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What Prevents Spontaneous Abortion on an Implanted Embryo?

Spontaneous abortion is a medical term that is often used for the more common word "miscarriage." It occurs when a pregnancy terminates on its own. As many as ten to 25 percent of known pregnancies result in spontaneous abortion. This type of pregnancy loss usually happens during the first trimester of pregnancy, and it sometimes happens so quickly (right after implantation of the egg in the uterus) that the woman may not even know it. Although most spontaneous abortions cannot be prevented because they are triggered by unknown causes or genetics, some can be prevented through several preventative measures.

  1. Age

    • Women who are approximately 25 years old have about a 10 percent chance of miscarriage. That risk increases with age. At 35 to 39 years of age, the risk is 20 percent. It's 35 percent for women in their early forties and more than 50 percent by the time a woman reaches the age of 50.

    Trauma

    • Trauma to the mother's body during pregnancy can cause a spontaneous abortion. Some instances of maternal trauma are beyond the mother's ability to control. These situations include being the victim of a violent crime or being injured a car wreck that was not preventable by the mother. Fortunately, there are areas under the mother's control in regard to avoiding maternal trauma. Expectant mothers should drive defensively and without the influence of alcohol or drugs. They also should be aware that distractions--such as talking on the phone or text messaging while driving--can increase their risk of getting in an accident. Pregnant women also should avoid contact sports and extreme sports.

    Lifestyle

    • The choices that a woman makes concerning her lifestyle while she is pregnant can drastically affect the health of the fetus; the choices can potentially cause spontaneous abortion. Pregnant women should be careful not to smoke or to use illegal drugs. They also should contact their doctor before taking any sort of medication; some medication can endanger the developing baby. Other ways of reducing the likelihood of spontaneous abortion include avoiding excess caffeine, getting adequate nutrition, seeking proper prenatal care and avoiding toxic substances such as radiation.

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