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Potential Complications:
Miscarriage

Compiled by The Cradle Staff

Every pregnancy is different...

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
  • A miscarriage can also be the result of non-viable pregnancies from the following conditions:
    Weakened Cervix
    Blighted Ovum
    Ectopic Pregnancy
    Molar Pregnancy
Contrary to some urban myths, miscarriages are not the result of sexual activity, stress, or moderate exercise.
  Next Page: What are the signs? Can I have a healthy pregnancy in the future?     Pages: 1, 2   Next »
 

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