It is quite natural for pregnant women to worry about things going wrong. A miscarriage is certainly the worst thing that can happen to a pregnant woman, and it is obvious to feel very concerned if you have already experienced the loss in the past. Most miscarriages happen during first-trimester – about 30-40% of confirmed pregnancies end in a miscarriage. Statistics show that you have higher chances of second miscarriage if you have had one in the past. Can you lower your risk? Let's find out more.

Chances of Having a Miscarriage

When you are in your childbearing years, there are 10-25% of chances to have a miscarriage. However, the average risk for most healthy women is 15-20%. Many factors can also affect the chances of having a miscarriage. For instance:

• The chances of miscarriage increase with an increase in maternal age.
• There is a 15% chance that a woman under the age of 35 years will have a miscarriage.
• There is a 20-35% chance of miscarriage for women between the age 35 and 45 years.
• There is a 50% chance of miscarriage for women over the age of 45 years.
• There is a 25% chance of having another miscarriage if you have had a miscarriage in the past.

What Are the Chances of Second Miscarriage?

It is natural for you to feel concerned about getting pregnant again when your last pregnancy ended in a miscarriage. Statistics also show that you are likely to have another miscarriage if your last pregnancy did not end well. Having a miscarriage can take a toll on you both emotionally and physically, which can make it difficult to decide whether you are ready to get pregnant again or not.

To know about your chances of second miscarriage, you will have to consider what kind of pregnancy loss you had in the past. For instance:

1. If You Had First Trimester Miscarriage

Doctors are of the view that about half of all miscarriages that happen in the first trimester are because of chromosomal abnormalities in the baby. However, first trimester miscarriages are more common than you might think – about 10% of known pregnancies end in miscarriages.

Experts believe that if your last miscarriage happened in your first trimester, it is less likely to affect your subsequent pregnancy. It means first trimester miscarriages are usually a one-time event only, and you are likely to achieve a successful pregnancy if you try again. However, a pregnancy loss before your 20^th week does increase your risk a little, but that may not make a huge difference.

2. If You Had Second Trimester Miscarriage

You are at an increased risk of having a repeat miscarriage if you have already miscarried in your second trimester. There are also chances of having a preterm delivery in your next pregnancy. However, this should not keep you from trying again. Even when odds are high, it is still possible to achieve a successful pregnancy. You just need to work closely with your healthcare provider. You will need prenatal care as per your doctor's advice to increase your chances of completing your term successfully.

3. If You Had Ectopic Pregnancy

You have an ectopic pregnancy when a fertilized egg fails to implant itself inside the uterus. Instead, it implants itself outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes. About 1-2% of all pregnancies end because of ectopic pregnancy. If you have had an ectopic pregnancy in the past, there is always a risk to have another one.

It is therefore important to see your doctor soon after you know you are pregnant again. They will help confirm if the fertilized egg has implanted inside the uterus or not. Once you know the implantation has occurred successfully, your risk of miscarrying is not higher than average.

A Quick Note

It is important to know about your chances of second miscarriage, but sometimes, you just cannot prevent another miscarriage. What you need to bear in mind is that even if you have had another miscarriage, this does not mean you just cannot have a successful pregnancy. You have to talk to your doctor who will help pinpoint the cause of your miscarriage and suggest a way forward.

Is There Any Way to Reduce the Risk?

You cannot do much to reduce the risk, especially when you have a miscarriage due to chromosomal abnormalities. However, you can still improve your chances of having a successful pregnancy by getting as healthy as possible before conceiving. For this, you should exercise regularly, eat healthy, and manage stress in a better way. It is also important to keep your body weight within healthy limits and take folic acid regularly.

You also need to pay attention to staying healthy once you have confirmed that you are pregnant again. This usually involves giving up any bad habit and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Be sure to keep your abdomen safe all the time. It is better to stay away from contact sports to be on the safe side.
• Never smoke or be around second-hand smoke.
• Say no to alcohol during pregnancy.
• Be sure to talk to your doctor before taking any OTC medications.
• Avoid caffeinated beverages during pregnancy.
• Minimize exposure to environmental hazards, including infectious disease, radiation, and x-rays.