Threatened Miscarriage

If you’ve just found out that you’re pregnant, congratulations because you have now made that first step into a life full of surprises, joys, new experiences, and changes that you will never forget.  Pregnancy is always a wonderful time for couples because not only does this mean making room for a new member in the family but being able to watch the fetal growth of that new baby all throughout the nine months. 

However, pregnancy is a fragile journey because there is still a possibility that a miscarriage could happen.  This is popularly known as a threatened miscarriage so if you feel that you’re experiencing symptoms or signs different than what pregnant women are feeling those signs could be signals of a pending or threatened miscarriage.

A threatened miscarriage is a term used to describe a pregnancy that is at risk of a miscarriage.  So far no research findings have been dug up to explain what causes a threatened miscarriage, but there are several factors that could contribute significantly to vaginal bleeding.  Some of these factors include infections, ectopic pregnancy, complications with the placenta of the fetus, cervical inflammation, and the like.    

The very first sign or signal of a threatened pregnancy is usually early vaginal bleeding during the first 20 weeks of the pregnancy.  For some, this sign is what makes this type of miscarriage common among women as compared to others since most instances of vaginal bleeding would still lead to successful pregnancies.  Vaginal bleeding can vary in color and appearance, the three most popular being bright red, light pink, and brown.  The blood could either be in small amounts, which is also known as spotting, or in heavy flows that would soak a pad to the rim.  Aside from vaginal bleeding, threatened pregnancy is also signaled by painful lower backaches and stomach cramps. 

If you’re feeling any of these two symptoms, it is important that you visit your healthcare provider to be diagnosed to be able to determine if you are really at risk of a miscarriage.  This is done through a pelvic exam to check the size, overall condition of the uterus, and to see if the cervix has dilated or effaced as these two are labeled as general signs of a miscarriage.  Other tests and procedures include an ultrasound and CBC or Complete Blood Count.  The latter is being done to check just how much blood you’ve lost and the number of red and white blood cells in your blood. 

After going through these tests, your healthcare provider may instruct you to go through certain treatments to prevent miscarriage from actually happening.  These include waiting till the bleeding stops or if there are any changes to the vaginal bleeding, going into pelvic rest, reducing your amount of work or daily activities, and being given progesterone in order to relax the muscles of the uterus.