1. Miscarriage is rare
False. Miscarriage is more common than most people think. Around one in eight pregnancies end in miscarriage. And many more happen before a woman is even aware of the pregnancy. It is rare to have recurrent miscarriages – three or more. This only happens to one in 100 women, and even in these cases, the chances are the woman will go on to have a successful pregnancy.
2. It’s impossible to prevent miscarriage
True. But it is possible to lower the risk of miscarriage, by taking good care of your health while pregnant. This means not smoking, or drinking alcohol, drinking six to eight glasses of fluid a day and eating a balanced diet, including lots of fruit and veg and not drinking too much caffeine. Obesity is also a factor.
3. Your age can increase the risk of having a miscarriage
True. Age is a big risk factor in miscarriages. In women under 30, just one in 10 pregnancies will end in miscarriage. For women aged 35-39, it’s two in 10 and for women over 45, more than half of all pregnancies will end in miscarriage. This is because the older you are when you fall pregnant, the more likely it is that the unborn child will have a chromosomal abnormality.
4. If you have a bleed it means you’re having a miscarriage
False. Light bleeding is common during the three months of pregnancy, so this doesn’t necessarily mean that you have had a miscarriage. But, if you have vaginal bleeding, you should get checked out . Other symptoms of miscarriage include cramping and no longer feeling the symptoms of pregnancy, such as sore breasts. The psychological side of miscarriage is often the most harmful. Visit www.tommys.org/miscarriage for help and support.
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