What is Miscarriage - Know Its Cause, Symptoms & Prevention Tips

• Written by Jyotsana Shekhawat

  Reviewed by Akhil Pillai

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Women experience various health conditions before and after pregnancy, making them vulnerable to unfortunate events that can hinder their journey to motherhood.. During pregnancy, many budding mothers fear various complications, but miscarriage is one of the most prevalent and often not discussed. Moreover, 15% of pregnancies lead to miscarriage for mostly unknown reasons. Miscarriages commonly occur in the early days or weeks of pregnancy. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk of miscarriage.

In this article, we will shed some light on the causes that lead to miscarriage and how you can avoid miscarriage.

What is Miscarriage?

A spontaneous abortion, also known as a miscarriage, occurs when a pregnancy ends unexpectedly within the first 20 weeks of gestation. A miscarriage does not imply wrongdoing; most miscarriages occur due to unknown reasons or when the fetus stops developing.

Types of Miscarriage

Misscarriages can be classified as given below:

• Complete Miscarriage - You will experience bleeding and pass fetal tissue through your uterus, with no remaining tissue. Your healthcare provider will confirm this with an ultrasound.
• Missed Miscarriage - YYou may not realize you have had a miscarriage. There might be no specific symptoms, but an ultrasound will confirm the absence of a fetal heartbeat..
• Inevitable Miscarriage - You will experience cramping, and your cervix will dilate. You may also leak amniotic fluid, resulting in a complete miscarriage.
• Threatened Miscarriage - Your cervix will not dilate, but you will experience bleeding and pelvic cramping. In this case, the pregnancy may continue without complications, but close monitoring is necessary for the remainder of the pregnancy.
• Recurrent Miscarriage - Three consecutive miscarriages are defined as recurrent miscarriages, affecting approximately 1% of couples.

Miscarriage Symptoms

You may experience the following symptoms during a miscarriage:

• Bleeding that progresses from light to heavy, sometimes with blood clots or grayish tissue.
• Abdominal pain and cramping, often more intense than menstrual cramps.
• Lower backache that can range from mild to severe.
• No symptoms of pregnancy

If you experience any alarming symptoms, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

What are the Causes of Miscarriage?

Chromosomal abnormalities in the first trimester of pregnancy cause 50% of miscarriages. Chromosomes, found within the body's cells, carry your genes. Genes control all personal attributes, such as eye color, hair, blood type, and sex.

Two sets of chromosomes combine during fertilization when the egg and sperm meet. The fetus will have an abnormal number of chromosomes if the egg or sperm has an unusual number. These abnormalities often lead to a miscarriage.

These chromosomal issues often occur without a known cause, but several factors may increase the risk of miscarriage:

• Age
• Infection anywhere in the body
• Exposure to toxoplasmosis, others (syphilis, hepatitis B), rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex
• Hormonal imbalance
• Uterine abnormalities
• Improper cervix (starts opening too early during pregnancy)
• Lupus (a disorder of the immune system)
• Unhealthy lifestyle (drinking alcohol, smoking or consuming recreational drugs)
• Kidney or congenital heart disease
• Extreme diabetes
• Thyroid
• Radiation
• Extreme malnutrition
• Medicines such as Accutane

While there's no conclusive evidence that stress, exercise, prolonged use of birth control pills, or sexual activity directly cause miscarriage, it's still advisable to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Whatever the reason for your miscarriage, one should never feel disheartened about it. Most miscarriages have nothing to do with anything wrong or right you have done.

>> Also Read: How to Claim the Maternity Cover in Health Insurance?

What is the Most Common Cause of Miscarriage 1st Trimester?

• Chromosomal abnormalities: Genetic anomalies, which can disrupt proper embryo development, cause more than half of first-trimester miscarriages.
• Hormonal imbalance: Low levels of essential hormones, like progesterone, can hinder embryo development.
• Uterine abnormalities: Structural issues, such as a septate uterus or fibroids, may impede implantation.
• Infections: Certain infections, including sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), can contribute to first-trimester miscarriages.
• Lifestyle: Substance abuse, excessive alcohol consumption, and tobacco use can increase the risk of miscarriage.

What is the Most Common Cause of Miscarriage 2nd Trimester?

• Cervical insufficiency: A weak or short cervix that dilates prematurely can lead to miscarriage.
• Uterine anomalies: Irregularities in uterine structure can affect fetal development.
• Placental issues: Conditions such as placental abruption can impair nutrient and oxygen supply to the fetus.
• Infections: Uterine or systemic infections during pregnancy can result in pregnancy loss.
• Health factors: Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or thyroid disorders can lead to complications.

What is the Most Common Cause of Miscarriage 3rd Trimester?

• Placental abruption: Premature separation of the placenta from the uterus is a leading cause of third-trimester miscarriages.
• Infections: Severe infections, like listeriosis, can cause fetal death.
• Uterine rupture: A rare and serious tear in the uterine wall can also result in pregnancy loss.
• Trauma: Physical injuries or accidents can also lead to pregnancy loss.
• Preeclampsia: High blood pressure during pregnancy can also result in severe pregnancy complications, including miscarriage.

Miscarriage Prevention

Here are some preventive measures you can take during pregnancy to reduce the risk of miscarriage:

• Attend all prenatal care appointments.
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Avoid alcohol and smoking.
• Take vitamins and other supplements regularly.
• Maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly.

In addition to these preventive measures, you should also consider comfortable sleeping positions. Choose a position that allows you to rest best.

Most Common Myths About Miscarriage

Many myths surround the topic of miscarriage. Here are some of the most common misconceptions:

Myth 1: Having one miscarriage increases the likelihood of having another.

Fact - The risk of another miscarriage is not significantly increased after one miscarriage. Women experiencing recurrent miscarriages should consult with their healthcare provider.

Myth 2: Conception should be delayed for at least three months after a miscarriage.

Fact - Conception can be attempted again once the blood test (serum beta-hCG) returns to zero, which typically occurs within a few weeks to a month.

Myth 3: Any bleeding or spotting during pregnancy indicates a miscarriage.

Fact - Vaginal bleeding can occur in the first trimester, and in some cases, even heavy bleeding may not indicate a miscarriage.

Myth 4: Miscarriages are infrequent occurrences.

Fact - Miscarriages are common, occurring in 10-15% of pregnancies. Some miscarriages occur so early that women may not even realize they were pregnant.

Myth 5: All miscarriages are unavoidable.

Fact - Many miscarriages occur for reasons that are not preventable. However, knowingly engaging in harmful behaviors such as alcohol consumption, smoking, or maintaining an unhealthy lifestyle can increase the risk of miscarriage. Therefore, adopting healthy practices can reduce this risk.

Summing It Up!

Now that you understand how miscarriages occur and ways to support a healthy pregnancy, it's important to be mindful during your pregnancy. Experiencing emotional distress is natural for families following a miscarriage, but it's crucial to avoid discouragement and maintain hope. A miscarriage does not signify the end of your journey to motherhood.

If you are planning to start a family, it's wise to purchase maternity health insurance in advance for peace of mind. Care Health Insurance's JOY maternity health insurance plan includes a waiting period, making it advisable to obtain coverage in advance and prepare for your baby's arrival without added stress.

Disclaimer: The information mentioned above is for reference purposes only. Please carefully verify the policy details with the official prospectus and read the terms and conditions. Claim approval is subject to the underwriter’s discretion.