Search Results for: blog common miscarriage myths

Misdiagnosed Miscarriages

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Occasionally, women who are diagnosed with a miscarriage after an episode of cramping and bleeding go on to have a healthy pregnancy. It’s called misdiagnosed miscarriage, and it happens more than you might think. What is worse is that many women are pressured to end their “doomed” pregnancy medically via D&C or other means. Miscarriages can be misdiagnosed when the estimated date of conception is off. When the ultrasound is done, the doctor may expect to see an embryo of a certain size, but if the dates are off, the baby may not be visible yet. This may lead the … Continue reading →

Pregnancy Exercise Myths

Most experts say exercise is good for mom and baby, as long as the pregnancy is healthy and there are no complications. In fact, many doctors discuss the benefits with patients or offer handouts regarding exercise. Despite the recommendation of doctors, midwives and various medical associations, certain myths are persistent. Here are a few of the more common myths. If you have ever had a problem in a pregnancy, you can never exercise during any pregnancy: While this can be the case, it is often not. A past complication or miscarriage likely has nothing to do with exercise, whether it … Continue reading →

Emotional Recovery After Miscarriage

The emotional recovery after a miscarriage is often much more difficult than the physical recovery. The process takes longer as well. Months and even years after a loss, the pain can suddenly seem fresh again. One of the most difficult parts of emotional recovery is the reaction of the people in your life. Some people are very supportive and sympathetic. Others either disregard the depth of your feelings or discount the real pain you are experiencing. Most people mean well. They may say things that seem insensitive. This is usually because they are trying to make you feel better or … Continue reading →

When to Try Again After a Miscarriage

Suffering a miscarriage is a traumatic experience for most women. If you have been trying to conceive, the loss can seem even more overwhelming. Women react differently to a miscarriage. Some are terrified of getting pregnant again. For other women, the loss only intensifies the desire for a baby. These women want to try again as soon as possible after the loss. One of the first questions you may have after your miscarriage is when is it safe to try again? Unfortunately, it can be difficult to get a clear answer to this question. Some doctors may tell you to … Continue reading →

What Is Listeriosis?

Your prenatal care provider may have suggested that you avoid certain foods like soft cheeses and deli meats during pregnancy. In case you are wondering why, here’s the lowdown on a nasty food borne illness called Listeriosis. Listeriosis is caused by a bacteria called Listerium monocytogenes. Pregnant women and their babies can be seriously affected by Listeriosis, which can cause blood infections, meningitis, and other serious and life threatening complications. Fortunately, it is a relatively rare illness, with about 2500 cases annually in the United States. It is very serious, though, and can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, and infections … Continue reading →

Sorting Out Pregnancy Advice

The big problem with being pregnant is the slew of conflicting advice that comes flying in from every direction. How is a poor girl supposed to know what is true and what is not? One doctor says you’re not gaining enough weight while another says you’re gaining too much. One book says you’re not supposed to eat lunch meat and another says it’s okay if you cook it first. Some people say caffeine is okay and some people say it increases your risk for miscarriage. What is true and what is not? Whenever there is conflict about something, someone has … Continue reading →

Always Get a Second Opinion

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According to a recent news piece in the Irish Times, a woman was told at an early prenatal appointment last year that her baby had died. She was given an abortive drug and set up an appointment to have the fetus removed. When she continued to suffer morning sickness, she decided to get a second opinion. It’s a good thing she went with her gut instinct, because it turned out that the baby was just fine. It’s extremely important, particularly in early pregnancy, to request a follow up scan if the first ultrasound seems to indicate the pregnancy is not … Continue reading →

Book Review: Hands Off My Belly!

I have a bad habit of starting about five new books or novels at the same time and it ends up taking me months to finish just one of them. Maybe one day when all my children are in school I will have the time to sit down and finish a book in a few days like I used to in college; but that is just the way things go when you are chasing a little one around the house. If you are pregnant for the first time, you probably have a lot of time on your hands, and if … Continue reading →

Spotting During Early Pregnancy

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When I was about six weeks pregnant with my son, I started experiencing intermittent spotting and became very concerned. I called my doctor right away and scheduled an exam and some blood work. The doctor ended up doing an ultrasound and was unable to find anything wrong with the baby. He diagnosed me with a sensitive cervix and ordered pelvic rest (no sex!) for two weeks. He also told me to get plenty of rest and drink lots of water. After a few days the spotting stopped and did not return for the rest of my pregnancy. Spotting can be … Continue reading →

When to Worry About Spotting in Pregnancy

Realizing you are spotting is one of the scariest moments in a pregnancy. It immediately brings fear of miscarriage to mind. However, there are several causes of spotting in pregnancy. Some are potentially dangerous and others are less serious. Spotting isn’t all that uncommon. According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, about twenty percent of pregnant women experience spotting in the first trimester of pregnancy. While spotting may not be cause for alarm, you should always report it to your health care provider. Spotting is one of the main symptoms of a miscarriage, so call your doctor and … Continue reading →