hat is a miscarriage?
The technical definition for a miscarriage is a pregnancy that ends on its own before the 20th week of gestation. Of course, the loss of a baby is anything but technical.

How common are miscarriages?
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), miscarriages are the most common type of pregnancy loss, with 10-25% of all known pregnancies ending in miscarriage.

The March of Dimes estimates that as many of 50% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage since many of these losses occur before a woman even knows she is pregnant.

Why do miscarriages happen?
In most cases, there is no identifiable reason for the loss of a pregnancy. In other cases, miscarriages can be caused by the following:

• A chromosomal abnormality.
• Progesterone deficiency.
• Personal lifestyle, i.e., smoking, drug or alcohol use, malnutrition, excessive caffeine intake, exposure to environmental hazards, etc.
• Physical trauma to the mother.
• Infection.
• Hormonal problems.
• Uterine abnormalities.
• Diseases including: thyroid disease, uncontrolled diabetes, severe kidney disease, immune system disorders, congenital heart disease.
• Certain medications, i.e., Accutane, etc.
• A miscarriage can also be the result of non-viable pregnancies from the following conditions:
  Weakened Cervix
  Blighted Ovum
  Ectopic Pregnancy
  Molar Pregnancy

What are the signs of a miscarriage?
Most miscarriages happen during the first trimester and can be characterized by:

• Bleeding (brown or bright red)
• Abdominal cramping
• Back pain
• Vaginal discharge of whitish pink mucus
• Fever
• Weakness
• Vomiting
• Contractions that occur every 5-20 minutes

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your health practitioner immediately.

If you experienced a miscarriage very early in the pregnancy it is possible to have not experienced any of the above symptoms. However, you might notice some spotting or experience mild discomfort. If you are in pain, develop a fever, chills, or have heavy bleeding, call your doctor. These could indicate an infection.

Your doctor will perform a pelvic exam and ultrasound to confirm whether or not a miscarriage has taken place.

Physical treatment for a miscarriage: If a pregnancy is lost in the very early weeks, it is likely that your body will release the fetal tissue on its own. However, if an ultrasound shows that there is still tissue remaining, your doctor will probably perform a D&C (dilation and curettage). Another option is medication to expel the remaining fetal tissue from your uterus.

Emotional treatment for a miscarriage:
It’s human nature to want to know why something like this has happened. But try not to blame yourself; most miscarriages happen for no reason at all, or for reasons beyond our control. Don’t be afraid to lean on others (loved ones or professionals) for support. (See also Coping with a Loss.)

Will I be able to have a healthy pregnancy in the future?
The probability of having a subsequent miscarriage is about 25%, only slightly higher than women who have not lost a previous pregnancy. More than 85% of women who have miscarried will have healthy pregnancies and deliver healthy babies.

If this is your second miscarriage, speak with your doctor about diagnostic tests that might be able to pinpoint the cause.

In either case, your doctor will probably recommend waiting a certain amount of time (1-3 months) before trying to conceive again. It is also possible that your doctor will recommend progesterone if your uterus needs assistance with implantation. 

This article was compiled using information from the following websites:
March of Dimes
MedicineNet
Mayo Clinic