Miscarriage

Miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week. About 10 to 20 percent of known pregnancies end in miscarriage. But the actual number is probably much higher because many miscarriages occur so early in pregnancy that a woman doesn't even know she's pregnant. Most miscarriages occur because the fetus isn't developing normally.

Miscarriage is a relatively common experience — but that doesn't make it any easier. Ending a pregnancy without a baby to hold in your arms is heartbreaking. Take a step toward emotional healing by understanding what can cause a miscarriage, what increases the risk and what medical care might be needed.

References:

1. Tulandi T, et al. Spontaneous abortion: Risk factors, etiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnostic evaluation. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 13, 2008.
2. Tulandi T. Patient information: Miscarriage. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 13, 2008.
3. Miscarriage. March of Dimes. http://www.marchofdimes.com/printableArticles/681_1192.asp?printable=true. Accessed Aug. 13, 2008.
4. Early pregnancy loss: Miscarriage and molar pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp090.cfm. Accessed Aug. 14, 2008.
5. Blighted ovum. American Pregnancy Association. http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/blightedovum.html. Accessed Aug. 14, 2008.
6. Puscheck EE, et al. The impact of male factor on recurrent pregnancy loss. Current Opinions in Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2007;19(3):222-228.
7. Tulandi T, et al. Spontaneous abortion: Management. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 13, 2008.
8. Cytotec (prescribing information). New York, N.Y.: Pfizer; 2006.
9. Cunningham, FG. First-trimester abortion. In: Schorge JO, et al. Williams Gynecology. 1st ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw Hill Companies; 2008. http://accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=514. Accessed Aug. 13, 2008.
10. Misoprostol: Drugdex DrugPoint Summary. Micromedex Healthcare Series. http://www.micromedex.com/. Accessed Sept. 19, 2008.
11. Sifakis S, et al. High-dose misoprostol used in outpatient management of first trimester spontaneous abortion, Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2005;272(3):183-186.
12. Blum J, et al. Treatment of incomplete abortion and miscarriage with misoprostol. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2007;99(2)(suppl):S186-S189.
13. Stephenson M, et al. Evaluation and management of recurrent early pregnancy loss. Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2007;50(1):132-45.
14. Patient's fact sheet: Recurrent pregnancy loss. www.asrm.org/Patients/FactSheets/recurrent_preg_loss.pdf. Accessed Sept. 25, 2008.

What Is The Cervix?

The cervix (or neck of the uterus) is the lower, narrow portion of the uterus where it joins with the top end of the vagina. It is cylindrical or conical in shape and protrudes through the upper anterior vaginal wall. 

Approximately half its length is visible with appropriate medical equipment; the remainder lies above the vagina beyond view. It is occasionally called "cervix uteri". 

During menstruation the cervix stretches open slightly to allow the endometrium to be shed. This stretching is believed to be part of the cramping pain that many women experience. Evidence for this is given by the fact that some women's cramps subside or disappear after their first vaginal birth because the cervical opening has widened. During childbirth, contractions of the uterus will dilate the cervix up to 10 cm in diameter to allow the child to pass through.

Stimulation of the cervix leads to orgasm for some women. During orgasm, the cervix convulses and the external os dilates. Dr. R. Robin Baker and Dr. Mark A. Bellis, both at the University of Manchester, first proposed that this behavior would tend to draw semen in the vagina into the uterus, increasing the likelihood of conception.