Myths and Truths About Miscarriage

Sadly, miscarriages are a very common occurrence. Sources vary, but many estimate that approximately 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage. If you include loss that occurs before a positive pregnancy test, some estimate that 40% of all conceptions result in loss. Doctors consider as a miscarriage, embryo formed up to 22 weeks or until the fetus reach 500g. The higher incidence of spontaneous abortion happens on the first eight weeks, or two months of pregnancy. Check out the myths and truths about miscarriage:

Genetic problems cause miscarriage

Truth. The main and most powerful cause of miscarriage is genetic error. The number of chromosomes is not ideal or the genes of that baby were formed with problems. Due to an error in the chromosomes or genetic defect, the defense of a woman's body is expelling since it is an embryo that is unable to survive. Between the 10th and 12th weeks, can happen late abortion and its causes are linked to infection or in autoimmunity women, such as those with lupus.

Miscarriage is a body's defense

Truth. That's because the miscarriage happens spontaneously in the body of the woman when the embryo doesn’t have the correct number of chromosomes to develop or have some genetic defect. It is beneficial for women because the embryo does not have the characteristics to survive.

Candidiasis can cause the body to expel the fetus

Myth. When a woman is pregnant, candidiasis helps protect the baby in the vaginal environment. In pregnancy, there is a change in the vaginal acidity that can favor the incidence of bacterias but with the proliferation of the fungus of the candidiasis, this doesn't happen. Keep in mind that all Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) need to be closely monitored by a physician. Gonorrhea, chlamydia and ureaplasma can cause abortion.

Bleeding after a missed period can be a miscarriage

Truth. When a woman is pregnant, two types of bleeding can happen. The first and most common is when the fertilized egg implants in the uterus wall. In this case, pregnancy occurs normally. But there is also a loss of blood confused with menstruation that can mean a miscarriage which usually is not noticeable to most women and since is not as commonly identified the causes are not specific.

Cytomegalovirus and rubella can cause miscarriage

Truth. Virus infections can cause late abortion. The woman can get the virus early in pregnancy, but it will only cause abortion between the 10th and 12th weeks. The woman can catch the virus if a person with the virus sneeze on her, or touch body fluids from the eldest son, for example. She needs to be careful not to come into contact with bodily fluids of someone who has the virus. Prevention in this case is to wash hands frequently.

Pregnant woman who owns a cat may have miscarriage

Myth. The cat does not need to be left out of the family when the woman becomes pregnant. Toxoplasmosis that is more common in cats, is a dangerous parasite to pregnant women, but the mere contact with the animal does not mean that the woman will have a miscarriage. A pregnant woman needs to avoid contact with the feces of alley cats. Cats that are raised at home and have no contact with the feces of others are not a problem.

The woman is guilt for the abortion 

Myth. Of course every woman would like to be in the 85% who do not suffer a miscarriage, but it happens when genetic issues appears. When the abortion happens we try to explain to the woman that she is not to blame. Neither she nor her husband nor any couple’s fight, neither stress or work. Miscarriage is the main cause of genetic issue, it is mother nature’s responsibility.

Stressed woman can have miscarriage

Myth. According to the experts, the main causes of premature abortion, that happens in the first eight weeks, are genetic.  Abortion has no natural connection with stress, nor punishment, nor voodoo.