women s health issues
Miscarriage
Causes of Miscarriage
Most often, the cause of miscarriage is unknown. Miscarriages that occur during the first 10 to 11 weeks of pregnancy are often caused by a Overview of Chromosome and Gene Disorders . This occurs more frequently in women who are younger than 20 years old or are 35 or older. Anatomic abnormalities in the woman's reproductive tract (for example, a uterus that has fibroids or, rarely, 2 chambers or internal scarring) may also cause pregnancy loss through 20 weeks of pregnancy. A miscarriage may result from certain viral infections, such as a Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection or If women have a disorder that causes blood to clot too easily (such as Antiphospholipid Syndrome ), they may have repeated consecutive miscarriages (called Risk factors(conditions that increase the risk of a disorder) for miscarriage include the following: Younger or older maternal age (younger than 20 years or age 35 or older) Miscarriages in previous pregnancies ( Recurrent Miscarriage ) Smoking and Other Tobacco Use None Use of substances such as Cocaine and Certain disorders in the mother, such as Diabetes During Pregnancy , Major physical trauma can cause miscarriage, but it is unlikely to be caused by minor force or injury (such as from slipping and falling or exercise). Sudden emotional shock (for example, from receiving bad news) is not linked with miscarriage. Doctors may use the term abortion to refer to a miscarriage, because the medical term isspontaneous abortion. The medical term for intentional termination of pregnancy is calledinduced abortionorvoluntary interruption of pregnancy. Terms for abortion include the following: Miscarriage (spontaneous abortion):Pregnancy loss before 20 weeks of pregnancy Early miscarriage:Pregnancy loss before 12 weeks of pregnancy Late miscarriage:Pregnancy loss between 12 and 20 weeks of pregnancy Threatened abortion:Bleeding or cramping during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy but without opening (dilation) of the cervix Missed abortion:Fetal demise detected with ultrasonography before 20 weeks of pregnancy, without symptoms (bleeding or pain) that suggested a problem with the pregnancy Recurrent miscarriage:A history of at least 3 miscarriages Septic abortion:Infection of the contents of the uterus before, during, or after a miscarriage or an induced abortion Stillbirth:Fetal death and delivery at 20 or more weeks of pregnancy 