If your doctor told you that you are having a threatened miscarriage, you should know:
Many mothers with threatened miscarriage go on to have a complete pregnancy.
It is better to find and treat health problems (particularly systemic ones) before you get pregnant than to wait until you’re already pregnant.
Miscarriages are less likely if you receive early, comprehensive prenatal care and avoid environmental hazards such as x-rays, drugs and alcohol, high levels of caffeine, and infectious diseases. Being obese or having uncontrolled diabetes might be considerations in an increase of risk for miscarriage.
The use of progesterone is controversial. It might relax smooth muscles, including the muscles of the uterus. However, it also might increase the risk of an incomplete miscarriage or an abnormal pregnancy. Unless there is a luteal phase defect, progesterone should not be used – please, consult the prospect of using any method of progesterone with your healthcare provider. These might include Vitex Extract or Progesterone Crème. Before the use of progesterone, your provider may offer Endometrin.
The use of false unicorn root (or other herbs such as cramp bark) is also controversial. It is said to help “normalize” gynecological concerns with the uterus, including preventing miscarriage. This native US herb is said to help facilitate the release of hormones by the ovaries. Despite the claims to prevent miscarriage, there are warnings against using this herb in pregnancy. Please consult with your medical provider before attempting to use any herbs or other non-medical resources to sustain your pregnancy.
You may be told to avoid or restrict some forms of activity. Not having sexual intercourse is usually recommended until the warning signs have disappeared.
Remember A+B+C = abdominal pain, bleeding, cramping. These three together are signs of a probable miscarriage.
Questions for your provider can include the above as well as asking your provider to share their perspective and information regarding: beta HcG testing, progesterone level testing, antiphospholipids or anticardiolipids testing, and/or ultrasound.
Are you experiencing additional signs of miscarriage?
Additional suggestions later in pregnancy to avoid preterm labor and birth can include:
- basic health information from March of Dimes
- funneling cervix (incompetent cervix via Mayo Clinic)
- corticosteroids
- magnesium sulfate
- tocolytics
Our levels of augmentation page gives information regarding induction and augmentation, which you might contrast to the information on stalling or avoiding labor in any trimester.
Click here to go back to the different kinds of loss.
We also have information in our Getting Pregnant Again section that may prove helpful to you in this pregnancy – things that are encouraging, and other non-medical things you might consider.
You are invited to share your story here as well: please remember that sharing your story at stillbirthday is a way to express your feelings and share your experiences with other mothers – it is not to diagnose, treat or answer any medical questions.
