The Science of Making Babies

• Early Pregnancy Loss/Miscarriage
• Early Pregnancy Loss-Introduction
• Diagnosis and treatment of miscarriage
• Possible causes of recurrent miscarriage
• Ectopic Pregnancy
• Molar Pregnancy

Introduction to Early Pregnancy Loss
A normal pregnancy is supposed to last approximately 40 weeks. Pregnancy loss prior to 20 weeks is referred to as an early pregnancy loss. In most cases, the early pregnancy loss is a miscarriage. Sometimes the loss is an ectopic pregnancy, which is a pregnancy located outside of your uterus. Rarely, the loss is an unusual type of pregnancy called molar pregnancy, which is a condition that results in growth of placenta-like abnormal tissue within your uterus. The loss of a pregnancy usually involves more than the loss of the baby. It also triggers a tremendous emotional impact, including feelings of sadness, guilt, and grief.

Miscarriage
If you have experienced a miscarriage, you are well aware of the physical and emotional difficulties that come with it. Chances are you were delighted when that fi rst pregnancy test showed up as positive. You might have shared the good news with friends and family. However, within a short time, you started to bleed and cramp. A visit to the doctor revealed a miscarriage. With shock and disappointment, you must come to terms with the grief of miscarriage.

WHAT IS MISCARRIAGE? WHAT HAPPENS TO MY BODY?
A miscarriage is a pregnancy that is lost prior to 20 weeks of pregnancy. When you stop and consider all of the complex steps involved in forming a human being, it’s very sad but not surprising that sometimes not all the steps go as planned. The fertilization process of combining the male sperm and the female egg is very detailed and intricate. If any one step doesn’t occur exactly right, miscarriage may occur. For this reason, many medical professionals believe that a miscarriage is the body’s way of dealing with a fetus that is probably abnormal. Even so, this is not much consolation to a woman who is experiencing the heartbreak of miscarriage. The two primary symptoms of miscarriage are vaginal bleeding and cramping in the lower abdomen or back. While bleeding is certainly something to have checked out by your doctor, it does not necessarily mean you are miscarrying. In fact, the majority of women who experience light bleeding during the fi rst trimester continue their pregnancies and deliver healthy babies. However, sometimes the bleeding is quite heavy, and you may even pass some fetal tissue. If so, try to collect the fetal tissue in a clean container and bring it to the doctor for evaluation. Remember to call your doctor right away if you experience bleeding or cramping.Your doctor will want to examine you and fi nd out exactly what is happening toyour body.

WHO IS AT RISK? WHAT CAUSES MISCARRIAGE?
Miscarriage is the most common type of pregnancy loss, occurring in about 15 to 20 percent of all pregnancies. Most miscarriages happen during the fi rst three months of pregnancy. Miscarriage is a sad event, and many women look to blame themselves or search to fi nd a reason for the miscarriage. In most situations, you won’t fi nd an answer because the cause of miscarriage is usually not known. It has been estimated that more than half of all miscarriages are due to problems with the chromosomes of the fetus. These chromosomal problems occur randomly. When the egg and sperm combine, thousands of steps must be accomplished to form a normal fetus, and if a problem occurs with the number of chromosomes or the structure of a chromosome, then miscarriage may occur. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states that most aspects of daily life do not increase the risk of miscarriage. They go on to say that no proof exists that activities such as work, exercise, or sex cause miscarriage. Most falls do not result in miscarriage either. Likewise, fright, stress, and morning sickness do not lead to miscarriage.
Do not blame yourself. Most miscarriages seem to happen by chance and not because of something you did or didn’t do. In most cases when you have experienced a miscarriage, it’s not likely to happen with future pregnancies.

• Early Pregnancy Loss/Miscarriage
• Early Pregnancy Loss-Introduction
• Diagnosis and treatment of miscarriage
• Possible causes of recurrent miscarriage
• Ectopic Pregnancy
• Molar Pregnancy