Miscarriage Specialist
What defines a miscarriage?
A pregnancy loss that occurs within the first 20 weeks of your pregnancy is a miscarriage. Up to 25% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, with most happening before week 13.
Why do miscarriages happen?
Miscarriages happen most often due to a chromosomal abnormality in the developing fetus. Other factors that contribute to miscarriage include:
- Maternal age
- Drug use, smoking, or exposure to toxins
- Improper implantation of the egg in the uterine lining
- Maternal trauma
Certain diseases or disorders in your reproductive organs may also be a cause of miscarriage. At Elite Women’s Care, the doctors perform an extensive workup after you’ve experienced a miscarriage to determine the possible cause and prevent it from recurring in the future.
When should I be concerned about an impending miscarriage?
If you experience symptoms of miscarriage, you should contact the doctors at Elite Women’s Care immediately.
- The warning signs of a miscarriage include:
- Contractions
- Whitish-pink vaginal discharge
- Back pain that often feels worse than menstrual cramps
- Bleeding or brown spotting
- Tissue and blood clots passing from the vagina
If you’re pregnant, but no longer feel pregnant – meaning you feel your symptoms have faded, and you no longer experience issues such as morning sickness or fatigue – it could signal something is wrong.
What happens after a miscarriage?
During or after a miscarriage, the doctors do everything possible to prevent hemorrhaging or infection. If you have a miscarriage early in pregnancy, fetal tissue usually evacuates naturally.
A later miscarriage may require a dilation and curettage (D&C) to remove all remnants of your lost pregnancy.
The team at Elite Women’s Care also provides psychological support following a miscarriage. Losing a pregnancy is a difficult experience. You deserve compassion when evaluating why you may have had a miscarriage and determining if you can or when you will become pregnant again.
How can I prevent miscarriage?
Preventing miscarriage starts before you get pregnant. Take care of yourself by following a healthy diet, achieving a normal weight, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, taking prenatal vitamins, and avoiding excessive stress.
Regular prenatal visits are an essential step in maintaining a healthy pregnancy. You can also follow these helpful tips:
- Don’t smoke or drink
- Protect your abdominal area
- Moderate caffeine intake
- Avoid toxins and environmental hazards
- Avoid contact sports and high-risk activities
Although most miscarriages are not the expectant mother’s fault, and nothing can guarantee you won’t experience miscarriage, these steps give you the better chance of having a healthy pregnancy.
Make an appointment at Elite Women’s Care to help you prevent pregnancy loss or heal following a miscarriage. Call the office or book an appointment online today.