Risk Factors Associated With Early Miscarriage

There are certain lifestyle, hormonal and genetic factors that may increase the risk of an early miscarriage in pregnancy.  Every woman should be aware of the following factors which can lead to episodes of recurrent miscarriage:

Age: a woman who is more than 35 years old has an increased risk of experiencing early miscarriage in pregnancy.

Previous history of miscarriages also increases the risk of subsequent miscarriage with each pregnancy.

Smoking:  a woman who smokes more than 10 cigarettes per day has a higher risk of pregnancy loss, which is also increased with paternal smoking as well.

Use of alcohol increases the risk of fetal abnormalities and miscarriage.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used around the time of conception and implantation can lead to a miscarriage.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome:  causes a woman to experience ovulation difficulties, obesity, increased testosterone levels and diabetes which can result in early miscarriage.

Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome:  a blood clotting disorder, which can make it impossible for an egg to properly implant and can lead to recurrent miscarriages.

Bacterial or viral infections can lead to an increased risk of miscarriages.

Physical injury

Uterine structural problems can make it difficult for a woman to carry a pregnancy to full-term.

Exposure to dangerous chemicals:  formaldehyde, arsenic, lead, benzene are known teratogens (toxins which cause birth defects), exposure can lead a woman to experience a miscarriage in early pregnancy.

Factors which do not Increase the Risk of Early Miscarriage

It should be understood that while there are many reasons a woman could experience an early miscarriage, there are also factors which do not lead to an increased risk of pregnancy loss.  Such factors include; exercise, sexual intercourse and working.  However, there might be unusual extenuating circumstances in which a woman is prohibited or discouraged from certain activities on the advice of an obstetrician/gynecologist.  Women with a previous history of recurrent miscarriage or threatened with early delivery should always follow the advice of a licensed medical professional in regards to care and physical recommendations.

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