Miscarriage

A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy during the first 23 weeks.

The main sign of a miscarriage is vaginal bleeding, which may be followed by cramping and pain in your lower abdomen.

If you have vaginal bleeding, contact your GP or midwife. Most GPs can refer you to an early pregnancy unit at your local hospital straight away if necessary. You may be referred to a maternity ward if your pregnancy is at a later stage.

What causes a miscarriage?

There are probably many reasons why a miscarriage may happen, although the cause isn't usually identified. The majority aren't caused by anything the mother has done.

It's thought most miscarriages are caused by abnormal chromosomes in the baby. Chromosomes are genetic "building blocks" that guide the development of a baby. If a baby has too many or not enough chromosomes, it won't develop properly.

For most women, a miscarriage is a one-off event and they go on to have a successful pregnancy in the future.

The majority of miscarriages can't be prevented, however there are some things you can do to reduce the risk of a miscarriage. Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol and using drugs while pregnant.

Being a healthy weight before getting pregnant, eating a healthy diet and reducing your risk of infection can also help.

How common are miscarriages?

Miscarriages are much more common than most people realise. Among women who know they're pregnant, it's estimated about 1 in 8 pregnancies will end in miscarriage. Many more miscarriages occur before a woman is even aware she has become pregnant.

Losing 3 or more pregnancies in a row (recurrent miscarriages) is uncommon and only affects around 1 in 100 women.

Recurrent miscarriage is defined as three consecutive early miscarriages. In some patients with recurrent miscarriage there be an underlying problem which can be treated.

Information regarding investigations, possible treatment options and useful contact organizations are highlighted in the information leaflet.

Support groups
The Miscarriage Association