Threatened miscarriage usually occurs during the first trimester, typically within the first 13 weeks of pregnancy. Symptoms include minor vaginal bleeding, which may be accompanied by abdominal cramps.
Threatened miscarriage does not always lead to pregnancy loss. In fact, over half of women who experience symptoms while pregnant continue with their pregnancy without further issue. However, symptoms of Threatened miscarriage require assessment by a doctor, who may recommend ongoing monitoring.
Watchful waiting is often the preferred method of treating threatened miscarriage. In this case, tests will be conducted that evaluate a person’s hormone levels, which can give an indication as to the health of the pregnancy.
Your doctor may also recommend taking the hormone progesterone, which can facilitate a healthy pregnancy. Progesterone may be taken orally, or it may be administered intravenously or in a suppository. Your doctor may also encourage you to avoid strenuous activities until the symptoms pass.
Threatened miscarriages may result from one or more of the following risk factors:
Leading a healthy lifestyle, which entails eating right, avoiding cigarettes and alcohol, and maintaining a reasonable weight, can also reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy. However, it is not possible to prevent threatened miscarriage or stop pregnancy loss. That is why women are encouraged to work with their doctors to determine the viability of their pregnancy and take the right steps when it comes to treatment.