Let’s discuss the different types of miscarriage and pregnancy loss that occur and reveal the symptoms of each. Always remember, pregnancy loss is a difficult process to go through, and reach out if you ever need help or are grieving!
Types of miscarriage
Threatened Miscarriage: A threatened miscarriage is a sign that you might have a miscarriage, and symptoms include vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain. If you are concerned that you might miscarry, you might consider visiting a physician.
Inevitable Miscarriage: This can occur after a threatened miscarriage, or can happen more spontaneously. If you do face a miscarriage, there will be more vaginal bleeding and stronger cramps as the cervix opens and the fetus passes through the bleeding.
Complete Miscarriage: After all pregnancy tissue has left your uterus, often through cramps or bleeding as the uterus is contracting, this is a sign that a miscarriage is complete. If this happens to you, remember to take time to heal, but do not lose hope as most women who face miscarriages are still able to get pregnant again.
Incomplete Miscarriage: After a miscarriage, if the uterus has not completely discharged all the pregnancy tissue and you are experiencing bleeding and cramps for a prolonged period of time, you may have an incomplete miscarriage. Talk to your physician about whether a dilatation of the cervix and curettage of the uterus (DAC) is needed at this stage.
Missed Miscarriage: This can occur if the fetus is not alive, but remains in the uterus. Symptoms of a missed miscarriage include brown discharge, and a lack of pregnancy symptoms such as nausea.
Now that we have discussed miscarriages, here are some types of pregnancy loss you should be aware about.
Types of pregnancy loss
Ectopic Pregnancy: Ectopic pregnancies occur when the egg develops outside of the womb, and end up resulting in miscarriage. Signs of an ectopic pregnancy can begin around 4-5 weeks until 12 weeks. Pain in your shoulder tips or one sided cramps are often indicative of this, and it is important to visit your physician as the condition can cause internal bleeding as well.
Molar Pregnancy: This type of pregnancy loss occurs if a baby does not develop properly or a fetus does not develop at all. Molar pregnancies are hard to identify and the cause is unknown, but they occur rarely. In such cases, the tissue usually needs to be removed from a D&C.
Blighted Ovum: A blighted ovum is also known as an “anembryonic pregnancy” and occurs when a sac develops, but the embryo itself does not grow or develop. Often times, the embryo is reabsorbed into the uterus and is usually diagnosed through ultrasound.
Remember that miscarriage do not define you, and reach out if you ever need help processing this unfortunate condition. You are not alone!
