women s health issues
Miscarriage
Symptoms of Miscarriage
A miscarriage is usually preceded by vaginal bleeding, which may be spotting with bright or dark red blood or heavier bleeding. The uterus is a muscle, and it contracts during miscarriage, causing cramps. This may cause the cervix to open (dilate). However, vaginal bleeding is common in early pregnancy and often there is no problem with the pregnancy. About 25% of pregnant women have some bleeding at least once during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Approximately 12% of pregnancies with bleeding during the first 12 weeks result in a miscarriage. Early in a pregnancy, the only sign of a miscarriage may be a small amount of vaginal bleeding. Later in a pregnancy, a miscarriage may cause profuse bleeding, and the blood may contain mucus or clots. Cramps become more severe until, eventually, the uterus contracts enough to expel the fetus and placenta. Sometimes a fetus stops developing, but no symptoms of miscarriage occur. This is called a missed abortion. Doctors may suspect a missed abortion if the uterus does not enlarge. Sometimes, doctors detect a missed abortion on a routine prenatal ultrasound. If any fragments of a fetus or placenta remain in the uterus after a miscarriage, infection may develop. Infection of the uterus that occurs during or shortly before or after a miscarriage or induced abortion is called a Septic Abortion . This infection can be very serious and even life threatening. A woman should seek medical care if abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding persists or worsens a few days after a miscarriage or if she has a fever. Miscarriages are common in early pregnancy, and some may not be recognized because they occur before women know they are pregnant. About 25% of pregnant women have some bleeding at least once during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, but only about 12% of these women have a miscarriage. 