First trimester miscarriage is common, with 10-25% of known pregnancies resulting in miscarriage. Risk factors include age and environmental exposures, and chromosomal abnormalities are a common cause. Women who have had a single miscarriage can still have a healthy pregnancy in the future, but repeated miscarriages may require testing. Signs include bleeding, cramping, and nausea, and counseling may be helpful. Support from friends and family is appreciated.
First trimester miscarriage is very common. Most miscarriages occur during the first trimester of pregnancy, and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology estimates that approximately 10-25% of known pregnancies result in miscarriage. This number is generally considered underestimated, because many women miscarry before they realize they are pregnant and may mistake the miscarriage for a normal menstrual period.
Certain risk factors can increase your chances of experiencing a first trimester miscarriage. If one or both parents are older, the chances of miscarriage increase significantly. Likewise, environmental exposures can contribute to miscarriage. In many cases, there are no known risk factors and the pregnancy simply fails to implant, a situation known as a chemical pregnancy. Similarly, many first trimester miscarriages are the result of chromosomal abnormalities. These abnormalities are usually spontaneous in nature and are not the result of genetic conditions in either parent.
If a woman has had a miscarriage in the first trimester, she is most likely still able to carry on a healthy pregnancy in the future. Miscarriage risks for women with a history of a single miscarriage are relatively comparable to those for women who have never been pregnant before. If women experience repeated miscarriages, they may consider having tests to identify potential causes, such as an inherited condition or other medical issue that may be making it difficult to maintain a pregnancy.
Signs of a first trimester miscarriage include bleeding, cramping, and nausea. Women who know they are pregnant and experience these symptoms should contact an obstetrician for treatment. The doctor can confirm that a miscarriage is occurring, offer testing for genetic causes, and provide Rhogam® treatment if the mother is rhesus negative. Your doctor can also confirm that your uterus is completely free, to reduce your risk of developing an infection.
Miscarriage at any stage of pregnancy can be traumatic. Women who experience a miscarriage in the first trimester sometimes find it helpful to meet with counselors to discuss the experience. Because miscarriage at this stage is so common, many women are also encouraged to avoid disclosing their pregnancy to friends and family until the 12th week, when the risks of miscarriage will drop dramatically.
Friends and family members looking for ways to support women after a first trimester miscarriage can send sympathy cards as they would in the event of a loss. Offers of cooked meals, help with errands, and other support may also be appreciated by parents grieving the loss of a pregnancy.
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