You have been longing for a baby. You finally get pregnant, and you start planning a family with your partner. After months of planning, you miscarry. Miscarriages are a common occurrence. Most miscarriages happen even before the mother is aware of the pregnancy. Read on to learn more about miscarriage at 12 weeks.
When Does Miscarriage Occur and What is Likely to Be the Cause?
Miscarriage is defined as loss of a baby between the date of you missed your period and 24th week into the pregnancy. A miscarriage can be described as late or early. An early miscarriage is a miscarriage at 12 weeks or earlier while a late miscarriage occurs between 12 and 24 weeks of pregnancy. If a baby dies during labor after 24 weeks of being pregnant or during child birth, it is called a stillbirth. Most miscarriages occur in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and are medically referred to as “early miscarriages”. They are caused by chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus. It is unlikely, but still possible, for a miscarriage to occur between 12 and 24 weeks, and it is mostly because the baby has genetic problems or the mother’s body has a condition like an incompetent cervix or structural issues with the uterus.
Signs of Miscarriage at 12 Weeks and Other Stages of Pregnancy
0-6 Weeks
Most women hardly know they are pregnant after their period shows up late a week or two. The miscarriage will just feel like a painful and heavy period. The only way to know if you actually miscarry is by taking a pregnancy test during the period. If you take the test a week or two afterwards, the results will be negative. You will not be able to tell if you had a late heavy period or you actually miscarried.
6-12 Weeks
You are likely to feel some cramping, pelvic pain or bleeding. The bleeding will start as spotting, but it will increase in the course of a day or two. The bleeding will be heavy to a point that it is heavier than a normal heavy period. The cramps will be mild at first, but they will be more intense as the bleeding increases.
12-20 Weeks
The bleeding and the severe pain will make you think you are going into labor. In some cases, the water might break yet you have no signs of labor or bleeding. This kind of miscarriage might be caused by an incompetent cervix.
Other Moms’ Experiences with Miscarriage at 12 Weeks
“I went for my scan hoping everything was fine. However, I was diagnosed with a miscarriage at 12 weeks of pregnancy. From my earlier scan, a strong heartbeat was established, and the baby seemed fine and was moving around. The news broke my heart into a million pieces. I cried for so long the midwife had to come talk to me and my husband. My husband is really supportive, but he is equally hurting.”
“I started noticing brown discharge and felt something was not right. My pregnancy symptoms also disappeared around the same time. When I went for my 12 week scan, there was no image. I was told to empty my bladder and an internal scan done. A mass was found and the hospital did not offer much of an explanation. I have been crying for a day, but my husband and midwife have really helped through this trying time of my life.”
How Should I Deal With a Miscarriage?
What Happens After a Miscarriage?
Depending on the circumstances and the stage of pregnancy, your doctor or midwife can ask you if you would like to see, hold or touch your baby. This is a very personal decision, and is pretty hard to make since you are not able to tell in advance if seeing the baby will help you in future. The doctor can try to describe the baby and assist you in making the tough decision. If you are not sure, you can ask for photos to be taken and look at them at a later date.
Some are sure that they would not want to see the baby while others are compelled by culture or religion not to see the baby. For others, they prefer making memories with photographs, footprints, handprints or getting a lock of hair from the baby. They use them to focus their grief. You can also get spiritual support. After your loss, you can go to the hospital’s chapel or the multi-faith room. There is no right or wrong way of dealing with the situation. The hospital personnel should give you all the support you require.
Dealing With the Loss
The first few weeks after the miscarriage at 12 weeks, you will experience intermittent period pain and vaginal bleeding. In most cases, the bleeding will stop on its own. However, if it goes on or the pain worsens, or you have foul vaginal discharge, consult your doctor immediately. There are chances that you have an infection or some tissues were left inside your uterus.
Usually in the first few weeks, a community midwife will care for you depending on where you are located. A bereavement councilor can be made available to you and stay as long as you need her.
A check-up after 6 weeks will be set up and a hospital appointment with your obstetrician. During the appointment, you can ask questions like the cause of the miscarriage, matters concerning future pregnancies, and if you wish you can discuss the postmortem results. You are likely to feel drained and tired after the miscarriage. You need to give your body time to recover from the unfortunate event. Your doctor can give you a note for your employer to allow you more time to rest. Accept the support that you will get from friends and family.