The Statistics of Miscarriages

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A number of expectant mothers are usually concerned with the risks of a miscarriage. The statistics of miscarriages are quite alarming. Fortunately, the probability of losing a pregnancy reduces as the pregnancy progresses. Every woman has a different risk in experiencing a miscarriage depending on a range of factors.

In some cases, a miscarriage can be detected even before the woman is aware of her pregnancy. Find more about the signs and symptoms of a miscarriage here. A pregnancy loss is a result of incontrollable factors. Statistics show that 80% of all miscarriages occur in the first trimester. This is between 0 to 13 weeks. A pregnancy loss in the early stages is without a doubt devastating but it also means that genetic issues would have prevented the baby from surviving outside the womb. Moreover, fetuses are more vulnerable in these early stages. Adding other factors such as alcoholic exposure can exacerbate the situation.

Statistics of Miscarriages

Analyzing the risk of a miscarriage by week, we can have the following statistics:

50 to 75 percent of pregnancies end within the first 3 to 4 weeks even before greeting a positive pregnancy test result. This indicates that the risk of a miscarriage immediately after conception is very high. 75% of the pregnancy loses include failed implantation.
3% of miscarriages happen between weeks 5-7. The risk significantly reduces after the pregnancy has been confirmed.
2 to 4% happen in the second trimester.
Less than 1% occur between weeks 14 to 20.

After week 20, miscarriages known as stillbirths are rare especially because of modern technology which allows even younger babies to survive outside the womb.

Source: marchofdimes

Statistics for recurrent miscarriages

A recurrent miscarriage is having 3 or more consecutive pregnancy losses. Statistics show that only 1% of women will have to endure this. 50% of the recurrent miscarriages remain unexplained.

Miscarriages Risk Factors

The loss of pregnancy varies from woman to woman. In addition, the exposure to risk factors can multiply the chances of a pregnancy loss. They include:

1. Age

This is a weighty risk factor.

Analyzing the risk of a miscarriage by age, we have the following statistics:

15% chance of miscarriage for women under 35 years
20-35% chance for women between 35 and 45 years
50% chance of pregnancy loss for women above 50 years.

2. Lifestyle issues

There are women who are in their 40s and 50s and have had healthy pregnancies. This is the result of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. For many women, lifestyle issues such as smoking or a sedentary lifestyle accumulate with age. Therefore, the unhealthy issues increase the chances of a miscarriage.

3. Use of drugs especially stimulant drugs like cocaine and high doses of caffeine

4. Uncontrolled chronic conditions which may include diabetes or high blood pressure

5. Hormonal disorders which affect the body’s ability to produce hormones for pregnancy sustenance.

Statistics shows tells us that 20 to 30% of all women will experience a miscarriage. Furthermore, the risk factors mentioned above increase the chances of pregnancy loss. Miscarriages are uncontrollable, but women can avoid any incidences that may increase the probability of their occurrence. Find more about what you can do to prevent a miscarriage here.