Are You Trying To Get Pregnant? Here Is What You Should Know About Miscsarriage PART 1

Miscarriage is a common condition in pregnancies, but the cause is often not identified.

If a miscarriage happens during the first three months of pregnancy it's usually caused by problems with the unborn baby. Most miscarriages occur during this period.

When it happens between weeks 14 and 26, it may be due to an underlying health condition in the pregnant woman.

Sometimes they may be caused by an infection around the baby, causing the bag of waters to break before any pain or bleeding.  Often times, they can be caused by the neck of the womb opening too soon. (Cervical Incompetence).

Miscarriages During 1^st and 3^rdmonths of Pregnancy:

 Problems With The Placenta

The placenta functions as an organ that links the mother's blood supply to her baby's. If there's a problem with the development of the placenta, it can also result in a miscarriage.

The Following Can Increase Your Risk Of Miscarriage:

Age Of The Mother:

• in women under 30, 1 in 10 pregnancies will end in miscarriage
• in women aged 35-39, up to 2 in 10 pregnancies will end in miscarriage
• in women over 45, more than half of all pregnancies will end in miscarriage

• Avoid the Following:

• Getting Overweight or Obesity  (Read our guide on How Exercise Helps Your Fitness)
• Smoking during pregnancy
• Mis-using drugs / Substance abuse during pregnancy
• Drinking more than 200mg of caffeine a day. Caffeine is also found in some fizzy drinks, energy drinks and chocolate bars
• Drinking more than two units of alcohol a week 

Most first trimester miscarriages are caused by problems with the chromosomes of the foetus.

 Problems From Building Blocks (Chromosomes)

Chromosomes are building blocks of DNA. They contain a detailed set of instructions that control a wide range of factors.

Things can go wrong at the point of conception and the foetus receives too many or not enough chromosomes. Reasons for this are often not known, but it means the foetus won't be able to develop normally, therefore resulting in a miscarriage.

 Two-thirds of early miscarriages are associated with chromosome abnormalities. 

Miscarriages during 4th – 6th  Month of Pregnancy:

Weakened cervix

Sometimes muscles of the neck of the womb are weak. This is known as a weakened cervix or cervical incompetence.

 Usually after a surgical procedure, muscles of the cervix may be injured and become weak. The muscle weakness can cause the cervix to open too early during pregnancy, leading to a miscarriage.

Existing  Medical / Health Conditions:

Long-term health conditions may increase your risk of having a miscarriage in the second trimester. These are:

• Poorly Controlled Diabetes
• High Blood Pressure
• Kidney Disease
• Thyroid Gland Disease
• Coeliac Disease

See your doctor regularly if you have any of the above medical conditions. If they are well controlled, it may help reduce your risk of miscarriage.