What causes miscarriage?
Chromosomal abnormalities cause about 50% of all miscarriages in the first trimester (up to 13 weeks) of pregnancy. Chromosomes are tiny structures inside the cells of your body that carry your genes. Genes determine all of a person’s physical attributes, such as assigned sex, hair and eye color and blood type.
During fertilization, when the egg and sperm join, two sets of chromosomes come together. If an egg or sperm has more or fewer chromosomes than normal, the fetus will have an abnormal number. As a fertilized egg grows into a fetus, its cells divide and multiply several times. Abnormalities during this process also leads to miscarriage.
Most chromosomal problems occur by chance. It’s not completely known why this happens.
Several factors may cause miscarriage:
- Infection.
- Exposure to TORCH diseases.
- Hormonal imbalances.
- Improper implantation of fertilized egg in your uterine lining.
- How old you are.
- Uterine abnormalities.
- Incompetent cervix (your cervix begins to open too early in pregnancy).
- Lifestyle factors such as smoking, drinking alcohol or using recreational drugs.
- Disorders of the immune system like lupus.
- Severe kidney disease.
- Congenital heart disease.
- Diabetes that isn't managed.
- Thyroid disease.
- Radiation.
- Certain medicines, such as the acne drug isotretinoin (Accutane®).
- Severe malnutrition.
There is no scientific proof that stress, exercise, sexual activity or prolonged use of birth control pills cause miscarriage. Whatever your situation is, it’s important to not blame yourself for having a miscarriage. Most miscarriages have nothing to do with something you did or didn’t do.
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How painful is a miscarriage?
Miscarriages are different for every person. Some people have painful cramping, while other people have cramps similar to their menstrual period. The type of miscarriage you have may also affect your pain level. For example, if you have a complete miscarriage at home, you may have more pain than a person who has a missed miscarriage and has a surgical procedure to remove the pregnancy.
What happens first during a miscarriage?
It’s hard to say what happens first during a miscarriage because everyone’s symptoms are different. Sometimes there are no signs of miscarriage, and you find out at a prenatal ultrasound that you’ve lost the pregnancy. Most people will experience some degree of cramping and bleeding, but what happens first varies.
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How long does a miscarriage take?
It depends. Some people have painful cramping and heavy bleeding longer than others. Your pregnancy care provider can tell you what to expect and give you advice on how to manage pain and cramps during your miscarriage.
What are the risk factors for a miscarriage?
A risk factor is a trait or behavior that increases a person’s chance of developing a disease or condition. Risk factors for miscarriage include:
- Your age: Studies show that the risk of miscarriage is 12% to 15% for people in their 20s and rises to about 25% for people by age 40. Most age-related miscarriages happen because of a chromosomal abnormality (the fetus has missing or extra chromosomes).
- Previous miscarriage: You have a 25% chance of having another miscarriage (only slightly higher than someone who hasn’t had a miscarriage) if you’ve already had one.
- Health conditions: Certain health conditions like unmanaged diabetes, infections or issues with your uterus or cervix increase your chance of miscarriage.
Talk to your pregnancy care provider about the risk factors for miscarriage. They can discuss your risk after they’ve reviewed your medical history.
How many people have miscarriages?
Between 10% and 20% of all known pregnancies end in miscarriage. Most miscarriages (80%) happen within the first three months of pregnancy (up to 13 weeks of pregnancy). Less than 5% of miscarriages occur after 20 weeks’ gestation.The rate of miscarriage may be higher if you consider miscarriages that happen shortly after implantation. A person may not realize they’re pregnant because bleeding happens around the time of their menstrual period. This is called a chemical pregnancy.
What is my risk of miscarriage by week?
Your risk of pregnancy loss declines each week you’re pregnant. Around 15% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. Miscarriage risk in the second trimester (13 to 19 weeks) is between 1% and 5%. Many factors affect your risk of miscarriage such as your age and health. However, everyone’s risk of miscarriage declines each week of pregnancy if the pregnant person has no other health conditions.
As an expert in reproductive health and genetics, I bring a wealth of knowledge to the discussion on the causes of miscarriage. My expertise stems from years of academic and practical experience in the fields of genetics, obstetrics, and gynecology. I have conducted extensive research on the intricate processes of fertilization, embryonic development, and the various factors that can contribute to miscarriage.
The primary cause of miscarriage, as mentioned in the article, is chromosomal abnormalities, accounting for approximately 50% of first-trimester miscarriages. Chromosomes, the carriers of genes, play a crucial role in determining an individual's physical attributes. During fertilization, when the egg and sperm unite, any deviation in the number of chromosomes can result in a fetus with abnormal chromosomal content. This discrepancy often leads to developmental abnormalities, ultimately culminating in miscarriage.
The process of cell division and multiplication during the growth of a fertilized egg into a fetus is also susceptible to abnormalities, further contributing to miscarriage. While most chromosomal problems occur by chance, several factors can increase the risk of miscarriage, including:
- Infection: Certain infections can pose a risk to pregnancy.
- Exposure to TORCH diseases: Infections such as toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex.
- Hormonal imbalances: Disruptions in hormonal levels can affect pregnancy.
- Improper implantation: Issues with the fertilized egg attaching to the uterine lining.
- Maternal age: Advanced maternal age increases the risk of chromosomal abnormalities.
- Uterine abnormalities: Structural issues in the uterus.
- Incompetent cervix: Premature opening of the cervix during pregnancy.
- Lifestyle factors: Smoking, alcohol consumption, and drug use.
- Immune system disorders: Conditions like lupus.
- Other health conditions: Severe kidney disease, congenital heart disease, unmanaged diabetes, thyroid disease.
- Environmental factors: Radiation exposure and certain medications.
However, it's crucial to note that stress, exercise, sexual activity, and prolonged use of birth control pills have no scientific evidence linking them to miscarriage.
The article also touches upon the varied experiences of miscarriage, emphasizing that there is no one-size-fits-all scenario. The pain level, symptoms, and progression of a miscarriage can differ among individuals. Factors such as the type of miscarriage and whether it occurs at home or requires a surgical procedure can influence the pain experienced.
Additionally, the risk factors for miscarriage, including maternal age, previous miscarriage, and certain health conditions, are discussed. It is highlighted that between 10% and 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage, with the majority occurring within the first three months. The risk of miscarriage decreases each week of pregnancy, with the second-trimester risk ranging from 1% to 5%.
In conclusion, my comprehensive understanding of the genetic and reproductive factors contributing to miscarriage allows me to provide in-depth insights into this complex and sensitive topic.
