Abortion therapy options

Synonyms in the broadest sense

Treatment options for abortion, curettage, scraping

Therapy options

If a miscarriage is suspected, the pregnant woman should be referred to a clinic immediately. During the therapy, a scraping (curettage) is usually carried out up to the 12th week of pregnancy. Any tissue material that may have been left behind is cleared out in order to stop further bleeding and prevent infections.

After the 12th week of pregnancy there is usually a birth be initiated.

Only in the case of abortion imminens that can still be stopped, measures such as physical rest, administration of magnesium, labor inhibitors (tocolytics) and possibly the administration of progestins have a chance of success.

The treatment of a septic / febrile abortion requires more specialized methods (see above).

First, a Antibiotic therapy, followed by a scraping. If this does not remove the infection, the source of the infection (uterus) must be removed.

Heparin is administered as a prophylaxis for a coagulation disorder that sometimes occurs in this context.

As with any other birth, of course one must Anti-D prophylaxis be made if the mother is rhesus negative and the father is rhesus positive. Otherwise there is a risk of haemolyticus neonatorum disease
(S. Pregnancy complication).

Info: Psychological help

Furthermore, it is very helpful for the affected couple to join a self-help group or to take advantage of professional psychological support, in order to prevent trauma, especially with the mother.

In the case of habitual abortions (see above), a genetic counseling be consulted, who can determine a genetic burden and thus also the risk of recurrence of a miscarriage by examination (chromosome analysis, hormone analysis, infection clarification, sonography) of the parents and possibly also of the dead child.

How can I recognize an impending miscarriage?

One should be careful during the pregnancy for symptoms such as vaginal Bleeding.

However, not every vaginal bleeding has to mean an impending miscarriage. Other causes can be:

• Endometriosis (ectopic uterine lining that also bleeds depending on the cycle)

• cervical cancer

• Injuries and inflammation of the Scabbard (Vagina) (caused by fungi, viruses, or bacteria;
  Please refer: Vaginal infection)

• Ectopic pregnancy (fallopian tube or ectopic pregnancy;
  Please refer: Pregnancy complications)

• Bleeding during implantation

If you bleed during pregnancy, you should still consult your gynecologist for further clarification. Also come convulsive stomach pain and / or a loss of amniotic fluid should be responded to particularly quickly. The occurrence of a high fever and / or purulent vaginal discharge should also be interpreted as warning signs. The gynecologist will then be able to give you more security through examination, ultrasound (child's heart rate, uterine growth?) And determination of the hCG value (pregnancy hormone).

What can you do yourself for prevention?

Since it is often not possible to name specific triggers for a miscarriage in individual cases, it is difficult to give a specific guideline. In any case, it is beneficial to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This of course includes a healthy diet and avoidance of stress and especially during pregnancy to refrain from consuming harmful substances (alcohol, drugs, nicotine, caffeine, Medication). Even dangerous sports, which could endanger pregnancy due to their high accident risk, should be avoided.

Furthermore, after a miscarriage, a new pregnancy should be waited for another 3 months.

What is the likelihood of recurrence after a miscarriage?

A specific number can hardly be given and depends heavily on the individual causes. However, the likelihood is increased compared to women without a previous miscarriage. However, if a specific cause can be discussed and eliminated, there is nothing to prevent a successful new pregnancy.