QuestionHi,
I was wondering if it was possible to misscarry and not know it. Can you possibly misscarry and have the fetus (or some of it) still inside you? Also, is it possible for male drug/alcohol users to cause harm to an unborn baby in the form of birth defects? In a situation close to me, the mother doesn't touch any drugs or alcohol, never did, but the father was a heavy user of Oxycontin and alcohol before the baby was conceived.
AnswerDear Kristen,
Thank you for your question. Where are you writing from?
The answer to all your questions is YES.
When a miscarriage occurs without being expelled from the uterus, it is called a "missed abortion". These don't occur very commonly, but do occur. In most cases, the uterus continues to have bleeding and cramping, which is what alerts the patient and doctor. An ultrasound can usually confirm this situation and a D&C is usually required to remove the tissue. there has been cases of "mummified fetus'" where the pregnancy is not detected until a very long time after the pregnancy terminates, but these are very very rare.
You may also be referring to an early miscarriage, we call a "chemical pregnancy." This is happens quite frequently and the only sign is the period is 1-3 weeks late. In some cases, a pregnancy test may have been done so that the patient know they were pregnant, but in many cases the woman waits for her period to start and it starts late. She has a period without knowing that she was pregnant.
Alcohol and/or drug binges affect the fetus (via sperm or eggs) in either the male or female. If an abnormality is produced, the body will usually detect that the pregnancy is abnormal and miscarriage ensues. Abnormalities of the fetus is the most common reason for miscarriages.
I hope this answers your questions.
Edward J. Ramirez, M.D.
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
