The most common cause of miscarriage is a genetic abnormality – accounting for about 60 percent of all losses. Factors that increase your risk of spontaneous miscarriage are increased maternal age, a history of recurrent miscarriages, certain infections such as syphilis and HIV and some anatomical abnormalities of the uterus and cervix. An important preventable factor that increases the risk of miscarriage is smoking and tobacco exposure.

Miscarriages in early pregnancy cannot be prevented or stopped, no matter how desired the pregnancy. If you are bleeding painlessly, you are likely miscarrying and the physician will simply confirm this process. Very few miscarriages require any intervention. However, if you are bleeding heavily, soaking a pad an hour, you need to be evaluated urgently, either by your obstetrician (during clinic hours) or in the emergency room after hours.

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