Someone asked us: what can cause a miscarriage?
It can be difficult to know exactly why a miscarriage happens, but it’s almost never caused by something the pregnant person did. Feeling stressed, having sex, exercising, and taking most medicines don’t cause a miscarriage. Minor injuries, like falling, don’t generally cause a miscarriage either.
A miscarriage — or early pregnancy loss — is when your pregnancy ends before you give birth. Many miscarriages are caused by physical or genetic issues in the embryo or fetus, which can stop normal development from happening. This can cause certain hormone levels to drop, leading to the lining of your uterus to shed. The pregnancy then separates from your uterus and passes out of your body.
Miscarriage is common, and lots of people experience pregnancy loss. About 10 to 20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage and happen within the first 12 weeks (first trimester) of pregnancy. But even though miscarriage is common, it can be emotionally difficult. There’s no one way that all people feel after having a miscarriage. Feeling a mix of emotions, including grief, loss, shock, guilt, despair, and relief — sometimes all at the same time — are all normal after losing a pregnancy.
Taking care of yourself after a miscarriage is important. Getting support from friends or family can help. Talking to a mental health professional, peer counselor, or joining a support group to connect with others who are going through the same thing as you can also be helpful.
Miscarriages can be dangerous if left untreated. If you have any signs or symptoms of miscarriage, you can reach out to your nearest Planned Parenthood health center to get the care you need.
Tags: pregnancy, miscarriage