Understanding Different Types of Miscarriage

My friend was 12 weeks pregnant when she found out she had miscarried. It’s a deeply personal and heart-wrenching experience that I couldn't understand but seeing her, I knew how heavy the weight of this news was.

Through her journey, I learnt that acknowledging it can help lay the groundwork for dealing with it. We worked together to process the loss and better understand it. Six months later she was pregnant again, and now she's a mother of a beautiful baby girl. I learnt so much in those six months and it's something every future parent should know too.

Miscarriage is an unexpected end of a pregnancy that usually occurs before week 20. While it happens more frequently than we think, each one is personal to the person – in different ways.

While we call it all miscarriage, it's not just one thing but has many different types. Let's understand.

A miscarriage without the usual signs such as bleeding or contractions is called a missed miscarriage or missed abortion. In this case, the embryo or fetus stops developing but remains in the uterus as there is no immediate expulsion of pregnancy tissue.

The risk factors for missed miscarriage include:

• Age as women over 35 years old have higher risks
• Hormonal imbalances
• Infections
• Underlying medical conditions like thyroid disorders or diabetes

It’s important to remember that missed abortions are often not in the mother's control or due to any actions by her.

A chemical pregnancy is an early miscarriage that usually happens within the first 5 weeks of pregnancy. Many don’t even realise it occurred unless they had taken an early pregnancy test. Signs of chemical miscarriage can include a positive test followed by bleeding like a period, mild cramps, and a sudden drop in pregnancy symptoms.

While it’s often due to chromosomal issues, taking precautions like managing stress, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and regular check-ups can improve overall fertility health.

Recurrent miscarriage refers to having three or more miscarriages in a row. The causes may vary but some common factors include:

• Hormonal imbalances
• Immune system issues like blood clotting disorders or infections
• Genetic problems in the embryo

If you've had multiple miscarriages, medical tests can help identify the causes. Discussing them with your doctor can improve your chances of conceiving after miscarriage and carrying a healthy pregnancy to term.

An incomplete miscarriage happens when some pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus after a miscarriage has begun. It can feel physically and emotionally overwhelming, often marked by heavy bleeding, strong cramps, and passing tissue.

If you suspect an incomplete miscarriage, prompt medical care is essential. Miscarriage treatment options may include medication or procedures to remove remaining tissue and prevent complications.

The term "threatened" means there's a risk of miscarriage, but many of these pregnancies end up fine. These signs don’t always mean the worst, as every individual and every pregnancy is different.

Some of the signs of miscarriage in early pregnancy to watch out for are spotting cramps or lower back pain. A sudden change in common pregnancy symptoms, like nausea or breast tenderness, might also indicate a change in the pregnancy.

If you experience these symptoms, reach out to your doctor. In many cases, the pregnancy can be saved with medical intervention.

Miscarriage is natural, and not the mother’s fault, but its impact on the body and mind can be overwhelming. If you're going through it, know that you don’t have to hide your pain.

It’s okay to grieve, but remember—this is not the end. Talk to your doctor, seek support, and with the right care, a healthy pregnancy is still possible. My friend is proof of that.