Early Miscarriage Common in Stressed Mothers

Published by editor | Filed under Depression

Early Miscarriage

An early miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of pregnancy during the first 20 weeks of gestation. It can also be called a spontaneous abortion.

Early miscarriage is very common. As many as 30% of women will experience one, usually before they even miss a period, or realize they are pregnant. Most early miscarriages are a result of a developing fetus that is unhealthy and has little chance of surviving to the end of pregnancy.

The truth is that miscarriages in the first trimester are quite common. Some studies estimate that nearly one in every nine pregnancies ends in an early miscarriage. No reason for this alarming statistic has been found, but most researchers attribute it to genetic abnormalities. The rate of early miscarriages is not attributed to something the mother did or did not do, and therefore mothers who have miscarried should not feel guilty.

Another myth regarding early miscarriage is that a backwards-pointing womb, or retroverted uterus, or a medical examination by a physician can cause an early miscarriage. Again, there is no truth to these myths. Woman with one of these problems should not feel guilty if she has a miscarriage.

Some known causes include:

• Chromosomal abnormalities. Studies show that 50% to 60% of all miscarriages are caused by too little or too many chromosomes in the fetus. Of these cases about half are caused by Trisomy 21, also referred to as Down’s Syndrome.
• Low progesterone levels. The hormone progesterone is necessary for maintaining a healthy pregnancy. Insufficient levels may result in miscarriage. Early in pregnancy the progesterone is made by the small cyst in the ovary called the corpus luteum. After about nine to 10 weeks the placenta should be producing enough progesterone to support the pregnancy. Low progesterone that causes miscarriage is usually thought to be from inadequate production from the corpus luteum. Progesterone medication is safe and relatively inexpensive, but studies proving its effectiveness have not been conclusive.
• Infections and diseases. Many bacterial and viral infections can contribute to a miscarriage, including viral infections such the cytomegalic virus, bacterial infections such as chlamydia, mycoplasma, ureaplasma, and streptococcus, or in rare cases parasitic infection such as toxoplasmosis. Disease, such as undiagnosed diabetes, may also cause a miscarriage.
• Age of the mother. The rate of miscarriage increases with the age of the mother. Around half of all pregnancies in women over 40 end in miscarriage.
• Other possible causes. Chronic illnesses, exposure to environmental toxins (such as certain metals), and stress. Examples include thyroid abnormalities (either overactive or underactive thyroid), poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, or intrauterine adhesions (most commonly caused by previous infections or dilatation and curettages.) High dose X-irradiation and chemotherapy are known toxins that can cause pregnancy loss. Industry employees working with chemicals such as with dyes, metals, solvents, or chemical production plants are at greater risk. Maternal stresses and heavy use of tobacco, caffeine, alcohol, and drugs can also be factors.
• Autoimmune diseases. The presence of certain complex antibodies such as the lupus anticoagulant and the anticardiolipin antibodies can cause miscarriages. These factors are not well understood, and there is no agreed upon effective treatment.

How Is It Treated?

• Surgery is not necessary if the fetus and placenta are completely expelled from the uterus. Modern management has determined that this may be both a safe and economical approach to a spontaneous miscarriage. But if only part of the fetus and placenta are expelled or, none at all, one of two procedures may be suggested:
• D & C (dilation and curettage). The cervix is dilated or widened and a curette is used to scrape the remaining tissue from the lining of the uterus.
• Vacuum aspiration. A mechanical pump is used to suction the remaining tissue out of the uterus.

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