| Dealing with miscarriage |
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| Your Life |
| Wednesday, 21 January 2009 14:19 |
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Causes... What happens and why Dr Duru Shah of Gynaecworld, Mumbai, explains that a miscarriage is a spontaneous loss of pregnancy which occurs before the second trimester. There are several causes for this. For example, disturbance in the hormones (caused by thyroid or diabetes) can result in a miscarriage. Or an abnormality in the uterus caused by the presence of a fibroid can affect the pregnancy. A woman who is infected with rubella or toxoplasmosis can transmit it to the foetus, causing hindrance to its development. The foetus will also be affected if the mother has high fever due to viral or bacterial infection. A woman who has an incompetent cervix, which may have occurred due to a previous surgery or delivery, suffers from a congenital defect because of which the womb lining has become delicate and the uterus cannot hold the baby. If the mother is suffering from autoimmune diseases, then her body is likely to reject the baby. Sometimes, if a baby is malformed, an abortion occurs naturally.†Baroda-based Dr Pankaj Desai, noted gynaecologist and author of Recurrent Miscarriages, says, “About half of all early miscarriages happen because of a problem in the way genetic material from the egg and sperm has combined during fertilisation. It can be difficult to find out why this has happened but it is more likely to be due to random chance than to any underlying problem with either parent. Imbalances in pregnancy hormones, problems in the immune system, and some serious infections (not minor coughs or colds) are also thought to make miscarriages more likely. The risk of miscarriage increases with age, because the quality of eggs deteriorates. If a woman drinks too much alcohol or smokes heavily, the risk of a miscarriage is higher. It is also increased with multiple pregnancies, such as twins.†In her book Fetal Attraction, Dr Shah asserts that eating raw papaya, bitter herbs like neem or karela (bitter gourd) and eggs cannot result in a miscarriage, despite all the midwives' tales to the contrary. First trimester miscarriages are very common; and mostly take place due to genetic abnormality and there is nothing that could be done to prevent or to stop it once the process is set in motion. Dr Desai says, “Immunological, anatomical and, to a small extent, hormonal causes of pregnancy loss can be prevented. However, others, like genetic causes, may be difficult to present. Local myths like eating papaya or riding on a two-wheeler or sexual intercourse causing miscarriage have been found to be unscientific and completely baseless.†Effects... and how to deal with them Dr Hingorrany explains that patients are often referred to her by a gynecologist. She says, “We use a term called postpartum miscarriage to help the patient understand that the anxiety is due to hormonal fluctuations. Just like a woman, after delivery, suffers from postpartum depression, a woman who has miscarried suffers from postpartum miscarriage. Sometimes, women suffer from postpartum psychosis which is extreme and rare. The patient needs to understand that miscarriage occurs due to a clinical problem in the body not because of her food habits, lifestyle or past karma.†It is often believed that a miscarriage affects only a woman but that is not the case. Bryant writes that even fathers undergo depression but are not likely to express and acknowledge their emotions. Dr Hingorrany agrees, saying that it depends on the personality of the man. A hyperactive husband leaves the wife under medical care and doesn't try to understand how she feels. But a sensitive husband feels low and depressed. He also attends counselling sessions and provides support to the wife. Dr Desai says, “The psychological effects that miscarriage has on women (and men) can lead to many diagnosed disorders due to the extreme stress caused by a traumatic event. Feelings of loneliness and threat to self-esteem and integrity are merely the superficial side effects of loss. Parents become at-risk for drug and alcohol abuse, spousal and self abuse, intense anger and depression followed by a decrease of involvement in previously intriguing activities.†According to him, grief is a large part of dealing with miscarriage effectively. However, if grieving goes untreated or undirected, the individual can turn the feelings of anger, failure and inadequacy inward where feelings are more difficult to face and incorporate into daily life. In addition, women who miscarry may also lack the emotional and social support from friends, family and professionals which leads to increased stress as a result of an inability to express feelings. Society tends to suppress the healthy mourning and grief process, perhaps because the topic is uncomfortable to talk about but nonetheless, this suppression adds to the increased risk of further psychological dysfunction. |
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Losing a baby is traumatic for even the strongest among us. If you or anyone around you has had to face this mind-numbing pain, you probably need some coping mechanisms. M&B hears your needs and gets you some expert help 