‘Miscarriage in New Zealand is defined as a pregnancy that ends spontaneously before 20 weeks, the baby not being born alive and weighing under 400g. Miscarriage affects one in every four women’. www.miscarriagesupport.org.nz
(Losing the baby after 20 weeks is ‘stillborn’).
Some miscarriages occur before the mother has even found out that she is pregnant, other miscarriages occur in the first three months when some are still keeping their pregnancy a secret, and some miscarriages occur after this.
According to Miscarriage Support NZ, losing your first pregnancy has higher chances than later, subsequent ones.
Miscarriage is mostly thought to be caused by the developing baby not being able to develop normally, often due to chromosome abnormalities or failure to implant properly etc.
Risk factors may also include age; your medical history; any previous miscarriages; smoking, drinking and drugs; environmental aspects like exposure to toxins.
Miscarriage may begin with early spotting or bleeding. Call your doctor or midwife immediately but keep calm – up to 1 in 4 woman who are pregnant experience bleeding and then half of these pregnancies don’t end in miscarriage (babycentre.com).
You may also experience pain (often described as similar to period pain or worse) in your abdomen or lower back.
Your doctor or midwife may use blood tests or ultrasound scans to see if the pregnancy is developing or to determine miscarriage.
If you are RH-negative you may need immune globulin after a miscarriage or in the instances of vaginal bleeding.
Your symptoms will vary depending on how far into your pregnancy you are. Your doctor or midwife can advice you on suitable painkillers and other advice like bedrest, no sex, no tampons, no swimming and other instructions.
Experiencing a miscarriage can be a sad and confusing time and you may be juggling feelings of guilt, blame, anger and regret. It may help to talk to a close friend or a support group.
Try not to blame yourself as it is very unlikely there is anything you could have done to prevent it happening.
There are other mums who have been through this in the MummyandTummy message boards.
Miscarriage Support NZ has an information website and links to support around the country: www.miscarriagesupport.org.nz Supportline: (09) 378 4060
MummyandTummy is an information site only. We advise that if you suspect miscarriage to call your doctor or midwife immediately.
