𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐒, 𝟏𝟎-𝟐𝟎% 𝐨𝐟 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐞.
June 6, 2020Articles
𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐒, 𝟏𝟎-𝟐𝟎% 𝐨𝐟 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐞. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐜𝐜𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐨 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐭.
Most miscarriages occur because the fetus isn’t developing normally. About 50% of miscarriages are associated with an extra or missing chromosome. These issues often result from errors that occur by chance as the embryo divides and not problems inherited from the parents.
In additional to chromosomal issues there are risk factors that can increase your risk of miscarriage:
Age – Women older than 35 have a higher risk of miscarriage than younger women.
Previous miscarriages – Women who have had 2 or more consecutive miscarriages are a higher risk.
Chronic conditions – Women who have chronic conditions can have a higher risk.
Uterine or cervical problems – Certain uterine abnormalities or a weak cervical tissue might increase miscarriage risk.
Smoking, alcohol, or illicit drugs – Women who smoke during pregnancy have a greater risk of miscarriage than nonsmokers. Heavy alcohol users and illicit drugs also increase the risk.
Weight – Being underweight or overweight has been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage.
Even with these statistics, it doesn’t make miscarriage any easier. Understanding and taking steps to help reduce your risk and meeting with a doctor who can help you through the process is key.