Overview

Miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week. About 10 to 20 percent of known pregnancies 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.

Miscarriage is a somewhat loaded term — possibly suggesting that something was amiss in the carrying of the pregnancy. This is rarely true. Most miscarriages occur because the fetus isn't developing normally.

Miscarriage is a relatively common experience — but that doesn't make it any easier. Take a step toward emotional healing by understanding what can cause a miscarriage, what increases the risk and what medical care might be needed.

Products & Services Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy

Symptoms

Most miscarriages occur before the 12th week of pregnancy.

Signs and symptoms of a miscarriage might include:

Vaginal spotting or bleeding

Pain or cramping in your abdomen or lower back

Fluid or tissue passing from your vagina

If you have passed fetal tissue from your vagina, place it in a clean container and bring it to your health care provider's office or the hospital for analysis.

Keep in mind that most women who experience vaginal spotting or bleeding in the first trimester go on to have successful pregnancies.

Causes

Abnormal genes or chromosomes

Most miscarriages occur because the fetus isn't developing normally. About 50 percent of miscarriages are associated with extra or missing chromosomes. Most often, chromosome problems result from errors that occur by chance as the embryo divides and grows — not problems inherited from the parents.

Chromosomal abnormalities might lead to:

Blighted ovum. Blighted ovum occurs when no embryo forms.

Blighted ovum occurs when no embryo forms. Intrauterine fetal demise. In this situation, an embryo forms but stops developing and dies before any symptoms of pregnancy loss occur.

In this situation, an embryo forms but stops developing and dies before any symptoms of pregnancy loss occur. Molar pregnancy and partial molar pregnancy. With a molar pregnancy, both sets of chromosomes come from the father. A molar pregnancy is associated with abnormal growth of the placenta; there is usually no fetal development. A partial molar pregnancy occurs when the mother's chromosomes remain, but the father provides two sets of chromosomes. A partial molar pregnancy is usually associated with abnormalities of the placenta, and an abnormal fetus. Molar and partial molar pregnancies are not viable pregnancies. Molar and partial molar pregnancies can sometimes be associated with cancerous changes of the placenta.

Maternal health conditions

In a few cases, a mother's health condition might lead to miscarriage. Examples include:

Uncontrolled diabetes

Infections

Hormonal problems

Uterus or cervix problems

Thyroid disease

What does NOT cause miscarriage

Routine activities such as these don't provoke a miscarriage:

Exercise, including high-intensity activities such as jogging and cycling.

Sexual intercourse.

Working, provided you're not exposed to harmful chemicals or radiation. Talk with your doctor if you are concerned about work-related risks.

Risk factors

Various factors increase the risk of miscarriage, including:

Age. Women older than age 35 have a higher risk of miscarriage than do younger women. At age 35, you have about a 20 percent risk. At age 40, the risk is about 40 percent. And at age 45, it's about 80 percent.

Women older than age 35 have a higher risk of miscarriage than do younger women. At age 35, you have about a 20 percent risk. At age 40, the risk is about 40 percent. And at age 45, it's about 80 percent. Previous miscarriages. Women who have had two or more consecutive miscarriages are at higher risk of miscarriage.

Women who have had two or more consecutive miscarriages are at higher risk of miscarriage. Chronic conditions. Women who have a chronic condition, such as uncontrolled diabetes, have a higher risk of miscarriage.

Women who have a chronic condition, such as uncontrolled diabetes, have a higher risk of miscarriage. Uterine or cervical problems. Certain uterine abnormalities or weak cervical tissues (incompetent cervix) might increase the risk of miscarriage.

Certain uterine abnormalities or weak cervical tissues (incompetent cervix) might increase the risk of miscarriage. Smoking, alcohol and illicit drugs. Women who smoke during pregnancy have a greater risk of miscarriage than do nonsmokers. Heavy alcohol use and illicit drug use also increase the risk of miscarriage.

Women who smoke during pregnancy have a greater risk of miscarriage than do nonsmokers. Heavy alcohol use and illicit drug use also increase the risk of miscarriage. Weight. Being underweight or being overweight has been linked with an increased risk of miscarriage.

Being underweight or being overweight has been linked with an increased risk of miscarriage. Invasive prenatal tests. Some invasive prenatal genetic tests, such as chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis, carry a slight risk of miscarriage.

Complications

Some women who miscarry develop a uterine infection, also called a septic miscarriage. Signs and symptoms of this infection include:

Fever

Chills

Lower abdominal tenderness

Foul-smelling vaginal discharge

Prevention

Often, there's nothing you can do to prevent a miscarriage. Simply focus on taking good care of yourself and your baby:

Seek regular prenatal care.

Avoid known miscarriage risk factors — such as smoking, drinking alcohol and illicit drug use.

Take a daily multivitamin.

Limit your caffeine intake. A recent study found that drinking more than two caffeinated beverages a day appeared to be associated with a higher risk of miscarriage.

If you have a chronic condition, work with your health care team to keep it under control.