You’ve probably heard a lot of theories about what causes a miscarriage. Sometimes you hear it was something you did or didn’t do—like if you overate sushi or didn’t take enough time off your feet.
There are many possible causes of miscarriage, and the cause of each miscarriage can be different.
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How Common Is a Miscarriage
Miscarriage is a terrible thing to experience. It can be tough for women who have never experienced a miscarriage before, as they are often left feeling like their body has failed them.
Miscarriage is not uncommon at all. It’s estimated that about 20 per cent of pregnancies end in miscarriage, meaning that about one out of every five women will experience this tragedy at some point in their lives.
What Causes Miscarriage in Your First Trimester
Learning about your pregnancy is one of the most unforgettable moments in a mother’s life. And while it is great news that should be immediately shared with the rest of the world, some expectant mums prefer to do it after the first trimester. Why? Because there is still a huge risk of a miscarriage, and they wouldn’t want to get their hopes up.
The risk of a miscarriage is highest in the first weeks of pregnancy. According to Healthline, about 80 per cent of miscarriages occur during the first trimester. A woman can lose the pregnancy in the first week or two without realising that she’s pregnant. It may even seem like a late period.
Some common signs of miscarriage can also be likened to that of a period – light bleeding or spotting and cramps that are felt in the abdomen, pelvis, or lower back.
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Common Causes of Miscarriage in the First Trimester
Here are some common causes of miscarriage during the first weeks of pregnancy:
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Placenta problems
The placenta is a vital organ, which is essential to a baby for survival purposes when inside the mother’s body. The placenta serves as the baby’s food source, because it links him to the mother’s blood supply. If the placenta is not perfectly formed, the baby does not develop properly, and it results in a miscarriage.
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Chromosome abnormalities
For a pregnancy to take place, 23 chromosomes are needed from each parent. A fetus with a total of 46 chromosomes means that the pregnancy is successful, but those that receive too little or too many chromosomes end up in a miscarriage. This is due to the abnormal development of the fetus.
The risk of having a miscarriage drops as your pregnancy progresses. Based on a 14th week, the possibility of a miscarriage is less than per cent. However, your unborn baby is not completely out of the woods yet.
According to Dr Tan Kok Hian, the Head and Senior Consultant, Perinatal Audit and Epidemiology Unit, Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at KKH, in the event of an early miscarriage, you need to keep the pregnancy tissue or fetus in a container and bring it to the hospital.
“You will require further checks such as a pelvic examination or an ultrasound. If the womb is completely empty, no surgery will be required.
However, if there is some residual fetal or placental tissue in the womb, you may be given antibiotics and a surgical procedure may be performed to evacuate the remaining fetus or tissue from the womb,” he said.
At the same time, investigations can occur, in an attempt to determine the cause of the miscarriage (although the cause is largely unknown).
Late Miscarriage: Losing Your Baby In the Second Trimester
While miscarriages are more common in the first trimester, they can still happen during the second trimester, before week 20 of your pregnancy. A pregnancy loss after this week is defined as stillbirth.
Symptoms of a Late Miscarriage
The tricky part is some women may not be able to feel the signs that they are having a miscarriage. So be on the lookout for the following symptoms:
- not feeling the movement of the fetus
- vaginal bleeding or spotting
- cramping or pain in your back and/or abdomen
- unexplained fluid or tissue that passes through the vagina
Remember that not all vaginal spotting is a symptom of miscarriage. To be sure, do check in with your doctor for any vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, especially if it comes with other symptoms like pain or cramping.
What Causes Miscarriage in the Second Trimester
There are several factors that can cause miscarriage in the second trimester, including:
Illnesses
Chronic health conditions such as thyroid diseases, uncontrolled diabetes, severe hypertension and lupus increase the risk of having a miscarriage when pregnant.
PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is often related to infertility issues, but if a woman does get pregnant, there is a huge chance that she will miscarry. This is because a woman with PCOS often has ovaries larger than the normal size, which causes an imbalance in her womb.
Risks for Miscarriage
Take note that other factors may also contribute to having a miscarriage. One of them is maternal age. Several studies show that risk for miscarriage increases if the mother is aged 35 and up.
So, what causes miscarriage and considered risk factors. These include:
- experiencing two prior miscarriages in a row
- chronic medical conditions
- being overweight or underweight
- having an abnormally shaped uterus
- a weak cervix
- having invasive prenatal tests (amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling are examples)
- exposures to substances like alcohol, tobacco, cocaine, NSAIDs, and high levels of caffeine
- exposure to severe stress and fatigue during pregnancy
- low folate level
- untreated celiac disease
Things to Avoid During Pregnancy That Cause Miscarriage
When you’re pregnant, your body is working overtime to support the growing baby inside of you. That means you should avoid a few things during pregnancy to help keep your body healthy and safe for your baby.
Some of these things may seem obvious, but others might surprise you. If you’re planning on getting pregnant soon, pay attention: here are seven things to avoid during pregnancy that cause miscarriage.
- Drinking alcohol
- Smoking cigarettes or other tobacco products
- Taking illegal drugs like cocaine or heroin
- Eating undercooked meat or seafood (including sushi)
- Getting too much sun exposure without sunscreen protection on exposed skin areas
- Not getting enough sleep (or staying up late at night)
- Being stressed out by work/school pressures, family responsibilities, financial problems
Foods That Can Cause Miscarriage
While consuming them does not automatically lead to pregnancy loss, there are a few foods that have been linked to causing miscarriages. These include:
- Caffeine-containing drinks like coffee and tea
- Alcoholic beverages
- Fish and fish oil supplements (due to mercury)
- Soft cheese (like Brie or Camembert)
- Raw or undercooked eggs or foods containing raw eggs (like homemade mayonnaise)
ALSO READ:
What is Vanishing Twin Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis
Can Taking Birth Control Pills While Pregnant Cause a Miscarriage?
Sleeping Position That Can Cause Miscarriage
Can Stress Cause a Miscarriage
Image Source: iStock
Updates from Pheona Ilagan
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