Miscarriage occurs in women if the fetus dies or stops developing before 20 weeks of age. The exact number of miscarriages cannot be known, because many of them occur before the woman even realizes that she is pregnant. However, among women who are aware of their pregnancy, miscarriage occurs at a rate of 10-20%. If you think that you are having a miscarriage, seek medical attention immediately.
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Part 1 of 3: Recognizing the Symptoms
Step 1. Call your doctor or the nearest emergency room (IGD) service if you find body tissue, fluid, or blood clots coming out of your vagina
This could mean you have had a miscarriage. Depending on your gestational age and how heavy the bleeding is, your doctor may suggest that you be admitted to the ER, or instead undergo outpatient treatment according to his practice schedule.
- If you removed tissue and you suspect it is fetal tissue, store it in a clean, tightly closed container and take it with you when you visit your doctor.
- It may seem strange to carry body tissue, but it is useful so that the doctor can perform tests to see if it is really the body's tissue of the fetus.
Step 2. Know that you are at risk of miscarriage if you have bloodstains (commonly referred to as “spots”) or even really have vaginal bleeding
However, many women also experience bleeding without having a miscarriage. However, the safest course of action is to contact your doctor immediately to determine if you need to be admitted to the ER.
Maybe you'll have cramps too. If these cramps are very painful, this is another sign that you need to see a doctor right away
Step 3. Notice if you have lower back pain
Back pain, abdominal pain, or cramping are signs of a miscarriage, although they may not be accompanied by bleeding.
Call your doctor before you take any type of painkiller
Step 4. Recognize the symptoms of miscarriage due to infection
This happens if a pregnant woman has an infection in her uterus and destroys her womb. This infection is dangerous to the health of the woman and requires immediate medical attention. The symptoms include:
- Foul-smelling discharge that comes out of the vagina
- Vaginal bleeding
- Fever and chills in the body
- Cramping and pain in the abdomen.
Part 2 of 3: Things That Will Happen When You Visit the Doctor
Step 1. Perform a media check
There are several tests and examinations that your doctor may perform to determine if you have had a miscarriage.
- The doctor is very likely to perform an ultrasound examination to see the condition of the fetus in your womb. Through this ultrasound examination, the doctor can also see if the fetus is developing normally. If the fetus is old enough, the doctor can check the heartbeat as well.
- The doctor may perform a physical examination of the cervix (neck of the womb) to see how it opens.
- Blood tests can also help your doctor measure your hormone levels.
- If you removed tissue and you take it with you, your doctor can perform tests on it to determine if it is indeed fetal tissue.
Step 2. Understand the diagnosis you received
Some of the possibilities are:
- Miscarriage type "abortus imminens", ie if you experience symptoms that indicate the possibility of a miscarriage. This condition does not always result in a true miscarriage. If you experience cramping, bleeding, but the cervix has not dilated, you may be diagnosed with an "abortion imminens".
- If your doctor is unable to prevent a miscarriage, you will be diagnosed with a "definite" type of miscarriage. This diagnosis is very likely stated by the doctor if your cervix has opened and your uterus has contracted to expel the fetus.
- A "complete"/"full" miscarriage occurs when the entire body of the fetus and uterine tissue has fallen out of your body.
- An "incomplete"/"incomplete" miscarriage occurs if you have a miscarriage but part of the fetus's body and/or uterine tissue has not been expelled from your body through the vagina.
- A "missed abortion" type of miscarriage occurs when the body of the fetus and the uterine tissue have not been expelled from your body at all, even though the fetus has been declared dead.
Step 3. Follow your doctor's advice if you are declared to have an "abortion imminens"
Remember, this condition does not necessarily lead to you actually having a miscarriage. However, depending on the condition you are experiencing, miscarriage may be inevitable. Your doctor may suggest the following:
- Complete rest until the symptoms disappear
- Not exercising
- No sex at all
- Do not travel to locations that do not provide prompt and good quality medical services (if you need them at any time).
Step 4. Know what will happen if you do have a miscarriage but some of the body tissue has not made it out
Doctor's advice may be adjusted to your own choice.
- You can wait until your body is able to get rid of the remaining tissue that fell naturally. This process can take up to a month.
- You can take medications to help your body push the remaining tissue out. This usually happens relatively quickly, sometimes within a day. This treatment can be taken orally (swallowed medication) or directly into your vagina.
- If you are also showing symptoms of having an infection. The doctor will carry out treatment to help create an opening to remove the remaining tissue that has fallen.
Step 5. Give yourself enough time to physically recover from the miscarriage
Recovery is often fairly short, and you should be fine again after a few days.
- Know that your period will return the following month. This means that your body is physically capable of getting pregnant again soon. If you don't or don't want to get pregnant again in this short time but still want to be sexually active, use contraception.
- Give your vaginal tissue two weeks of recovery time. During this two-week period, do not have sex or use tampons.
Step 6. Take time too to experience psychological recovery
Research shows that women who experience miscarriages may be as grieving as women who give birth to a baby who dies near the time of delivery. It's important that you give yourself enough time to grieve and receive support from and talk to people you trust.
- Ask for support from friends and family members you trust.
- Find the right support group for you.
- Most women who have a miscarriage are still able to get pregnant afterward. Miscarriage doesn't mean you can't have children later.
Part 3 of 3: Planning Your Next Pregnancy
Step 1. Understand the common causes of miscarriage
Many miscarriages occur because the fetus is not developing properly. This can occur due to several causes, ranging from genetic factors in the fetus to factors in the health of pregnant women.
- Genetic abnormalities in the fetus. This could be an abnormality due to heredity or abnormalities in the egg or sperm cells that make up the fetus.
- Diabetes in pregnant women
- Infection
- Pregnancy hormone imbalance
- Thyroid gland disorders
- Disorders of the uterus or cervix.
Step 2. Lower the risk of subsequent miscarriages as much as possible
Indeed, the possibility of miscarriage cannot be completely prevented, but there are several factors that increase the risk of miscarriage, namely:
- Smoke
- Consuming alcoholic beverages. Alcohol can cause irreparable harm to your unborn baby, even if you don't miscarry.
- Taking drugs. Avoid drugs if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Do not take any medicines before consulting a doctor, including over-the-counter medicines or herbal medicines.
- Diabetes
- Excess or underweight
- Disorders of reproductive organs, especially in the uterus or cervix
- Pollution from toxic substances around
- Infection
- Immune disorders
- Hormone imbalance
- Invasive pre-pregnancy tests (high risk of disrupting the womb because they are carried through the birth canal or into the uterine area), such as amniocentesis tests (tests to determine genetic abnormalities in the fetus by examining amniotic fluid or amniotic fluid) or Chorionic Villus Sampling / CVS tests (test to detect chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus).
- The risk of miscarriage increases in pregnant women who are over 35 years of age.
Step 3. Know the things that do not cause miscarriage
Under normal conditions, the following activities will not result in miscarriage. If your doctor advises you against it, follow the doctor's advice.
- Exercise at moderate intensity
- Safe sex. Avoid the risk of infection.
- Work in a form of activity that does not put yourself at risk of exposure to toxic substances, germs/bacteria/viruses that cause infection, chemicals, or radiation from the surrounding environment.
