The definition, symptoms, causes and prevention of miscarriage during pregnancy are discussed in the article, with a detailed breakdown of miscarriage rates by the ongoing week of pregnancy.
If there is one fear that affects pregnant women across the world and compels them to be careful and anxious, is the idea of losing the life that they carry within their womb. The very thing that is considered to be the vessel of life seems to turn into a vice as the potential for life is diminishes. Miscarrying is the stuff of nightmares for all women who have already conceived, and also for those who are yet to make the attempt.
Women find themselves obsessively reading up about the miscarriage rates by week, carefully looking into the risk of miscarriage by week as the months pass by. About 10-25% of all pregnancies seem to end in this unfortunate incident. If you are a prospective mother looking for detailed information on chance of miscarriage by week, or simply planning for your first child, it is best to know the perils that can potentially occur in the journey ahead. Read on for a detailed and authentic report on miscarriage and know how to deal with it, if at all it is necessary.
The Myth of Miscarriage
The word ‘miscarriage’ is the term in colloquial medical diction, referring to a condition where there is an early loss of pregnancy in an expecting woman, within 20 weeks of conception. Usually, the chance of miscarriage by week is high in the first trimester of pregnancy and most women face a 9 weeks pregnant miscarriage risk that they need to be alert about. The risk of miscarriage by week decreases the further along you are in your pregnancy, which is often the reason why couples wait until after the first trimester to share the news with friends and family.
The idea that a woman is prone to miscarriage after it happens once is a complete myth. Medical professionals do not evaluate the situation until there are three or at least two incidents of miscarriage to report. It has been medically proven that the chances of miscarrying a second time do not increase if you have had an incident prior to that.
Everything You Need to Know About Risk of Miscarriage by Week
The chance of miscarriage by week is higher in the initiating trimester of the period of pregnancy. 9 weeks pregnant miscarriage risk is particularly a point of high risk during the time. The age of the woman and other factors also determine the percentage in the possibility of miscarrying. Here is a break up of the risk rate that a woman newly pregnant should be aware about:
Weeks 0 to 7
This is the most delicate period in the entire span of pregnancy. Women may suffer a miscarriage in these first few weeks without even realizing that she had been pregnant, mistaking the bleeding as a period late in coming. If the woman is 20 to 30 years old, the risk of miscarriage is as low as 9-17%. The risk goes up to 20% in a woman of 35 to 39 years of age. In a woman between the 40 to 44 age group, the risk of miscarriage is 40% and the chance of miscarriage by weekis about 80% in a woman over 45 years old.
Weeks 7 to 12
The risk somewhat decreases with the onset of the 7th week of pregnancy and around the 9 weeks pregnant miscarriage risk, the percentage drops to about 10%.
Weeks 12 to 20
In the weeks following the 12th in the first trimester of pregnancy, the risk falls to 5% and the situation may be deemed relatively safe.
Causes of miscarriage
If reasons could be traced behind the occurrence of miscarriages in women, some may be cited as follows:
- Genetic factors can be a reason behind the recurrence of miscarriages.
- Uterus and cervix infections like Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma may be harmful for the growing baby.
- Anatomical problems in the mother’s uterus can also cause her to miscarry.
- Clotting disorders or blood clots in the placenta can also be a reason.
- The deficiency of progesterone or luteal phase deficiency can also lead to miscarriage.
Symptoms of miscarriage
It is pertinent to understand the symptoms and identify them especially in the early days of the pregnancy when the risk of miscarriage by week is high.
Many women undergo spot bleeding during pregnancy and in the panic and anxiety, it is easy to confuse the two. Spotting essential consists of a light flow of a few of drops of blood, with dark red or brown colour. Only if you notice bright red blood, particularly in large quantities, should you fear the worst. In such a case, consult a doctor immediately and call him right away.
Cramping is a characteristic of pregnancy and is not necessarily an indicating factor of an oncoming miscarriage.
Prevention of miscarriage
Most causes behind miscarriages are usually factors like biological abnormalities and genetics, factors which are beyond your control. But the risk from infectious diseases and other causes may be thwarted if you stay true to the steps mentioned below:
- Consume meals that cater to the high nutritional requirement at the time of pregnancy
- Get in some regular exercise in your daily routine
- Avoid cigarettes, alcohol and other similar substances at the time of pregnancy
- Try to avoid caffeine when you are with child, it adversely affects the fetus
- Regular prenatal visits and check ups are a must, especially in the first trimester to make sure that everything is going the way it should be
One of the most important things to remember while preparing for the worst, and if a miscarriage comes to pass, is that it is not your fault. While the above steps can help keep you healthy and prevent further problems, miscarriages are usually genetic or caused by biological abnormalities in the body- both aspects which remain out of your control. In case a mishap happens, talk to friends and family and seek out therapy and medical help to deal with it, if that is what you require.
References
Healthline.com
