Miscarriage

Our Specialists:

• Dr Ashfaq Khan
• Ms Scharazed A Rouabhi
• Mr Oudai Ali

•  Age. If you're older than age 35, you have a higher risk of miscarriage. At age 35, you have about a 20% risk. At age 40, the risk is about 33% to 40%. And at age 45, it ranges from 57% to 80%.
•  Past miscarriages. If you've had 1 or more prior miscarriages before, you're at higher risk of pregnancy loss.
•  Long-term conditions. If you have an ongoing health condition, such as uncontrolled diabetes, you have a higher risk of miscarriage.
•  Uterine or cervical problems. Certain uterine conditions or weak cervical tissues, also called incompetent cervix, might raise the chances of a miscarriage.
•  Smoking, alcohol, caffeine and illegal drugs.
•  Weight. Being underweight or being overweight has been linked with a higher risk of miscarriage.
•  Genetic conditions. Sometimes, one of the partners may be healthy but carry a genetic problem that raises the risk of a miscarriage.
• Most miscarriages happen during the first trimester of pregnancy, which is about the first 12 weeks.

•  Bleeding from the vagina with or without pain, including light bleeding called spotting.
•  Pain or cramping in the pelvic area or lower back.
•  Fluid or tissue passing from the vagina.
•  Fast heartbeat.

If you have passed tissue from your vagina, place it in a clean container. A lab can examine the tissue to check for signs of a miscarriage.

Sometimes, pregnancy tissue that stays in the uterus after a miscarriage can lead to a uterine infection – usual symptoms of such infection are Fever, Chills, Pain in the lower stomach area, foul-smelling discharge from the vagina, vaginal bleeding.

Heavy bleeding from the vagina (immediately attend A&E of your nearest NHS hospital).

Often, there's nothing you can do to prevent a miscarriage. Instead, focus on taking good care of yourself and your unborn baby:

•  Get regular prenatal care while you're pregnant and right after you give birth.
•  Stay away from miscarriage risk factors — such as smoking, drinking alcohol and illegal drug use.
•  Take a daily multivitamin.
•  If you've had one or more prior miscarriages, ask our consultants who can advise you to have some investigations to identify any cause of Miscarriage which can be managed better next time.
•  Limit caffeine.

If you have a long-term health condition, work with your health care team to keep it under control.

Your health care team might do a variety of tests:

•  Blood tests
•  Pelvic exam
•  Ultrasound
•  Tissue tests
•  Chromosomal tests