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:
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A chromosomal abnormality
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Progesterone deficiency
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Personal lifestyle, i.e., smoking, drug or alcohol use, malnutrition, excessive caffeine intake, exposure to environmental hazards, etc.
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Physical trauma to the mother
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Infection
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Hormonal problems
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Uterine abnormalities
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Diseases including: thyroid disease, uncontrolled diabetes, severe kidney disease, immune system disorders, congenital heart disease
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Certain medications, i.e., accutane, etc
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Contrary to some urban myths, miscarriages are not the result of sexual activity, stress, or moderate exercise.
