miscarriges

The reason for a miscarriage is varied and in some cases, cannot be identified.

As with any pregnancy complication, the best person to talk to or ask questions is your gynecologist.

The most common cause of miscarriage is chromosomal abnormality - meaning that something is not correct with the baby's chromosomes. Most chromosomal abnormalities are the cause of a damaged egg or sperm cell, or are due to a problem at the time that the zygote went through the division process.

Other causes include, but are not limited to, maternal hormonal problems, infections or health problems. Implantation of the egg into the uterine lining may not occur properly and this leads to a miscarriage.

Smoking, poor diet that causes malnutrition, excessive caffeine intake and exposure to radiation or toxic substances increase the risk of a miscarriage.

Though you may feel that you are suffering alone, and indeed your suffering is real, women under the age of 35 years old have about a 15% chance of miscarriage.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, "A woman who has had a previous miscarriage has a 25% chance of having another (only a slightly elevated risk than for someone who has not had a previous miscarriage)"

Maryann