Pregnancy is a beautiful and special experience for many women. It is filled with joy and anticipation for the future for both the mother and the family. Unfortunately, for some women, the experience of pregnancy also comes with a variety of complications and issues. One such issue is hot flashes, which can be an early sign of pregnancy as well as a potential symptom of miscarriage. While hot flashes during early pregnancy can be a cause for concern, it is important to note that they may not always indicate a miscarriage. In this blog post, we will discuss the causes and effects of hot flashes during early pregnancy, and the symptoms of miscarriage that may accompany them. We will also look at what steps a woman should take if she is experiencing hot flashes during early pregnancy. By understanding more about their causes and effects, women can be better prepared to manage their health and make informed decisions throughout their pregnancy.
What are the risk factors for miscarriage?
Researchers have identified several risk factors for miscarriage. However, not everyone with risk factors will experience a miscarriage, and not everyone who experiences a miscarriage has these risk factors.
The risk of miscarriage increases with the age of the pregnant person. The risk of miscarriage at ages 20–30 years is 8.9%. The risk increases to 74.7% past the age of 40 years.
Experiencing a previous miscarriage increases the risk of miscarriage in subsequent pregnancies.
| Medical history | Risk of miscarriage in a future pregnancy |
| 1 miscarriage | 20% |
| 2 consecutive miscarriages | 28% |
| 3 or more consecutive miscarriages | 43% |
Although previous miscarriage is a key risk factor, the ACOG notes that repeat miscarriages are rare.
Additional risk factors for miscarriage include:
Consult your OB-GYN or midwife if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant to learn about your specific risk factors and preventative measures.
What are the treatments following a miscarriage?
Contact your OB-GYN or midwife right away if you are pregnant or suspect you might be pregnant and you experience miscarriage symptoms. They will examine your pelvis and look for dilation and lost fetal tissue in your cervix. To confirm that a miscarriage has occurred if you have been bleeding, they may ask you to keep and bring in a sample.
If there are no signs of an infection, you may choose to allow fetal tissue to pass naturally from the uterus. This process may take up to 2 weeks. Your doctor may also prescribe medications that induce contractions to expel any remaining tissue.
When fetal tissue is still present in the uterus, a dilation and curettage (D and C) procedure is used by doctors. They will dilate the cervix first with a speculum, and then they will remove tissue from the uterus with a tiny instrument called a curette.
What are the symptoms of a miscarriage?
Bleeding and cramping in the abdomen and pelvis are the most common symptoms of miscarriage.
During the first trimester of pregnancy, light bleeding, also known as spotting, is typical. However, more significant bleeding may be a sign of a potential miscarriage. If you are worried about vaginal bleeding during your pregnancy, speak to your obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) or midwife.
Symptoms of a miscarriage include:
The fetal tissue that is still inside the uterus in cases of incomplete miscarriage is at risk for infection. Because of an infection in the uterus, septic miscarriage is a potentially fatal condition that can happen.
If you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant and experience any of the following signs or symptoms, call 911 right away.
If you are pregnant or suspect you might be pregnant and have any non-emergency symptoms that worry you, consult your OB-GYN or midwife.
Chromosomal irregularities, including incorrect numbers of certain chromosomes, are the most common causes of miscarriage. Up to 50% of miscarriages occur for this reason.
Many misconceptions exist about activities or habits that cause miscarriage. However, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) explains that miscarriage occurs randomly and is not the fault of the pregnant person.
Things that do not cause miscarriage include:
Only a small number of medications, according to the ACOG, can raise the risk of miscarriage. If you take any medications, discuss with your OB-GYN whether you can continue taking them while pregnant.
FAQ
What are the signs of an impending miscarriage?
- cramping and pain in your lower tummy.
- a discharge of fluid from your vagina.
- a discharge of tissue from your vagina.
- no longer experiencing the symptoms of pregnancy, such as feeling sick and breast tenderness.
What are 3 signs that a woman is having a miscarriage?
Are hot flashes normal in early pregnancy?
How can you tell the difference between a miscarriage and early pregnancy?