Abortions spontaneous
What is Spontaneous Abortion?
Spontaneous abortion is a medical term for a pregnancy that ends on its own, usually before the 20th week of gestation (the start of the third trimester). It is also known as a miscarriage. About 10 to 20 percent of known pregnancies (those that have been clinically confirmed) end in miscarriage.
Most spontaneous abortions occur without warning. A woman may experience several signs and symptoms, including vaginal bleeding, cramping, and back pain. Other, less common signs can include fever, chills, or dizziness.
What Causes Spontaneous Abortion?
In most cases, a spontaneous abortion is caused by a chromosomal abnormality in the fertilized egg. The egg, or fertilized ovum, may not have developed normally, which can make it difficult for a pregnancy to progress.
Other possible causes of miscarriage include health problems in the mother, including:
- Diabetes
- Hormonal imbalances
- Uterine problems, such as an abnormally shaped uterus
- Infections
- Immune system disorders
- Smoking, drinking alcohol, or using illicit drugs during pregnancy
- Exposure to certain environmental factors, such as radiation, pesticides, or other toxins
In some cases, the cause of a spontaneous abortion may not be known.
Treatment for Spontaneous Abortion
Treatment for a spontaneous abortion will depend on the cause. In some cases, there is no treatment available and the pregnancy will end regardless of the mother’s wishes.
If the pregnancy is found to be non-viable after a medical evaluation, the health care provider may recommend a procedure known as dilation and curettage (D&C). This procedure involves dilating the cervix and scraping the uterine walls to remove any remaining tissue.
In cases of infection, antibiotics may be prescribed to clear the infection. Medications such as heparin and progesterone may also be prescribed to help prevent more miscarriages.
If the cause of the miscarriage was a chromosomal abnormality, there is usually no treatment or prevention available.
What Are The Risk Factors?
Risk factors associated with spontaneous abortion include a woman’s age, lifestyle factors (such as smoking or drinking alcohol), and previous miscarriages. Older women are more likely to have a spontaneous abortion than younger women. Women who have had three or more miscarriages are also at higher risk of having another. Other risk factors include ectopic pregnancies, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), diabetes, and obesity.