Understanding why miscarriage happens might help allay your fears if you are worried about losing your baby.
You might be aware that miscarriage is most likely to occur in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Indeed, many happen in the first six weeks, often without a woman even knowing she was pregnant. Within those first six weeks, around one in every six pregnancies will end in miscarriage.
By eight weeks that chance of miscarriage has dropped significantly, to around one in 16 pregnancies.
This is because the majority of pregnancies which end in miscarriage are down to abnormality in the chromosomal make-up of the baby whereby the fetus would not survive. (There are sometimes other reasons for miscarriage but this is the most common.)
Beyond the magical 12 weeks point, when the placenta is fully formed, only one in 100 pregnancies ends in miscarriage. For more about late miscarriages click here.
On a positive note, this sadly common experience does mean that there are many people out there who can share with you for support. It also means that doctors and hospitals are better trained at caring for you should this tragedy strike.
On ThinkBaby you can find out more about How your body recovers from miscarriage and also, if you feel you're ready, Trying for another baby.
