Early miscarriage: Is stress a factor?

content provided by mayoclinic.com

Early miscarriage: Is stress a factor?

Question

Can too much stress cause early miscarriage?

No name
No state given

Answer

Stress has long been suspected as a possible cause of early miscarriage, but there's little evidence to support the theory.

An estimated 10 to 20 percent of known pregnancies end in miscarriage. Typically, early miscarriage is caused by a fetal chromosomal abnormality or another problem in the development of the embryo. Possible causes of repeated early miscarriage may include:

  • Blood-clotting problems
  • Abnormalities of the uterus or cervix
  • Hormone imbalances
  • Immune responses that disrupt implantation

If you're concerned about early miscarriage, concentrate on taking good care of yourself and your baby. Seek regular prenatal care, manage any chronic conditions and avoid known risk factors for miscarriage — such as smoking and drinking alcohol.

Last Updated: 2009-11-20
© 1998-2008 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Reliable tools for healthier lives," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Terms and conditions of use

 

Bookmark and Share   E-Mail Page   Printer Friendly Version