A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy within 20 weeks of a woman being pregnant. Unfortunately, 15-20% of confirmed pregnancies end in miscarriage, and the path to healing can be tough, emotionally trying one. However, most women are still able to get pregnant and have children after facing a miscarriage, so do not lose hope and keep the dream alive. Just remember that whatever happens, there is a community of wonderful individuals at HU ready to support you and help you heal.
Some causes of miscarriage
Let’s talk about the known causes of miscarriage in order to understand the science behind the symptoms.
Chromosomal Abnormalities:
Abnormal chromosomes are the most common cause of miscarriage, and often occur because of extra or missing chromosomes. These issues generally arise by chance and are not genetic. Some examples of such abnormalities include a blighted ovum, where no embryo develops, a molar pregnancy, when the father gives both sets of chromosomes, and a partial molar pregnancy, where the father gives 2 sets of chromosomes in addition to the mother, causing embryos to develop, but soon stop.
Medical Conditions:
Pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressue may make miscarriage more likely to occur, if not kept under control. Hormonal imbalance, Thyroid diseases, or uterus/cervix problems could also make you more likely to face a miscarriage, so it is important to speak to your physician about the best way to treat these conditions.
Lifestyle:
Other unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking, drugs, or alcohol consumption can damage your health and make miscarriages more likely. Overexposure to environmental hazards such as lead and mercury could be contributing factors as well.
However, it is important to remember what activities are NOT causes of miscarriages as well. Working, exercising, and having sexual intercourse have not been seen to cause miscarriages, so do not be misled by misconceptions!
