Caring for Miscarriage in Northern California

A miscarriage is pregnancy loss before week 20. Most miscarriages occur in the first trimester (week one to week 12). Although most pregnancies proceed without complications, about 10 percent end in miscarriage.

If you think you’re having symptoms of miscarriage in Northern California, Dignity Health North State offers personalized, compassionate care. Find a Doctor at one of our hospitals to diagnose miscarriage and look out for your well-being every step of the way.

 

Symptoms & Signs of Miscarriage

Symptoms of miscarriage include: 

Light bleeding during pregnancy is very common and not necessarily a sign of miscarriage. That said, you should always call your doctor if you experience miscarriage symptoms. 

 

Causes of Miscarriage & Risk Factors

It’s often difficult to figure out why a miscarriage happened. The most common causes of miscarriage are:

  • Chromosome problems, which account for over half of first trimester miscarriages
  • Exposure to certain medications or chemicals
  • Exposure to environmental hazards, such as radiation
  • Infections
  • Abnormal hormone levels
  • Uncontrolled diabetes
  • Problems with the uterus or cervix, including cervical incompetence

The risk of miscarriage increases with age. Advanced maternal age is the No. 1 miscarriage risk factor. More than 30 percent of pregnancies in women over 40 years of age end in miscarriage. 

 

Treatments After Miscarriage at Dignity Health North State

If you have any miscarriage symptoms, especially bleeding, contact your doctor right away. If necessary, your provider will offer additional tests. It’s difficult to stop a miscarriage once it’s started. Doctors at Dignity Health North State provide both emotional and medical support for families going through miscarriage. 

Sometimes, fetal tissue remains in the womb after miscarriage. Doctors may use vacuum aspiration, where a small tube suctions remaining tissues from the uterus. Or, tissue may be removed with dilation and curettage (D&C), a procedure where a special surgical tool scrapes the inside of the uterus.

It typically takes a few weeks to a month to recover physically after miscarriage. Recovering emotionally can take longer. Many women and their partners go through a grieving process. The intensity of your feelings will ease over time. If you’re overwhelmed or unable to carry out your day, ask your doctor about our support groups or a referral to a therapist.

If and when you’re ready to conceive again, you can decrease your risk of miscarriage by: 

  • Medical care for pre-existing health conditions, such as diabetes
  • Avoiding alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and medications your doctor has not approved for pregnancy
  • Avoiding unsafe chemicals
  • Receiving regular pregnancy care

If you’ve experienced several miscarriages, your doctor may recommend additional testing to figure out the cause. Fortunately, most women who miscarry later have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. 

Dignity Health North State diagnoses miscarriage symptoms and cares for women’s physical, spiritual, and mental needs after miscarriage in Mt. Shasta, Red Bluff, and Redding, CA.