What causes early miscarriage and can I do anything about it?

Miscarriage is extremely common. It can be hard to know exactly why you had a miscarriage, but it’s almost never caused by something you did. 

Daily physical activities do not cause miscarriage. Having sex, exercising, stress, and falling, don't cause miscarriage either

Here’s what we do know can cause a miscarriage:

• When the fertilized egg has an abnormal number of chromosomes (genes). This causes about half of all miscarriages. It’s random and you can’t prevent it or make it happen.
• A major injury — like a major car accident or high impact trauma — may cause a miscarriage. 
• Certain serious infections may cause miscarriage. An example of this is listeria, which is a food borne bacteria that you can get from unpasteurized cheese and deli meat. It may cause miscarriage in the first trimester.
• Severe or uncontrolled diseases can increase your chances of having a miscarriage.  Examples include severe diabetes or uncontrolled thyroid disease.
• Late miscarriages (after 3 months) may be caused by abnormalities in the uterus, like fibroid tumors.
• People who’ve had more than 2 miscarriages in a row are also more likely to have a miscarriage.
• Drugs like nicotine, alcohol, cocaine, and opioids can increase the risk of miscarriage.

One of the best ways to make sure you have a healthy pregnancy is to start getting prenatal care as soon as you know you’re pregnant. Your nurse or doctor can answer any questions you may have. And check with your nurse or doctor before taking any medicines or supplements, to make sure they’re safe for you and your pregnancy.

Having a miscarriage and how society views miscarriage can be upsetting and isolating. It’s normal to feel sad, angry, or hopeless. But it’s important to know that it’s not your fault, and you’re not alone. Keep in mind that lots of people have miscarriages and go on to have healthy pregnancies after. 

Your nurse or doctor may be able to connect you with therapy or support groups to help you process what you are feeling. Postpartum Support International also has a list of resources that may help.