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miscarriage symptoms
January 23, 2025
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Common Miscarriage Symptoms: How to Recognize Pregnancy Ending

Miscarriage is a painful reality many women may face. It means the loss of a fetus during the first 20 weeks. Multiple studies suggest that 10-20 in 100 known pregnancies (10%-20%) end in miscarriage. Nevertheless, this number may be even higher. According to the research, the overall chance of losing a fetus after week 5 is 21.3%, and women may even be unaware of their pregnancy.

The reasons for spontaneous pregnancy ending and vaginal bleeding may be different. Most often, they involve a combination of genetic, environmental, and health-related factors. So, what are the miscarriage symptoms, and how to address them if saving the fetus is crucial? Check out the causes and symptoms miscarriage and discover insights into the nursing care plan. Also, find out what happens during the miscarriage and bleeding and what to do afterward.

Common Causes of Miscarriage and Pregnancy Termination

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The reasons for sudden pregnancy termination may vary. They aren’t always related to the health conditions of women. About 50% of bleeding cases in the first trimester are caused by chromosomal abnormalities. Chromosomes are tiny structures inside female cells that carry genes. If the egg or sperm has more or fewer chromosomes than usual, the fetus will have an abnormal number of chromosomes. As the fertilized egg grows into a fetus, its cells divide and multiply. If there are abnormalities during this process, it can lead to bleeding and a miscarriage.

Most chromosomal issues happen by chance, and scientists still don’t fully understand why this occurs. Other factors that may cause vaginal bleeding and miscarriage include:

  • Infection
  • Exposure to TORCH diseases
  • Hormonal imbalances
  • Age during the pregnancy
  • Uterine abnormalities
  • Incompetent cervix
  • Lifestyle factors like smoking, drinking alcohol or using drugs
  • Immune system disorders, like lupus
  • Severe kidney or heart diseases
  • Uncontrolled diabetes

Can stress cause a miscarriage? The emotional state during pregnancy, such as stress or anxiety, can’t be a single trigger that provokes bleeding. However, when combined with the causes listed above, stress may raise the risk of pregnancy termination.

Can nursing cause miscarriage? There is currently no proof that the oxytocin released during breastfeeding is enough to induce bleeding. However, breastfeeding can sometimes cause hormonal changes, like an increase in oxytocin, which may lead to mild contractions.

What Are Early Miscarriage Symptoms?

Pregnancy at its early stage ends more often compared to pregnancy during later periods. Early miscarriage symptoms may vary, but the most common signs to pay attention to during the pregnancy include bleeding, cramping, and lower back pain. These symptoms may be subtle initially but can get stronger after some time.

  • Bleeding is often the first symptom of pregnancy cessation. It can range from light spotting to heavy bleeding with clotting. It is important to track how much bleeding is and how long it lasts. Some women have light bleeding early on and still go on to have healthy pregnancies.
  • Cramping is another symptom to watch out for during pregnancy. It can feel like strong menstrual cramps or more intense pain. The body begins to expel the pregnancy tissue, which causes cramping.
  • Lower back pain is also one of the symptoms of miscarriage at the early stage. Females usually experience a dull ache. It can become sharper as the pregnancy termination progresses.
  • Passing tissue or clots. It may be the beginning of more intense bleeding and pregnancy ending in the long run.

Even though all of these signs don’t always mean the end of pregnancy, they may be red flags, especially if other symptoms accompany them or a woman experiences multiple symptoms simultaneously.

Symptoms of Miscarriage During the Second Pregnancy Trimester

Symptoms of a miscarriage during the second pregnancy trimester can differ from those experienced in the early stages of pregnancy, although some overlap exists. These symptoms usually identify the signs of induced abortion after the thirteenth week of pregnancy.

  • Heavy bleeding. There could be more bleeding than women usually experience during the first pregnancy trimester. It can be bright red or with clots.
  • Loss of fetal movement. If the baby was moving before but suddenly stopped, it can signify a pregnancy ending.
  • Strong cramps. These symptoms could feel like severe period pain or even labor-like contractions.
  • Back pain. Many females experience sharp or dull pain in the lower back that doesn’t go away. If back pain transforms into cramps, it may be a symptom of pregnancy loss.
  • Discharge or fluid leakage. A gush of fluid or unusual discharge might mean the amniotic sac has broken. If this symptom accompanies the passing tissue, it is the reason to address a doctor.

Suffice it to say that the end of pregnancy may occur without symptoms. In this case, it is called a missed or delayed miscarriage. It is usually diagnosed during the regular checkup (prenatal care). During a scan, a doctor may reveal that a fetus has no heartbeat or is too small for the particular pregnancy period.

Nursing Diagnosis for Miscarriage: What Doctors Do to Recognize It

A particular procedure allows doctors to determine the miscarriage nursing diagnosis and pregnancy ending. Women over 18 weeks of pregnancy are usually referred to the hospital’s maternity unit. Those under 6 weeks of pregnancy may not be referred for tests immediately. This is due to the difficulty of verifying a miscarriage at this early stage. The following steps are necessary:

  • Ultrasound scan. The first miscarriage test typically used is an ultrasound scan. It allows for checking for a heartbeat and assessing a baby’s development. Some medical providers also use 3D ultrasound scanners to study women’s lower tummy and pelvis, which allows for a more accurate miscarriage diagnosis.
  • Blood testing. A doctor may also ask a woman to undergo a blood test to measure pregnancy hormones (hCG). Hormone levels must be double-checked to see their progress. If they drop or don’t increase, it could indicate a miscarriage and pregnancy ending.
  • Physical examination of the pelvic area. If needed, a doctor may perform a pelvic exam to check for signs of tissue passing or an open cervix, which can confirm a pregnancy ending.
  • Medical history. A woman’s medical history makes a big difference as well. The doctor might ask about any previous pregnancies, symptoms like bleeding or cramping, and any risk factors like infections or particular health conditions that are necessary for preventing miscarriages.

If the pregnancy and miscarriage results aren’t clear, medical providers might repeat the ultrasound or blood tests after a few days. Everything depends on the pregnancy term. This ensures an accurate miscarriage diagnosis before deciding on the next steps.

After Miscarriage Symptoms: What to Do Afterwards?

The female experiences different physiological and psychological changes in pregnancy, regardless of its duration. Miscarriage can result in different conditions for a woman, and many of them may be critical to address as soon as possible. So, what are the after miscarriage symptoms, and how to deal with them?

  • Depression. The ending of pregnancy often comes with the bereavement period. Some people find comfort in talking to close friends or family, while others prefer to keep their feelings private.
  • Hormonal imbalance. Pregnancy hormones after a miscarriage take time to decrease, leading to mood swings, fatigue, or changes in appetite. These shifts are natural, but consulting a doctor or therapist can help.
  • Vaginal bleeding and discomfort. After a miscarriage, vaginal bleeding, and pregnancy loss, bleeding is normal and lasts a couple of weeks. Some women experience cramping, which is the body’s way of returning to its pre-pregnancy state.

The right medical approach may help to overcome all miscarriage consequences easily to ensure the body is recovered fully and mental health is in a good state.

Nursing Care Plan for Miscarriage: Providing the Right Support

Whether you are a nursing student or a woman planning pregnancy, you should be equipped with the right strategy of the nursing care plan for the miscarriage to make the recovery process smoother.

  • Medical assessment. It is necessary to monitor such symptoms as bleeding, pain, and the emotional well-being of a woman. Elaborating a series of medical tests and assessing symptoms is a vital part of a miscarriage nursing care plan.
  • Physical care. A doctor should explain to a woman how to properly manage bleeding and cramping during miscarriage. Also, deepening knowledge about hygiene miscarriage recovery is essential.
  • Emotional support. Offering a listening ear, encouraging family involvement, and suggesting counseling after miscarriage is also a must.
  • Documentation. All medical documents, tests, symptom assessments, and providing supporting diagnoses are essential for future pregnancy planning. They will help avoid future spontaneous abortions.

Knowing the main principles of diagnosing and addressing miscarriage and bleeding is vital, whether you should develop a miscarriage nursing care plan or you just need to write an essay as a nursing student. If you have a busy schedule and need professional support, you can always approach a reputable nursing care plan writing service for expert assistance.

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