How common is miscarriage really?

Question

I have heard so many different things from 15% to 35% depending on health and smoking etc... I am 28, healthy don't drink or smoke, I quit caffeine a month or so before I conceived ( I am at 4.5 weeks preg with my first right now). Should be concerned? Anything else I can do to improve my odds?

Answer 1

Here's something to understand about the stats: they sometimes include "failed pregnancies" and sometimes don't.

By "failed pregnancy," I mean cases where there is conception, but it doesn't take. This means that you might not ever realize you're pregnant. A late period or even a missed period for a single month can be a "failed pregnancy." Because of this, many women don't know they are actually pregnant, since it ends before they even know they were pregnant.

Once you're "firmly" pregnant, the rate goes down. Once you hit 2nd trimester, it goes down even more.

Miscarriages are, in healthy women (such as yourself) without some sort of physical trauma, often cases where the pregnancy is "bad," especially for these early ones. The body is amazing. If the conception didn't work out correctly, there is a miscarriage rather than a deformed child. That's a good thing. Creating life is complex, so it's not surprising that it doesn't always go 100% correctly. Luckily, the body figures out many of these problems in the first few weeks.

To improve you odds, eat healthy. Exercise. Avoid sky diving. Other than that, there's no much you need to do.

Answer 2

The reason you get different numbers is just the simple fact that nobody really knows how common it is. ALOT of miscarriages occur before the woman even knows she is pregnant so therefore those cannot be added into statistics.

You have taken everystep so far to have a healthy pregnancy/baby....keep it up. Most generally miscarriages are caused my abnormalities that a mother can do nothing to prevent. Stressing about it though is not good for you. Relax...enjoy being pregnant(I know easier said that done)

Congrats and good luck!

Answer 3

The risk of miscarriage decreases as pregnancy progresses. It is possible that as many as 50% of pregnancies miscarry before implantation in the womb occurs. Early after implantation, pregnancy loss rate is about 30% (i.e. this is still before a pregnancy is clinically recognised). After a pregnancy may be clinically recognised (between days 35-50), about 25% will end in miscarriage. The risk of miscarriage decreases dramatically after the 8th week as the weeks go by.

I have had 2 M/C but I recently found out that I have PCOS which probably caused my M/C. I had a son between M/C. My best advice to you is to not worry about it unless you start bleeding and cramping. And remember that some bleeding and cramping is normal early in pregnancy! Good luck and relax and enjoy being pregnant!

Answer 4

I don't think it's any more common, it's just that you can take a home pregnancy test earlier and therefore know that you are pregnant before you've even missed a period. In the past women would have concieved, and miscarried before they missed their cycle, so they essentially didn't even know they were pregnant.

You're doing a great job. There is always a concern through the 1st trimester, but for now, take it easy, take care of yourself. If something should happen, just know that you've done everything right, and it just might not be meant to be. Good luck with your pregnancy.

Answer 5

There are many reasons that a miscarriage occurs. Often women think that it was because of something they did, but often they have no explanation. According to WebMD, about 1 in 4 women will experience a miscarriage at some point during her lifetime.

Take heart that you are doing everything in your power to give your little one the best start, including prenatal care. Good luck, and if you ever need support, try joining WebMD's message boards for mom's in the first trimester! http://boards.webmd.com/webx?14@574.8XhdaFiGAqE.22@.5987f45a

Answer 6

30%--- That includes unhealthy and healthy women, from drug use to spontaneous miscarriage. Everyone should be concerned but not super concerned. The risk goes down immensly after your first trimester. Just be healthy, eat well, rest when you need to and do light exercise in moderation and you'll be doing everything you can to be healthy for you and your baby :-) Good luck and congrats! If it's your first, don't worry too much. Anxiety comes w/ the territory but we mommies have to keep calm :-)

Answer 7

Your about right with the numbers three it's about one in four will end in MC. Unfortunally there really is nothing you can do to prevent this from happening it's usually an abnormal egg or sperm that makes the fetus non-viable for life. I've had 2 MC and 2 healthy chidren. Good Luck

Answer 8

I dont think you can really prevent a miscarriage. But i guess just eat healthy and try not to stress too much... Then again one of my friends girlfriend ate all junk food and had a healthy 9 pound baby! So i i guess it all depends on the person!

Answer 9

You're doing everything right - just keep taking care of yourself as best you can, and keep a good line of communication with your doctor.

I've read the average american woman will have two miscarriages in her lifetime. BUT, before that scares you, most of those happen very early, before the woman even knows she's pregnant.

Answer 10

Don't be concered you will probablly be fine!! Not sure if you can improve your odds any more than you already have...just enjoy your pregnancy and don't stress it girl!!