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A miscarriage is the loss of a fetus before the 20th week of pregnancy. The medical term for a miscarriage is spontaneous abortion, but the condition is not an abortion in the common definition of the term.
According to the March of Dimes, as many as 50% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage -- most often before a woman misses a menstrual period or even knows she is pregnant. About 15% of recognized pregnancies will end in a miscarriage. More than 80% of miscarriages occur within the first three months of pregnancy. Miscarriages are less likely to occur after 20 weeks gestation; these are termed late miscarriages. What Are the Symptoms of a Miscarriage? Symptoms of a miscarriage include: Bleeding which progresses from light to heavy Severe cramps Abdominal pain Fever Weakness Back pain If you experience the symptoms listed above, contact your obstetric health care provider right away. He or she will tell you to come in to the office or go to the emergency room. What Causes Miscarriage? The causes of miscarriage are not well understood. Most miscarriages that occur in the first trimester are caused by chromosomal abnormalities in the baby. Chromosomes are tiny structures inside the cells of the body which carry many genes. Genes determine all of a person's physical attributes, such as sex, hair and eye color, and blood type. Most chromosomal problems occur by chance and are not related to the mother's or father's health. Miscarriages are also caused by a variety of other factors, including: Infection Exposure to environmental and workplace hazards such as high levels of radiation or toxic agents Hormonal problems Uterine abnormalities Incompetent cervix (the cervix begins to widen and open too early, in the middle of pregnancy, without signs of pain or labor) Lifestyle factors such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or using illegal drugs Disorders of the immune system, including lupus Severe kidney disease Congenital heart disease Diabetes that is not controlled Thyroid disease Radiation Certain medications, such as the acne drug Accutane Severe malnutrition |
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