Fertility, Miscarriages, Ectopic Pregnancies
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Abnormal Pregnancies
Unfortunately, sometimes a pregnancy does not continue normally and ends. This is most common before week 12. A pregnant woman may not have any symptoms and find out on a routine ultrasound that the fetus no longer has a heartbeat, or may have vaginal bleeding or uterus cramps. If the bleeding or pain is extremely severe, please go to your nearest emergency room. The pregnancy may be a miscarriage (medically termed a missed abortion), ectopic pregnancy (in the tube instead of the uterus), or molar pregnancy.
Miscarriages are very common. 1 in 4 women will experience a miscarriage and about 15% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. You are not alone. Early miscarriages are usually due to chromosomal/genetic problems and are no fault of your own. Mother Nature ends the pregnancy because it was not progressing properly. Sometimes the tissue passes on its own, medication (misoprostol) can be used to help pass it, or a short surgical procedure (dilation and curettage, usually reserved for excessive bleeding or failed medical treatment) can be done. Many people continue to have normal pregnancies and babies later. Please see a specialist if you have had recurrent pregnancy loss (2-3 miscarriages). More on periods after miscarriages.
Women with later losses (2nd or 3rd) trimester losses should review their stories with an OBGYN before another pregnancy to determine any ways to prevent future loss. These losses may include maternal reasons (medical conditions, cervical insufficiency in which case interim laparoscopic cerclage may be helpful, preterm labour, infection, clotting condition); fetal conditions (cord accidents, anomalies, small babies, prematurity); placental reasons.
Ectopic (Tube) Pregnancies are pregnancies that cannot continue normally because they are growing in the wrong place (usually in the fallopian tube) instead of the uterus. Egg and sperm meet in the tube and normally travel together into the uterus. If it gets stuck in the tube and continues to grow, the tube can rupture leading to internal bleeding. The tube is usually the size of your index finger. Ectopic pregnancies can be life-threatening to mom. Depending on certain circumstances, ectopics can be treated with injection medication (methotrexate) or with life-saving laparoscopy (keyhole) surgery that may require removal of the damaged tube. Many women have normal pregnancies and babies later, even with 1 tube removed. RIsk factors for ectopic pregnancies include smoking, endometriosis, pelvic infections, ruptured appendix or other previous surgeries.
Pregnancy and Infant Loss
Nobody is fully prepared for a loss, whether early in a miscarriage; midpregnancy with preterm labour, cervical insufficiency, congenital anomaly; or later loss with stillbirth, infant, or neonatal loss.
There is support for you and your loved ones through the hospital, outside organizations, and other support groups. For chatlines, acute crises supports, and other resources, see below.
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Centre
