Miscarriage Risks, Causes, and Signs
It’s not uncommon to feel some anxiety after seeing two lines appear on a pregnancy test. You may wonder whether the pregnancy will continue, how likely a miscarriage is, what to expect, and whether there are ways to reduce your risk.
Miscarriage is common, but it is almost never caused by something a woman did or did not do. Understanding the risks, causes, and signs can help you know when to contact a medical professional.
What Is a Miscarriage?
A miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week. Pregnancy loss during the first trimester may also be called early pregnancy loss.
Early pregnancy loss occurs in about 10% of clinically recognized pregnancies. Approximately 80% of pregnancy losses occur during the first trimester.
Many miscarriages happen before a person knows they are pregnant. Because of this, the exact percentage of all pregnancies that end in miscarriage cannot be determined.
Does Miscarriage Risk Decrease by Week?
The risk of miscarriage is greatest during the earliest weeks of pregnancy and generally decreases as the pregnancy progresses. Most miscarriages occur during the first trimester.
There is not one week-by-week percentage that accurately predicts an individual pregnancy. Risk can be affected by age, pregnancy history, health conditions, symptoms, and ultrasound findings.
An ultrasound and appropriate medical testing can provide more useful information about an individual pregnancy than a general online risk chart.
Miscarriage Risk Factors
Certain factors may increase the likelihood of miscarriage. Having one or more risk factors does not mean that a miscarriage will occur.
Risk factors may include:
- Advanced maternal age
- One or more previous miscarriages
- Uncontrolled diabetes or another long-term health condition
- Certain uterine or cervical conditions
- Smoking
- Alcohol or illegal drug use
- Being underweight or overweight
The risk of clinically recognized early pregnancy loss is approximately 9–17% for women ages 20–30. At age 35, the risk is approximately 20%. At age 40, it is approximately 33–40%, and at age 45, estimates range from 57–80%.
If you are trying to conceive and have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, speak with your physician about making blood-sugar management a priority.
Can Exercise or Sex During Pregnancy Cause a Miscarriage?
Working, exercising, having sex, experiencing stress, or having an argument generally does not cause a miscarriage.
Pregnancy is not the time to begin a new strenuous exercise routine, but you can generally continue physical activity that your medical professional considers appropriate. If you have pregnancy complications, speak with your OB-GYN about what is safest for you and your pregnancy.
Common Causes of Miscarriage
About half of early miscarriages occur because an embryo does not develop properly, often due to an abnormal number of chromosomes.
Chromosomes carry the genetic information that guides development. When an egg or sperm has more or fewer chromosomes than expected, the embryo may not develop normally. These changes usually happen by chance and are not caused by something a woman did.
Miscarriage may also be associated with certain uterine or cervical conditions, including:
- Septate uterus
- Asherman syndrome
- Fibroids
- Cervical insufficiency, sometimes called an incompetent cervix
Certain infections can also increase pregnancy risks. Testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections are important during pregnancy. Contact your medical professional if you have concerns about an infection or possible exposure.
Signs and Symptoms of Miscarriage
Possible signs and symptoms of miscarriage include:
- Vaginal spotting or bleeding
- Pain or cramping in the abdomen or lower back
- Fluid or tissue passing from the vagina
Spotting, bleeding, and cramping can also occur during a pregnancy that continues normally. Symptoms alone cannot confirm a miscarriage.
Contact your OB-GYN or another qualified medical professional if you experience bleeding, pain, or other concerning symptoms during pregnancy.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Care
Seek immediate medical care if you experience heavy bleeding, severe abdominal or pelvic pain, shoulder pain, fainting, dizziness, weakness, fever, or symptoms that may place your health at risk.
These symptoms can have several causes and require evaluation by a medical professional.
Grieving After a Miscarriage
It’s not uncommon to grieve a miscarriage. You may be grieving a pregnancy you had long hoped for, or a surprise pregnancy that brought emotions you did not expect.
Everyone experiences grief differently. Support can include speaking with a trusted person, medical professional, counselor, faith leader, or pregnancy-loss support organization.
Hope Pregnancy Center provides compassionate support and can help connect Willmar-area clients with appropriate community resources.
Minnesota families can also find current pregnancy-loss and grief resources through the Minnesota Department of Health.
How Hope Pregnancy Center Can Help
If you recently received a positive pregnancy test or are concerned about your pregnancy, Hope Pregnancy Center offers free and confidential services in Willmar, Minnesota.
Available services include:
- Pregnancy testing
- Medical verification of pregnancy
- Limited ultrasound
- STI testing and treatment
- Support services
- Community-resource referrals
Sources
The information presented on this website is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical advice.