Pregnancy Information Digest » Miscarriage

Increased Chances of Miscarriage In Older Mothers

Editor — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 01:15:14 +0000

Chances of miscarriage definitely do increase, as a woman gets older. Women over thirty-five and especially women over the age of forty have increased risk of not being able to carry a pregnancy to term. This can be discouraging but it's important to realize that many women do successfully carry their pregnancies to term even without the help of a doctor. If you are concerned you are unable to carry full term and are worried about increased chances of miscarriage, it is important to speak with your doctor or healthcare professional. Today many women are waiting to have babies later and many women that are over thirty-five do conceive successfully. There are increased risk factors though that do increase chances of miscarriage so preparing yourself in advance for potential problems in a high-risk pregnancy is important.

Today, medical science does help more infertile couples than ever conceive and carry a pregnancy to a full forty weeks gestation. While increased risk might be present, physician intervention with special orders for bed rest or medication can assist you.

Other medical issues can increase the chances of a miscarriage such as repeated or recurring miscarriages, which are categorized in women who have three or more consecutive miscarriages. Drug, cigarette and alcohol use in pregnancy can also contribute to the chances of miscarriage as well as other medical factors.

If you are trying to conceive, take good care of your prenatal health. See a doctor first, especially if you have risk factors that increase your chances of miscarriage and also take folic acid to reduce the instances of spina bifida and other neurological birth defects. Doing whatever you can to decrease your chances of miscarriage will help but sometimes the inevitable does happen. IF you do experience loss of your pregnancy, it's important to realize that this does not necessarily mean that you will never be able to bear children. Miscarriage happens in up to one in five of all pregnancies, even those without increased chances of miscarriage. While a miscarriage is a painful loss to both the woman and her partner, it is not always indicative of the couple's ability to conceive again in future with success.

While most miscarriages are the result of fetal or embryonic abnormalities with chromosomes that are out of your and your doctor's control, not all miscarriages mean that you will have multiple miscarriages. A loss such as a miscarriage is a real loss for a couple and taking time to grieve and heal is important. If necessary, seek out a support group online or in your town or city and by all means, ask your doctor to provide you with more information to help you determine if you are likely to be able to conceive successfully in future.

Taking the Risk Of Getting Pregnant After Miscarriage

Editor — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 10:30:13 +0000

The decision to become pregnant after miscarriage can be an emotional roller coaster. On one hand you still want a baby, maybe more than ever but on the other hand, the fear of suffering another loss can be paralyzing.

The fact is, that many women are able to become pregnant after miscarriage without any difficulty. If you become pregnant after miscarriage, you may find yourself fearful that you will miscarry again. This is extremely normal and an emotion that many women feel. With the statistics of one in five pregnancies ending unexpectedly, it can be difficult to feel at ease, especially in the early first trimester. Once that week twelve-milestone hits, many couples feel a sense of sweeping relief as they know that their chances of miscarriage drop dramatically.

Blaming ones self for a miscarriage is a common thing. There is a strong likelihood that nothing you could have done would have changed the outcome of a miscarriage. Most miscarriages occur due to chromosomal problems with the fetus and are out of our control. This can be difficult to accept and may play on your heart and your conscience. It's important to take the time to grieve your loss so that you can eventually move on.

Not knowing if you will face another loss can make it difficult to take the plunge to try. Hopefully you have strong support from your spouse and a good relationship with your doctor. Many women who have faced this loss do go on to have successful pregnancies in future but overcoming the fear to try is a big hurdle to overcome.

After facing one loss, the idea of another is often difficult to imagine. Some women have consecutive miscarriages and once a woman has three in a row, the doctors will look more closely at causes for the miscarriage. Becoming pregnant after miscarriage can be very unnerving to a woman who is petrified of recurrent loss.

Even after three consecutive miscarriages, many women are able to go on to conceive successfully. One problem is that after such loss, many women become unwilling to try. The idea of further loss is unbearable to someone who has faced the loss of a pregnancy on more than one occasion. There are many support groups and books and a lot of information available for people on ways to help carry a baby to term and people that you can talk to who can relate to much of what you are feeling.

The important thing to remember when again becoming pregnant after miscarriage is that miscarriages don't always recur. If you have had just one miscarriage, try to relax and take care of your physical and emotional health. Nothing can prepare you for loss but living with undue stress is not healthy for you or for your pregnancy.

What happens after a miscarriage: physically and emotionally

Editor — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 16:45:07 +0000

If you have recently suffered from a pregnancy loss, you may be wondering what happens after a miscarriage? What physical and emotional treatment will you need? When is it safe to try and have another baby? To learn what happens after a miscarriage, there are many resources you can turn to for answers and for support. These miscarriage resources include:

* Professional help
* Support groups and counseling
* Online forums and online informational resources
* Books
* Friends and family

What happens after a miscarriage with your physical treatment at the hospital or doctor depends on what type of miscarriage you have experienced. For an incomplete or missed miscarriage, treatment may involve simply waiting to see if a natural miscarriage occurs or a miscarriage may be induced with medicine or surgical procedures. A natural miscarriage is the most common complication found with pregnancies. What happens after a miscarriage of this type for most women is a visit to the doctor or hospital and then recovery continues at home.

What happens after a miscarriage if you are seeking answers to determine what caused the miscarriage may include testing, a complete physical examination, and a review of you and your partner's medical history. The type of testing you may experience after a miscarriage can be:

* Blood work
* Infection testing of reproductive organs
* Genetic testing and genetic counseling
* Biopsy of the uterine lining
* Ultrasound
* X-rays of reproductive tract

What happens after a miscarriage if you still wish to have a child? Miscarriages happen to many women and is a very common pregnancy complication. Usually having a miscarriage will not prevent you from having a healthy pregnancy in the future. If you will be continuing to try and have a baby, consult with your doctor to determine when you can begin trying to conceive after a miscarriage. Your doctor can also recommend treatments or provide tips that will help keep down the risks of miscarriage in future pregnancies.

Physical recovery from a miscarriage often does not take very long, but your emotional health may need more attention. What happens after a miscarriage emotionally can be helped by simply talking about the pregnancy loss. The support of friends and family can be important in these times. Other ways to get your emotions out is to keep a journal. Also, visiting online forums or reading books may help you by learning how other women in similar situations have felt. Some women and couples have found it comforting to remember the baby the have lost by giving a memorial service, keeping mementos such as an ultrasound, or naming the baby.

Early Signs of Miscarriage To Be Aware Of

Editor — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 12:45:06 +0000

Early signs of miscarriage include vaginal bleeding and cramping. They can also be the sudden absence of previous pregnancy symptoms. While not all early signs of miscarriage will result in your having a miscarriage, being watchful is important. If you have vaginal bleeding in your pregnancy, it should always be reported to your doctor regardless of how early or how far you are along in your pregnancy. Not all vaginal bleeding results in a miscarriage but it always need to be investigated.

Whether your early signs of miscarriage result in a miscarriage or not may be out of your control. When you speak to a doctor, they will likely arrange for an ultrasound scan. An internal pelvic exam may also take place. If the cervix is open or dilated, the miscarriage is inevitable, however, if it is closed, then you are likely to be told that your early signs of miscarriage are a threatened abortion. When vaginal bleeding occurs, whether it is dark brown or bright red it should always be reported. However, darker bleeding is often reported as old blood or implantation bleeding.

Many pregnancies that start out with early signs of miscarriage result in healthy, full term babies so even if you have symptoms, it's important to be optimistic and follow any and all instructions given by your doctor. Many women have early bleeding and cramping or other symptoms of miscarriage but turn out to be just fine.

If you do have a miscarriage, you need to rest and rest assured that this doesn't necessarily mean that you will be unable to conceive in future. Many women have miscarriages. In fact, up to 15 per cent or more of all pregnancies result in miscarriage. That's a very high number. Due to the prevalence of early home pregnancy tests, many women are finding out about their pregnancies sooner whereas in the past, a miscarriage might have occurred prior to the woman even discovering that she's pregnant.

A miscarriage is a tragic event in anyone's life. If you are feeling fearful of miscarriage due to a previous loss, it's important to realize that many women who have one miscarriage may never have another. If you have three or more consecutive miscarriages, it's very important to discuss this with your doctor to look for potential causes.

While miscarriage is a painful event that needs to be grieved, it is common and not indictive of a woman's fertiloity or abilty to become a mother. If you have suffered this tremendous loss, don't hestitate to ask for support and seek assistance from a support group or medical professional.

Reasons And Causes Of Miscarriage

Editor — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 20:30:06 +0000

It can be difficult to pinpoint causes of miscarriage. While the vast majority of miscarriages are caused by factors out of your control, it can still be a difficult thing to overcome. Some people feel that they need to understand the causes of miscarriage to be able to heal and move on. The fact is that most times, a doctor is not specifically sure why this occurs.

Many women suffer miscarriage in the first trimester of pregnancy. Many women miscarry without even knowing it because it happens so early. Today, with the presence of accurate early home pregnancy tests, more women are aware of miscarriages because of the early testing. Some women suffer multiple miscarriages through no fault of their own and for no evidence-based reason.

Causes of miscarriage are most often attributed to chromosome or genetic defects in the embryo that cause it to be unable to survive. This is not something that anyone can predict and not something that can be corrected. This is of little consolation to the person suffering the loss but the fact is that many couples suffer a miscarriage or even two but are still able to conceive naturally and easily in future.

If miscarriage recurs in a female and she suffers from three consecutive miscarriages, a doctor will likely work aggressively to determine the causes of miscarriage for that woman. Other causes can exist that are medical based including blood problems or problems in utero that make it a non-favourable environment for embryonic development. A woman might also have an incompetent cervix which is incapable of sustaining a pregnancy on its own. There are many reasons and causes of miscarriage.

Sexually transmitted diseases can cause miscarriage, as can drug and alcohol use. As soon as a woman is aware of a pregnancy, steps should be taken to look after her health and the health of her unborn child. It's important to remember that even if you have had a miscarriage, you are more than likely able to conceive successfully in the future.

A miscarriage leaves a person with a tremendous sense of loss. A couple often becomes bonded with the pregnancy the moment they get the positive pregnancy test. Dealing with the loss associated with a miscarriage can require time and support. There are support groups and books that can help you overcome your grief. It's important to take time to heal and realize that a miscarriage may not be something that stops you from having children in the future. It's best to talk to your doctor about attempting to conceive again when you are ready but most doctors advise waiting one to two menstrual cycles to give your body a chance to heal.

Help for getting over a miscarriage

Editor — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 17:00:07 +0000

Getting over a miscarriage physically will usually not take a great amount of time, but getting over the psychological effects of a miscarriage can be a longer process. Getting over a miscarriage can be a difficult time, but one way that many women have found to ease their mind is to learn about what has happened to them. What exactly is a miscarriage? What causes a miscarriage?

Miscarriages are actually not an uncommon way for a pregnancy to end. One of the most frequent causes of pregnancy complications are miscarriages themselves. Most miscarriages occur in the first trimester or first twelve weeks of the pregnancy. No matter when a miscarriage occurs, getting over a miscarriage can become easier by understanding what a miscarriage is. A miscarriage, also known as a spontaneous abortion, is the loss of a pregnancy before twenty weeks gestation.

What causes a miscarriage? A miscarriage can be the result of a natural or accidental pregnancy termination. Understanding what caused your miscarriage may help in the process of getting over a miscarriage. Early miscarriages are often caused by abnormal development of the embryo. Second trimester miscarriages can be caused by a variety of factors including fetal abnormalities, trauma, cervical problems and infection.

Reading books about the type of trauma you have experienced with a miscarriage is a way to learn more about your experience and come to an understanding that will help you in getting over a miscarriage. Other resources of information on miscarriages are web sites or professional help.

If someone you know is getting over a miscarriage, you can be a source of support. With miscarriage rates very high, there is a chance you will know someone who is getting over a miscarriage. To avoid saying something hurtful during this sensitive time, consider some common phrases that are meant to make the couple or woman feel better but may in fact make them feel worse:

* "You can always have another baby."
* "At least you didn't get to know your baby first."
* "Something must have been wrong."
* "It was for the best."
* "Be grateful for the children you already have."

Do not use these sensitive phrases with a couple or woman getting over a miscarriage. While these may seem like words of comfort, these phrases can strike a sore spot with someone in the difficult situation of getting over a miscarriage. Use simple and sincere words of concern instead. For example, simply say you are sorry and let them know you are available and willing to help if there is anything you can do for them.

The Causes For Early Miscarriages Are Not Always Easy To Determine

Editor — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 01:30:07 +0000

Unfortunately, causes for early miscarriages can be difficult to ascertain. While miscarriage is a common complication that ends pregnancies and occurs often before a woman even realizes that she is pregnant, determining the reason for miscarriage can be difficult, if not impossible.

Most causes for early miscarriages revolve around genetic abnormalities in the embryo that make it non-viable. In most cases, there was nothing the pregnant woman did wrong to cause a miscarriage and nothing medically could have been done to prevent that miscarriage from happening. Miscarriages are so common that it's not unusual for a couple to suffer the loss of more than one pregnancy, especially in the first trimester.

While more than half of all causes for early miscarriages revolve around genetic reasons or chromosomal abnormalities, most women have no problem having a successful pregnancy despite one or two miscarriages. When a woman has three consecutive miscarriages, she is considered as having recurring miscarriages and her doctor will work with her to ascertain the reason for this and work to find a potential solution.

Not all miscarriages have symptoms. While some early warning signs occur with women who have vaginal bleeding or cramping, others discover that their pregnancy self terminated without their knowledge. This can be discovered via a blood test or an ultrasound scan.

Other causes for early miscarriages can be:
* Sexually Transmitted Diseases
* A Uterine Structural Abnormality or Problem
* Maternal Age
* Drug or Alcohol Use
* Extreme Stress

Stress and trauma isn't often a cause for early miscarriages but is a possibility. A woman who is over the age of thirty five also has an increased risk of miscarriage. Engaging in drug or alcohol use can also be a cause for early miscarriages.

In the quest to have a healthy pregnancy, women who are planning to become pregnant should seek medical attention prior to trying to conceive. Also, women should take a folic acid supplement for a few menstrual cycles if at all possible to help reduce the risk of some defects such as Spina Bifida. If you become pregnant unexpectedly, you should still take Folic Acid for the first trimester and begin taking prenatal vitamins as soon as possible. While you may not feel like you have much appetite due to morning sickness, do your best to care for yourself. Most women who have miscarriages are able to have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. It's important to give yourself time to grieve your loss and obtain as much moral support as you can during this difficult time.

What Does A Miscarriage Look Like?

Editor — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 09:45:04 +0000

Waiting for a miscarriage to happen when you know it's inevitable can be unnerving. You may be wondering, "What does a miscarriage look like?"

What it looks like will differ depending upon a few factors such as what stage of your pregnancy you are at when the loss occurs and whether or not you expel the miscarriage partially or fully on your own.

Many women never find out the facts about, "what does a miscarriage look like" on their own because they often have to have a procedure known as a D&C to remove the tissues from their body.

Some report when asked, what does a miscarriage look like, as a simple heavy period. Sometimes the miscarriage occurs well before there's any development big enough to see. Others asked "What does a miscarriage look like" report it as a grayish vein filled sac or even to have distinguishable features that show that it is in fact a fetus. The vast majority of people see nothing more than blood clots and tissue loss.

A miscarriage is a traumatizing experience that's different to everyone that experiences it. The sense of loss can be heart wrenching as many women feel like they bond to their unborn baby the moment they realize that they are pregnant. A miscarriage is difficult to grieve when some people don't see it as a true loss, especially when it's early in your pregnancy.

Finding a support group to talk to or seeking therapy can be very helpful in overcoming loss. This is especially important if you have had more than one loss. While many women experience a miscarriage during their reproductive years, and many go on to have successful pregnancies, talking to others about your pain and loss can help you in your healing process.

If you are pregnant and have had bleeding but aren't sure if you are miscarrying, you could be asking, 'What does a miscarriage look like?' because you don't know if your bleeding is indicative of a miscarriage or not. Many women that have successful pregnancies do experience some bleeding. It's important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible to determine whether or not the bleeding is a cause for concern. Your doctor will likely test for fetal heart tones, do an ultrasound and possibly a blood test to find out what your HCG levels are.

If a miscarriage is occurring, you may need medical procedures to clean out your system of any residual tissue from the pregnancy or it may be expelled on its own. This is a difficult time for women and having strong moral support is important during this time. Regardless of how far along a woman is, a miscarriage is a difficult life event to overcome.

Symptoms Of Miscarriage To Watch Carefully For

Editor — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 22:15:06 +0000

If you fear that you are at risk for a miscarriage, there are some symptoms of miscarriage you should be very watchful for. The most common ones are vaginal bleeding and cramping. If bleeding and cramping occurs, a miscarriage is not a certainty but a possibility.

Many women do experience first trimester bleeding and go on to have healthy pregnancies but with any symptoms of miscarriage, a doctor should be consulted immediately. A doctor will likely check for a fetal heartbeat and possibly do an ultrasound. Also, a doctor may do an internal pelvic examination. In some cases, doctors will also measure your HCG levels via a blood test, as these levels tend to rapidly increase in early pregnancy.

When doing a pelvic examination, if your cervix is open, a miscarriage is imminent. If it is still closed and you are bleeding vaginally, this is labeled as a threatened abortion. Waiting is pretty much all that can be done at this stage. While the possibility of a miscarriage can be very emotionally painful, time will tell quickly via symptoms, signs and medical results. Again, while many women experience first trimester bleeding and cramping, not all symptoms of a miscarriage result in the termination of the pregnancy.

Some women have a miscarriage without any symptoms of a miscarriage. A pregnant woman can be discover she has miscarried when an ultrasound occurs or lack of a fetal heartbeat is found. This can be very traumatic. The reason that most pregnancies do not survive is due to genetic abnormalities that prevent the embryo from viability. Most women feel pain and regret, believing they could have done something to stop it but chances are that it was nothing you could have done or not done. Many miscarriages happen without women ever being aware that they had been pregnant, because they end so early in the pregnancy.

There's no reason to believe that a miscarriage will prevent you from a future pregnancy. If a woman has several consecutive miscarriages, a doctor will work to determine the cause and potential help but the vast majority of women that miscarry, do so only once and go on to have healthy, full term pregnancies.

When you have any symptoms of a miscarriage in early pregnancy, it's important to: visit the doctor immediately, try to relax and enlist the moral support of people you can count on to help you through this unnerving time. It's also important to realize that in many cases, these symptoms do pass and result in healthy, full term babies.

Pregnancy After Miscarriage, An Emotional Journey

Editor — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 12:15:05 +0000

Are previous miscarriages making you nervous about getting pregnant or being pregnant? While a miscarriage is a common event, miscarriage is a hard life event to deal with. It's important to realize that no matter what you did or didn't do during pregnancy miscarriage is typically not your fault. Pregnancy after a miscarriage can be very emotionally difficult. You may spend a great deal of time being fearful about another miscarriage.

PAM stands for pregnancy after miscarriage. Depending upon the reason for your previous miscarriage, treatment may be available to help you have a successful pregnancy after miscarriage. Most women go on to have a successful pregnancy after miscarriage or even after having more than one. Having three or more consecutive miscarriages will require further evlaution but many women have a miscarriage without even realizing they were pregnant. If you are having trouble becoming pregnant after having a miscarriage, see your doctor. If you are having trouble deciding to again try to become pregnant again, pregnancy after miscarriage is a big decision to make and you may just need more time to heal and grieve your loss.

There is no mandatory grieving period after a pregnancy loss. Every woman heals differently. The father of the baby also needs to heal, as the loss is difficult for everyone. In sudden loss, such as a miscarriage, the emotions can be overwhelming but with time, it will get easier and you will likely find that you want to become intimate again. There are many books and support groups both online and in major cities and towns that can help you overcome your grief and begin to heal.

If you're fearful of future loss, it's important to realize that pregnancy after miscarriage is common. Most women do go on to have full term babies that are perfectly healthy. While miscarriage is a way for your body to terminate the pregnancy, it doesn't mean that you are not meant to carry children.

Many women go on to have more than one child after a miscarriage without any further problems. If you have medical conditions that prevent you from carrying a child to term, there may be medical advances that can help you. It's important to try to work with your health practitioner to determine the best way to handle your unique situation. Becoming a mother is a joy that you deserve so don't let a miscarriage shatter your dreams by stopping you from trying again. It's important that you and your spouse talk openly about what you are both feeling and take your time to grieve and prepare yourself for trying again.

Talking about a miscarriage is an important part of healing

Editor — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 03:45:07 +0000

One of the best ways to begin the process of emotionally healing from a miscarriage after your physical healing has ended is to talk about the subject. Your emotional health is just as important as your physical health, and after a miscarriage you should seek sources of support. Places to look for help with talking about a miscarriage includes your doctor or other professional help, support groups, online forums, friends, and family. Even talking with yourself about your miscarriage may be helpful in healing. Keeping a journal or diary that lets you express what feelings you are having during the difficult time has proven to be a source of comfort to many women suffering from a miscarriage.

If you are a friend or family member that will be talking about a miscarriage with someone that has suffered a loss, it is a good idea to keep in mind some phrases that will be helpful in the healing process. This is a sensitive time and it is important to avoid saying the wrong thing if you want to be a source of support. Keep your words simple and sincere. Most importantly, let them know that you are there to listen and willing to do anything you can to help. Here are a few things that will help get the conversation and healing started when talking about a miscarriage:

* "I do not understand what you are feeling. Please tell me about it."
* "You must be feeling a sense of loss. I would love for you to share your feelings with me."
* "I am sorry and I am here for you."
* "Let me know what I can do to help you."

The husband or partner of the woman suffering from a miscarriage may find it the most difficult in talking about a miscarriage as they are in their own grieving process. Couples counseling may be helpful, and it is important to simply remain supportive and open with each other. This difficult time can test the strength of any relationship, so talking about a miscarriage is necessary.

Online forums and support groups provide an accessible place to share your feelings with others experiencing similar emotions about pregnancy loss. Other support groups and counseling may be offered in your local community and serve is a great place for talking about a miscarriage. Miscarriages are the most common pregnancy complication and many other women have suffered a pregnancy loss. Hearing stories from others can bring understanding and some comfort to you during your grieving and healing.

Counseling and professional help after a miscarriage can help you learn what steps can be taken next. By talking about a miscarriage with professionals, you can discover when it is safe to try and conceive again, what future risks you have for another miscarriage, and other important information as you continue on with your life.

Is Pregnancy After Miscarriage Possible?

Editor — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 15:00:08 +0000

After a miscarriage, making the decision to try for another baby can be extremely difficult, as you want to make sure that you are both physically and emotionally ready to try again, even though sometimes the idea of getting pregnant right away may seem best at the time.

If you have been unfortunate enough to suffer through a miscarriage, most likely you are considering trying to have children again at some point, and so you are wondering whether or not pregnancy after miscarriage is possible. If you would like this question answered then you have to realize that there are actually quite a few things that you need to take into consideration first.

Determining Whether or not Pregnancy After Miscarriage is Possible for you

Basically pregnancy after miscarriage is possible for everyone, but it really depends on your own particular self and situation, as everyone is different. Your overall health is one of the most crucial factors here, as if you are overweight or otherwise unhealthy for instance, then you are most likely going to have more trouble than most to get pregnant after you have miscarried.

Some women are simply prone to having miscarriages, and although there is no surefire way to determine whether or not you fit into this category, there are certain tests that your doctor can do and methods that they can use in order to get a good idea. As well, if you have miscarried more than once than the odds are higher that you simply have trouble carrying through with your pregnancies.

Waiting to try Again

In regards to the amount of time that you should wait after the miscarriage to try again, there is really no set length, however most healthcare providers will encourage the woman to wait at least a few months before trying again, so that she can have a better chance of having a healthy pregnancy the next time around.

Pregnancy after miscarriage can be an incredibly trying thing as you may find yourself anxious and nervous for what is to come, but if you take a decent amount of time before trying again then your nerves should be more settled, and this is good for both you and the baby.

Options

If you have had one or more miscarriages and perhaps you want another method besides pregnancy after miscarriage because you are worried about having another miscarriage, then adoption is always a great idea. If this interests you, you can speak to your doctor and they will be able to tell you what step to take next.

The Facts of Getting Pregnant After Miscarriage

Editor — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 12:15:04 +0000

There are few events that are more misunderstood and more heartbreaking than miscarriage. That type of loss is devastating to the parents emotionally and physically damaging to the mother. Parents who find themselves in this position may be met with insensitivity from family and friends who believe it would be better to just go on with life and make inappropriate comments about not actually knowing the child. It isn't unusual for a couple that has suffered this loss to be interested in getting pregnant after miscarriage. It certainly isn't an impossible dream. Factors like timing, being emotionally ready, and having the support of loved are important.

Timing is crucial when attempting getting pregnant after a miscarriage. The mother needs to give her body the time it needs to physically heal from the trauma of losing the baby. If she gets pregnant again too soon, the risk of another miscarriage is higher. Most doctors suggest having at least two or three normal monthly cycles before trying again. The uterus and endometrial lining have to be strong and healthy to sustain a pregnancy to term. Some experts recommend waiting six months to a year for not only physical healing, but emotional.

In terms of being emotionally ready, only the woman and her partner can decide when the time is right. It is important to be aware that getting pregnant after miscarriage can't and won't replace the baby that was lost. It can be beneficial to have a joyful event to focus your attention on though. If the first miscarriage was caused by a medical condition, parents trying again will want to be sure to have any preventative measures that can be made done before conceiving again.

Couples attempting getting pregnant after miscarriage may encounter a deluge of conflicting reactions from friends and family. Some may be fully supportive and comforting during the process. Others may strongly suggest waiting longer or not attempting conception again. The couple would be wise to realize that they are only trying to spare them any further pain and only want the best for them even if their solution sounds heartless. Regardless of outside influence, the couple is the only people who can make the final decision.

The odds of getting pregnant after miscarriage are actually very high. 85% of women who have suffered one miscarriage go on to have happy, healthy pregnancies. In the cases of women who have lost more than one baby, the success rate is around 75%. High quality prenatal care will go a long way in ensuring the likelihood of a healthy baby. Couples who feel they are ready stand a good chance of making the parenthood dream come true.

Common Reasons For Early Miscarriages

Editor — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 13:30:05 +0000

Early miscarriage is unfortunately a very common occurrence. Very early miscarriages occur prior to six weeks and are sometimes referred to as a chemical pregnancy whereby the embryo didn't develop but many symptoms and signs of pregnancy existed. Usually, early miscarriage occurs for reasons unclear to the woman or the doctor. It's extremely rare for it to occur as a result of minor trauma like a fall. Some miscarriages can be caused by environmental factors, maternal age, drug use or sexually transmitted diseases but the vast majority of miscarriages occur through no fault of the woman who miscarried.

Often, early miscarriage occurs resembling a heavy period with similar heaving bleeding and pains. An early miscarriage is quite common and sometimes occurs before a woman knows she was pregnant. With the advance of medicine and availability of early pregnancy tests, it's more frequent for miscarriages to be discovered because women are finding out they are pregnant even before they have missed a period in some cases.

Women who do miscarry once or even two times can still go on to have a normal and healthy pregnancy. Some women do have recurrent miscarriages but with medical advances and medication, talking to their doctor can often result in assistance that ends in a successful pregnancy.

A surgical procedure called dilation and curettage or a D&C is sometimes needed to help the woman expel all the pregnancy tissues. The grief that accompanies this procedure can be overwhelming. Emotionally and hormonally, a woman needs time to heal.

A common finding in women who have had an early miscarriage is that they had few or no pregnancy symptoms at all. Sometimes an early miscarriage is caused by a defect like a blighted ovum. If you suspect you've had an early miscarriage, medical care is recommended in order to insure that all of the fetal tissue is removed from your body. An ultrasound may need to occur to determine this.

The grief caused by a miscarriage early or otherwise is very difficult. Women should receive as much support and counseling if necessary. There are many miscarriage and loss support groups in major cities as well as online that can help you work through the associated emotions. The major cause of an early miscarriage revolves around chromosomes and genetics that are out of your control but this doesn't minimize your pain or grieving. Because up to one in five pregnancies result in miscarriage, it's important to not view your early miscarriage as a sign that you are not intended to parent. Many miscarriage sufferers go on to have one or more children without any difficulty.

Miscarriage support can come in many forms

Editor — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 20:30:14 +0000

If you are getting over a pregnancy loss, you may need miscarriage support for both the physical and emotional effects of the experience. Miscarriage support can take many different forms, including professional help, talking about the problem, becoming informed about what a miscarriage is, books, support groups, journaling, and online forums.

Books are a great source for miscarriage support and information. Many books can help you learn exactly what a miscarriage is and causes of pregnancy loss, as well as provide guidance about your emotional health. As a pregnancy loss resource, books are easily available and are also a great resource for learning about other women's experiences and feelings in regards to miscarriage.

Another place to receive miscarriage support from women who have experienced a similar loss as your own are online forums. Online discussion groups can help you talk about the miscarriage, hear how other women are coping and share your feelings. Also, try checking locally for support groups or counseling in your community.

A source of comfort and miscarriage support for many women and couples involves remembering the lost baby. This serves as a way to grieve, explore your emotions, and ease your mind by bringing closure to the situation. Following are some ways to remember your baby:

* Give the baby a name – if this feels right to you then do not hesitate to name your lost child, even if you do not know the gender.
* Hold a memorial service – by holding a service you can bring closure and share your loss with friends and family.
* Send out announcements – this is a way to let your loss known to others without having to explain the situation numerous times.
* Save or buy something special – having a reminder of the experience such as ultrasound photos or purchasing a small memento to keep nearby will help you to keep the memory.
* Make a donation – giving is a great way to heal emotional wounds, and the hospital is a great place to make donations.

If you are serving as a source of miscarriage support for a loved one that has suffered a pregnancy loss, this is a time that you can be very helpful. One of the best ways to be of support is to simply listen. Make it clear that you are there to listen and provide support, but be careful to avoid sensitive topics or phrases. For example, you do not want to say something such as there will always be another chance for a baby. Another way you can give miscarriage support is to make a present of a journal and encourage the woman or couple to talk about the miscarriage and get their emotions out in words.

Preventing Miscarriage For Those Who Are High Risk

Editor — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 11:45:04 +0000

There's no certain way to prevent miscarriage undoubtedly but there are several things that can be done to reduce the chance of miscarrying. Some high-risk pregnancies are closely monitored from the doctor or OB GYN to do everything possible to increase the chance of a successful birth.

The reality is that a large majority of pregnancies do end in miscarriage through no fault of the woman carrying the embryo or through no fault of the physician overseeing the pregnancy. Preventing miscarriage can be a daunting task. Sometimes, a miscarriage occurs for no apparent reason while it can often be attributed to factors such as chromosomal abnormalities, maternal age, and problems with the reproductive system of the pregnant female or through lifestyle issues such as drugs or sexually transmitted diseases.

Some clinical trials are being done on medication in the quest of preventing miscarriage and in some scenarios a low dose of aspirin is said to help as well. Also, cervical cerclage is sometimes used when a woman has an incompetent cervix. A cervical cerclage can help in preventing miscarriage because a cerclage is essentially a sewing of the bottom of the cervix so that it does not dilate under the weight of the pregnancy. Once a cervix is opened, the pregnancy cannot continue so a cerclage in the quest of preventing miscarriage is sometimes performed for high-risk women known to have an incompetent cervix.

Miscarriage is a difficult aspect of life. There are websites that list natural products that can help in preventing miscarriage as well as determine reasons that cause it in the first place. While more than half of all miscarriages are related to genetic abnormalities, all avenues need to be explored if you have suffered recurring miscarriages, especially three or more.

Some treatment options can be given prior to your conception that can help improve your ability to overcome problems that can interfere with the success of your first trimester of pregnancy, where the vast majority of miscarriages occur. While some factors depend on your overall health, other factors are out of your control. Medical advances continue to look for ways where a couple can successful conceive and carry a pregnancy to full term.

If you have suffered previous loss, it can be difficult to relax in the early days of a new pregnancy. Many women do suffer a miscarriage and go on to have future healthy pregnancies without any problems whatsoever. Your best course of action is to try to live healthy and take care of yourself and hope for the best.

The Shocking Truth About Miscarriage Statistics

Editor — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 01:00:17 +0000

The unfortunate reality of miscarriage statistics is that one in five pregnancies will result in a miscarriage. Most miscarriages occur within the first twelve weeks of a pregnancy but a miscarriage is defined as the loss of a pregnancy prior to twenty-four weeks gestation. Miscarriage statistics show that miscarriages are far more common than most people realize.

Some people miscarry so early in a pregnancy that they weren't even aware of the pregnancy. Research in miscarriage statistics should that the most common cause of the spontaneous aborting (also known as a miscarriage) of a pregnancy is due to genetic or chromosomal problems in the developing embryo. Very often, there is no clear telltale reason for the miscarriage and there's little that women can do to foresee it and nothing that a physician can do once the cervix has opened. When a woman starts vaginal bleeding in the first trimester, miscarriage statistics show that fifty per cent of the time, the pregnancy will end in miscarriage. Having recurrent miscarriage is when a pregnancy ends prior to twenty-four weeks three or more times consecutively. Miscarriage is said to be your body's way of responding to an unviable pregnancy. This offers little comfort to someone who is grieving a loss that they very likely already became quite attached to. Miscarriages are a painful, although common occurrence. Not all vaginal bleeding ends in miscarriage so it's important to take care of yourself while awaiting the outcome.

Many women wonder how soon after a miscarriage is safe for attempting to become pregnant again. Most doctors believe that women should wait one to two menstrual cycles before trying again to let the body heal. Some miscarriage statistics show that the body doesn't always completely expel the pregnancy on its own. This is when a D&C must be performed by a doctor to clean out the uterus.

Miscarriage statistics show that about 15% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. Fortunately for most people, the risk of having a second consecutive miscarriage is fairly small and less than 20 %. If vaginal bleeding occurs after a viable fetus has been documented, the chance of miscarriage is increased to about 20 percent. Marriage statistics also report that if the woman's pregnancy ended in miscarriage, the second has only a slightly elevated possibility of ending with the same outcome.

Maternal age is also a factor in miscarriage statistics, whereby a woman's chance of miscarriage increases at age thirty-five and dramatically increases at age forty. While miscarriage is a painful and difficult experience, the commonality of this occurrence should give you some peace of mind in your potential ability to conceive successfully in the future. Take time to grieve and be well and talk to your doctor to ensure that you do not have underlying conditions for repeated miscarriage.

The Shock Of A Missed Miscarriage

Editor — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 18:45:11 +0000

A missed miscarriage can be an extremely traumatic experience for a couple. A missed miscarriage is the term referred to when a woman has a miscarriage without any symptoms. This typically is something that's discovered when there's lack of a fetal heartbeat at a check-up, when a woman sees the doctor due to lack of pregnancy symptoms that were previously felt or when this is discovered as a result of an ultrasound. Missed miscarriage can be a shock to a woman who believed her pregnancy was average and did not suspect any problems.

While most women experience bleeding and/or cramping while having a miscarriage, a missed miscarriage is when the fetal simply dies but is not expelled from the body. This can be extremely shocking to the patient who was not aware of any problems in her pregnancy and can be difficult to overcome on an emotional level.

Miscarriages are difficult at any time. Whether the woman who was pregnant discovers she's had a chemical pregnancy, a blighted ovum, a missed miscarriage or a miscarriage that occurred as most do, with accompanying bleeding and cramping and a lot of waiting, it's going to be a traumatic experience that will take some getting over.

When a woman experiences a missed miscarriage or any other type of pregnancy loss, she needs care, rest, moral support and reassurance. When the majority of women become pregnant, they instantly become attached to the life within them and that loss is as grievous as losing someone that you have already met and loved. There are support groups and books on this subject that can help a couple work through the associated emotions.

It's important to realize that miscarriages, including missed miscarriages occur more often than you might think. General statistics indicate that one in five pregnancies ends in miscarriage through no fault of anyone. A miscarriage is most often due to the embryo being unviable due to chromosomal defects. While the pain and loss associated with miscarriage makes it feel anything but common, it truly is part of life for many women and most of the women that have to suffer this loss do still go on to have successful pregnancies.

When a woman has recurrent miscarriages such as three or more, a doctor will more closely examine the reason for this. It could be due to uterine problems within the woman or other medical reasons that might be able to be worked on. While miscarriage can be an extremely difficult and frustrating thing to deal with, there are specialists that can help couples successfully succeed in many cases.

What Can Cause A Miscarriage?

Editor — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 00:15:08 +0000

Wondering what can cause a miscarriage can keep a pregnant woman very nervous. Most women worry to some degree for a minimum of the first twelve weeks about the possibility of what can cause a miscarriage. Man couples choose to keep their pregnancy a secret until the first twelve weeks are over. The end of that first trimester can bring a sigh of relief to a couple, especially a couple that has suffered a previous miscarriage for the reduced risk as well as the reduced symptoms of morning sickness that often end at the twelfth week mark.

What Can Cause A Miscarriage?
Many things can trigger a miscarriage but most often what causes a miscarriage remains a mystery. Experts state that most often, a miscarriage is caused by genetic defects to the fertilized egg that make it unable to develop. There are times when a chemical pregnancy or a blighted ovum occurs and a woman isn't actually truly pregnant although HCG levels do rise. This can be upsetting just as a loss of a true pregnancy can be tragic. Most women and their spouses bond with their pregnancies as soon as they discover they are pregnant and worrying about what can cause a miscarriage can make the first trimester even more difficult and trying than it needs to be.

Some things within your control that that can cause a pregnancy trauma or cause you to miscarry are the use of drugs and also alcohol use. Any amount, no matter how small is too much of a risk. Any woman who abuses her body when pregnant is also abusing her unborn baby and could risk causing a miscarriage. When someone who drinks excessively or uses recreational drugs becomes pregnant, lifestyle changes need to occur immediately. Some sexually transmitted diseases can also cause a miscarriage.

What can cause a miscarriage from a medical perspective encompasses a long list of possibilities. Everything from problems in the reproductive system to blood disorders or an incompetent cervix can all attribute to the chances of and the list of what can cause a miscarriage. While many factors are out of your control, sometimes working with your doctor prior to conception or in the early phase of the first trimester can make a difference in a woman's ability to sustain a pregnancy full term.

Regardless of the outcome of your situation, a pregnancy should be enjoyed if possible. If you spend your pregnancy worrying endlessly about what can cause a miscarriage, you put yourself and your baby under undue stress. Try to work closely with your doctor, reduce potential risk factors that are within your control and look forward to the possibility and probability of a healthy pregnancy.

Signs Of Miscarriage To Watch For

Editor — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 03:45:13 +0000

A pregnancy loss is a devastating experience for any couple to have. Miscarriage is the loss of pregnancy prior to 20 weeks gestation. Miscarriage most commonly occurs during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and is much more common than most people realize. The most common signs of miscarriage to watch for include bleeding from the vagina or cramping. While the most common cause of this loss is due to genetic problems in the developing embryo, it doesn't make the loss any easier. Many miscarriages occur before any signs of miscarriage or even pregnancy occur. A relatively small portion of pregnancies result in successful implantation of the fertilized egg. While early miscarriage is a very common part of pregnancy, watching for signs of miscarriage can be unnerving to the pregnant woman.

It's important to remember that not all bleeding means that a miscarriage is going to happen. If you are bleeding, you must get it checked out immediately and while your doctor may see bleeding and cramping as signs of miscarriage and categorize this as a "threatened abortion", you may have a good chance of carrying your pregnancy to term. Many women have early symptoms and signs of miscarriage that result in perfectly healthy babies.

While the reason for many miscarriages is unclear, an ectopic pregnancy is one reason why a miscarriage may occur. An ectopic pregnancy cannot go full term. As your weeks of gestation increase, the chance of miscarriage decreases. Most women breathe a sigh of relief after the twelfth week of pregnancy as the chances of a loss significantly drop. When experiencing miscarriage, often, the fetus died prior to the symptoms and signs of miscarriage began. Some women have no signs of miscarriage at all and the miscarriage is only diagnosed when an ultrasound scan occurs. A pregnant woman who develops any signs or symptoms of threatened miscarriage should contact the doctor or visit the emergency room immediately. A doctor will generally check for fetal heart tones and run an ultrasound. They also might do a blood test to test for HCG levels. It is important to be alert to the symptoms and signs of miscarriage so that you can seek medical attention at the first sign of a problem.

While a miscarriage is among the most devastating events a couple can endure, with time and support, the healing process begins. Most medical professionals recommend trying to conceive after loss is delayed at least one to two menstrual cycles after the miscarriage. Recurring or repeated miscarriage is generally defined as occurring when someone has three or more consecutive miscarriages. A miscarriage does not always completely happen by itself and a procedure such as a D&C may be necessary. While this is a painful experience to endure, it is common and finding support and grieving your loss are important parts of the healing process.

Important Information About Miscarriages

Editor — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 07:52:40 +0000

Having miscarriages is something that unfortunately plagues many women. It's estimated that a large portion of pregnancy actually results in miscarriages even before the woman becomes aware of the pregnancy and thus goes undetected. When a woman does become aware of a miscarriage, this can be a very emotionally traumatizing experience similar to the loss of a loved one. Many women become attached to a pregnancy instantly so the sadness associated with such a loss can be very difficult to overcome.

There are many reasons for miscarriages and the vast majority of these reasons occur through no fault of the person that they happen to. Miscarriages are defined as an unintentional loss of a pregnancy in the early stages. Many women have miscarriages and then go on to have future success in pregnancy and childbearing so it's important to note that if you do have a miscarriage, you very likely still have the ability to have a baby successfully in the future.

What causes miscarriages?

Miscarriages occur for a variety of reasons. Mostly, either the pregnancy isn't viable due to environmental reasons within the woman's uterus or the pregnancy isn't viable due to fundamental problems with the health of the embryo or fetus. There's very little that can usually be done to stop a miscarriage once it happens due to the viability of the fetus or embryo. Very often the pregnant woman will start to bleed and cramp and a doctor will determine whether the pregnancy is likely to continue.

Not all bleeding results in miscarriage but when bleeding is present in an early pregnancy, the doctor will typically check for a fetal heart beat, do an ultrasound and possibly a blood test to determine HCG levels. There are situations where doctors are able to determine that a woman is in fact miscarrying or about to miscarry but there are also situations where a doctor indicates a threatened abortion in which case it appears that a miscarriage might occur but will not necessarily happen.

Miscarriages may occur completely where no further treatment occurs but can also partially occur and result in the need for a procedure called a D & C where a cleaning out of the uterus happens.

Most doctors recommend that after a miscarriage, a woman wait at least one full menstrual cycle before attempting to become pregnant. From an emotional perspective, a miscarriage can be very difficult for the couple that was expecting a baby. Reading books, talking to others who have experienced the same loss and taking time to grieve are a very important part of the healing process.

Miscarriage Symptoms and Concerns

Editor — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 08:00:23 +0000

Most women are very nervous about their pregnancy in the first trimester. That first twelve weeks of gestation, where a woman knows that she has the potential to lose the pregnancy can be nerve wracking. Many women choose to keep their pregnancies secret until they pass the twelve week mark when chances of a miscarriage drop drastically. Once a woman gets into her second trimester, she can often feel more at ease about the diminished risks.

Miscarriage symptoms can be frightening. While some miscarriage symptoms don't necessarily mean there is definitely going undoubtedly to be a miscarriage, symptoms do come about that should not be ignored. If you are having any symptoms, you should seek care immediately.

If you are having any bleeding at any time in your pregnancy, do consult a physician. Not all bleeding results in miscarriage but miscarriage symptoms do include bleeding. Other miscarriage symptoms include heavy cramping. When heavy cramping is accompanied with or without vaginal bleeding a doctor should be consulted or a visit should be made to your hospital's emergency room.

What does a doctor do if you have miscarriage symptoms?

When visiting a doctor with miscarriage symptoms, the doctor will likely do a blood test to check for your HCG levels as well as to schedule an ultrasound to determine the status of the fetus or embryo. HCG levels tend to rise throughout the early stages of pregnancy so this test can often help determine if a miscarriage is occurring. Depending upon the stage of your pregnancy, the doctor may do an internal examination. If your cervix is open, then unfortunately a miscarriage has either already occurred or is inevitable. If the cervix is closed but you do have bleeding and cramping with a present heartbeat the doctor may tell you that you are having a threatened abortion.

The potential of a miscarriage is very frightening and can be emotionally difficult. While not all miscarriage symptoms result in a miscarriage, the possibility of loss of a pregnancy can be frightening. While waiting for the results, try to remain as calm as you can. Having moral support from loved ones is very important. A high percentage of women do have vaginal bleeding and other miscarriage symptoms and still go on to have healthy babies. That said, if you do suffer the loss of a miscarriage, it's important to realize that miscarriages often happen for no known reason and that you should not blame yourself. Many women who suffer this loss go on to have future healthy babies. It's important when suffering the loss of a pregnancy to take time to grieve and heal. If you are at a stage where you are not sure if you are in the midst of miscarrying your pregnancy, you should seek professional medical care immediately.