Pregnancy loss refers to the loss of an unborn fetus at any time during pregnancy.  Approximately 50% of all pregnancies end in a loss.  The majority of losses occur in the first trimester and for many women, the loss may have happened so early that they were not even aware that they were pregnant. The incidence of pregnancy loss significantly decreases after the first trimester. Pregnancy losses typically fall into one of the following categories:

There are several different types of early pregnancy loss which occur during the first trimester. These include:

ਗਰਭ ਅਵਸਥਾ ਦਾ ਨੁਕਸਾਨ ਜੋ ਪਹਿਲੀ ਤਿਮਾਹੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਕਸਰ ਜੈਨੇਟਿਕ ਅਸਧਾਰਨਤਾਵਾਂ ਕਾਰਨ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਉਦੋਂ ਵਾਪਰਦਾ ਹੈ ਜਦੋਂ ਅੰਡੇ ਅਤੇ ਸ਼ੁਕਰਾਣੂ ਇੱਕ ਭਰੂਣ ਬਣਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਮਿਲਦੇ ਹਨ। ਜਦੋਂ ਸਰੀਰ ਇਹ ਪਛਾਣਦਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਗਰੱਭਸਥ ਸ਼ੀਸ਼ੂ ਦਾ ਜੈਨੇਟਿਕ ਬਣਤਰ ਅਸਧਾਰਨ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਜੀਵਨ ਨਾਲ ਅਸੰਗਤ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਗਰਭਪਾਤ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ। ਦੂਜੀ ਅਤੇ ਤੀਜੀ ਤਿਮਾਹੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੀ ਗਰਭ ਅਵਸਥਾ ਦਾ ਨੁਕਸਾਨ ਹੋ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ। ਇਹਨਾਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੋਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਨੁਕਸਾਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਕੁਝ ਕਾਰਨਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਬੱਚੇਦਾਨੀ ਦੀ ਲਾਗ, ਬੱਚੇਦਾਨੀ ਦੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਦਾ ਸਮੇਂ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਖੁੱਲ੍ਹਣਾ, ਬੇਕਾਬੂ ਸ਼ੂਗਰ ਜਾਂ ਹਾਈ ਬਲੱਡ ਪ੍ਰੈਸ਼ਰ, ਜ਼ਹਿਰੀਲੇ ਪਦਾਰਥਾਂ ਜਾਂ ਰਸਾਇਣਾਂ ਦੇ ਸੰਪਰਕ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਉਣਾ, ਅਤੇ ਸੱਟ/ਸੱਟਾ ਸ਼ਾਮਲ ਹਨ।

In the first trimester, pregnancy loss can be managed expectantly, medically, or surgically.  Expectant management refers to waiting for the pregnancy to pass on its own. Most pregnancies will pass on their own within 2 weeks after loss occurs.  Medical management refers to the use of medications to induce uterine contractions to allow for the pregnancy to pass.  Surgical management refers to a dilation & curettage (D&C) procedure where pregnancy tissue is removed from the uterus; this procedure can be performed in the office or in the operating room.  When pregnancy loss occurs in the second trimester, typically a dilation and evacuation (D&E) procedure or induction of labor is recommended. In the third trimester, pregnancy loss involves admission to the hospital for an induction of labor.  

While some interventions can be taken to minimize the risk of miscarriage (controlling diabetes, taking prenatal vitamins, avoiding alcohol/tobacco/drugs, limiting caffeine) most first trimester pregnancy losses are not preventable.  In fact, they are a sign that your body is doing the right thing but recognizing an abnormal pregnancy and stopping it before it gets too far along.  Certain losses in the second trimester, such as those related to cervical insufficiency, may be prevented with a cerclage (a stitch placed in the cervix to add strength and prevent it from opening too soon).  In rare occasions (1%), recurrent pregnancy loss, defined as having 3 or more miscarriages in a row, occurs.  Sometimes testing can be performed in an attempt to identify a cause of recurrent pregnancy loss and if a cause is found, there may be options to minimize this risk in the future. However, for many women, a cause for pregnancy loss is not able to be identified.

The term “rainbow baby” has become so common because pregnancy loss is so common.  And the good news is while 50% of pregnancies end in loss, having a loss does not increase your risk for another.  Most women go on to have successful pregnancies after an early pregnancy loss.  At Alliance Obstetrics & Gynecology Group, we emphasize the importance of maintaining good health before and during pregnancy. 

The loss of a baby at any time during pregnancy can be devastating.  You may experience sadness, anxiety, and shock, but you do not have to go through this alone.  If you are experiencing feelings of overwhelming grief, it is important to discuss this with your provider.  We can assist you in finding resources and support groups that can help after pregnancy loss.