Can you have a miscarriage at 5 months?

Can you have a miscarriage at 5 months?

As you enter the 5th month or the 17th week of your pregnancy, the chances of having a miscarriage reduce. This does not mean that you cannot suffer from a miscarriage at 5 months. Though rare, there are several instances of women who have been through a miscarriage at 5 months pregnant. Studies show that the risks of miscarriage at 5 months are less than 1%. In case you suffer from loss of pregnancy in the 20th week, it is regarded as a stillbirth, not a miscarriage.

What are the causes of a miscarriage at 5 months?

There are several different factors that could lead to a miscarriage at 5 months, some of which include:

• An incompetent or weakened cervix
• Problems with the placenta, which include placental abruption, placental previa and placental infections
• Certain prenatal tests, namely chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis conducted between the 15th and 18th week
• Lack of adequate nutrition or prenatal supplements, which prevents the baby from growing properly
• Structural abnormalities in the uterus, or the presence of fibroids
• Medical problems like hypertension, thyroid disorders and diabetes
• Infections or sexually transmitted diseases
• History of abortions or miscarriages in the past

Unfortunately, in several cases, doctors cannot determine the exact causes of a miscarriage.

What are the signs of miscarriage at 5 months?

There are several signs and symptoms of a miscarriage at 5 months. Given below are some of the most common miscarriage at 5 months symptoms:

• Heavy vaginal bleeding
• Cramps in the abdominal area
• Pain in the lower back
• Spotting and discharge
• Passage of blood clots and tissue from the vagina
• Tightness or a bloated sensation in the stomach

In some cases, women also experience severe shoulder pain, which is indicative of internal bleeding caused by miscarriage in the second trimester. In case you notice any of these symptoms, it is absolutely essential for you to inform your doctor and go through a physical checkup.

At times, these symptoms may be absent, even when there has been a miscarriage. However, in such instances, you will notice that the usually signs of pregnancy, like morning sickness, breast tenderness, frequent urination, food cravings or aversions and so on are no longer evident. The absence of pregnancy symptoms is also a cause for concern; you need to let your doctor know about it immediately.

Several women have had normal and healthy babies, in spite of experiencing the symptoms of miscarriage at 5 months. You need to seek immediate medical help as soon as you notice any of the symptoms. Your doctor can conduct tests to check for ways of averting a possible miscarriage.

Submitted by N on August 19, 2011 at 01:42

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