Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/329829
Health and Wellness Magazine • 29 The harsh reality is that miscarriage happens in about 15 percent of all pregnancies, increasing in frequency with age, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. At age 45, a woman has a 50-percent chance of miscarrying. Defined as the loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks gestation, miscarriage most often happens in the first trimester, although a small number do occur between 13 and 19 weeks, as in Sova's case. Whether a miscarriage happens at six weeks or 16 weeks, it can be emotionally difficult. "When we found out that we'd lost her, we felt numb," says Katie Sova, 38, adding that the grief process takes time. "Many women are immediately guilt-ridden," says Dr. Lynn Barta, an OB/GYN hospitalist and vice chair of the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Rose Medical Center. "They rack their brains for the choices they may have made that led to their pregnancy loss." But, she says, it is important for parents to know there is no one to blame. uncontroLLabLe causes At least half of all miscarriages are caused by a chromosomal abnormality, which is something that occurs at fertilization and is out of anyone's control, says Dr. Steven Grover, an OB/GYN with Sky Ridge Medical Center. He adds that a low level of progesterone, the pregnancy hormone, can also initiate miscarriage, as can cervical issues, such as the cervix dilating too soon. Uterine abnormalities, the presence of scar tissue, or more rarely, maternal infections can also cause miscarriage, says Dr. Daniel Jacobson, an OB/GYN with both Sky Ridge and Rose medical centers. However, despite the many wonders of modern medicine, Jacobson says: "Many miscarriages are simply unexplained." timing-based Process When a miscarriage occurs, the first signs are often cramping and bleeding, although there may not be any physical signs initially, as in Sova's case. "Things were going fine, and I felt great, which is why it was such a shock," she says. In either instance, parents must decide how best to proceed. As long as the mother's health is good, she may allow the miscarriage to occur naturally. In this case, she will start to cramp more severely and bleed more heavily. This process typically occurs safely and without complications, although the timing can be unpredictable. If a miscarriage has been diagnosed, but bleeding hasn't begun, a physician can prescribe medication to expedite the process. Other times, an outpatient surgical procedure called a dilation and curettage, or D&C, is the best choice, which requires anesthesia. Normally after a D&C, women recover fairly easily with mild cramping and bleeding for a few days. In the rarer second-trimester by Courtney Messenbaugh Derrick and Katie Sova were thrilled when they learned they were pregnant with their third child. The Littleton couple had been trying for so long, they were considering giving up. An early blood test at 10 weeks revealed the sex: They were having a little girl. As Katie's belly began to round, they shared the news with friends and family, including the chosen name: Brooke Madeleine. Then, at a 16-week prenatal checkup, everything changed. After a nurse struggled to find the baby's heartbeat, the couple was whisked into an ultrasound room where the dreaded silence confirmed the worst: Katie Sova had miscarried. Katie & Derrick Sova walk with their daughter, Kendall, age 5, and son, Cooper, age 2 near their Centennial home.