Miscarriage: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options

What is a Miscarriage?

Miscarriage is a spontaneous loss of a pregnancy that may happen before 20 weeks of gestation. It is typically marked by a sudden, yet repeated vaginal bleeding and cramping during pregnancy.

At all such times, it is important that you consult a gynecologist immediately. In case it is only a threatened miscarriage and the cervix is still close, there are chances that the pregnancy may still be saved.

However, in cases of inevitable miscarriage where the fetus is dead or the cervix has already dilated, the doctor can help you quicken the expulsion, manage the pain and negate any chances of infection.

Note that, while a fetus does expel by itself in most miscarriages, it is important to diagnose its exact cause, ensure complete expulsion, and treat the infection. Otherwise, incomplete miscarriage risks severe cervical and uterine infection, fever, chills, nausea, excessive bleeding, difficulty in the next conception, and/ or complete infertility.

Why Does It Happen?

Unlike what its name may indicate, a miscarriage does not always happen because of a problem in the carrying of the pregnancy. Rather, most miscarriages simply occur because of:

• An abnormal formation of the embryo because of an extra or missing chromosome.
• Abnormal growth of the fetus and placenta because of the abnormal division of the embryo.
• Abnormal planting of the embryo in the fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix, or abdomen, instead of the uterus.
• Fluctuations in the mother’s health, such as- high diabetes, BP, thyroid or hormonal imbalance
• Infection in the cervix or the uterus

Types of Miscarriage

• Threatened Miscarriage
• Inevitable Miscarriage
• Complete Miscarriage
• Incomplete Miscarriage
• Missed Miscarriage

Miscarriage Surgery Cost Calculator

Fill details to get actual cost

Patient Name

i

+91

Mobile Number

i

Select City

i

Get actual cost

To confirm your details, please enter OTP sent to you on *

Enter OTP

i

Change number Resend

Submit

Miscarriage - Risk Factors and Symptoms

Miscarriage Symptoms

• Vaginal Bleeding
• Cramping
• Abdominal Pain
• Back Pain
• Passing of the Vaginal Fluid
• Passing of the Fetal Tissues

Miscarriage – Risk Factors

• Teenage/ Oldage
• Excessive/ Lesser weight
• Hormonal Imbalance
• Fluctuations in the BP
• Accidents

Miscarriage - Diagnosis and Tests

Diagnosis Tests for Miscarriage

Transvaginal Ultrasound/ Abdominal Ultrasound 

Procedure: Both transvaginal and abdominal ultrasounds are simple, 7-10 minutes imaging tests, that is,  the tests that provide an internal image of the body organ using high-frequency sound waves.

However, as the name suggests, transvaginal ultrasound is done by inserting the sound wave device through the transvaginal cavity, whereas the abdominal ultrasound is done through the abdominal surface. Since the sound wave device is closer in transvaginal ultrasound, it can help pick up the type of pregnancy earlier and is more accurate than the results of an abdominal ultrasound.

Confirmation: The development of the fetus confirms the state of pregnancy. If the fetus is projected to develop abnormally, or is marked dead, the miscarriage is considered inevitable. the type of pregnancy.

Self Diagnosis

Miscarriage can be self-diagnosed through either of the symptoms of repeated bleeding, cramping, or pain in the abdomen or pelvis. In the case of either or all of the signs, you must visit your gynecologist immediately. In the process of waiting, please ask for any pre-consultation instructions.

In case, you have passed a fetal tissue, you are advised to keep it in a clean box and bring it along to your gyne clinic. It shall help prepare the diagnosis and treatment better.

Diagnosis by Doctor

The doctor diagnoses the condition through a combination of your explained symptoms and ultrasound reports.

In case the miscarriage seems inevitable, medications or surgery may be prescribed to quicken the process and negate any chances of infection.

Miscarriage - Risks & Complications

During Miscarriage Treatment

The cleaning procedure to ensure complete miscarriage is called- D & C (dilation and curettage. It is one of the safest and most successful methods with only mild-minimum risks. However, some of the rare complications that you should know about include:-

• General anesthetic complications
• Excessive bleeding
• Blood clotting
• Damage to the surrounding organs, such as the bladder, ovaries, ureter, or rectum (rare)

If Left Un-treated

Delaying the treatment or leaving it untreated leaves a 50-50 chance of sepsis in the uterus or cervix. That is, while the woman may experience slight bleeding or fetal passage, in case, the same remains incomplete, the remaining fetal tissues or fluid may develop an internal infection. This causes:

• Fever
• Nausea
• Bad odor and itching in the vagina
• Abdominal and pelvic pain
• Risk of miscarriage in the next pregnancy
• Permanent infertility

Prevention - Miscarriage

In most cases, there is not much you can do to prevent a miscarriage. However, you can follow the following steps to reduce the risk percentage of the most common risk factors. These include:

• Avoid the known miscarriage risk factors — such as smoking, drinking alcohol and/or the use of recreational drugs.
• A few recent studies claim a disturbing connection between the caffeine and miscarriages. Consuming more than two caffeinated beverages a day was found to be associated with a higher risk of miscarriage.
• Seek regular gyne checkups and prenatal care.
• Take a daily multivitamin and practice at least 30 minutes of light yoga/ breathwork.

Effect on Future Pregnancy

Most patients go on to have a normal and healthy pregnancy post-miscarriage. However, some may have another or repeated episodes of miscarriage.

The risk percentage totally depends on the basal reason for miscarriage. If the same happens to be ectopic/ molar pregnancy, the chances of a healthy pregnancy reduce to less than 50%. However, the risk is comparatively milder in all other cases.

In most cases, ovulation begins within 1-2 weeks and you can conceive accidentally. However, doctors typically prescribe you to wait for at least 1-6 months before planning the next pregnancy. The period may vary particularly on the reason for your miscarriage.

Miscarriage Treatment options & cost

Treatment by Medicine

If the miscarriage happens early in the pregnancy and the diagnostic tests negate any chances of infection, the cleaning treatment can be done through medications.

Procedure: Typically, the prescribed medications include a combination of 2 different pills (commonly known as RU486. These can be taken both- orally and directly through the vaginal passage. When used together, they dilate the cervix and help quicken the process of expulsion.

Side effects: Some of the side effects include-

• Abdominal pain
• Vaginal bleeding
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness

Surgical Treatment

A miscarriage in the later weeks or where the doctor may detect sepsis is best removed through D&C method (dilation and curettage).

Procedure: First, the doctor gives you the medicine for the complete dilation of the cervix. This is particularly important for the pregnancy tissue to expel out of the birth canal. It may take 30-40 minutes or more. Then, once the cervix is fully dilated, the surgeon uses a curettage instrument to remove all the pregnancy tissues out of the uterus. Soon after a few hours, the cervix contracts naturally and the pregnancy is ended without any cuts or sutures.

**The cleaning treatment differs in case of ectopic and molar pregnancy. You can read more about both, here.

• Ectopic Pregnancy
• Molar Pregnancy

Before and After - Miscarriage Treatment

Surgery Preparation

• Following are a list of ways through which you can prepare well for the cleaning treatment post miscarraige:
• Confirm all your current medications, supplements, and herbal potions to your doctor. Certain medicines, such as ibuprofen, insulin, or blood thinners may be required to halt for a few days. This is because they can hamper the surgery and risk excessive bleeding during the procedure.
• No surgery can be performed with imbalanced BP or sugar levels. This is why they must first be brought under control to proceed with the surgical treatment.
• Do not eat or drink anything at least 4-6 hours before the surgery. Else, it may cause anesthesia-related complications.
• Carry a pair of loose cotton clothing to change into after your surgery.
• Carry a pack of soft sanitary pads to use for post-surgical vaginal bleeding.

What to expect during the surgery?

• The treatment is performed under the influence of general anesthesia. Hence, it is completely painless.
• On average, the treatment may take anywhere between 45-60 minutes.

After Surgery

• As you wake up from the effects of anesthesia, you’ll feel considerable relief in the abdominal area. However, you might feel slight discomfort, pull, or emotional disturbance. It is best that you take the prescribed medicines and seek support from your loved ones.
• In case your hemoglobin levels are lower than normal, a blood transfusion may be required.

Insurance coverage - Miscarriage Treatment

Yes, the insurance does cover the miscarriage treatment cost in most cases, as the same falls under the ‘medically necessary’ list of treatments.

However, the specifics may vary from policy to policy. Please confirm the same from your healthcare or insurance provider.

Recovery rate - Miscarriage

Be it the medical or surgical treatment for miscarriage, it may take several weeks for you to recover completely. Through this time you may feel mild but constant abdominal pain or discomfort, and or emotional disturbance.

Please know that you are not alone in this. More than 50% of pregnancies risk miscarriage! Please take your time through this and seek help from friends, family or professionals if needed.

Why choose Pristyn Care for miscarriage treatment?

Pristyn Care brings the most advanced and holistic gyne treatments with its experienced doctors and latest laparoscopic and laser technology in 15+ cities in India. We are associated with multiple reputed gyne-clinics and super-specialty hospitals, giving you the option to choose amongst the best hospitals that suit your needs, be it the hospital distance, its infrastructure, or insurance panel.

As you choose Pristyn Care for your treatments, you get some of the added benefits. These include:

• Free online/ in-clinic consultations: We offer free consultations. Also, you have the choice to speak with the doctor in-clinic or offline, sitting from the comfort of your home. You can ask as many questions, and we ensure we give you the right and detailed answers.
• Free transportation to and from the hospital: We provide free cab pick up and drop off from and to your residence on the day of surgery.
• Minimal-no waiting time for hospital admission: We perform most of our admission formalities beforehand, so you do not have to wait for hospital admission at the site.
• All paperwork done on your behalf: We do all your hospital admission and discharge paperwork ourselves on your behalf to reduce your hassles and provide a seamless patient experience.
• Multiple payment options: We accepts all modes of payment including cash, credit, and debit card.
• All insurances accepted: We accept all insurances and offer cash-less facilities at most of the hospitals.
• No cost EMI option: You can also opt for the No cost EMI option while paying for your medical bills.
• Free follow-up: We provide free follow-up post consultations to ensure a complete and smooth recovery.