Miscarriage: Understand the Risks in Early Pregnancy

Understanding the risks can help you feel more prepared and take steps to minimize them. Let’s look at the common causes of miscarriage and what are the risk factors during your early pregnancy.
Experiencing a miscarriage is heartbreaking, and it’s natural to wonder why it happened. Often women who go through it feel confused, maybe even blaming themselves—but it’s important to remember that most miscarriages are beyond anyone’s control.

Understanding the risks can help you feel more prepared and take steps to minimize them. Let’s look at the common causes of miscarriage and what are the risk factors during your early pregnancy.

Losing pregnancy before reaching the 20th-week milestone can be defined as miscarriage. We know, having a miscarriage is the most distressing situation. But, it is important to realise that a miscarriage is a natural process, often out of anyone's control.

Most miscarriages happen in the early pregnancy stage i.e. the first trimester. To get through early pregnancy more confidently, you must understand the potential risks and should take precautions.

Before moving on to the risks and precautions, let us get some insights into the miscarriage symptoms. Here are a few symptoms:

• Vaginal bleeding
• Cramps or abdominal pain
• Passing tissue or fluid from the vagina.

But sometimes, women don't even experience any such symptoms at the beginning stage. Even without any indications, miscarriages can happen suddenly.

Data based on the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) 2019-21 shows that 4.9% of pregnancies in India end in miscarriage. The factors contributing to higher pregnancy loss include:

• Advanced maternal age
• Genetic abnormalities
• Infections
• Hormonal imbalances
• Uterine dysfunctions
• Medical conditions
• Lifestyle factors

Additionally, nutritional deficiency can also affect embryo development. Here is the list of some specific nutrient deficiencies that you need to take care of:

• Vitamin D3: It helps in calcium and phosphorus absorption, which are helpful for immune system development and fetal bone growth.
• Folate: Folate or Vitamin B9 deficiency increases the risks of spina bifida. It plays a key role in DNA synthesis and cell division during early pregnancy.
• Calcium: You need calcium for bone and teeth development. Calcium deficiency during pregnancy can affect the mother's bone density.
• Iodine: Iodine is important for the nervous system and fetal brain development. Iodine deficiency can lead to intellectual disabilities.

Women should not always feel responsible for such a mishap, but even the father's health directly contributes to the baby's health, primarily through sperm quality and genetic conditions.

"1-month fetus miscarriage" is one of the most searched phrases on Google among expecting parents and it is understandable why. The risks are high and the fear comes with the happy news of a positive pregnancy. So let's understand why it could happen and what the odds are.

Most women experience miscarriage symptoms during the 2nd to 3rd week of pregnancy. Moreover, around 50-70% of miscarriages happen due to chromosomal issues. These issues can occur due to 2 reasons.

• Aneuploidy: It is a genetic disorder where an abnormal number of chromosomes are present. It can be an extra or a missing chromosome.
• Structural Abnormality: These abnormalities include duplications, deletions, or translocation of chromosomes.

Such chromosomal issues can cause birth defects, intellectual disability, and problems with the physical development of newborns.

The age of the woman also plays a major role in the success of a pregnancy. Older women have a higher risk of miscarriages. Below, we will help you out with some insights into the effect of age and its correlation to the risks of pregnancy loss.

• As the age of a woman increases, the fertility rate decreases. This directly impacts the chances of a successful pregnancy.
• You know that chromosomal abnormalities are one of the major causes of miscarriage. The eggs produced in older women are prone to such situations.
• Older women are more likely to have chronic health conditions like diabetes, and high BP and thus, another case for a miscarriage.

All in all, you must understand that older women need close monitoring during pregnancy. It can help them to identify the risks in the early stages and plan accordingly for a successful pregnancy.

The Impact of Previous Miscarriages

We know you will now think twice and manage all the risks associated with miscarriage. But what about the women who have experienced previous miscarriages? They should not be much worried but they still are at a higher risk of having another one. 

In severe cases, some women even experience two or more miscarriages which can have a significant impact on their mental health. 

But do not lose hope!! Many women who have gone through multiple miscarriages can still have successful pregnancies. Be strong and hopeful and you will get through this tough journey. 

Moreover, you must follow your doctor’s advice and most of the doctors recommend a karyotyping test for miscarriages to know about the cause of frequent pregnancy loss. This test can help find out if chromosomal abnormalities are the root cause of the issue. As the risk of a miscarriage in the first trimester is high, pregnant women must take proper precautions in the early stages and be away from any such chances of multiple miscarriages.

Miscarriages can be caused by chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, thyroid disorders, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases like lupus or antiphospholipid syndrome. Autoimmune diseases cause the immune system to attack healthy cells, leading to complications like blood clotting, premature pregnancies, and miscarriage. Uncontrolled hypertension increases miscarriage risk by reducing blood flow to the placenta, affecting fetal growth.

In addition to chronic conditions, factors like nutritional deficiencies (e.g., Vitamin D3), lifestyle choices, infections, environmental toxins, and the father's health can also negatively impact pregnancy. Addressing these factors is important for a healthier pregnancy.

The risk of miscarriage is highest around 11 weeks, so early pregnancy care and precautions are vital for a successful outcome. Management of these health issues, under the guidance of a healthcare provider, can significantly reduce miscarriage risk.

Lifestyle Factors: Smoking, Substance Abuse, and Caffeine

In addition to age and chronic conditions, lifestyle choices can also impact pregnancy health. Smoking, substance abuse, and excessive caffeine intake can all lead to complications.

Smoking during pregnancy reduces oxygen flow to the baby, which can result in developmental issues. Alcohol consumption disrupts hormone balance and affects implantation, increasing the risk of miscarriage.

Pregnant women should limit caffeine intake to no more than 200mg or about one cup of coffee a day. Excessive caffeine may cause uterine contractions and cause spontaneous abortion, particularly in the early stages.

Infections and Environmental Toxins

External threats like infections can also become a factor in pregnancy loss. If you don't get proper treatment, it can ultimately lead to a miscarriage. Most of the bacterial or viral infections impact the reproductive system or even the overall immune system. Speaking of the most common, Rubella is a viral infection that can cause severe congenital abnormalities during pregnancy.

Similarly, sexually transmitted infections like syphilis, herpes, and chlamydia can disrupt placenta functioning and lead to fetal death. Moreover, exposure to environmental toxins like pesticides, chemical solvents, industrial smoke, etc. can increase the risk of miscarriage in the early pregnancy stages.

Anatomical abnormalities in pregnant women can also play a significant role in miscarriages. Issues like uterine fibroids, abnormally shaped uterus, and polyps can cause difficulties in embryo growth and lead to pregnancy loss. 

Among these anatomical issues, an abnormally shaped uterus is a major concern. Some women are born with a septate uterus, in which a wall of tissue divides the uterine cavity. Bicornuate uterus (heart-shaped uterus), and unicornuate uterus (one side of the uterus is developed) are certain conditions that cause difficulties in embryo development.

Addressing these anatomical problems requires medical consultation and surgical methods like fibroid removal and repairing uterine anomalies can reduce the overall risk of miscarriage.

Miscarriage can be challenging, but understanding its causes allows you to take control of your pregnancy journey. You can increase your chances of a successful pregnancy by prioritising prenatal care, adopting a healthy lifestyle, and managing medical conditions.

While most miscarriages are due to chromosomal abnormalities beyond your control, taking proactive steps can reduce other risks. Consult your healthcare provider for guidance throughout your pregnancy-stay strong, supermom!