As a medical clinic we not only get to share in the joy of life and subsequent birth of many of our clients, but we’re also there to comfort, console and counsel women who deal with loss through miscarriage. Although the term may be very familiar to you, unless you have personally had a miscarriage the physical, mental, and emotional pain that goes along with it may be hard for you to understand.

What is a miscarriage?  Miscarriage is a somewhat loaded term — possibly suggesting that something was amiss in the carrying of the pregnancy. This is rarely true. Miscarriage is a spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week.  Approximately 10-20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, however the actual number could be much higher because many pregnancy losses occur before a woman even knows she is pregnant (Mayo Clinic, 2013).  In 2008, the United States CDC reported that 1,118,000 out of 6,578,000 total pregnancies ended in miscarriage (National Vital Statistics Reports, Vol. 60, No. 7, June 20, 2012).  Becoming aware of the occurrence of a miscarriage can help many in the decision making process if you are considering abortion or seeking an abortion clinic.

We try to encourage our Abortion Minded or Abortion Vulnerable clients to come receive an ultrasound to ensure that their pregnancy is in fact viable and will go to term. 

How do you know if you are having a miscarriage?  Most miscarriages occur before the 12th week of pregnancy.  Signs that you may be miscarrying might include vaginal spotting, pain or cramping in your pelvic area or back, or fluid or tissue passing from your vagina.  If you know you are pregnant and you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to seek care right away from a healthcare provider such as an OBGYN physician or through an emergency room (Mayo Clinic, July 9, 2013). 

If you or anyone you know is pregnant and begins to question if they are in fact having a miscarriage, advise them to seek medical attention right away.