by Motherhood can be a happy experience, but when the experience is hampered by a miscarriage, the pain lingers. Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji has revealed a personal tragedy she experienced in silence during the Covid-19 pandemic. Rani, married to filmmaker Aditya Chopra and mother of a daughter named Adira, was expecting a second child. But she miscarried five months into her pregnancy in 2020.
Rani Mukerji reportedly opened up about her miscarriage for the first time at a film festival in Melbourne. She kept quiet about her own experience of losing her child when releasing or promoting her film Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, the story of a mother fighting for custody of her children.
What is a miscarriage?
A loss of pregnancy just 20 weeks into the pregnancy is known as a miscarriage. Sometimes a baby develops slowly or does not grow enough to survive. When a miscarriage occurs, a woman tends to fall into the trap of blaming herself for the unfortunate incident. However, this often happens without the woman being responsible. Chromosomal abnormalities, hormonal imbalance, infection, health problems or some unforeseen incidents can lead to miscarriage.
Most importantly, a woman should take good care of herself after a miscarriage to avoid any further complications in a future pregnancy. Dealing with a miscarriage is hard enough, and myths make it worse than ever.
Health Shots contacted Dr. Gayatri Deshpande, Senior Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nanavati Max Super Specialty Hospital, Mumbai, to find out about some common myths surrounding miscarriage.
Myth: A miscarriage hinders a future pregnancy
Do: “Many women believe that miscarriages are not very common and that once they occur, they will also lead to complications in future pregnancies. In fact, a first-trimester miscarriage is possible in 30 percent of women. However, repeated miscarriages only occur in 1 percent of women. Therefore, the chances of having a healthy pregnancy after a natural miscarriage are very good,” says the expert.
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Myth: Miscarriage is hereditary
Do: The reasons for a miscarriage differ from person to person. Miscarrying other family members can be pure coincidence. It is mistakenly believed that miscarriages are hereditary. It is important to remember that every pregnancy is unique and the chances of a successful pregnancy after a previous miscarriage are usually high.
Also read: 3 signs of miscarriage to watch out for
Myth: Miscarriage is due to infection and weight lifting
Fact: The expert says, “The fact is that 50 percent of miscarriages are due to chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus. Often, nature responds to a call not to pursue an unhealthy pregnancy and results in a miscarriage. It is crucial to consult a medical professional to determine the cause of the miscarriage and to receive appropriate advice for future pregnancies. Additionally, taking care of your physical and emotional well-being during this time is essential to support the healing process and increase the chances of a successful pregnancy in the future.
Myth: Spotting or spotting is always a sign of miscarriage
Fact: Spotting or bleeding can occur with implantation of a low embryo or placenta, or from local causes such as a small polyp at the cervix or mouth of the uterus. These causes can be successfully treated with medication.
Myth: There is no way to stop miscarriages
Fact: “Many women believe that conception is not possible until three months after the miscarriage. The fact is that women begin to ovulate within 6 weeks after a miscarriage. However, it’s a good idea to wait until 2 months after a miscarriage for full recovery before trying to conceive again. This allows the body to heal and reduces the risk of complications in future pregnancies,” explains the expert.
You should contact a healthcare professional for advice and support during this time.
