The Real Risk of a Miscarriage
Fear of a miscarriage can be on many women’s minds when they discover they are pregnant. It’s scary, it’s traumatic and there’s no way to prepare for the emotional OR physical damage a sudden miscarriage can bring on.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, a miscarriage is the most common type of pregnancy loss. While this sounds scary, the chances are great that your pregnancy will be carried to term as only about 10-25% of pregnancies typically end with a miscarriage.
Most pregnancies occur within the first 13 weeks. After 13 weeks your real risk of a miscarriage dramatically decreases. The American Pregnancy Association explain that the most common cause of a miscarriage is a chromosomal abnormality within the baby. Other causes can include:
1. Hormonal Problems
2. Lifestyle habits
3. Incorrect implantation of the egg
4. Maternal age and/or maternal trauma
Your chances of having a miscarriage will vary depending on your age and whether you’ve had a miscarriage before. As a matter of fact, women over 45 can have up to a 50% chance of having a miscarriage. If you’ve had a previous miscarriage, the general risk of having another one is about 25%.
If you experience any of the warning signs listed here, it’s important to seek medical treatment immediately.
Miscarriages are scary and they DO happen. However, your risk of having a miscarriage is relatively smaller than you might believe. By researching your risks beforehand and the warning signs of a miscarriage, you can be more prepared if you notice something abnormal during your pregnancy.
