If you have experienced a miscarriage, it is totally normal to feel a mixture of sadness, grief and helplessness. But know that you are not alone. Whilst finding out you’re pregnant is a joyous occasion, there are always risks involved. Unfortunately, 1 in 4 pregnancies ends in baby loss. The vast majority of miscarriages occur in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, but they can occur up to 24 weeks of pregnancy – although this is rare. No matter what stage of pregnancy you were at, It’s important for you to remember that miscarriage is common and there is nothing that you have done to cause this.
Parla’s guide on miscarriage will not only equip you with medical information but will also provide advice on how to take care of your emotional wellbeing and what and what we can do to decrease the risks of baby loss. Baby loss should not be a taboo. We are dedicated to changing the conversation around fertility, and making it more inclusive, proactive and supportive – and our guides are based on these principles. After reading (or listening!) to all the information, we believe you’ll feel more empowered for your fertility journey and navigating grief.
Understanding miscarriage and loss
The most common sign of miscarriage is bleeding and cramping abdominal pain. That said, many women with pain and bleeding go on to have healthy pregnancies, though heavier bleeding is usually a sign that something is wrong. Some women experience a lower backache that may range from mild to severe. In some cases, there will be no concerning symptoms, and it won’t be clear that a miscarriage has happened until a routine scan. This is known as a missed miscarriage.
In our guide, you will learn more about different types of baby loss as well as about ectopic pregnancy and stillbirth. Knowing what are the different signs, symptoms and how a diagnosis is made can make you feel more prepared in case something goes wrong. Our experts emphasise that you should try to keep in mind that losing your baby is never your fault and it is often impossible to predict.
Recurrent miscarriage
About 1 in 100 women experience recurrent miscarriages, which means 3 or more miscarriages in a row and many of these women go on to have a successful pregnancy eventually! If you’ve had a late or recurrent miscarriage, your doctors will probably refer you for tests to try to find out why. They may not be able to find the cause. But if they do identify an issue, such as uterine abnormality or an infection, you may be offered treatment that can reduce the risk of having another miscarriage.
What are the causes?
We know that the majority of miscarriages are caused by genetic problems. Unfortunately, this means that the majority of cases are ‘unpreventable’ – and even if there was a way to stop the womb from bleeding, a healthy baby would not be a possibility. These types of miscarriage are more common as we get older, and the quality of eggs declines. Rarely, there are preventable causes of miscarriage. Because these are so uncommon, and miscarriages are so common, it is generally suggested that you do not test for them after one early miscarriage. Look into the guide for a full list of potential causes and circumstances that increase your risk of miscarriage.
How can I reduce the risk of miscarriage?
Whilst miscarriage is unpredictable and, often, unpreventable, there are a few lifestyle factors you should be aware of that can reduce your risk of baby loss. We break those factors in our guide into: “before conception” and “during pregnancy”. In our guide, we include everything from age to coffee and we also discuss scientific evidence behind the advice.
Coping with baby loss
It is very natural to feel extremely sad after a pregnancy loss. Dr Jessica Farren has done some research looking specifically at Miscarriage and PTSD. Those are probably two things you wouldn’t associate together. However, in January this year, Dr. Farren published a major study into the connection between symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress after a pregnancy loss. She found that all these conditions, especially post-traumatic stress and anxiety, are very common after miscarriage. Read more about the study in our guide, its implications and advice for women and doctors based on the findings.
How will the Parla guide help me understand and cope with miscarriage?
More questions our guide will answer:
- How common is miscarriage?
- Does any bleeding mean miscarriage?
- What is the difference between miscarriage and stillbirth?
- What research is being done on miscarriage?
- Is there research on lifestyle influence on miscarriage risk?
- What health check-up should I have before I try to conceive?
- Are there any medical interventions that could prevent baby loss?
- Can miscarriage be stopped once it started?
- How to cope with a loss?
- I had a miscarriage. When can I try again?
At Parla we are committed to empowering you with the information needed to make proactive decisions about your fertility journey. Our guides and expert-led community are here to support you at every step of your journey. Learn about your body, understand your options and take control of your fertility.
Are you ready to learn more miscarriage? Meet us at Parla and access this guide free for a limited time.
This post is here to provide educational information only. It does not provide medical advice and does not diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Parla does not replace your relationship with any general practitioner or healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified health provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition or diagnosis or treatment.
