One in 4 women suffer from miscarriage
abu dhabi — One in every four women in the UAE could suffer from a miscarriage in her life, but still has more than 70 per cent chance of giving birth to a healthy full term baby, experts have said.
Dr Zahida Haq, specialist — obstetrics and gynaecology at Universal Hospital, said the experience is common among the women, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Dr Haq stressed that many patients often feel they are under great pressure from the society due to common stigmas, which leads to psychological issues post-miscarriage. “They feel ridiculed from those around them and are made to feel that it’s their fault.
“The patient has nothing to do with the loss of her baby, especially if it occurred in the first trimester, which is often related to chromosomal abnormalities of the foetus.”
Dr Haq pointed out that the women who go through the experience of miscarriage, still have more than 70 per cent chance of having a healthy pregnancy. She said one patient had five repeated miscarriages, until she was finally able to give birth to a healthy baby.
Dr Haq noted that it is always difficult for any doctor, including herself, to break the ‘bad news’ to a patient, who expects to be a mother. “It has to be dealt with a sympathetic approach, which usually involves the partner.”
She added that besides the pain of a loss, miscarriage puts a great psychological stress on the mother.
“This is especially evident for
Having a miscarriage doesn’t significantly increase the chance of another miscarriage. I know patients who had multiple miscarriages and were able to have four healthy children.” Dr Alain Abdallah, specialist — obstetrics, gynaecology at Bareen Int’l Hospital
women who were trying to get pregnant for a long time, or by using alternative methods, such as IVF treatments.
“Miscarriage is a time that requires support, including from the doctor, from work, from her family and her partner.”
Top risk factors
Dr Alain Abdallah, specialist — obstetrics and gynaecology at Bareen International Hospital, said each month, the hospital receives around 20 patients who suffer from a miscarriage.
He explained that a miscarriage, which occurs in the first 20 weeks of the pregnancy, and stillbirths — which occur after 20 weeks of pregnancy — are largely related to chromosomal abnormalities. This involves incorrect formation and development of the genes as well as the chromosomal arrangement of the foetus.
The patient has nothing to do with the loss of her baby, especially if it occurred in the first trimester, which is often related to chromosomal abnormalities of the foetus.”
Dr Zahida Haq, specialist — obstetrics and gynaecology at Universal Hospital
“This is the most common cause of miscarriage, making up around 80 per cent, which occur before the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.”
Other risk factors that might lead to miscarriages include infections in the genital system, alcohol consumption, obesity, thyroid problems, auto-immune disorders, cardiac diseases, diabetes and smoking. “Your lifestyle can predict your risk for miscarriage,” he warned.
Dr Abdallah pointed out that women who are exposed to chemicals are also at the risk of miscarriages. These women include pharmacists dealing with drugs as well as other women in the health sector dealing with chemotherapy drugs.
He stressed that exposure to high-concentration household cleaning products is another great risk factor. “Even if it doesn’t lead to a miscarriage, it might lead to the baby having malformation.”
Moreover, age plays a vital role in the risk of miscarriage.
“After the age of 35, the risk of miscarriage will increase exponentially, due to higher chances of genetically abnormal babies.”
Dr Abdallah said although miscarriages are common in the UAE, it is crucial for women to find healthy ways of dealing with the loss, with as much support as possible. He noted that patients should be provided with physiological and social assistance, if needed.
“Every pregnancy is precious. Any baby is precious to its parents, whether it reached 10 weeks or 20 weeks.
“Having a miscarriage doesn’t significantly increase the chance of another miscarriage. I know patients who had multiple miscarriages and were able to have four healthy children.”