Miscarriage is a devastating event for women and their families. A miscarriage is a spontaneous loss of pregnancy that occurs before 20 weeks of gestation. Miscarriages are more common than people think.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, approximately 10-25% of all clinically recognized pregnancies result in a miscarriage. While many people believe that miscarriages are unavoidable, there are many risk factors that can increase the chances of miscarriage. This article will discuss the risk factors that contribute to increased risk of miscarriage.

Maternal Age

Maternal age is one of the most critical factors that increase the risk of miscarriage. The risk of miscarriage increases as the maternal age increases.

Women aged 35 years and above have a 20% higher risk of miscarriage compared to women aged 20 to 24 years. The risk of miscarriage is even higher in women 40 years and above. This is because as a woman ages, the quality of her eggs decreases, making it harder to conceive and carry a pregnancy to term.

Chromosomal Abnormalities

Chromosomal abnormalities are responsible for up to 50% of all first trimester miscarriages. Chromosomal abnormalities occur when the number or structure of chromosomes is abnormal.

This can happen as a result of a gamete (egg or sperm) having an abnormal chromosome number or because of a problem developing during cell division. Chromosomal abnormalities can occur in any pregnancy, but the risk increases with maternal age.

Previous History of Miscarriage

Women who have had one or more miscarriages are at an increased risk of having another miscarriage. The risk of miscarriage increases with the number of previous miscarriages.

Women who have had three or more consecutive miscarriages are at the highest risk of recurrent miscarriage. The cause of recurrent miscarriages can be attributed to a variety of factors such as uterine abnormalities, hormonal imbalances, and autoimmune disorders.

Medical Conditions

Some medical conditions can increase the risk of miscarriage. These conditions include diabetes, thyroid diseases, autoimmune disorders, and blood clotting disorders. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to high blood sugar levels that can harm the fetus.

Women with thyroid diseases are at risk of having an underactive or overactive thyroid, which can cause complications during pregnancy. Autoimmune disorders such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can cause inflammation that can lead to miscarriage. Blood clotting disorders such as antiphospholipid syndrome can cause blood clots in the placenta, which can lead to miscarriage.

Environmental Factors

Environmental factors such as exposure to chemicals, radiation, and pollutants can increase the risk of miscarriage. Exposure to high levels of radiation can damage the genetic material in cells, including those of the developing embryo.

Chemicals such as pesticides, solvents, and heavy metals can cause fetal abnormalities and growth retardation, which can lead to miscarriage.

Lifestyle Factors

Lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and drug use can increase the risk of miscarriage. Smoking during pregnancy can reduce the amount of oxygen and nutrients that the fetus receives, which can lead to miscarriage.

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to fetal alcohol syndrome, which can lead to miscarriage and other complications. The use of illicit drugs such as cocaine and heroin can also lead to miscarriage.

Uterine Abnormalities

Uterine abnormalities such as fibroids, polyps, and scar tissue can increase the risk of miscarriage. These abnormalities can cause problems with implantation, the development of the fetus, and the delivery of the baby.

Infections

Infections such as bacterial vaginosis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea can increase the risk of miscarriage. These infections can cause inflammation of the genital tract, which can lead to miscarriage.

Multiple Pregnancies

Women who are pregnant with more than one fetus are at an increased risk of miscarriage. This is because multiple pregnancies can put a strain on the uterus and increase the risk of preterm labor and other complications.

Stress

Stress can increase the risk of miscarriage. While stress itself does not cause miscarriage, it can contribute to other factors such as hormonal imbalances, hypertension, and autoimmune disorders, which can increase the risk of miscarriage.