Miscarriage : Miscarriage also called Spontaneous abortion. A miscarriage is the loss of pregnancy from natural causes before the 20th week of pregnancy. Most miscarriages occur very early in the pregnancy, often before a woman even knows she is pregnant. There are many different causes for a miscarriage.
Factors that may contribute to miscarriage include
• A genetic problem with the fetus. This is the most common cause in the first trimester.
• Problems with the uterus or cervix. These contribute in the second trimester.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
Signs of a miscarriage can include vaginal spotting or bleeding, abdominal pain or cramping, and fluid or tissue passing from the vagina. Although vaginal bleeding is a common symptom of miscarriage, many women have spotting early in their pregnancy but do not miscarry.
Symptoms
Possible symptoms include:
• Low back pain or abdominal pain that is dull, sharp, or cramping
• Tissue or clot-like material that passes from the vagina
• Vaginal bleeding, with or without abdominal cramps
Treatment
When a miscarriage occurs, the tissue passed from the vagina should be examined. This is done to determine if it was a normal placenta or a hydatidiform mole. If the pregnancy tissue does not naturally leave the body, the woman may be closely watched for up to 2 weeks. Surgery (D and C) or medication (such as misoprostol) may be needed to remove the remaining contents from the womb. After treatment, the woman usually resumes her normal menstrual cycle within 4 - 6 weeks. Any further vaginal bleeding should be carefully monitored. It is often possible to become pregnant immediately. It is recommended that women wait one normal menstrual cycle before trying to become pregnant again.