Miscarriage
Miscarriage, also referred to as spontaneous abortion, is the loss of a fetus before the 20th week of pregnancy. This is considered a common event when it occurs in the first-trimester. The risk of miscarriage is lower for younger women and higher for older women. Among women with clinically recognized pregnancy, the rate of miscarriage is approximately 15%[1] and 50% of all conceptions.[2] Most miscarriages occur within the first 7 weeks of pregnancy. Loss of a fetus after the 20th week of pregnancy is no longer considered miscarriage but preterm delivery and requires different medical care.
| Causes | Genetics, Infections, Smoking, Environmental Toxins |
|---|---|
| See Also | Women's Health |
| Books | Books on Women's Health |
| Articles | Articles on Women's Health |
Naturopathic Assessment
Causal Factors
In order to stimulate the innate ability of the body to heal the causes of disease must be identified and addressed. With recurring miscarriage, the causes are variable and include lifestyle and environmental factors. A detailed assessment is required to determine which factors are contributing to miscarriage.
Lifestyle
- Malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies can increase the risk of miscarriage.
Social
- Stressful situations have been known to trigger a miscarriage.
Environmental
- Viral infections such as the Coxsackie B virus, and the cytomegalovirus may be associated with miscarriages.[3], [4]
- Acute infections such as Dengue infection may trigger a miscarriage.[5]
- Environmental toxins may contribute to the risk of miscarriages, especially recurring miscarriages.
External
- Smoking cigarettes increases the risk of miscarriage.[6]
- Trauma
- Trauma to the uterus or abdomen may result in a miscarriage.
Medical Interventions
- Prescription Medications
- Some prescription medications may increase the risk of miscarriage.
Genetics
- Chromosomal abnormalities
- Structural malformations of the uterus can result in spontaneous abortions.[6]
Diagnostic Testing
The diagnosis of a miscarriage is confirmed based on:
- Physical and pelvic exam
- Blood tests including the hCG levels
- Imaging studies including an ultrasound
Related Symptoms and Conditions
The conditions associated with miscarriages include:
- Inadequate progesterone production
- Immunologic rejection
Characteristics
If a miscarriage occurs early it may be asymptomatic. The further along the pregnancy the more likely the miscarriage or spontaneous abortion will be associated with the following
- Low back pain
- Dull, sharp, or cramping abdominal pain
- Tissue or clot-like material that passes from the vagina
- Vaginal bleeding
- Abdominal cramps
Naturopathic Treatment
The goal of naturopathic treatment is to support and work in tandem with the healing power of the body and to address the causal factors of disease with individual treatment strategies. If you suspect that you are having a miscarriage it is best to go the hospital. Naturopathic care is aimed at the prevention of miscarriages, especially recurring miscarriages.
It is always advisable to work with a naturopathic doctor before engaging in any treatment plan.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle recommendations include:
- Dietary recommendations
- Ensure you drink adequate water.
- Moderate exercise is beneficial. Avoid strenuous exercises after pregnant especially if you are high risk for miscarriages.[7]
- The guidelines for exercise and pregnancy are as follows:[8]
- All women without contraindications should be encouraged to participate in aerobic and strength-conditioning exercises as part of a healthy lifestyle during their pregnancy.
- Reasonable goals of aerobic conditioning in pregnancy should be to maintain a good fitness level throughout pregnancy without trying to reach peak fitness or train for an athletic competition.
- Women should choose activities that will minimize the risk of loss of balance and fetal trauma.
- Women should be advised that adverse pregnancy or neonatal outcomes are not increased for exercising women.
- Initiation of pelvic floor exercises in the immediate postpartum period may reduce the risk of future urinary incontinence.
- Women should be advised that moderate exercise during lactation does not affect the quantity or composition of breast milk or impact infant growth.
- Deep relaxing breathing is beneficial at reducing the impact of stress on the body. It can also decrease the impact of anxiety associated with a concern of miscarriages.
- Ensure that you get adequate sleep when pregnant.
Naturopathic Therapies
Naturopathic Therapies for miscarriage include:
- Vitamins such as Vitamin E
- Minerals such as Zinc
- Other supplements such as bioflavonoids.
- Botanical remedies such as Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus), Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa ),[10], [11] Black haw root (Viburnum prunifolium ), and False unicorn root (Chamaelirium luteum ).[9]
- Homeopathic remedies such as Aletris, Caulophyllum, Cimicifuga, Sabina, Sepia.[12], [13]
- Acupuncture may be helpful in the preventing recurring miscarriages.
References
Reviewed by Iva Lloyd, BScH, RPE, ND [1]
- ↑ Ford HB, Schust DJ (2009) Recurrent pregnancy loss: etiology, diagnosis, and therapy Rev Obstet Gynecol; Vol2(2):76-83. PMID: 19609401.
- ↑ Wieringa-de Waard M, Bonsel GJ, Ankum WM, Vos J, Bindels PJ (2002 Oct) Threatened miscarriage in general practice: diagnostic value of history taking and physical examination Br J Gen Pract; Vol52(483):825-9. PMID: 12392123.
- ↑ Axelsson C, Bondestam K, Frisk G, Bergström S, Diderholm H (Apr 1993) Coxsackie B virus infections in women with miscarriage. 'J Med Virol;39(4):282-5. PMID: 8388026.
- ↑ Frisk G, Diderholm H (Mar 1992) Increased frequency of coxsackie B virus IgM in women with spontaneous abortion. J Infect;24(2):141-5. PMID: 1314861.
- ↑ Tan PC, Soe MZ, Si Lay K, Wang SM, Sekaran SD, Omar SZ (May 2012) Dengue infection and miscarriage: a prospective case control study. PLoS Negl Trop Dis;6(5):e1637. PMID: 22590658.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Rakel RE, Rakel D (2011) Chapter 21: Obstetrics In Textbook of Family Medicine, 8th Edition. Elsevier.
- ↑ Stevenson L (Jan 1997) Exercise in pregnancy. Part 1: Update on pathophysiology. Can Fam Physician;43:97-104. PMID: 9626428.
- ↑ Davies GA, Wolfe LA, Mottola MF et al. (Jun 2003) Exercise in pregnancy and the postpartum period. J Obstet Gynaecol Can';25(6):516-29. PMID: 12806453.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Hudson T (2007) Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine: Alternative Therapies and Integrative Medicine for Total Health. McGraw-Hill.
- ↑ Godfrey Anthony, Saunders Paul Richard, Barlow Kerry, Gilbert Cyndi, Gowan Matthew, Smith Fraser 2010 Principles and Practices of Naturopathic Botanical Medicine, Vol 1: Botanical Medicine Monographs, CCNM Press, Toronto
- ↑ Boon Heather, Smith Michael 2004 The Complete Natural Medicine Guide to the 50 Most Common Medicinal Herbs, Robert Rose, Toronto
- ↑ Hershoff Asa 2000 Homeopathic Remedies, A Quick and Easy Guide to Common Disorders and their Homeopathic Treatments, Avery Publishing Group, New York
- ↑ Ullman Robert, Reichenberg-Ullman Judyth 1997, Homeopathic Self-Care, the quick and easy guide for the whole family. Prima Publishing
