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A miscarriage is a very traumatising event that affects a lot of people worldwide. If you have ever been pregnant and experienced a miscarriage, you would know how deeply traumatising the situation can be.
There is a lot of information about miscarriages you can find in different sources, and not all of this information is always correct. Here we will try to debunk some common myths associated with miscarriages and also talk about the emotional impact of these myths. By the end of this article, you may have more clarity about miscarriages.
Common Myths and Facts About Miscarriages
Myth 1: Miscarriages Are Rare:Miscarriage is more common than is widely known. According to research conducted by NCBI, in India, 4.9% of pregnancies end in a miscarriage, with 23% of these occurring within the first trimester, that is, the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Fact: Miscarriages are not, in fact, as rare as generally believed to be. It is important to remember that miscarriages are a common experience and seek support based on that knowledge. A miscarriage can be both emotionally and physically draining, which is why seeking resources for support is important. There are online support groups available for you to join if you have been through a miscarriage.
Myth 2: Miscarriages Are A Mother’s Fault:
A mother’s lifestyle choices are not the cause of a miscarriage. You may have heard that things like overexercising, consuming too much caffeine, or diet changes can cause miscarriages. The truth is that none of these things can trigger a miscarriage and are generally safe unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
Fact: In most cases, miscarriages occur due to chromosomal abnormalities in the developing foetus, something that is entirely out of anyone’s control. Miscarriages caused by chromosomal abnormalities mostly occur during the first trimester.
This myth can cause the pregnant woman to feel unnecessary guilt and shame. She ends up blaming herself, which can be an isolating experience, given how difficult it is to express this self-blame to people.
Myth 3: One Miscarriage Indicates Future Pregnancy Loss:
Having one miscarriage does not determine the same outcome for your future pregnancies. It is understandable to feel anxious about future pregnancies if you have had a miscarriage. Having this myth in your mind can cause a lot of fear and anxiety about future pregnancies. The trauma of the event can stay fresh in your mind long after it happens. It is important to seek out professional help in the form of therapy after going through a miscarriage. It is also important to talk to your doctor about all these fears. They will reassure you and provide you with a medical perspective on the likelihood of a miscarriage. Take your miscarriage as an individual event.
Fact: Most people go on to have successful, full-term pregnancies after miscarrying once. As long as you are emotionally and physically ready, you can try again. Just check with your doctor before trying. Your doctor will provide you with reassurance and guidance about your future pregnancies.
Myth 4: Vaginal bleeding and cramps are always signs of a miscarriage:
Vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramps are the most common symptoms of a miscarriage. However, they do not always mean you are having a miscarriage. This myth can make you hypervigilant about any cramp or spot of bleeding, causing a lot of anxiety. While it is absolutely normal to be aware and vigilant of the changes happening to you if they are causing you more stress than normal, seeking therapy might be the best idea for you.
Fact: Sometimes, these things can happen when your body is experiencing the many changes associated with pregnancy. However, if you experience these symptoms it is best to speak to your doctor regardless.
Myth 5: Miscarriages are always physically painful:
Miscarriages can be very painful, however, this is not always the case. Miscarriages can vary in the amount of physical symptoms, and pain.
Fact: While most miscarriages have cramping, the level of the cramping can vary. Some can be debilitating, while others can feel like menstrual cramps. The level of pain varies depending on the kind of miscarriage. A complete miscarriage happening at home might be more painful than an incomplete one that requires surgical intervention. Sometimes, women miscarry without even knowing they have done so. This happens if the miscarriage occurs before the fifth week of pregnancy. The woman may bleed and think it is her normal period.
Myth 6: You should keep your miscarriage private and never talk about it:
There is a lot of stigma around having a miscarriage, something that further isolates the woman going through it and causes her to blame herself. This myth is especially isolating and based on a lot of taboos and stigma.
Fact: The truth is you should talk about it as much as you can because speaking about it more will unburden you of the trauma you went through. Seek out support from a friend, or a family member, or join an online support group for the same.
Myth 7: Older pregnant women are most likely to miscarry:
Miscarriages can occur at any age, even though there is an incidence and risk factor with age and pregnancy. Having heard this myth so often, women can be hesitant to try to conceive past the age of 35. Even though these are considered to be advanced maternal age, there is no reason a woman will not go ahead and have a healthy pregnancy past this age. Just speak to your doctor for proper guidance on the subject.
Fact: Older women can go on to have safe, healthy, and successful pregnancies. If you are older, you might need to consult your doctor more often and take more precautions, but there is no reason why you should not conceive because of your age. In fact, more women are getting pregnant post the age of 35 now, given the kind of medical advancements we are seeing.
Myth 8: Miscarriages can be prevented:
There is a common myth going around that says that miscarriages can be prevented by using some supplements or by changing your diet. This myth places a lot of unnecessary pressure on the pregnant woman to ensure that the miscarriage does not occur, even though it is not in her hands.
Fact: This information is baseless since there is no way anyone can control or prevent a miscarriage. As listed above, miscarriages mostly occur due to chromosomal abnormalities, and there is no way to prevent those. During your pregnancy, it is important to have a well-balanced diet for better prenatal development, however, no diet will prevent a miscarriage.
Myth 9: Lifting Heavy Objects or Strenuous Activity Causes Miscarriage:
The myth that lifting heavy objects or any strenuous activity can cause a miscarriage is false. Basic, typical household activities like vacuuming, cleaning, or lifting boxes are safe.
Fact: While it is true that basic activities will not increase your risk of having a miscarriage, it is important to remember not to overexert yourself. Consult your doctor even if you are starting a new exercise routine.
Myth 10: Miscarriages Only Happen Early in Pregnancy:
Most miscarriages, that is, 80% of them happen in the first trimester. This can make people believe that it is not possible to have a miscarriage at other stages of pregnancy.
Fact: Miscarriages can occur at any stage of a pregnancy. About 5% of pregnancy losses can occur between the 13th and 19th weeks of pregnancy in the second trimester. Any miscarriage after the 20th week is known as a stillbirth.
Myth 11: You Can Prevent a Miscarriage with Bed Rest:
This myth is advice suggested on the grounds that hard work causes a miscarriage. There is no study proving the correlation between miscarriage and hard work.
Fact: There is no scientific evidence available to prove that bed rest can change the outcomes of a threatened miscarriage.
Myth 12: Stress Alone Can Cause a Miscarriage:
Stress is a very common symptom during pregnancy. Regular amounts of stress are normal and do not cause a miscarriage.
Fact: Daily, short-term stress does not lead to a miscarriage. However, stress can have a negative impact on your health and the baby’s development in the long run. Extreme, ongoing stress can increase the risk of pregnancy complications such as preterm birth and low birth weight.
Miscarriages are common and severely traumatising. If you have had a miscarriage, just know that you are not alone. Other women out there have gone through the same thing. You should join an online support group to help you through this event. Focus on your self-care and healing and once you feel ready, you can try to get pregnant again.
FAQs on Addressing Common Myths and Misconceptions About Miscarriages
- Are miscarriages common?
Miscarriages are more common than most people believe. A lot of women go through miscarriages. If you have had one, know that you are not alone. - Can a miscarriage be avoided?
A miscarriage is not caused by anything you did, so, unfortunately, there is nothing anyone can do to avoid them.
