Pregnancy Challenges: Miscarriages

Losing a pregnancy can be a heartbreaking and traumatic experience. Most miscarriages occur during the first trimester of pregnancy. Oftentimes, the cause of a specific miscarriage is unknown, but most occur because of an abnormality with the chromosomes of with the developing fetus. Miscarriages that occur later in pregnancy may be due to complications such as untreated diabetes or a bacterial infection. Some signs of miscarriage include cramping and abdominal pain, bleeding, and feeling weak.

If the miscarriage occurs early in pregnancy, the body will probably expel the fetal tissue on its own. However, sometimes when a fetus is lost, the body does not immediately expel it. In these cases the doctor may recommend a dilation and curettage (D&C) to remove the fetal tissue and placenta. This procedure is done under local or general anesthesia. If the fetus dies late in pregnancy, labor may be induced.

If you have had a miscarriage or a stillbirth, you may feel like you will never get over the loss. Give yourself time to grieve and to heal. Talk to your partner, your family, and your friends about the loss. You may want to see a counselor or join s support group. Some couples find it helpful to have their lost baby blessed, christened, or memorialize in some way. It is recommended that you wait at least three months before trying again to give your body and your spirit time to heal.

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