by poor health, for example, if a woman has uncontrolled diabetes, infections, or uterine problems.
Does a woman’s age matter when it comes to miscarriages? Should you avoid sex to prevent having a miscarriage? To learn more about this topic, click here.
