Early Miscarriage

Inevitable Abortion / Incomplete Abortion / Fetal Death In-Utero

Why Do Miscarriages Occur?

Miscarriage, Inevitable Abortion, Incomplete Abortion and Fetal Death In-Utero are words that can be used interchangeably. Yet the definitions are very distinct. Ultimately, what occurs is the loss of an early pregnancy (less than 12 weeks). The majority of pregnancies that end in miscarriage are unknown to most women as they occur before their menses and therefore they never even knew they were pregnant. The majority of miscarriages are due to abnormal genetic tissue but there are numerous reasons for early miscarriages to occur which include infection (syphilis, tuberculosis, nonspecific vaginitis, mycoplasma, e-coli), connective tissue disease, diabetes, exposure to radiation, kidney disease, thyroid disease, liver disease, uterine abnormalities such as fibroids, hormonal imbalance (estrogen, progesterone) and numerous other causes. Normally, evaluation for one or two miscarriages does not occur. After 3 miscarriages a work-up for miscarriage is advised.

What is the Definition of Miscarriage?

Miscarriage occurs with the loss of a pregnancy prior to viability. The other name for Miscarriage is spontaneous abortion.

What is the Definition of Inevitable Abortion?

Inevitable Abortion is when the cervix (lower opening of the uterus) is dilated (open) and there may be vaginal bleeding, uterine cramps, and lower pelvic pain and pressure occurring where the pregnancy tissue may or may not be seen at the external portion of the cervix. The fetus may still have a heart beat or may not be seen on sonogram.

What is the Definition of Incomplete Abortion?

The Cervix (lower opening of the uterus) is dilated (open) and pregnancy tissue has passed through the cervix or passing through the cervix. On sonogram there may be some or no pregnancy tissue inside the uterus. Symptoms include vaginal bleeding (mild, moderate or heavy), abdominal and pelvic pain, possible low grade temperature, possible uterine and pelvic tenderness that could indicate uterine and pelvic infection.

What is Fetal Death In-Utero?

A fetus that does not have a heart beat which means that the fetal tissue is no longer living.

Symptoms of miscarriage include the following:

1. Abdominal pain or cramping
2. A decrease in pregnancy symptoms (nausea, vomiting, fatigue, lightheadedness, breast or nipple tenderness, low back discomfort)
3. Vaginal bleeding (light, moderate, or heavy). The heavier and the longer the bleeding lasts, the more likely a miscarriage will occur.
   

What are the options when having a miscarriage?

Physicians are able to evaluate whether or not patients are having a miscarriage by performing blood work, doing a pelvic exam and performing a sonogram. If the Physician determines a miscarriage is occurring, there are four options of treatment.

1. The most effective, efficient and safest treatment for early miscarriage is the Menstrual Extraction procedure. This simple non-surgical procedure can be completed in 3-4 minutes in your physician’s office. Like a routine Pap smear, the Aspiration Procedure can be completed in a regular medical examination room in a private medical office.  Patient’s are able to resume their normal activities immediately and have sexual intercourse if found to be less than 6 weeks the following day.
2. Surgical suction curettage is the best option for treating patients who are over 10 to 12 weeks pregnant and having a miscarriage
3. You may choose to do nothing and allow the miscarriage to spontaneously occur. Generally, this option is best with pregnancies under 7 weeks. At this stage, the experience of a miscarriage can be similar to having a heavy period with strong menstrual cramps.
4. Misoprostol is a prostaglandin used to help prevent ulcers. It also causes the uterus to contract which causing a spontaneous miscarriage to occur. The advantage of taking misoprostol is that it normally causes uterine contractions and bleeding to occur within 3 to 4 hours of taking. The disadvantage of using misoprostol is that it can cause severe cramping and nausea, and it is not 100% effective. In this situation, a Menstrual Extraction Procedure may be needed.
   

Advantages of Menstrual Extraction For Miscarriage Under 12 Weeks

• You do not need to wait and worry about when the miscarriage will take place as not only does this create anxiety, but there could be an onset of heavy bleeding that could lead to more severe bleeding, abdominal and pelvic pain, and uterine infection.
• The procedure takes 3-4 minutes to complete.
• It can be completed in a family planning facility or your doctor’s office
• You can immediately resume all your normal activities including engaging in sexual intercourse 24 hours after the procedure is performed
• There are no problems with future pregnancies as long as there are no problems that occur during the surgical procedure.
  

Our Physicians at Legal Abortion By Pill Clinic are able to diagnose and treat patients who are experiencing miscarriage, incomplete abortion, inevitable abortion, or fetal death in-utero. Instead of spending many hours in the Emergency Room, patients may come to our offices for evaluation of their bleeding, cramps, or low grade temperature in the first trimester (12 weeks or less) of pregnancy.

A patient may request an exclusive or private appointment with Dr. Pendergraft by contacting him by E-mail preferable: Drpendergraft@gmail.com or call him directly at 321-445-2545 or call office location nearest you by clicking locations. Same day appointments can be arranged.  

For further information including family planning, please visit our premiere website.

www.womenscenter.com

Legal Abortion By Pill Clinic
Offering Medical and Surgical Abortion
3 to 24 Weeks