A miscarriage is characterized by repeated, sudden type of vaginal bleeding and cramping during the pregnancy of a woman.
It is important to consult a gynecologist immediately if such symptoms are noticed, as the gynecologist will first try and save the pregnancy if possible. However, in cases of miscarriages that are inevitable, the gynecologist can help in rapid expulsion, management of pain, prevent the risks of incomplete natural expulsion, and reduce the chances of infection.
Types:
The different types of miscarriages include:
Causes:
The following could be the possible causes of a miscarriage:
Risk factors:
The following factors increase the risk of a miscarriage:
Prevention:
Although a miscarriage cannot be prevented as such, the following tips may help in taking good care of the mother and the baby and reducing the risk of a miscarriage:
The following symptoms may be seen in case of a miscarriage:
The management for miscarriage varies depending on the type of miscarriage the woman has and may include the following treatment options:
Treatment for threatened miscarriage:
Treatment for an expectant miscarriage:
1. Non-surgical treatment methods:
a)Natural expulsion:
An ultrasound is a good indicator of a dead embryo or an embryo that was never formed.
If the doctor detects no signs of infection, the doctor may choose to let the miscarriage progress naturally. This normally happens within a couple of weeks of determining that the embryo has died.
This procedure may take up to three to four weeks, and this time could be emotionally draining for the mother.
If the expulsion does not happen on its own, a medical or surgical type of treatment may be needed.
b) Medical treatment:
Medicines help the body to expel the pregnancy tissue and placenta more rapidly.
The doctor advises medications that can either be taken orally or inserted into the vagina.
The medication inserted vaginally has increased effectiveness and minimizes the risk of side effects such as nausea and diarrhea.
For approximately 70 to 90 percent of women, this type of treatment works within 24 hours.
2. Surgical treatment:
A miscarriage that is not managed properly or treated well may lead to a septic miscarriage (infection in the uterus). The symptoms of this type of infection are:
The side effects associated with the medications used to manage a miscarriage include:
The complications associated with the D & C procedure include the following:
Cost of Miscarriage management and treatment :
The cost of miscarriage management and treatment using medications in India is between INR 2,000 to INR 12,000.
The cost of miscarriage management and treatment using surgical methods in Mumbai is between INR 20,000 to INR 50,000.
The cost of miscarriage management and treatment using surgical methods in Delhi is between INR 18,000 to INR 45,000.
The cost of miscarriage management and treatment using surgical methods in Bangalore is between INR 18,000 to INR 45,000.
The cost of miscarriage management and treatment using surgical methods in Chennai is between INR 15,000 to INR 40,000.
MBBS, MS (Obstetrics and Gynaecology) - Gynecologist