From the Research
Risk of Miscarriage
The risk of miscarriage is a significant concern for many women, with approximately 25% of women experiencing a miscarriage in their lifetime 1. This can be defined as the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before 24 weeks' gestation.
Prevalence of Miscarriage
- Around 10 to 15% of all pregnancies end in early spontaneous first trimester miscarriage 2.
- Miscarriage occurs in one in five pregnancies 3.
- An estimated 15% of pregnancies end in miscarriage 1.
Risk Factors for Miscarriage
- Advancing maternal and paternal age are known to be associated with increasing chance of miscarriage 2.
- Being underweight or overweight, smoking, and high alcohol consumption are also risk factors 2.
- Low serum levels of progesterone or human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) are a risk factor for miscarriage 4.
- Heavy bleeding, early gestational age, and an empty gestational sac of >15-17 mm diameter are also risk factors 4.
- Infections such as malaria, brucellosis, cytomegalovirus, and human immunodeficiency virus can increase the risk of miscarriage 3.
- Higher age (>33 years), lower body mass index (< or =20 kg/m(2)), and lower serum progesterone concentrations (< or =12 ng/ml) prior to the onset of the miscarriage can increase the risk of miscarriage 5.
Management of Miscarriage
- Expectant management is the first-line approach, and is encouraged for 7-14 days after diagnosis of miscarriage 2.
- Medical management of miscarriage can be offered using misoprostol 2.
- Surgical management may be chosen by a woman if she has had a previous adverse or traumatic experience associated with pregnancy 2.
- All surgical and medical methods for managing a miscarriage may be more effective than expectant management or placebo 1.