Miscarriage is an unfortunately common phenomenon that occurs during pregnancy prior to 20 weeks gestation. Up to 20% of confirmed pregnancies end in miscarriage, which can cause an incredible amount of distress. It’s reassuring to know though, that many people who experience miscarriage will go on to have a successful pregnancy in the future.
This guide will explain:
Causes of miscarriage and risk factors
Options for miscarriage management
Miscarriage bereavement support
Miscarriage support groups in Melbourne
Subsequent pregnancies
Causes of miscarriage
It’s important to note a miscarriage doesn’t occur because of anything you have or have not done. Often miscarriages happen because of a chromosomal abnormality, which means the baby is unable to develop normally.
Other causes of miscarriage include:
Medical conditions (eg. thyroid problems or diabetes)
Certain infections
Structural problems with your womb or cervix
Hormonal abnormalities
Structural abnormalities in the baby
Clotting disorders
Miscarriage risk factors
The chance of having a miscarriage increases if the person:
Is older
Smokes or uses illicit drugs
Has previously had multiple miscarriages
Options for miscarriage management
Expectant management
This is when you choose to let the miscarriage progress naturally, as long as you have no heavy bleeding or evidence of infection. Around 70% of people will pass the miscarriage within three weeks, which can be an extremely emotional time.
Medication
Medication can speed up the process of the pregnancy tissue being expelled from your body. Medication can be taken orally or by insertion into the vagina. For 70% of users, this is effective within 48 hours. The side effects can include pain, bleeding and gastrointestinal upset.
Surgery
A minor surgical procedure called a curette can be performed, where your cervix is dilated and the tissue is removed from the inside of your uterus. There are small risks, such as a small amount of retained tissue or uterine perforation, but this is extremely rare.
Your obstetrician should discuss the pros and cons of each of these options, creating a tailored plan to your individual situation before a decision is made.
Miscarriage bereavement support
A miscarriage can have an enormous impact on your emotional health, which is why bereavement support is critical. It can also have just as big an impact on your partner, as well as your close family and friends.
The impact of miscarriage
Going through miscarriage can cause a mixture of emotions including:
Depression
Anxiety
Disbelief
Anger
Guilt
Sadness
Many people are left feeling sad and wondering if there was something they could have done to prevent the miscarriage. Others can experience physical repercussions from their emotional distress, such as:
Sleeplessness
Loss of appetite
Fatigue
Problems with concentrating
It is important to give yourself time to grieve and mourn your loss. Some people may feel an urgency to try and have another baby, whereas others choose to wait to enable a longer physical and emotional recovery. I always advise that the right time to try for another pregnancy is when they feel psychologically ready, which will differ for everyone.
Miscarriage support groups Melbourne
Speaking to your partner and family is important when going through such an emotionally distressing time in your life. That being said, you might also like to connect with others who have gone through a similar situation to you.
Sands
Sands is a wonderful organisation providing individualised care from one bereaved parent to another. It is a group made up of volunteers who help you connect with families who have gone through miscarriage or stillbirth. It also provides information resources on grief and loss to the wider community - family, friends and workplaces.
Pregnancy support counselling
Pregnancy support counselling is available to you if you’d like to speak to a qualified health professional about your miscarriage. It’s a good way to talk about how you’re feeling and discuss strategies on how to cope with your situation. You can be referred to this service by your local GP.
Subsequent pregnancy program
My obstetric practice offers individualised care for people who are pregnant after a previous pregnancy loss. My team of health care professionals will help guide you through this process.
If you’ve had a miscarriage, please call and book in with us as soon as you have a positive pregnancy test. I will arrange initial blood tests, which will be repeated a week later to ensure your pregnancy is progressing well. Further tests may need to be performed depending on your medical history.
I’ll also perform a dating scan and frequent scans thereafter for your reassurance.