Miscarriages - your questions answered

karen_taylor78: I had a missed miscarriage last year at 9 weeks. Also in July at an ultrasound scan I found out that my baby had died at 18 weeks. A post-mortem was done. It was a faulty placenta. The consultant didn't really say much about it. I was just wondering how common it is for this to happen? Also I don't suppose anyone knows but I forgot to ask him if a baby suffers at this stage due to this.
Dr Gillian Lockwood: I'm so sorry to hear about your the loss of your baby. A 'faulty placenta' is one of the commoner causes of a mid-trimester or late pregnancy loss. Often it is caused by pre-eclampsia or Lupus. If you were quite well, then it may have be a true fault in the placenta and is unlikely to recur in another pregnancy. You can be quite certain that your baby didn't suffer. At this gestation they are not 'conscious' so they couldn't feel pain or stress.

cl-sonyasrose: What are your opinions on flying during pregnancy? I know some people say it should be avoided, but others say it's safe. What do you think? Also, I flew only this week (22wks pg), and my mum was convinced the pressure would hurt the baby's ears. Is this so? Does the baby feel anything whilst flying at this stage?
Dr Gillian Lockwood: I don't think that women should fly before they have had a first scan (to check that it is not an ectopic or 'missed miscarriage)'. Women who are newly pregnant (especially if they have had IVF treatment) have 'extra thick blood' and therefore are at increased risk of 'economy class syndrome' or DVTs. They should avoid long haul flights and take all the usual precautions against DVTs like 'flight socks', extra water, aspirin etc. Flying is fine between 12 weeks and about 24. After that the baby is viable but I don't like to think of people being too far away from a good hospital with a SCBU if there are problems of premature delivery. The pressure changes in a commercial airliner are not enough to cause problems, but pregnant women should be aware that the oxygen levels are lower. Your baby would not have felt his ears 'pop' as he is completely protected from the pressure change as he is 'under water'!