Miscarriage (cont.)
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
In this Article
- What is a miscarriage?
- What causes a miscarriage, and what are the tests for the different causes?
- What does NOT cause miscarriage?
- Are there lifestyle factors associated with miscarriage?
- What are the symptoms of a miscarriage?
- What will the doctor look for during an examination with suspected miscarriage?
- How is threatened abortion evaluated?
- What are common terms a woman might hear during evaluation for miscarriage?
- What treatment can a woman expect when she has had a miscarriage?
- When should a woman receive evaluation for underlying causes of pregnancy loss?
- Can something be done to prevent future miscarriages?
- Miscarriage At A Glance
What treatment can a woman expect when she has had a miscarriage?
The central goal of the doctor in this situation will be to try to figure out whether the woman has passed all of the tissue from the fetus and placenta. If she has passed all the tissue, she may only require observation by medical personnel. On the other hand, a woman who has not passed all of the tissue (incomplete abortion) will usually need suction dilation and curettage (D&C) of the uterus to remove any retained products of the pregnancy. This procedure is done with local anesthesia, and sometimes antibiotics may be prescribed for the woman to prevent infection.
When should a woman receive evaluation for underlying causes of pregnancy loss?
Currently, most practitioners will not initiate an extensive medical evaluation for a single pregnancy loss, since the chance of having a normal pregnancy subsequent to even two consecutive miscarriages is 80% to 90%. For women with recurrent pregnancy loss, an evaluation will focus on the pattern and history of the prior miscarriages. Three consecutive miscarriages would suggest a woman should receive further evaluation.
Thus, the following tests are considered for women with three consecutive miscarriages.
Blood testing can be ordered to identify chromosomal abnormalities in the couple that could be transmitted to the fetus. The couple can each appear completely normal but still carry chromosomal defects, which, when combined, can be lethal to the embryo. This type of testing is called karyotyping, and it is performed on both members of the couple. A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) can identify anatomical abnormalities within the uterus.
Antinuclear antibody, anticardiolipin antibody, VDRL, RPR, and lupus anticoagulant are some of the blood tests used to diagnose autoimmune diseases that can cause recurrent miscarriage.
As described above, some of these illnesses will already by apparent to the woman and her doctor, but not all cases. Other antibody tests may be performed as well.
http://www.medicinenet.com/miscarriage/article.htm
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