Potential Complications:
Miscarriage
Compiled by The Cradle Staff
hat is a miscarriage?
The technical definition for a miscarriage is a pregnancy that ends on its own before the 20th week of gestation. Of course, the loss of a baby is anything but technical.
How common are miscarriages?
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), miscarriages are the most common type of pregnancy loss, with 10-25% of all known pregnancies ending in miscarriage.
The March of Dimes estimates that as many of 50% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage since many of these losses occur before a woman even knows she is pregnant.
Why do miscarriages happen?
In most cases, there is no identifiable reason for the loss of a pregnancy. In other cases, miscarriages can be caused by the following:
A chromosomal abnormality
Progesterone deficiency
Personal lifestyle, i.e., smoking, drug or alcohol use, malnutrition, excessive caffeine intake, exposure to environmental hazards, etc.
Physical trauma to the mother
Infection
Hormonal problems
Uterine abnormalities
Diseases including: thyroid disease, uncontrolled diabetes, severe kidney disease, immune system disorders, congenital heart disease
Certain medications, i.e., accutane, etc
Contrary to some urban myths, miscarriages are not the result of sexual activity, stress, or moderate exercise.
