Miscarriage
Unfortunately, not all pregnancies end in labour and the birth of a healthy baby. A pregnancy can end in miscarriage or stillbirth.
The term ‘miscarriage’ is used when a pregnancy ends during the first 23 weeks. If a pregnancy ends at or after 24 weeks, it is known as a ‘stillbirth’. This is because 24 weeks is recognised as the earliest stage at which the baby could survive outside of the womb, if born alive.
Most miscarriages (around 85%) happen in the first 12 or 13 weeks of pregnancy, and this is known as an ‘early miscarriage’. Miscarriages between 14 and 23 weeks are less common, and this is known as a ‘late miscarriage’.
Many early miscarriages happen because there is something wrong with the development of the baby. They can also be caused by problems with blood clotting or hormone levels. Most miscarriages cannot be prevented, and the majority of miscarriages are not caused by anything that the parents have (or have not) done.
Click on the buttons below to learn about factors that can increase the risk of miscarriage, and the symptoms/signs of miscarriage.
Factors that can increase the risk of miscarriage
Some factors that can increase the risk of miscarriage include:
- Age: The risk of miscarriage increases as women get older. For example, a 30-year-old woman has a 20% chance of miscarriage, while a 42-year-old has a 50% chance of miscarriage. This is because the quality of a woman’s eggs reduces as she gets older, so there is an increased chance of problems occurring in the baby’s development.
- Existing health problems: For example, diabetes can increase the risk of miscarriage, if it isn’t well-controlled.
- Lifestyle choices: High levels of caffeine in the diet, drinking too much alcohol, smoking and taking drugs can all increase the risk of miscarriage.
- Obesity: Pregnant women who are very overweight (obese) can find themselves more at risk of miscarriage.
Symptoms of miscarriage
The main sign that a woman may be having a miscarriage is vaginal bleeding, usually during the early stages of the pregnancy. This may be accompanied by cramps or pain in the tummy/back.
Other symptoms of miscarriage include a discharge of fluid from the vagina, or just no longer feeling pregnant (early signs such as tender breasts and nausea suddenly disappear).
However, it’s important to remember that bleeding during pregnancy isn’t always a sign of miscarriage.
Did you know?
Some people believe that factors such as stress or having sex can cause a miscarriage. This is not true. Stress is not linked to an increased risk of marriage, and it’s perfectly safe to have sex during pregnancy…it won’t harm the baby in any way, or cause a miscarriage.
On the web
Experiencing a miscarriage can be very upsetting and traumatic. There are many excellent sources of support and advice available for anyone in this situation, such as: