Causes of Miscarraige

Most miscarriages occur during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy. Continuing with your previously active life does not usually cause miscarriages in normal pregnancies. However, preexisting conditions, hormonal problems and lifestyle choices can all increase the chances of a miscarriage. Armed with the knowledge about miscarriages causes and symptoms, you can better cope with your loss and evaluate your future family planning choices.

What Is a Miscarriage?

• A miscarriage is also known as a spontaneous abortion. A pregnancy loss prior to 20 weeks gestation is called a miscarriage. Many miscarriages are due to chemical pregnancies. Chemical pregnancies are when the pregnancy ends shortly after conception and is only marked by bleeding at your normal period time. Most women don't even know they were pregnant. These miscarriages often go undocumented.

  When you experience symptoms of miscarriage, you should contact your doctor immediately. Some symptoms of a miscarriage include decrease in fetal movement, bleeding, back pain, and mucus discharge.

Hormonal Causes

• Hormonal problems usually result in miscarriages prior to 10 weeks gestation. The most common hormonal problem is low progesterone. Unfortunately low progesterone levels often indicate a nonviable pregnancy. It does not usually cause a miscarriage.

  If you have an undiagnosed thyroid condition, you may be more prone to miscarry. Fortunately thyroid problems are easily diagnosed and treated.

Chromosomal Causes

• Chromosome defects cause more than half of early miscarriages. This means there is something wrong with you baby's chromosomes. Doctors can test the tissue remaining after a miscarriage to find out if the miscarriage was caused by chromosomal defects.

Uterine and Cervical Causes

• You may have an oddly shaped uterus or an incompetent (weak) cervix. Neither of these conditions is conducive to pregnancy. An oddly shaped uterus or a weak cervix can result in preterm labor. The uterus may not be able to expand properly or the cervix may begin to dilate preterm. There are effective treatments for both of these conditions. You can have corrective uterine surgery, and you may opt to stitch your cervix closed during pregnancy.

Lifestyle Causes

• Your lifestyle choices will affect your unborn child. Smoking, too much caffeine, toxic exposure, not eating, or using drugs can all cause a miscarriage. Drugs and other toxins can damage the amniotic sac and restrict fetal growth. Smoking inhibits fetal development. If you are malnourished, so is your unborn child. These lifestyle choices can have negative consequences causing low birth weight, birth defects or even death.