Possible causes of miscarriage
Losing a baby in pregnancy
About 1 in 4 first pregnancies ends in miscarriage, generally within the first 12 weeks. Often no cause is identified and may not be investigated unless a woman has had three or more miscarriages in a row, known as “recurrent miscarriages.” Why has it happened? Some miscarriages occur because of a one-time genetic problem (caused by a faulty chromosome) when the baby does not develop properly. Genetic problems account for 60 percent of early miscarriages. If you think this may have been the cause, you can request tissue tests from the baby. Based on these results, you may be able to receive specialized counseling to discuss the risk of it happening
again. After 12 weeks, the chances of you losing your baby because of a chromosomal
disorder reduce to about 10 percent; however, if you are over 35, this risk is higher. Other less common causes of miscarriage include fibroids (noncancerous growths), infection, problems with the uterus, hormonal imbalances, and immune system disorders. An ectopic pregnancy, below, occurs when the embryo implants in a fallopian tube and needs to be removed. What can cause late pregnancy loss? A late
pregnancy loss (referred to as a stillbirth after 24 weeks) can be due to the cervix being weak (or “incompetent”), causing the cervix to dilate too early. This accounts for 15 percent of repeated miscarriages. In future pregnancies, a stitch around the cervix can strengthen this muscle and prevent it from opening early. Another cause of a late miscarriage can be if the placenta does not function properly and affects the baby’s growth