How Common are Miscarriages?

New statistics say that 1/4 pregnancies will end in a miscarriage. Furthermore, these statistics also show that 80% of pregnancies within the first six weeks of gestation, will end in a miscarriage. What the statistics seem to point towards is the idea of miscarriages being very common, although, many women are unaware of it.

What Causes Miscarriage?

There are many causes of miscarriages. Below are a few of the conditions and events that can lead to a miscarriage:

Hormonal changes
Abnormalities in the fetus which prevent its development, usually concerning its chromosomes
An incompetent cervix. This is a condition where the cervix dilates prematurely, expelling the uterine sack
Conditions the mother may be suffering from including, lupus, thyroid disease, and kidney disease
Malnutrition and a lifestyle which includes smoking, drugs, and excessive alcohol use
Many statistics show that the age of the mother also plays a part in miscarriages, with the majority of women over the age of 40 being at risk for miscarriages

What to do if you think you are having a miscarriage?

The majority of women will have a miscarriage before they even know they are pregnant. Most of these miscarriages are assumed to be regular periods, and for the most part, the contents of the uterus or expelled naturally.

In cases with women who are absolutely sure that they are pregnant, the first line of defense is to call their OB/GYN or head for the nearest emergency room. In later pregnancies, when women began to bleed, it is possible to save the pregnancy and the doctor will order your bed rest, however, this is not always the case. Many doctors claim that in early stages of pregnancy, when a miscarriage is underway, there isn't anything anyone can do to stop it. This is usually caused by natural events which prevent the development of the fetus, unlike in later pregnancies, where bleeding may be caused by a problem with the uterus or the mother, which can be fixed.