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The most common cause of pregnancy loss are genetic defects, followed by hormonal disorders, autoimmune diseases and age.
1. Genetic defect of the embryo
Man consists of a double strand of DNA, one for each parent. Research shows that the highest percentage of miscarriages is caused by abnormalities in the structure of the DNA code or the number of chromosomes. Defective genes account for 60-80 percent. early miscarriages. These disorders can be inherited or arise immediately after conception. The child receives half of the genetic material from his mother – in the egg, and half from his father – in the sperm.
– As women get older, the risk of miscarriage due to genetic defects increases. During our life, the genetic material undergoes changes under the influence of natural processes and unfavorable external factors, including food, air, stress or stimulants, which are multiplied, so it is not difficult to make a mistake. Damage to a potentially normal embryo can also lead to miscarriage by external teratogenic factors acting in the early stages of development – says Robert Kulhawik, a gynecologist.
As for men, the main factor contributing to the fragmentation of sperm DNA is the excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as the failure of antioxidant mechanisms (protecting cells against their excess). The formation of ROS is exacerbated by the inflammation of the body, obesity and an incorrect diet (rich in fats). That is why it is so important to ensure the best quality of sperm. Preparations improving sperm quality and regulating sperm DNA fragmentation are available on the market.
2. Age of the woman
Nowadays, more and more women are opting for late motherhood. The decline in fertility in women begins after the age of 30 and increases with age. This is when the cycles of airless begin to appear. The frequency of early pregnancy loss increases in women over 35, and in women over 40 it may even reach 50%. The risk of miscarriage also increases depending on whether it’s the first or the next pregnancy. If a woman has given birth before, it is only slightly greater than that of a primiparous woman.
Usually, the immune system is lowered during pregnancy. This may result in the remission of chronic autoimmune diseases (scleroderma, systemic lupus, etc.) and an increased susceptibility of pregnant women to infections. The risk of miscarriage increases in women infected with HIV, toxoplasmosis, cytomegaly, rubella, smallpox, herpes virus and chlamydia. Spontaneous miscarriages can also be influenced by infections caused by microorganisms such as: Escherichia coli, Gardnerella vaginali, Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Trichomonas vaginalis or Mycoplasma, as well as Candida fungi.
4. Bad eating habits, including toxic factors
Deficiencies or excesses of some nutrients in the diet of a pregnant woman may contribute to miscarriage. An unhealthy lifestyle, including smoking (also passive cigarettes) and drinking alcohol, also has a large impact on pregnancy.
Too little folate and iodine in the mother’s diet increases the risk of birth defects, miscarriages or death of the baby. The same is true of vitamin A in the diet. Its deficiency may, for example, lead to premature rupture of the membranes.
– Numerous observations confirm that smoking during pregnancy (including e-cigarettes!) Causes many adverse changes in the body of the developing child. These changes involve the death of cells or the incorrect formation of new cells, which can also lead to miscarriage. Currently, no one doubts that drinking alcohol during pregnancy (including low-alcohol alcohol!) Increases the risk of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, i.e. numerous defects and abnormalities in the child’s body, the existence of which may result in a miscarriage. Therefore, bearing in mind the well-being of your little one, it is better not to experiment with even the smallest amounts – comments Anna Pasternak-Winiarska, dietician, creator of the proprietary nutritional workshop “School of Nutrition for Conscious Parents”.
Women planning motherhood should also avoid some professions where they may be exposed to dangerous substances, e.g. working with oncological patients where radioactive isotopes are used.
5. Mental stress
Recent research proves that there is no connection between miscarriages and ordinary everyday anxiety and frustration. There is, however, a flip side to the coin. According to a team of American scientists, stress affecting a woman in the first three weeks of pregnancy increases the likelihood of losing a baby up to three times. The blame for this condition lies with cortisol – a stress hormone, which can be interpreted by our body as an alarm signal that the prevailing conditions are unfavorable for the maintenance of pregnancy and therefore it should be eliminated naturally. At the same time, cortisol has the ability to lower the level of progesterone – a hormone that prepares the uterus to implement a fertilized egg.
– Ideally, the expectant mother should live a stress-free life, but these days are not conducive to such idealized conditions. Even if a woman is under stress, it does not mean that she will not give birth to a healthy child. Our bodies are biologically designed to deal with everyday ailments. Additionally, there are ways to help manage anxiety, depression and stress during pregnancy. It’s best to learn them while planning a pregnancy and to ensure peace in the next phases of waiting for a child – says Anna Jerzak, psychologist, author of the Psychonomia blog.
6. Immunological basis
It happens that the mother’s antibodies begin to reject the fetus. This happens when the female immune system does not recognize the male sperm and reads it as a foreign protein, sending antibodies towards it. It then damages the sperm already in the cervix. Sometimes the male immune system attacks the sperm produced by its own body. The sperm or egg may be treated as a threat that the body has to face, thus contributing to a miscarriage.
An example of an immune-related miscarriage is the so-called serological conflict. It can occur when the mother’s blood is Rh + and the father’s is Rh-.
7. Anatomical factors
Abnormal structure of the uterus, ovarian tumors, endometriosis or uterine fibroids can significantly reduce the space in which new life is maturing, sometimes making it impossible to carry on a pregnancy. After procedures such as curettage or cesarean section, intrauterine adhesions, i.e. abnormal connections of connective tissue resulting from healing, may appear, preventing the embryo from developing.
8. Hormonal imbalance
Women with hormonal disorders are more likely to experience problems with conception and are at increased risk of miscarriage. The key hormone influencing the proper course of pregnancy, and especially its maintenance, is progesterone. Its main function is to prepare the endometrium, i.e. the lining of the womb, for implantation of a fertilized egg. Corpus luteum failure and low progesterone production can prevent implantation of a fertilized egg or disrupt the early development of pregnancy.
When looking for hormonal causes of miscarriage, you should also take a closer look at the thyroid gland. This gland plays a very important role in the metabolic and hormonal balance of the entire body. When it is disturbed, the consequences can also affect fertility.
Other factors causing miscarriage also include: mechanical injuries related to accidents or random events.
– Civilization burdens, lifestyle, stress, poor diet, deteriorating sperm quality … all this affects fertility and may contribute to miscarriage. When necessary, we should strengthen the body with medical products and dietary supplements, which in men will strengthen the condition and improve the quality of sperm, and in women they will properly prepare the body for fertilization, thus increasing the likelihood of conception and birth of a child – convinces Monika Juszczuk, representative of the Dr. Bocian brand.
Miscarriage is a serious medical and psychological problem for people trying to conceive, but in many cases there are ways to reduce or eliminate the risk of pregnancy loss. Knowing the causes of a miscarriage, we gain valuable knowledge which, together with appropriate steps, is a weapon in the fight for the appearance of the desired descendant in the world.