Pregnancy is one of the most cherished periods of a woman’s life, but often this joy becomes short-lived due to certain complications. If a woman loses her unborn baby in the very early stages of pregnancy, i.e. within the first 20 weeks, it is termed as a miscarriage.

At times, a spontaneous abortion or a miscarriage is caused due to unavoidable reasons such as:

• Imbalance in hormones
• Biological error in the development of the fetus
• Increased age of the mother
• Alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse
• Maternal trauma
• Lack of emotional support
• Exposure to harmful chemicals
• Genetic Causes
• History of previous miscarriage(s)

Here Are Some Signs And Symptoms Of Miscarriage:

#1. Severe Back Pain

Most women experience a shooting pain in the abdomen and back. This pain is usually worse than the pain experienced during menstruation and is often accompanied by painful cramps. Many women might not find anything unusual in this since back pain is common during a pregnancy but sometimes this signals a miscarriage.

#2. Unusual Vaginal Discharge

Any unusual vaginal discharge must be taken very seriously and reported to your gynecologist. This is so because more often than not, an unusual vaginal discharge is an indication of a miscarriage. There are many types of discharge which get released from the vagina and you should always be on the lookout for any unusual type of discharge.

The various types of discharge that one can get are:

• Red to dark brown bleeding: Some women get just a few spots while others may experience severe bleeding. It may be or may not be accompanied by cramps in the abdomen. If you are bleeding profusely and have severe pain accompanied by cramps in the abdomen, it could indicate a possible miscarriage.
• Light pink mucus along with an enormous amount of fluid: Thick light pink blood along with a cluster of tissue and/or blood clots or grey material can also indicate a miscarriage. This might be fetal tissue and the uterus lining coming out as vaginal discharge.

#3. Painful Contractions In the First Trimester

Contractions are usually experienced in the final stages of pregnancy, prior to delivery but if a woman gets contractions in the early stages – it could indicate a miscarriage. These contractions may appear very much like true contractions and occur after every 5 – 20 minutes.

#4. A sudden Reduction In Pregnancy Symptoms

A sudden reduction in the pregnancy symptoms might also indicate that a woman has had a miscarriage. These symptoms include weight loss, the absence of nausea and weakness.

You might also like: 13 Pregnancy myths and facts

#5. Negative Pregnancy Test

A negative Beta HCG test after several weeks of pregnancy might also mean that you’re miscarrying. HCG is also known as the pregnancy hormone as its presence in urine indicates pregnancy. So, after a pregnancy is confirmed – but you still get a negative test, it could indicate a miscarriage.

What Can You Do To Avoid A Miscarriage?

Although a woman doesn’t really have control over all the factors that lead to a miscarriage but there are some precautions that one take, to decrease the chances of miscarrying.

These are:

#1. Avoid Stress And Try To Stay Relaxed

Getting stressed can cause a miscarriage during early pregnancy. You should try meditation, yoga and other relaxation techniques – to stay tension free.

#2. Eat A Nutritionally Adequate And Well-Balanced Diet

It goes without saying that during pregnancy you need to eat well. During the first trimester, because of the nausea, many moms are not able to digest food well and end up eating very less. You should eat light and frequent meals with lots of juices to ensure that you get wholesome nutrition for yourself and your child.

#3. Make It A Point To Exercise Daily

Walking is the best exercise that you do without putting any additional pressure on yourself. You can also consult a good pre-natal yoga therapist for sign for a lamaze class. Make sure you get any new exercise regime approved by your doctor beforehand.

#4. Avoid Tobacco, Alcohol, And Drugs

Again, common sense. Substance abuse is counted amongst one of the leading causes of miscarriages – so avoid smoking, drinking and doing drugs. In fact as soon as you plan to have a baby – you should go off any kind of substance abuse.

#5. Limit Your Caffeine Intake

It’s difficult to give up that morning cup of tea or coffee. So try switching to green tea or herbal tea if you can. Always limit your caffeine intake by reducing carbonated drinks and coffee. Tea has a lower amount of caffeine so if you have to choose one from the other – go for tea over coffee. Try to keep your tea intake to less than 2 cups a day.

Read More: Importance of folic acid during pregnancy

#6. Take All The Prescribed Pregnancy Medicines On Time

Mostly doctors prescribe some supplements once your pregnancy is confirmed. In case of special circumstances, progesterone capsules are prescribed to prevent a miscarriage. In case your doctor has prescribed any such additional medication – be sure to take them on time.

#7. Move Around Carefully And Slowly

It is advisable to avoid any kind of strenuous or sports activity once your pregnancy gets confirmed. So if you are planning for a trip to the amusement park or a beach holiday – skip the roller coaster rides and the jet ski or water sports. This is because the embryo is still trying to get attached to your uterus. Any jerks or sudden activity can cause a miscarriage, so better safe than sorry.

Mommies, we hope that you this article useful and will follow these precautions to prevent any unfortunate incident. When in doubt – always consult your doctor before taking any step. Happy motherhood!

Want to share your mommy experience with other moms through words or images? Become a part of the Moms United community. Click here and we will get in touch with you

null