Obstetrics & Gynecology in Minnesota

Miscarriage

A miscarriage is defined as the loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks gestation. A miscarriage is common, occurring in 15 to 20 percent of pregnancies documented by ultrasound. Earlier losses are even more common. The risk of miscarriage increases with the women's age. Recurrent pregnancy loss is defined by three consecutive miscarriages.

Some of the causes of a miscarriage include genetics, uterine abnormalities (septate uterus), hormonal abnormalities, infection, autoimmune abnormalities and maternal illness. The most common cause for a single miscarriage is genetics. Approximately 50-60 percent of early miscarriages are genetically abnormal. The most common defect is an abnormal number of chromosomes. Genetic abnormalities are less common in recurrent pregnancy loss and are usually abnormalities of chromosome structure. Often times no cause is found for miscarriage.

Fortunately, the chance for a full term pregnancy even after recurrent pregnancy losses is approximately 50 to 70 percent.