A miscarriage is the loss of a baby before the 20th week of pregnancy. Many losses occur before a woman knows she is pregnant. About 15 percent of recognized pregnancies and as many as 50 percent of all pregnancies end in miscarriage.
Most miscarriages occur in the first trimester (12 weeks) of pregnancy. The causes of miscarriage are not entirely known. The most common reason for first-trimester losses is a chromosomal abnormality in the baby. Infections, hormonal problems and health problems in the mother can also cause a miscarriage.
Most women who have an early miscarriage do not need treatment. The uterus empties itself. Sometimes, the woman's health care provider recommends a procedure called a D&C.
Almost all women go on to have a healthy pregnancy after a miscarriage.
Some women have repeated miscarriages. Still, about 60 to 70 percent of those who have had two or three losses go on to have a healthy pregnancy.
What you can do:
Report any bleeding or abdominal pain to your health care provider. She or he may do an internal exam and an ultrasound to check the baby.
If you do have a miscarriage, give yourself time to recover physically and to grieve the loss of your baby. The March of Dimes provides information for grieving families.
If you have repeated miscarriages, ask your health care provider to help you find their cause. Testing reveals the cause of the miscarriages in up to 50% of couples.
July 2004
