How to diagnose miscarriage
The female anatomy [see fig. 1], like any human anatomy, is very complex; therefore, it is inevitable that there is risk of complications during a pregnancy. The uterus, also known as the womb, is where embryo implantation occurs. If a fetus starts developing outside the womb, it is known as an ectopic pregnancy (Oxford University Press, 2015). An ectopic pregnancy will not develop into a baby due to the risk that it poses to the mother and the potential growing fetus, thus it will spontaneously miscarry (netdoctor, 2013) (NHS, 2015).
There are a number of ways in which doctors can identify a miscarriage.
Ultrasound Landmarks
During early pregnancy a trans-vaginal scan is used in order to get a clear image of a woman’s womb. When this scan procedure is carried out, doctors look for specific ‘landmarks’ at certain periods of the pregnancy to monitor the growth [refer to fig. 2]. By week 5, a gestation sac should be visible and normally by week 6 the yolk sac is visible along with the embryo. And at week 7 there should be amnion visible. Failure to identify these ‘landmarks’ at the associated gestational age may indicate a miscarriage – but a doctor cannot be certain therefore more tests can be carried out.
Blood Test
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Hormones such as progesterone and beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are good examples (NHS Choices, 2015). If hCG levels, for example, are monitored and said to be ‘slowly rising’, the most common reason is because it is a failed pregnancy (babymed, n.d.). Since the hormone is produced by the placenta, it is essential that there are adequate levels. hCG levels should continue to rise after implantation until about 10-12 weeks of gestation, and then the levels should stabilise, in order for the outcome to be a successful pregnancy (babymed,