A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy during the first 23 weeks. The main sign of a miscarriage is vaginal bleeding, which is then followed by cramping and pain in the lower abdomen.
Many Kenyan women don’t know what causes a miscarriage or the symptoms as light vaginal bleeding is relatively common during the first trimester of pregnancy (the first 12 weeks) and that should not be mistaken with a miscarriage.
Here at Tuko.co.ke we compiled important facts to help women and men to know about miscarriages.
1. Symptoms of miscarriages
Vaginal bleeding is the most common sign it surely starts as a light brownish discharge to heavy bright red blood. The bleeding will come and go for several days.
Other symptoms include:
1. Cramping and pain in the lower abdomen.
2. A discharge of fluid from the vagina.
3. A discharge of tissue from the vagina.
4. No longer experiencing the symptoms of pregnancy, such as feeling sick and breast tenderness.
2. Causes of miscarriages
Miscarriages can be caused by different factors depending on the stage of the pregnancy.
If a miscarriage happens during the first trimester of pregnancy (the first three months), it’s usually caused by problems with the unborn baby.
About three in every four miscarriages happen during this period.
If a miscarriage happens during the second trimester of pregnancy (between weeks 14 and 26), it may be the result of an underlying health condition in the mother.
These late miscarriages may be caused by an infection around the baby, which leads to the bag of waters breaking before any pain or bleeding.
In rare cases, they can be caused by the neck of the womb opening too soon.
Other factors that contribute to a miscarriage are:
1. Obesity, drug use during pregnancy, smoking cigarettes and shisha during pregnancy, drinking caffeine drinks of about 200 mg of coffee and tea and some fizzy drinks that contain caffeine is risky, and drinking too much alcohol.
2. Long term health conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, high blood pressure, lupus, over active and under active thyroid gland can also lead to a miscarriage.
3. Infections like malaria, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, bacterial virginosis and HIV also cause miscarriages.
4. Food poisoning and eating raw foods like eggs can lead to a miscarriage.
5. Some types of medicines also cause miscarriages like:
– Misoprostol – used for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis
– Retinoids – used for eczema and acne
– Methotrexate – used for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis
– Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – such as ibuprofen; these are used for pain and inflammation
To be sure a medicine is safe in pregnancy, always check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist before taking it.
The womb structure also leads to miscarriages non cancerous growths like fibroids, weakened cervix or abnormally shaped womb.
Many women have linked some other facts but doctors have those claims saying they cannot lead to a miscarriage.
Activities that DON’T lead to a miscarriage:
1. A mother’s emotional state during pregnancy, such as being stressed or depressed.
2. Having a shock or fright during pregnancy.
3. Exercise during pregnancy – but discuss with your doctor or nurse what type and amount of exercise is suitable for you during pregnancy.
4. Lifting or straining during pregnancy.
5. Working during pregnancy – or work that involves sitting or standing for long periods.
6. Having sex during pregnancy.
7. Travelling by air.
8. Eating spicy food.
So ladies if you had a miscarriage or you are expecting a child always consult a doctor and make sure to attend ante natal clinics as they can prevent a future miscarriage from happening.
from African News http://ift.tt/2458NSf
No comments:
Post a Comment