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Pregnancy complications and help for infant and pregnancy loss
Potential Problems
It can be a blessing to have a baby. However, it can be scary, and can cause grief or pain, especially if things don't go according to plan. Many complications can occur during pregnancy and could lead to loss of pregnancy. There are many women who have been through similar situations and can help you in times of need.
Miscarriage
Miscarriage can be defined as any pregnancy ending before the baby is 20 weeks old. Around 80% of miscarriages occur within the first 12 weeks. Early miscarriages usually occur when the embryo is not viable and cannot survive. Between 50 and 70% of early miscarriages can be attributed to chromosomal abnormalities. It is rare to experience multiple miscarriages, so you will likely have a healthy pregnancy after a miscarriage.
Stillbirth
Stillbirth is any pregnancy that ends in stillbirth at 20 weeks of gestation or later. About 1 in 200 pregnancies result in a stillborn baby. Parents can feel very pain because so many stillborn babies occur in otherwise normal pregnancies. This loss can be very difficult because the cause of about half of them is unknown. To preserve her health, stillbirth means that the mother must give birth. Good news is that 90% percent of stillbirths are not fatal.
Infant loss
Sometimes babies die in childbirth or very soon after birth. This is the most tragic of all. Your child may have been born with a defect or condition that made it impossible for her to survive beyond a few hours. You may have had to abandon life support in the face of a seriously ill child. Perhaps complications at birth led to your child's death and your own danger. No matter what the reason, losing an infant can be one of the most difficult events for a parent. It can be very difficult and will require support and time to heal. For support and information, see the following list.
Chemical Pregnancy
Sometimes, a woman may be positive for pregnancy and then have their period a few days or a week later. It could be that the woman had a biochemical baby in which the egg was fertilized but the hCG level remains low. Sometimes, chromosomal problems can cause miscarriage. In a chemical pregnancy, however, you can get pregnant but it is not viable and it will miscarry. This type of miscarriage can only be discovered if you test the right time.
Ectopic Pregnancy
What is an ectopic pregnancy?
When a fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus, a healthy pregnancy can begin. Ectopic pregnancy is when the egg implants outside of the uterus. Most commonly, in 97% of cases, it's in the fallopian tube. It is also known as a "tubal" pregnancy. Only intrauterine pregnancies can be viable. Any extrauterine pregnancies pose a threat to the mother's safety.
What are the signs of an ectopic pregnancy and how can you help?
One in fifty pregnancies are ectopic. This can lead to a healthy baby but it is rare. Although mild cramping and spotting are common symptoms, many women do not feel any. This is a common symptom in healthy pregnancies, which makes it difficult to detect early. If you have an ectopic pregnancy, you might feel pain in your shoulder from the implantation. You may experience severe bleeding, heavy bleeding, fainting, or even lightheadedness if the embryo is not properly implanted. This is a serious emergency. You should immediately go to the emergency room or dial 911. If this happens, you could be in shock or even die.
What are the risks of an ectopic pregnancy and what can you do about them?
Risk factors include:
Previous ectopic pregnancy
Fallopian tube surgery prior to this procedure
An anterior pelvic or abdominal operation
Inflammatory disease of the pelvic floor
Endometriosis is a condition where the uterine lining can be found outside of the uterus.
Smoking
Age (increased chance over 40).
An IUD
Previous miscarriage or abortion
Birth control pills that only contain progestin
In-vitro fertilization
What are the treatment options for ectopic pregnancies?
Medically, a pregnancy loss is called an "abortion". However, ectopic pregnancy is not possible. An embryo can't survive outside of the uterus and cannot be transferred or reattached to the uterus. It is not possible to electively terminate an ectopic pregnancy.
Methotrexate might be an option if the embryo is found before it ruptures. Methotrexate stops cells from growing, and can sometimes be used to treat cancer. The pregnancy is ended and the cells are reabsorbed back into the body. This alternative to surgery is possible, but may not always be feasible.
Surgery may be necessary if the pregnancy progresses too fast or if there are ruptured tissues. Often, an emergency procedure for internal bleeding can reveal a ctopic pregnancy. Traditional or laparoscopic surgery may be used by surgeons. They will perform the surgery to remove the embryo and possibly remove a portion of the fallopian tube.
What will my feelings be after an ectopic baby?
It is possible to feel complicated after an ectopic baby. It is possible to grieve for your loss and be traumatized by the near-death experience. Your partner may have lost a child and you might have almost lost your baby, depending on the circumstances. You may feel pregnant even after the ectopic pregnancy has been removed. It can take several weeks for all of the hCG from your body to disappear and for your period to start again. Your body and heart will need to heal. An ectopic pregnancy has a chance of happening again with a 90% probability. The odds of having a healthy baby after an ectopic pregnancy are high. However, if you do become pregnant again, discuss your concerns with your doctor as future pregnancies could be very risky.
Heterotopic Pregnancy
What is heterotopic pregnancy?
Many names can be used to describe heterotopic pregnancy. You can also call it a mixed ectopic pregnancy, multiple-sited pregnant, or coincident pregnancy. Heterotopic is a synonym for "other place". It refers to both a healthy pregnancy and an ectopic one. The fallopian tube is the most common place for an embryo to implant extrauterinely, as with ectopic. Rarely, an embryo might implant on the cervix and ovary. In the meantime, healthy pregnancy continues inside the uterus.
What is the frequency of heterotopic pregnancy?
The estimates of heterotopic pregnancies in natural (spontaneous) pregnancies range from 1 in 75,000 to 1 in 3000. This is more common in assisted pregnancies. One in 100 assisted pregnancies is a multiple-sited one.
What are the signs of heterotopic pregnancy?
The symptoms of heterotopic pregnancy can look similar to ectopic. They include intermittent stabs, sharp, startling pains, dull, throbbing, or dull and throbbing pains, intense abdominal pains, dizziness, fainting and abnormal bleeding, nausea, vomiting, nausea, and other symptoms. Heterotopic pregnancy is also deadly, just like ectopic. It is often difficult to diagnose and detect. Half of heterotopic pregnancies do not get diagnosed until an emergency surgeon performs surgery to treat the bleeding or pain.
What makes heterotopic pregnancy so difficult to diagnose?
Because heterotopic pregnancy is often not diagnosed because it occurs alongside a healthy one, and many of its symptoms, like cramping and spotting, are the same as those of a healthy pregnancy. It is only when more severe symptoms like intense pain or heavy bleeding that you realize something is wrong. This condition is more common in assisted-gestational women. Therefore, frequent ultrasounds are required to confirm that the pregnancy is healthy. Ultrasounds will be focused on the uterus. Once a healthy baby is confirmed, most early signs of heterotopic pregnancy can be dismissed. The majority of improperly implanted embryos will not be discovered until the woman is admitted for emergency surgery.
What are the options for heterotopic pregnancy?
An ectopic pregnancy should be ended. The fetus can't live outside of the uterus and the mother's life could be at risk if the tissues burst. A ruptured fallopian tube will usually require it to be removed. The healthy progress of the pregnancy inside the uterus is not affected by the surgical removal of the extrauterine foetus. 67% of women can carry the healthy baby to term.
What will my feelings be after a heterotopic pregnancies?
This complication is more common for women who have undergone fertility treatment. It is highly probable that the mother is excited about having a child. Multiple pregnancies are more common in assisted pregnancies. There is also the possibility that the mother was not prepared to care for multiple babies. Even though the baby is healthy, it can be painful and difficult to lose a baby because of ectopic pregnancy. Even though the ectopic pregnancy was not viable, it is normal to grieve. You can be kind to yourself, and let yourself feel sadness about the past. There is a 33% chance that both pregnancies end. This will also be difficult to accept.
Molar Pregnancy
What is molar pregnancy?
An abnormal fertilization can cause a molar pregnancy. You can either have 2 sperm fertilize 1 egg (known as a partial or complete mole), or you can have one or more sperm fertilize an egg empty. This is called a complete mole. A partial mole has chromosomes that come from both the egg and sperm. It begins to form fetal tissue. However, because it contains 69 chromosomes (23 from the egg, 23 from each of 2 sperm), it can't develop normally and it isn't a viable pregnancy. A complete mole is one in which the genetic material of the father reproduces. The fetal tissue is not present and the placenta grows into abnormal cysts. Both have no chance of becoming a baby.
What are the options for molar pregnancy?
The egg can quickly grow into a tumor-like mass and cause hormonal changes. D&C is required to remove the cells. The patient will need to be monitored for four months to make sure that no hCG remains in her body. To ensure that the levels remain low, she will be closely monitored for 6 more months. If the hCG levels do not drop within 4 months, it means that some cells have grown and were not detected. Choriocarcinoma, a form of cancer, can develop. This may require chemotherapy. One in every 1,200 pregnancies can be considered a molar, and 1 in 40,000 may develop into choriocarcinoma.
What are the signs of molar pregnancy
Although rare, it is important to report any vaginal bleeding while pregnant. This is the most common sign that you may have molar pregnancy. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and pain in the pelvis. You are at risk if you're younger than 20, 35 or older, have had a molar baby in the past and have had more than 2 miscarriages. After recovering from a molar birth, most women can have a normal pregnancy.
Pregnancy Loss Support
What is grief?
It is difficult to lose a baby. There is no right or wrong way of grieving. There may be overwhelming feelings of guilt, sadness, anger or even anger. People who are grieving may feel sick or have difficulty concentrating. These are normal aspects of grieving. There is no right or incorrect way to grieve. There is also no right or wrong time. The death of your baby may be a difficult time for you. It could even last the rest of your lives. You will find the strength to move on with your grief, heal, and begin to look forward.
What will my partner do?
It's okay for your partner to express his feelings in a different way than you. Men don't generally express their emotions as freely as women. This could lead you to believe he doesn’t care as much about the loss. Keep in mind that he did not carry the baby in his body. Your relationship with your baby will be unique from his. It may feel more real to you depending on the time you lost your baby. Support may be sought from friends, family, people who have lost children, and religious leaders. Your partner might try to deal with his emotions on his own. You can help your partner grieve by allowing him to grieve as he pleases.
What will my children do?
The loss of a baby will affect your other children as well. However, it might look very different. They might become more attached or outgoing. They might feel that they are also going to die or are responsible for the situation. Talking to children about infant loss or pregnancy is a good idea. Be honest about the details, but keep it simple if necessary. It is possible to say, "The baby didn’t grow" or "The child was very small." This may not be confusing for children. Children might ask you questions that seem uncaring. When answering their questions, show them love and remember that they are also grieving.
How do I keep my baby's memory alive?
You might find ways to keep your baby's name and date. It is possible to collect things such as baby clothes, pictures, footprints, hospital bracelets, and ultrasound photos. You can then place these items in a scrapbook or box. A funeral can be held for a stillborn baby or for someone who died during or after birth. You could also hold a memorial for an early miscarriage, premature pregnancy loss, or for the infant that was born too soon. You can invite family and friends to the funeral, or you can keep it private. Your feelings could be expressed in a journal or written in a letter to the baby. You can tell your baby that you love and miss her. To remember your baby you could plant some flowers or a tree, or make jewelry with his initials or birthstone. You may choose to move on from the pain and forget about your baby. Any comfort that you find is acceptable.
Where can I get help?
You can heal by seeking help after you have lost a baby. Talking to your doctor can help you understand the situation and then, when you are ready, you can make preparations to get pregnant again. Talking to a grief counselor or joining a bereavement support group will allow you to share your feelings with others who have been through similar losses. This may help you get closer to healing. Women especially need to share their feelings with someone who is open and honest. Healthy habits such as exercise, eating healthy foods, and enough sleep can help you take care of your health. You may need treatment if your sadness lasts more than two weeks.
Here are some resources to help you if you need assistance.
Online Resources
This site is based in the UK and provides information on pregnancy complications and loss as well as support from other women who have experienced similar situations. If you are looking for support, this is the place to go.
Share: Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support
Share provides information on local bereavement support groups and hosts online meetings for those who are unable to attend in person meetings. You can also find a list of links from outside to memorial keepsakes that will help you remember your baby.
The March of Dimes has created a support network that includes forums, blogs, and support groups on topics like loss and grief, birth defects, disorders, and everything pregnancy-related.
A comprehensive list of support groups and sites for loss, as well as more difficult issues like infertility or cancer.
It can be difficult and distressing to lose an infant or go through pregnancy. You can find healing, acceptance, and hope with support, love and rest. While you may carry a scarlet letter with you, you can carry love and feel joy again. You can do it, mama. You can keep going. We believe in you.
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