Expectant Mothers and the Issue of Miscarriages

• Miscarriages occur naturally in up to 10-15% of all pregnancies, with such an occurrence most likely to happen between the 4^th and 20^th week, especially within the first 13 weeks of pregnancy.
• Pregnant women should stop or avoid smoking, drinking alcohol and partaking in illegal substances, as well as avoid exposure to certain types of chemicals, such as insecticides and cleaning products containing harmful chemicals, in order to prevent against a miscarriage.
• If any of the following symptoms present themselves, a doctor should be consulted immediately: vaginal bleeding, severe stomach pain lasting days on end, a lack of abdomen growth or shrinking of the abdomen.

There is a famous Thai drama called “Krong Kaam” which depicts a lady who deceives everyone into thinking she is pregnant and uses the arrival of her period to convince them that she has had a miscarriage, meaning they all feel sorry for her as she is often seen working hard to sell snacks day and night.

However, while the drama ends there, the issue of miscarriages certainly does not, especially for pregnant women. Women usually become extremely anxious when they become pregnant, worrying about whether their little one will enter this world healthy and strong. They may also fret about their health throughout the duration of their pregnancy, often fearing a miscarriage. All of this can cause undue stress for the mother without her even realizing what she is doing to herself.

Statistics show that miscarriages occur naturally in up to 10-15% of all pregnancies, with many aspects contributing to this high figure both preventable and unpreventable, as well as cases which display no obvious risk factors whatsoever.

• Becoming pregnant after the age of 35
• Ill health, including irregularities affecting the immune system or chronic health disorders
• Previous use of an intrauterine contraceptive that led to health complications
• A personal history of miscarriages, or previously having undergone a curettage as a result of other reasons which can negatively affect the development of the embryo
• Severe stress, including depression or extreme disappointment
• A heavy impact to the abdominal area or an accident directly affecting the pregnancy
• Playing sports that result in severe impact or which are overly strenuous
• The expectant mother drinking alcohol, smoking or partaking in illegal substances

• Any bleeding from the vagina, however little, should necessitate an immediate visit to the hospital
• Stomach pain lasting days on end or extreme stomach pain
• An unexplainable weight loss
• Abnormally slow abdomen growth or a shrinking abdomen size, despite the pregnancy aging
• Feeling contractions in the uterus more frequently than before
• Various symptoms disappearing all of a sudden, for instance, not experiencing morning sickness despite previously suffering from it, or extreme vomiting

• Consult with a medical staff at the outset of a pregnancy.
• Place your pregnancy under the care of a medical facility as soon as you find out you are pregnant, and provide them with a detailed medical history, including previous miscarriages or potential risk factors.
• Get plenty of sleep and rest and try to avoid stress. Do things that relaxes your and do not worry about what has not happened yet.
• Work closely with medical professionals to manage any chronic health disorders, strictly adhering to their advice and, more importantly, avoid buying medication which has not been prescribed or approved by your doctor.
• Ensure that your weight is where it should be according to the different stages of your pregnancy by eating a healthy, nutritious diet, reducing your intake of fatty food and avoiding overly rich foods. Additionally, partake in suitable exercises as suggested by your doctors, being careful to avoid overly strenuous exercises or sports that could lead to heavy impacts, such as running or jumping.
• Try to avoid infections by staying away from confined spaces, particularly in the case of weakened immune systems, or when health is already a cause for concer
• Stop or avoid smoking, alcohol and illicit drugs, and avoid exposure to potentially harmful substances, such as insecticides or cleaning fluids that contain chemicals.

A miscarriage could occur at any time up until the 28th week of a pregnancy, although they most usually happen between the 4th and 20th week, and especially during the first 13 weeks of a pregnancy. Women who experience a miscarriage are able to become pregnant again immediately. However, they should ensure they are physically and mentally prepared to do so, while also consulting with a maternal-fetal medicine specialist regarding any future pregnancies because a history of miscarriages significantly increases the risk of a future miscarriage occurring.