Miscarriage
Updated:A miscarriage, also known as spontaneous abortion, is the unintended loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week of gestation. It's a common occurrence, affecting about 10-20% of known pregnancies. Miscarriages can happen for various reasons, often due to chromosomal abnormalities in the developing fetus that make it non-viable.
Most miscarriages occur in the first trimester (before 13 weeks) and may present with symptoms such as vaginal bleeding, cramping, and the passing of tissue. However, some miscarriages may occur without any noticeable symptoms, which is known as a "missed miscarriage."
Additional Information
Miscarriages are not caused by moderate exercise, sexual intercourse, or most daily activities. Factors that may increase the risk of miscarriage include advanced maternal age, certain medical conditions, and lifestyle factors like smoking or excessive alcohol consumption.
It's important to note that having a miscarriage doesn't necessarily indicate fertility problems, and most people who experience a miscarriage go on to have successful pregnancies in the future.
Examples
Sarah experienced a miscarriage at 8 weeks of pregnancy, which was confirmed by her doctor after an ultrasound showed no fetal heartbeat.
After their miscarriage, the couple decided to wait a few months before trying to conceive again, as recommended by their healthcare provider.