Health Encyclopedia: Miscarriage (abortion)

Health Encyclopedia: Miscarriage (abortion)

Miscarriage: How is the abortion and how high is the risk?

It should be the most exciting time of life - the nine months of pregnancy. But in some cases, this ends long before the calculated date of birth. Statistics show that 10 to 30 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage. The actual number is likely to be even higher, as especially very early miscarriages are not recognized, but are interpreted as late menstrual bleeding.

When does one speak of a miscarriage?

From abort medics talk when the pregnancy ends before the baby is viable. From a medical point of view, this is the 24th week of pregnancy with a minimum weight of 400 grams. A distinction is made between early miscarriage until the twelfth week of pregnancy (SSW) and late miscarriage until the 23rd week of pregnancy. The risk of abortion decreases during pregnancy.

Root cause

The causes of a miscarriage are manifold, often several factors play together. In the case of the mother, a malformation of the uterus, a cervix, a hormonal disorder, infections or frequent pregnancies may be responsible for a miscarriage. A not insignificant role is played by the age of the expectant mother, from 30 years, the abortion risk is considered increased. With the father, it may be defective sperm that cause a miscarriage. However, most abortions are caused by the fetus itself. Genetic defects, such as deviations in the number or shape of the chromosomes, can lead to the death of the fetus.

Miscarriage can occur more often if the mother uses drugs, smokes or drinks alcohol during pregnancy. In addition, psychological problems and stress can increase the risk of abortion. As a cause can not be ruled out medical actions. Radiation, medication or vaccinations can harm the fetus as well as examinations of the mother cake (chorionic villus biopsy) or the amniotic fluid (amniocentesis).

Symptoms

Typical for an abortion are sudden onset of heavy bleeding and pelvic pain or labor. However, these symptoms can also occur in normal pregnancies and therefore be harmless.

Diagnosis

When typical signs of miscarriage occur, the gynecologist should be consulted. This examines the abdomen, the vagina, the cervix and the cervix. To find the cause of the bleeding, the gynecologist will perform an ultrasound scan. If this does not provide a clear diagnosis, the pregnant woman can be tested for the pregnancy hormone ß-hCG. A drop in value or a lack of increase indicates an abortion.

Treatment

Therapy after a miscarriage depends on the type of abortion. Thus, a threatened miscarriage can be averted with bed rest or by means of anti-inflammatory drugs. In the early stages of pregnancy, luteal hormones can counteract miscarriage.

In the case of premature abortion, scabbing is usually necessary to prevent serious infections and further bleeding. In the course of the curettage, the parts of pregnancy remaining in the uterus are removed. If the miscarriage occurs later, an attempt is first made to bring about the rejection of the fetus by medication.

Prevention

A miscarriage can often not be prevented. Nevertheless, various measures can reduce the risk. These include regular check-ups, a healthy and balanced diet, light exercise, intake of folic acid, abstinence from alcohol, drugs and nicotine and stress reduction.

Important note : This article can not replace a visit to the doctor. It contains only general information and should under no circumstances be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment.