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Spontaneous abortion can have several causes, involving changes related to the immune system, the woman's age, infections caused by viruses or bacteria, stress, cigarette use and also due to the use of drugs.
Spontaneous abortion is when the pregnancy ends before 22 weeks of gestation, and the fetus dies, without the woman having done anything she could control. Severe abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding during pregnancy are the main symptoms of miscarriage. Know other signs and symptoms and what to do if you suspect a miscarriage.
Main causes of spontaneous abortion
The following are the most common causes of natural abortion, a situation that can occur in any pregnant woman, in early pregnancy:
1. Problems in the uterus
The formation of the woman's uterus is responsible for up to 10% of abortions that occur spontaneously and within these changes, the most common is a situation called isthmus-cervical insufficiency. Other possible causes related to the uterus are when the woman has a bicornuate, septate, arched uterus, deformation in the endometrium caused by the presence of polyps or fibroids that hinder the implantation of the embryo in the uterus.
How to treat: In some cases it may be necessary to perform surgery to improve the anatomy of the uterus, allowing a healthy pregnancy until the baby is born.
2. Hormonal changes
Lack of progesterone is the most common cause of abortion caused by hormonal changes, which can happen when a woman uses hormonal medications without medical guidance during pregnancy
How to treat: In this case it is recommended that the gynecologist be consulted so that the use of remedies that help to regulate the amount of progesterone in the bloodstream is indicated, being important that the treatment is done according to the medical advice to prevent abortion from happening. in a future pregnancy.
3. Thyroid diseases
Thyroid changes can also favor the occurrence of abortion, because the hormones produced by the thyroid coordinate various metabolic processes in the body. Thus, when there are changes in the concentration of circulating hormones due to hypo or hyperthyroidism, there may be not only difficulty in getting pregnant but also greater chances of miscarriage.
How to treat: It is important that the change in the thyroid is identified so that the endocrinologist can indicate medications that help regulate the levels of circulating thyroid hormones, decreasing the risk of miscarriage and favoring the normal development of pregnancy.
4. Polycystic ovary syndrome
Women who have polycystic ovary syndrome have greater difficulty in ovulating and may not ovulate every month, in addition to having a greater chance of having a miscarriage, as the production of hormones related to pregnancy is impaired.
How to treat: It is important that the woman follows the treatment indicated by the doctor to treat the syndrome and prevent abortion. Some studies report that taking metformin during pregnancy can be useful to prevent a new abortion, but always under the indication of the obstetrician who is accompanying the pregnancy.
5. Changes in the chromosome
When the chromosomes of the father and mother are not well formed and give rise to an embryo with some chromosomal alteration, the woman's body can reject this embryo, leading to spontaneous abortion. In this case, the father and mother are in good health and find no reason for the loss of the baby, but this cause accounts for 50% of spontaneous abortions.
How to treat: If the woman has more than 2 spontaneous abortions, the couple should have tests to try to identify the cause of this repetition and also do a genetic test to learn more about their health. In this case, genetic counseling can be very useful.
6. Infections caused by viruses or bacteria
Some infectious diseases, such as chlamydia, syphilis, mycoplasma and toxoplasmosis can also favor the occurrence of a miscarriage during pregnancy.
How to treat: It is important that tests be done to identify which microorganism is responsible for the infection so that appropriate treatment can be started, which usually involves the use of antibiotics, to fight the infection and prevent abortion.
7. Alcohol, cigarettes and excess coffee
Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages during pregnancy and exposure to cigarette smoke and excessive consumption of caffeine-rich foods such as coffee, black tea and coca cola are also related to the increase in cases of miscarriage. The ideal amount of caffeine that can be consumed during pregnancy should not be more than 4 cups of espresso per day.
How to treat: In this case, to avoid spontaneous abortion it is important to avoid consuming large amounts of coffee during the day, the consumption of alcoholic beverages and cigarettes.
8. Autoimmune disease
When the father has an autoimmune disease, there is a greater risk of miscarriage, even if the couple is in good health and has all normal tests. In this case, the woman's body reacts to the embryo's presence with a strange being, which begins to be attacked, leading to abortion.
How to treat: Treatment can be done with a type of vaccine prepared specifically for each woman, containing parts of the partner's blood. The woman receives these vaccines 2 or 3 times and does more tests to see if her body no longer reacts to the man's cells and then she is ready for a new pregnancy attempt.
9. Use of medicines
Taking medication without medical advice can also cause miscarriage, so in case of pain or discomfort you should inform the obstetrician and not take medication on your own, nor teas because some are contraindicated. Know some remedies that can cause miscarriage.
How to treat: Do not take medication without medical advice, especially if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant.
10. Low weight or obesity
When the woman is very underweight or very overweight it can also increase the risk of miscarriage because the body can understand that it is not in the best condition for the proper development of the baby.
How to treat: In these cases it is important that the woman is accompanied by a nutritionist to know how to eat properly to ensure good fetal development and avoid abortion.
What to do if you suspect a miscarriage
If the woman has signs and symptoms such as severe abdominal pain and blood loss from the vagina, especially after intimate contact, it is recommended to go to the doctor to perform tests such as ultrasound to check that the baby and the placenta are well.
The doctor may indicate that the woman should rest and avoid intimate contact for 15 days, but it may also be necessary to take analgesic and antispasmodic drugs to relax the uterus and avoid the contractions that lead to abortion.
What is the treatment for abortion
Treatment varies depending on the type of abortion the woman has undergone, and may be:
Complete abortion
It occurs when the fetus dies and is completely eliminated from the uterus, in which case no specific treatment is necessary. The doctor may do an ultrasound scan to check that the uterus is clean and advise a consultation with a psychologist when the woman is very upset. When a woman has had a miscarriage before, she may need to do more specific tests to try to find the cause and prevent it from happening again.
Incomplete abortion
Occurs when the fetus dies but is not completely eliminated from the uterus, with fetal or placental remains inside the woman's uterus, the doctor may indicate the use of drugs such as Cytotec for complete elimination and then can perform a curettage or manual aspiration or vacuum , to remove the remains of tissues and clean the woman's uterus, preventing infections.
When there are signs of uterine infection such as a foul odor, vaginal discharge, severe abdominal pain, rapid heartbeat and fever, which is usually caused by unsafe abortions, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics in the form of an injection and uterine scraping. In the most severe cases, it may be necessary to remove the uterus to save the woman's life.
When to get pregnant again
After undergoing an abortion the woman must receive professional psychological support, from family and friends to recover emotionally from the trauma caused by the loss of the baby.
The woman may try to get pregnant again after 3 months of abortion, hoping that her period will return to normal, having at least 2 menstrual cycles or after this period when she feels safe again to try a new pregnancy.