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Pregnant? -

Getting pregnant often brings with it cheerful anticipation, optimism, and pride in an expectant mother's changing body. But sometimes it can all go horribly wrong.

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More common than realized -

According to the UK's National Health Service (NHS), miscarriages are far more common than people realize. In fact, among women who know they're pregnant, it's estimated about one in eight pregnancies will end in miscarriage. But the actual number is likely higher because many miscarriages occur so early in pregnancy that a woman doesn't realize she's pregnant. But what is a miscarriage, and how is it caused?

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A spontaneous loss -

A miscarriage is a spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week. The main sign of a miscarriage is vaginal spotting or bleeding. Sudden pain or cramping is another giveaway.

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Pain and cramping -

Indeed, be aware of any abnormal pain or cramping in your abdomen or lower back. It might be a symptom of an impending miscarriage. Seek medical advice immediately if the discomfort continues.

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A specific cause is rarely identified -

There are many reasons why a miscarriage may happen, although the specific cause is rarely identified. The majority are not caused by anything the mother has done.

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First trimester miscarriages -

Most first trimester miscarriages occur because the fetus isn't developing normally. Studies suggest that most miscarriages are caused by abnormal chromosomes in the baby.

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What is a abnormal chromosome? -

Chromosomes are "genetic building blocks" (DNA) that guide the development of a baby. According to the Mayo Clinic, about 50% of miscarriages are associated with extra or missing chromosomes. If a baby has too many or not enough of these vital building blocks, it will not develop properly. In most cases, chromosome problems result from errors that occur by chance as the embryo divides and grows rather than by any fault inherited from you or your partner.

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Other causes of miscarriage -

An early miscarriage may happen by chance. But there are various risk factors that increase the chance of a miscarriage. For example, the age of the mother has an influence: in women under 30, one in 10 pregnancies will end in miscarriage; in women aged 35 to 39, up to two in 10 pregnancies will fail; at age 45 and over, more than five in 10 pregnancies will result in miscarriage.

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Watch your weight -

Being overweight has been linked with an increased risk of miscarriage. But being underweight has also been associated with the loss of a pregnancy.

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Never smoke -

It's an established fact that women who smoke during pregnancy have a greater risk of miscarriage than non-smokers. Breathing in second-hand smoke is also a issue here. Illicit substance abuse is another contributing factor.

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Don't drink alcohol -

Heavy alcohol use is detrimental to a successful pregnancy, although experts are still unsure exactly how much—if any —alcohol is completely safe for you to have while you're pregnant. The safest approach is to abstain from alcohol while pregnant.

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Limit caffeine intake -

It may be very tempting to sit back and enjoy a cup of coffee while pregnant. But it's not advised. Caffeine is a stimulant that increases your blood pressure and heart rate, both of which are not recommended during pregnancy. And remember, caffeine is also present in tea, chocolate, and several brands of energy drink.

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Second trimester miscarriages -

Women with long-term (chronic) health conditions are at risk of suffering a miscarriage in the second trimester. Diabetes, severe high blood pressure, and kidney disease are among the medical complaints that can prompt a miscarriage if not treated or well controlled.

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Infections -

Several types of infection have been identified as increasing the risk of miscarriage. These include rubella (pictured), a rare illness that can be serious if contracted when you're  pregnant. Malaria is another high-risk infection. And be aware that sexually transmitted diseases can be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby.

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Food poisoning -

Be especially vigilant about what you eat during pregnancy. Food poisoning can also increase the risk of miscarriage. Listeriosis, for example, a bacterial infection caused by consuming unpasteurized dairy products, can result in serious problems if you're pregnant and have a weak immune system. You should always seek advice from your doctor if you suspect an infection while pregnant.

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Taking medicines -

Health experts have identified a number of medications to avoid during pregnancy. Pharmaceutical Journal, for example, cites a number of commonly prescribed antibiotics linked with miscarriage in early pregnancy, including macrolides, quinolones, tetracyclines and sulfonamides.

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Check that medicine is safe -

Other medicines that increase your risk include retinoids, used to treat eczema and acne, and methotrexate, used for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. To be sure a medicine is safe in pregnancy, always check with your doctor, midwife, or pharmacist before taking it.

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Womb structure -

Problems with the womb or cervix structure or function can increase the likelihood of miscarrying.

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Fibroids -

Another possible problem is the appearance in the womb of non-cancerous growths called fibroids (pictured). Also known as uterine leiomyoma, these are benign smooth muscle tumors found in the uterus that in rare cases can affect pregnancy or cause infertility.

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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) -

PCOS is a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age. It's a condition where the ovaries are larger than normal and known to be a leading cause of infertility. Evidence suggests it may also be linked to an increased risk of miscarriages in fertile women.

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Previous miscarriage -

Unfortunately, women who have had two or more consecutive miscarriages are at higher risk of it happening again.

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Septic miscarriage -

Some expectant mothers who miscarry develop a uterine infection, also called a septic miscarriage. Symptoms of this condition include fever and chills.

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Trauma -

MotherToBaby notes that miscarriage and late pregnancy loss can occur with some types of trauma, especially those that affect the uterus or placenta.

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What kind of accident? -

The actual risk of pregnancy loss due to trauma, however, is largely influenced by the stage of pregnancy and the severity of the accident, elaborates Verywell Family. The female body is built to withstand a certain amount of bumps and bruises when carrying an embryo or fetus, but there are limits!

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Emotions after a miscarriage -

Many women carry with them the emotional scars of a miscarriage long after the event. So, too, can their partners. Every pregnancy loss is different, and there is no right or wrong way to feel about it, notes the Miscarriage Association.

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Seek reassurance -

Indeed, the loss of a baby in pregnancy can be an unhappy, frightening, and lonely experience. It's very important to seek the reassurance of your potential partner, family, friends, colleagues, and health professionals in order to surmount what is very often a difficult emotional hurdle.

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What doesn't cause a miscarriage? -

While remaining wary of all the factors that can induce miscarriage, it's equally important to understand what doesn't cause pregnancy loss, because there are some common misconceptions out there. For example, the NHS notes that there is no increased risk of miscarriage linked to exercise. Just be sure to discuss with your doctor or midwife what type and amount of exercise is suitable for you during pregnancy.

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You can work it out -

Similarly, working during pregnancy—or work that involves sitting or standing for long periods—and light lifting or straining are all activities with no direct link to an increased risk of miscarriage.

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You can have sex -

And hey, having sex during pregnancy is no problem at all in most cases.

Sources: (NHS) (Mayo Clinic) (Pharmaceutical Journal) (MotherToBaby) (Verywell Family) (Miscarriage Association)

See also: Heartwarming pregnancy and birth traditions around the world.

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