Rani Mukerji reveals she had a miscarriage: 5 myths about miscarriage

Motherhood can be blissful, but when the experience is impeded by a miscarriage, the pain lingers on. Bollywood actor Rani Mukerji has revealed a personal tragedy that she went through silently during the Covid-19 pandemic. Rani, who is married to filmmaker Aditya Chopra and has a daughter named Adira, was expecting a second child. But she suffered a miscarriage five months into the pregnancy in 2020.

According to reports, Rani Mukerji opened up about the miscarriage for the first time at a film festival in Melbourne. She kept silent about her own experience of losing her child around the release or during the promotions for her film Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, a story about a mother fighting for custody of her children.

What is a miscarriage?

Loss of pregnancy just 20 weeks into the pregnancy is known as a miscarriage. Sometimes, a baby has slow development or does not develop enough to survive. When a miscarriage happens, a woman tends to fall into the trap of blaming herself for this unfortunate incident. However, it often happens for no fault of the woman. Chromosomal abnormalities, imbalance of hormones, infection, medical conditions or some unforeseen incidents can lead to a miscarriage.

Most importantly, a woman needs to take good care of herself after a miscarriage in order to dodge any further complications in a future pregnancy. Coping with miscarriage is already hard, and myths aggravate the condition more than ever.

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Health Shots got in touch with Dr Gayatri Deshpande, Senior Consultant, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nanavati Max Super Specialty Hospital, Mumbai, to know some common myths surrounding miscarriage.

Myth: Miscarriage hinders future pregnancy

Fact: “Many women are of the view that miscarriages are not very common and once it happens, it will result in complications in future pregnancies as well. In fact, a first-trimester miscarriage is possible in 30 percent of women. However, repeated miscarriage happens only in 1 percent of the women. Hence, the chances of having a healthy pregnancy after one natural miscarriage are very bright,” says the expert.

Myth: Miscarriage is hereditary

Fact: The reasons for miscarriage differ from person to person. Having a miscarriage in other family members can be a pure coincidence. It is a misconception that miscarriage is hereditary. It is important to remember that each pregnancy is unique and the chances of a successful pregnancy after a previous miscarriage are generally high.

Also read: 3 signs of false miscarriage you must watch out for

Myth: A miscarriage results due to infection and lifting weights

Fact: The expert says, “The fact is that 50 percent of miscarriages are due to chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus. Many times, nature takes a call not to carry ahead the unhealthy pregnancy and results in a miscarriage. It is crucial to consult a healthcare professional to determine the cause of the miscarriage and receive appropriate guidance for future pregnancies. Additionally, taking care of one’s 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 little bleeding is always a sign of miscarriage

Fact: Spotting or bleeding can occur during the implantation of an embryo or low-lying placenta or local causes like a small polyp at the cervix or mouth of the womb. These reasons can be tackled successfully with medicines.

Myth: There are no ways to stop miscarriages

Fact: “Many women think that conception is not possible before three months since the miscarriage. The fact is that women start ovulating within 6 weeks after a miscarriage. However, it is a good idea to wait for the complete recovery till 2 months after a miscarriage before trying to conceive again. This allows the body to heal and reduces the risk of complications in future pregnancies,” says the expert.

You must get in touch with a healthcare provider to seek guidance and support during this time.