Handling Mood Swings and Facts about Miscarriage

If you haven't already, you may soon find yourself riding pregnancy's --

Handling mood swings

• Remind yourself that changes in emotions are normal now.
• Take steps to alleviate stress — exercise, sleep, talking it out, and eating right can all help.
• Explain to your partner and friends what's going on. If they understand the cause, they're less likely to take it personally.
• Try to use humor to deflate tense situations.
• Talk to your doctor if you feel very anxious or depressed.

Miscarriage

Spotting (finding spots of blood on your underpants or toilet tissue after urinating) or bleeding is common in early pregnancy, but sometimes it can be the first sign of miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy. If you have any spotting or bleeding, call your provider. Most miscarriages are the result of chromosomal defects that are so serious they prevent growth and development.

Chromosomal Defects...???

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Chromosomal Abnormalities

Chromosomal abnormalities can be caused by abnormalities that exist in the genetic structure of one or both parents. These abnormalities are not life threatening to the parents, but when passed to the embryo, they can cause miscarriage. Other abnormalities can result during conception and will only exist in the growing embryo. If miscarriage occurs, the cells from the embryo can be tested to determine the existence of abnormalities.

Most usually, chromosomal abnormalities are not treatable. Genetic counseling can offer guidance to couples on the chances of passing abnormalities to their children. Couples can then make informed decisions about continuing to try to conceive using their own eggs and sperm, trying donor eggs or sperm, looking further into adoption, or remaining childless.

Uterine Defects

Defects of the uterus can be caused by several factors. Some women are born with defects in the structure of the uterus caused by genetics or exposure in utero to certain chemicals.

Other defects can be caused by polyps (small growths in the uterine lining) or fibroids, which can cause problems with implantation of the embryo or retard the growth of the fetus, eventually leading to miscarriage.

Uterine defects can be diagnosed using hysterosalpingography, a procedure in which dye is injected into the uterus and then photographed using an X-ray (see Testing and Diagnosis). Treatment may include surgery to go in and reshape the uterus or remove polyps or fibroids.

Hormone Deficiencies

Progesterone is the hormone that is necessary to maintain the pregnancy. If this hormone is not present in sufficient quantities, the pregnancy will abort, sometimes even before it is detected.

This type of hormone deficiency can be treated with supplemental progesterone given during the luteal phase or the first trimester of pregnancy when an inadequate corpus luteum is suspected. Supplemental progesterone is also given during superovulation cycles such as IVF or GIFT to counteract the increased levels of estrogen produced by multiple follicles. Progesterone supplementation is often maintained through the first trimester of these pregnancies to ensure adequate levels.

Zeb Bahi

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