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Miscarriage: The facts

Miscarriage is the sad loss of a baby in the first 24 weeks of pregnancy. It’s always extremely distressing to lose a baby. If it does happen to you and your partner, accept that you will go through a grieving process and that you have the right to experience these emotions.

Even though you never actually met your baby, he or she already existed in your life as a person, and your expectations were for a happy experience of creating new life, so don’t try and deny any strong feelings you may have.

Do you need some support?

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you need support following a miscarriage you can contact the Miscarriage Association of Ireland. They’re a voluntary organisation providing information and support to couples.

You can access telephone support, attend monthly meetings or receive useful factsheets on miscarriage-related matters through the post.

Contact details:

Miscarriage Association of Ireland
Carmichael House
North Brunswick Street
Dublin 7
Tel: (01) 873 5702 or (01) 872 5550 or (01) 872 2914
Website: www.miscarraige.ie

When do miscarriages happen?

• A lot of women miscarry before they actually realise they’re pregnant, and don’t notice the miscarriage either. It can just seem like a heavy period.
• It’s possible that as many as three-quarters of all fertilised eggs are lost in the very earliest stages of pregnancy.
• Most women miscarry in the first 13 weeks of pregnancy, but occasionally, a woman may miscarry much later.
• A miscarriage can occur at any stage of pregnancy, up to 24 weeks.

What are the symptoms?

• Period-like pains and heavy bleeding, which may include blood clots.
• You may miscarry without knowing it, only seeing small spots on your knickers or on the paper when you go to the toilet.
• With any spotting or bleeding, you should ring your doctor or midwife. They may want to visit you at home or see you at an antenatal clinic the next day.

Why do miscarriages happen?

• A miscarriage is sometimes nature’s way from preventing a baby from suffering if it’s not developing properly or has health problems already.
• It’s thought that at least half of first trimester miscarriages are a result of genetic problems that are stopping the baby from growing in the right way.
• After 20 weeks a miscarriage may be because of an infection, abnormality or a weak cervix.
• Some women have a miscarriage for no known reason.

Is there anything that makes a miscarriage more likely?

• There is a higher risk if you have already suffered from more than one miscarriage already.
• Research suggests smoking, excessive alcohol and caffeine intake are all risk factors.
• From age 30 the risk increases, and then again from age 35.
• Fibroids -non-cancerous tumours of the muscle surrounding the uterus.
• An abnormally shaped uterus.
• A history of kidney disease, diabetes or thyroid disease.
• An infection such as rubella, listeria or chlamydia during early pregnancy.

What should I do if I’ve had a miscarriage before?

• If you’ve had a miscarriage before try to rest as much as possible during the first couple of months of your pregnancy.
• Avoiding sex for the first few months of pregnancy may be advised by your doctor or midwife.