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Home > Pregnancy > Miscarriage > Facts about Miscarriage
 Facts about Miscarriage
A miscarriage (spontaneous abortion) is any pregnancy that ends spontaneously before the fetus can survive. The WHO defines this unsurvivable state as an embryo or fetus weighing 500 grams or less, which typically corresponds to a fetal age (gestational age) of 20 to 22 weeks or less. Miscarriage occurs in about 15-20% of all recognized pregnancies, and usually occurs before the 13th week of pregnancy. The actual percentage of miscarriages is estimated to be as high as 50% of all pregnancies, since many miscarriages occur without the woman ever having known she was pregnant.
The cause of a miscarriage cannot always be determined. The most common known causes of miscarriage in the first third of pregnancy (1st trimester) are chromosomal abnormalities, collagen vascular disease (such as lupus), diabetes, other hormonal problems infection, and congenital (present at birth) abnormalities of the uterus.
What does not cause miscarriage ?
It must be emphasized that exercise, working, and sexual intercourse do not increase the risk of pregnancy loss in routine (uncomplicated) pregnancies. However, in the unusual circumstance where a woman is felt by her physician to be at higher risk of spontaneous abortion, she may be advised to stop work and intercourse. Women with past history of premature delivery and other specific obstetrical conditions might fall under this category.
Are there lifestyle factors associated with miscarriage?
Smoking more than 10 cigarettes per day is associated with an increased risk of pregnancy loss, and some studies have even shown that the risk of miscarriage increases with paternal smoking. Other factors, such as alcohol use, fever, use of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs around the time of embryo implantation, and caffeine use have all been suggested to increase the risk of miscarriage, although more studies are needed to fully clarify any potential risks associated with these factors. Of course, alcohol is a known teratogen (a chemical that can damage the developing fetus), so pregnant women are advised to abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages.
What are the symptoms of a miscarriage?
Cramping and vaginal bleeding are the most common symptoms noticed with spontaneous abortion. The cramping and bleeding may be very mild, moderate, or severe. There is no particular pattern as to how long the symptoms will last.
Vaginal bleeding during early pregnancy is often referred to as a "threatened abortion." The term "threatened" abortion is used since miscarriage does not always follow vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy, even after repeated episodes or large amounts of bleeding. Studies have shown that 90-96% of pregnancies with fetal cardiac activity that result in vaginal bleeding at 7 to 11 weeks of gestation will result in an ongoing pregnancy.
Estelle can be found at her baby shop: The Lullaby, M’Scala. You can visit her at the baby shop for any further questions you may have. www.thelullaby.net
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