A miscarriage is a natural and spontaneous abortion that occurs before the 20th week of pregnancy. In most cases it occurs within the first 12 weeks. A miscarriage should not be confused with a stillbirth. The loss of a fetus after 20 weeks is termed as a stillbirth. A miscarriage can happen to any woman – sometimes a miscarriage occurs before a woman even realizes that she is pregnant. For instance a chemical pregnancy is one where the miscarriage occurs very early in the pregnancy. A chemical pregnancy is one where the egg is fertilized but fails to implant.
A miscarriage after a chemical pregnancy could lead to depression as the woman undergoes physical trauma and emotional stress.
The signs of miscarriage include:-
Be sure to contact your doctor if you experience any of the above. A miscarriage can last for several days or weeks. This depends on the time taken by the body to eliminate the pregnancy tissues. Some mothers may have one or two signs of a miscarriage but continue to carry their baby to full term. This kind of miscarriage is called a threatened miscarriage. Other mothers may have some tissue remaining in their uterus. In this case, the medical professional will be required to do a D & C (dilation and curettage). It is not unusual for women to feel a sense of loss after a miscarriage. Keep in mind that grief is a natural process and you will take time to heal. Cry as much as you need to and turn to family and friends for support in this difficult time. Along with depression after a miscarriage, comes the anxiety of whether you will ever be able to carry a child to full term. Remember than many women who suffer miscarriages go on to become mothers.
Miscarriage causes include:
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