Pregnancy is a journey filled with joy and happiness for parents-to-be who embark on the wonderful journey to parenthood. The duration of pregnancy is marked by challenges that require special and continuous care of the mother and the child both physically and emotionally.
Miscarriages are not uncommon, especially in the initial stages of pregnancy. However, miscarriages during the later phase are not only rare but also have a more serious implication on the mother-to-be, both physically and mentally.
Miscarriage is the term used to define the loss of a baby during pregnancy within 20 weeks from conception. Most miscarriages occur in the first trimester of pregnancy i.e., within 13 weeks of being pregnant where the foetus is expulsed from the uterus and is not yet fit to live in the outside world. This can be caused by reasons such as the foetus not being able to develop correctly. Miscarriage in second trimester is rare and caused due to problems with placenta or the cervix, exposure to toxins or due to the health of the mother.
Miscarriages are not uncommon and close to 80% of all miscarriages are caused during the first trimester of pregnancy. However, a late miscarriage or a miscarriage in the second trimester is as rare as 1 in 100 pregnancies. Although the medical facilities available today are much better, a change in lifestyle and the general environment has led to increasing number of miscarriage cases in the recent times.
The symptoms and signs of miscarriage after 12 weeks of pregnancy may differ from one woman to another depending on various factors. However, the most common signs and symptoms of a late miscarriage include:
A late miscarriage can be painful and may require the use of pain relievers in order to ease out the pain.
Although rare, late miscarriages may happen due to no particular reason and the exact reason may not even be known. There are various causes of miscarriage in second trimester that can be linked to the medical condition of the mother. It is important to understand what causes late term miscarriage and take necessary precautions in order to prevent such a situation. Listed below are some of the reasons why one may experience a miscarriage:
A miscarriage is usually diagnosed with an ultrasound examination. In case of a foetal demise, the ultrasound will not show any foetal heart activity. This examination should be performed when there is no feeling of foetal movement in the uterus.
Loss of a baby in the second trimester can be emotional and stressful for the parents. In case of a foetal demise, there are several surgeries that can be performed to induce labour in order to remove the foetus from the womb.
There are various symptoms, which follow a miscarriage. There can be continuous bleeding after late miscarriage, feeling of tiredness due to exhaustion and pain and there will be other physical changes that would require special care for recovery.
After a late miscarriage, you can request the doctors to determine the actual cause of the problem. The doctor will also give you an understanding on what went wrong and how this can be prevented in the future pregnancies.
Generally, there is no need to register the loss of baby before 24 weeks of pregnancy. This can differ depending on the local laws. However, if the parents think that it is important to recognise their baby formally, the hospital might issue a birth certificate.
There are hospitals, which offer simple burial or cremation although there is no legal requirement for the same.
Physical recovery of the body depends on the stage of pregnancy and the type of miscarriage experienced. The body may recover fairly quickly or can also take several weeks to recover.
Post miscarriage you might experience period-like bleeding and cramps and the body will feel tired while recovering.
It is important to monitor the recovery very closely and consult your doctor regularly. During recovery, your breasts might start producing milk and this can be upsetting. If this causes pain, then you should consult your doctor for pain relief measures.
If you are a working woman, then you should ask your doctor to determine the right time to return to work.
Providing emotional support is as important as ensuring physical well-being after a late miscarriage. You are likely to face a wide range of emotions that include anger, frustration, guilt, sadness or jealousy. It is very important to understand what will help you recover from this situation. For some women talking to others about their situation might help while the others might want to move on and not discuss the situationanymore.
You can always ask your doctor to guide you to counselling sessions or support groups, which specialise in supporting people after miscarriages.
Reaching out to people who have had miscarriages in the past can also help as they will understand what you are going through and provide constructive ways to get back to normalcy.
The chances of having a second miscarriage are low and most women will experience miscarriage only once. However, a lot depends on your physical and mental condition and it is important to consult a doctor and get necessary tests done before you can try to get pregnant again. The doctor will also advice you about the do’s and don’ts to ensure a healthier pregnancy after a miscarriage.
Most miscarriages are a result of genetic abnormalities and cannot be controlled. Taking necessary precautions is the only way to reduce the chances of miscarriage.
Proper exercise, eating a well-balanced diet, avoiding consumption of alcohol and drugs, limiting consumption of caffeine, ensuring that blood sugar and blood pressure levels are under control are some of the precautions you should take in order to lower the chances of a miscarriage.
According to studies, less than 5% of the women experience two successive miscarriages and hence trying to get pregnant after a miscarriage is safe. However, if you are trying again after late miscarriage, it is important to keep the following tips in mind:
In addition to all these, it is very important to consult a doctor on how to have a safe pregnancy and get yourself continuously monitored to ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy.
Disclaimer
This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice from a qualified professional.