Early pregnancy loss is so common that many obstetricians consider these miscarriages a normal part of reproduction.That doesn't make the loss any easier. Doctors believe most first-trimester miscarriages happen because of factors outside anyone's control, and rarely can anyone pinpoint the cause of a specific miscarriage.
Causes of Miscarriage
The causes of miscarriage are not well understood. Most of the miscarriages that occur in the first trimester are caused by chromosomal abnormalities in baby.Chromosomes are tiny structures inside the cells of the body which carry many genes. Genes determine all of a person's physical attributes,such as sex, hair and eye color, and blood type. Most chromosomal problems occur by chance and are not related to the mother's or father's health.
Miscarriages are also caused by a variety of other factors, including:
- Infection.
- Exposure to environmental and workplace hazards such as high levels of radiation or toxic agents.
- Hormonal problems.
- Uterine abnormalities.
- Incompetent cervix (the cervix begins to widen and open too early, in the middle of pregnancy, without signs of pain or labor).
- Lifestyle factors such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or using illegal drugs.
- Disorders of the immune system, including lupus.
- Severe kidney disease.
- Congenital heart disease.
- Diabetes that is not controlled.
- Thyroid disease.
- Radiation.
- Certain medications, such as the acne drug Accutane.
- Severe malnutrition.
