Ten Most Common Cause of Miscarriage in Early Pregnancy

A miscarriage can be the very devastating event to many women and couples. It has tremendous and long-lasting emotional impacts on the victim including anger, fear, and depression. Nevertheless, the simple thing no one seems to know is what causes miscarriage in the first place.

Most doctors just say that this unfortunate event can happen to some women during the early stages of pregnancy but cannot tell exactly why. Some doctors explain that during the division of the fertilized egg, things may not go as planned. Just assume that it is the nature way of saying that this pregnancy is not going okay, so it must end now. There are many reasons for miscarriage in early pregnancy. Below are the ten most common causes:

Genetic Problem

If you, your partner or your family members have a genetic abnormality and have been diagnosed with a previous pregnancy, or have had a child with a congenital disability, you run a high risk of having a miscarriage. Around 73 percent of abortions occur due to a genetic disorder in the fetus. Trying to avoid this is just impossible, but it is possible to reduce the influence of harmful factors before conception.

Hormonal Imbalance and Disorders

A miscarriage can occur there is an imbalance of hormones in the female body, mostly because of lack of the primary pregnancy hormone – progesterone. However, with timely detection of the problem and by taking progesterone drugs, the risk of a possible miscarriage can be avoided. Besides, if there is an excess of male hormones – androgen in the system, it can also cause miscarriage. Androgens suppress the production of estrogen and progesterone. The sex hormones are produced in the adrenal and thyroid glands, and disorders are these organs often can imbalances of hormones in the body, resulting in a failed pregnancy.

Chronic and Prolonged Stress

Intense or prolonged mental strain, fear, and resentment are dangerous for the healthy development of the fetus. Consult a doctor immediately, if you have chronic stress or take antidepressants.

Unhealthy Lifestyle

If you have an unhealthy lifestyle, drink alcohol, smoke, or drugs and do not have a proper and a healthy diet, there is the high possibility that you will have symptoms of miscarriage in the first stages of your pregnancy. If you were planning to get pregnant and start a family, then improve your lifestyle and quit smoking and alcohol entirely.

Abortion History

Abortion is not just a medical manipulation; it puts tremendous stress on the female body, which can cause dysfunction of the ovaries, adrenal glands and can lead the development of inflammatory symptoms in the genitals. Frequent abortions can cause infertility and recurring miscarriage in future.

Medications and Herbs

During the first trimester of pregnancy, it is advised to consult a doctor on what medication to take and which ones to avoid. There have been studies that some medicines can cause miscarriages and defects in the fetus. So, always ask your doctor if the medicines you take are safe, even when you are trying to get pregnant.

Risky Physical Activities

Contrary to popular beliefs, heavy lifting, and strenuous physical activities like marathons or sexual intercourse in the first trimester of pregnancy does not cause miscarriages. However, if the mother is healthy and does not have any abnormal genetic issues, a serious fall or strenuous physical activity can cause a miscarriage.

Diseases, Infection and Inflammation of the Internal Organs

Diseases like viral hepatitis, influenza, and measles can cause miscarriage in early pregnancy. Besides, infection and inflammation of the internal organs can increase the body temperature, which can cause the pregnancy to fail. In fact, angina can be dangerous, even if it’s a healthy pregnancy, especially during the 4 to 10 weeks. So, if you are planning to get pregnant, it is recommended you perform a full body checkup against those infections.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

Sexually transmitted diseases like trichomoniasis, toxoplasmosis, Syphilis, Chlamydia, as well as herpes and cytomegalovirus often cause miscarriages. Pathogenic bacteria and viruses cause fetal infection, lesion of the membranes, resulting in failed pregnancy. So, if you are diagnosed positive with STDs, get yourself treated first before you get pregnant.

Environmental Toxins

Environmental toxins such as lead, arsenic and some chemicals like formaldehyde, benzene, and ethylene oxide, as well as high doses of radiation or anesthetic gasses, may increase the risks of having a miscarriage.

Usually, it is still possible to continue the pregnancy, even after the first symptoms of an impending miscarriage has been noticed. If you feel any pain or cramps in the lower abdomen, spotting, bleeding – try to get medical help immediately.

About the Author

Jenny Jolly has over five years of experience in the field of Health. She specializes in setting up Global health consultancy. She is an expert in the area of developing strategies for health. She provides thought leadership and pursues strategies for engagements with the senior executives on Innovation in health and Technology She presently works for when does morning sickness start as The Head of the health consultancy