If you are pregnant, you may be concerned about miscarriage or the risk of miscarriage. (If the pregnancy ends before the 20th week, it is called a "miscarriage"). Most of the time, this happens for reasons beyond your control. In fact, it is often difficult to determine the exact cause. Knowing why this is can put your mind at ease and improve your chances of a healthy, full-term pregnancy. Below is an overview of some of the most common causes of miscarriage.
1. Chromosome abnormalities:
More than half of miscarriages that occur in the first 12 weeks are due to problems with the baby's chromosomes. Chromosomes contain genes that determine your baby's unique characteristics, such as hair and eye color. If the number of chromosomes is incorrect or the chromosomes are damaged, the child cannot grow normally.
Chromosomal abnormalities can cause one of several problems in an unborn baby. The most common of them are:
- Dead ovum (pregnancy without an embryo). No embryonic development.
- Molar pregnancy. Both sets of chromosomes come from the father but not from the mother. The placenta does not grow normally and the fetus does not develop.
- Partial molar pregnancy : In addition to the mother's set of chromosomes, the father also provides two sets of chromosomes. Embryos may begin to develop but soon stop.
— Several other chromosomal abnormalities can cause miscarriage:
These include trisomy 13, 18, 21 (Down syndrome), monosomy (Turner syndrome) and other sex chromosome problems.
Note: Chromosome problems cannot be As you get older, especially after age 35, the risk of chromosomal problems and general miscarriage increases. Abortions due to chromosomal problems usually do not recur in subsequent pregnancies.
2. Medical condition:
A miscarriage is usually caused by a health problem in the mother. Some of these include:
- An infection such as cytomegalovirus or rubella
- Poorly controlled long-term conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure
- Thyroid disease, lupus and other autoimmune diseases
- Problems with the uterus or cervix, such as fibroids, an abnormal shape of the uterus, or premature opening and dilation of the cervix, called cervical insufficiency
- STD infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis or HIV
- Blood clotting problems that block the blood vessels that carry blood to the placenta
3. lifestyle:
Your habits as a mother-to-be can increase your risk of miscarriage. Here are some habits that can harm a developing baby:
— Smoking: Some studies show that even if only the father smokes, the risk of pregnancy increases.
- Drinking
— Use of illegal drugs
4. Environmental hazards:
In addition to secondhand smoke, some substances in your home or work environment can put your pregnancy at risk. These include:
— Lead in old plumbing or paint in homes built before 1978
— Mercury released from faulty thermometers or fluorescent lamps
— Solvents such as thinners, degreasers, stain removers and varnish removers
— Insecticides that kill insects or rodents
— Arsenic found near landfills or in some well water
Be sure to discuss this with your doctor. You may find that your risk is not as great as you thought.
5. Medicine:
Several prescription and over-the-counter medications can increase the chance of miscarriages and abortions, including:
— Misoprostol: It is used for conditions such as stomach ulcers and rheumatoid arthritis
— methotrexate: a medicine used to treat rheumatoid arthritis
— retinoids: They are used to treat skin conditions such as eczema and acne
— Nonsteroidal: anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain and inflammation
6. Food poisoning:
Several types of food poisoning during pregnancy can increase the risk of miscarriage or abortion.
- Listeriosis. Commonly found in soft unpasteurized cheeses such as blue cheese, brie or queso fresco, and raw or undercooked seafood
- Salmonella. Commonly found in raw or undercooked eggs
- Toxoplasmosis. The most common cause is eating infected raw meat
Some food-borne illnesses, including listeriosis and toxoplasmosis, can infect your unborn baby even if you don't have any symptoms yourself. Follow your doctor's instructions about cooking and eating to avoid this during pregnancy.
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