PLEASE, CONSIDER ADOPTION. Not only for the sake of the life growing inside you, but for your OWN WELL-BEING.
The difference between a Spontaneous Abortion (miscarriage) and its causes; and Elective Abortion:
Spontaneous Abortion (miscarriage):
A miscarriage is defined as the spontaneous loss of a fetus before it is viable, based upon the date of the first day of the last normal menses. The medical term for miscarriage is "spontaneous abortion". A miscarriage is defined as pregnancy loss before 20 weeks (after that, it’s considered a stillbirth).
A fetus is "viable" when it has the potential to survive outside the womb (from 20 weeks onwards).
Miscarriage is one of the most common complications associated with early pregnancy. Sadly, around a quarter - or even more - of all pregnancies result in miscarriage. Most miscarriages occur during the first few months of pregnancy. An estimated 75 percent of miscarriages happen during the woman's first trimester.
Although spontaneous miscarriage is relatively common, it can be an extremely traumatic and devastating experience.
Causes of miscarriage:
· Coeliac disease
· Diabetes
· Kidney disease
· Lupus
· Thyroid gland problems
· HIV
· Malaria
· Rubella
· Chlamydia
· Syphilis
· Gonorrhea
8. Being overweight or underweight Obesity is known to increase the risk of first and subsequent miscarriages.
9. Women with a low body mass index before they become pregnant are also at a heightened risk of
miscarriage. Researchers published in the International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology reported
that underweight women were 72% more likely to suffer a miscarriage during their first three months of
pregnancy, compared to women whose weight
was healthy.
10. Be aware of the medications you are taking It is crucial to check with your doctor which medications are
safe to take during pregnancy. Medicines that should be avoided (if possible) while pregnant, include:
pregnant women who consume large doses of caffeine every day were also found to have a much
higher risk of losing their baby through miscarriage.
Miscarriage myths:
There are many misconceptions regarding miscarriage. Many people believe that having sex and/or exercising can result in miscarriage, when in actual fact there is no evidence to suggest this. Obviously, some types of exercise would not be suitable for a mother who is 8 months pregnant. If you are pregnant, check with your doctor which exercises you can do. Some women even believe that their mood can negatively affect their baby - which isn't true.
Nearly half of miscarriage cases have no apparent cause.
Diagnosing Miscarriage:
The tests used to diagnose miscarriage are:
If you experience a worrisome symptom, it’s normal to start imagining the worst. However, remember that many of the signs of miscarriage can also end up being nothing to be concerned about. So before you get too upset and rush to the emergency room, jot down your questions and call your ob-gyn to schedule a pelvic exam or ultrasound, since only a doctor can confirm a miscarriage has taken place.
Diagnostic errors do occur:
It is important for doctors to be sure of their diagnosis. In the UK there were 400 miscarriage test errors in 2010. The study, published in Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, said that this is happening because some doctors are too hasty to diagnose miscarriage rather than carry out a second ultrasound scan.
How to prevent Miscarriage:
There are ways to lower the chances of miscarriage.
In fact, a few simple lifestyle changes can make a world of difference:
Elective Abortion:
An elective abortion is an induced termination of a pregnancy (TOP), usually before the fetus has developed enough to live if born, deemed necessary by the woman carrying it and performed at her request.
Commonly (but incorrectly) called therapeutic abortion., or induced abortion.
Therapeutic abortion:
Therapeutic abortion is the intentional termination of a pregnancy before the fetus can live independently.
Purpose:
Women have abortions because:
1. Continuing the pregnancy would cause them hardship, ruin their reputation, and or bring to light that they
have been having an affair.
2. Endangering their life or health, or because
3. Prenatal testing has shown that the fetus will be born with severe abnormalities.
Induced abortion:
Abortion caused intentionally by the administration of drugs or by mechanical means. Sadly, from 20% to 50% of pregnancies are terminated deliberately at the request of the pregnant female; or for medical indications. Unfortunately this statistic doesn’t say which percentage is due to only deliberately termination, on the woman’s request. These procedures are done during the first trimester (week 0 - 13) by either vacuum aspiration and/or curettage or during the second trimester (week 14 - 27) by dilation and evacuation, induction of labour, or hysterectomy.
Spontaneous Abortion (miscarriage):
A miscarriage is defined as the spontaneous loss of a fetus before it is viable, based upon the date of the first day of the last normal menses. The medical term for miscarriage is "spontaneous abortion". A miscarriage is defined as pregnancy loss before 20 weeks (after that, it’s considered a stillbirth).
A fetus is "viable" when it has the potential to survive outside the womb (from 20 weeks onwards).
Miscarriage is one of the most common complications associated with early pregnancy. Sadly, around a quarter - or even more - of all pregnancies result in miscarriage. Most miscarriages occur during the first few months of pregnancy. An estimated 75 percent of miscarriages happen during the woman's first trimester.
Although spontaneous miscarriage is relatively common, it can be an extremely traumatic and devastating experience.
Causes of miscarriage:
- Placental problems - if abnormal development of the placenta occurs then the blood supply from the mother to the baby is limited.
- Chromosome problems - sometimes a fetus can receive either too many or not enough chromosomes at conception, this causes abnormal development of the fetus. Miscarriages that occur during the first trimester are mainly related to chromosomal abnormalities in the baby.
- Womb structure abnormalities - abnormally shaped wombs and the development of fibroids in the womb can put a developing fetus at severe risk.
- Poly-cystic ovary syndrome - this occurs when the ovaries are too big, causing hormonal imbalances in the womb.
- Weakened cervix - the cervix is the neck of the womb. When the muscles of the cervix are too weak they can open up too early during pregnancy resulting in miscarriage.
- Lifestyle factors - habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or using illegal drugs can lead to miscarriage.
- Underlying health conditions
· Coeliac disease
· Diabetes
· Kidney disease
· Lupus
· Thyroid gland problems
· HIV
· Malaria
· Rubella
· Chlamydia
· Syphilis
· Gonorrhea
8. Being overweight or underweight Obesity is known to increase the risk of first and subsequent miscarriages.
9. Women with a low body mass index before they become pregnant are also at a heightened risk of
miscarriage. Researchers published in the International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology reported
that underweight women were 72% more likely to suffer a miscarriage during their first three months of
pregnancy, compared to women whose weight
was healthy.
10. Be aware of the medications you are taking It is crucial to check with your doctor which medications are
safe to take during pregnancy. Medicines that should be avoided (if possible) while pregnant, include:
- retinoids
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - the risk of miscarriage is more than two times greater for women who took any type and dosage of nonaspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in early pregnancy, according to a University of Montreal study in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
- methotrexate
- misoprostol
- antidepressants - a study in CMAJ reported a 68% increase in the risk of miscarriage among pregnant women using antidepressants.
pregnant women who consume large doses of caffeine every day were also found to have a much
higher risk of losing their baby through miscarriage.
Miscarriage myths:
There are many misconceptions regarding miscarriage. Many people believe that having sex and/or exercising can result in miscarriage, when in actual fact there is no evidence to suggest this. Obviously, some types of exercise would not be suitable for a mother who is 8 months pregnant. If you are pregnant, check with your doctor which exercises you can do. Some women even believe that their mood can negatively affect their baby - which isn't true.
Nearly half of miscarriage cases have no apparent cause.
Diagnosing Miscarriage:
The tests used to diagnose miscarriage are:
- Ultrasound scans - trans-vaginal ultrasounds involve placing a small probe is into the vagina to check for the heartbeat of the fetus - some women may choose to undergo an external abdominal ultrasound instead to avoid discomfort.
- Blood tests - these are useful because they can determine if levels of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and progesterone are normal - both of these hormones are associated with a healthy pregnancy.
- Pelvic exams - these determine whether the cervix has thinned out or opened.
If you experience a worrisome symptom, it’s normal to start imagining the worst. However, remember that many of the signs of miscarriage can also end up being nothing to be concerned about. So before you get too upset and rush to the emergency room, jot down your questions and call your ob-gyn to schedule a pelvic exam or ultrasound, since only a doctor can confirm a miscarriage has taken place.
Diagnostic errors do occur:
It is important for doctors to be sure of their diagnosis. In the UK there were 400 miscarriage test errors in 2010. The study, published in Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, said that this is happening because some doctors are too hasty to diagnose miscarriage rather than carry out a second ultrasound scan.
How to prevent Miscarriage:
There are ways to lower the chances of miscarriage.
In fact, a few simple lifestyle changes can make a world of difference:
- Avoiding smoking (or at least reduce to 10 per day), drinking alcohol and using illicit drugs during pregnancy
- Eating a healthy diet
- Maintaining a healthy weight before and during pregnancy.
- Being careful to avoid certain infections, such as German measles (rubella).
Elective Abortion:
An elective abortion is an induced termination of a pregnancy (TOP), usually before the fetus has developed enough to live if born, deemed necessary by the woman carrying it and performed at her request.
Commonly (but incorrectly) called therapeutic abortion., or induced abortion.
Therapeutic abortion:
Therapeutic abortion is the intentional termination of a pregnancy before the fetus can live independently.
Purpose:
Women have abortions because:
1. Continuing the pregnancy would cause them hardship, ruin their reputation, and or bring to light that they
have been having an affair.
2. Endangering their life or health, or because
3. Prenatal testing has shown that the fetus will be born with severe abnormalities.
Induced abortion:
Abortion caused intentionally by the administration of drugs or by mechanical means. Sadly, from 20% to 50% of pregnancies are terminated deliberately at the request of the pregnant female; or for medical indications. Unfortunately this statistic doesn’t say which percentage is due to only deliberately termination, on the woman’s request. These procedures are done during the first trimester (week 0 - 13) by either vacuum aspiration and/or curettage or during the second trimester (week 14 - 27) by dilation and evacuation, induction of labour, or hysterectomy.