Many expectant moms worry about miscarriage, especially early in pregnancy. Understanding how the risk changes week by week can provide reassurance and help you make informed choices.
Overall, about 10 to 20 percent of known pregnancies end in miscarriage, and roughly 80 percent of those occur during the first trimester (before 12 weeks). If an ultrasound detects a heartbeat at six weeks, the risk of miscarriage drops to around 10 percent, and by the end of the first trimester it falls to about 5 percent. Miscarriage in the second trimester is relatively rare, occurring in 1–5 percent of pregnancies. These numbers highlight that risks decrease significantly as weeks go by.
Certain factors can raise a person’s risk of miscarriage. If you have any of these risk factors, talk with your healthcare provider:
- Being over age 35 or having a history of previous miscarriages.
- Structural problems with the uterus or cervix.
- Chronic conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, thyroid disease or high blood pressure.
- Smoking, alcohol use, or illicit drug use during pregnancy.
- Exposure to certain medications, toxic substances or radiation.
- Infections or severe fever early in pregnancy.
While many miscarriages result from chromosomal abnormalities and cannot be prevented, there are steps you can take to support a healthy pregnancy. Focus on a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and prenatal vitamins. Avoid smoking, alcohol and illicit drugs, and limit caffeine to less than 200 mg per day. Get regular prenatal care, control chronic medical conditions, and maintain a healthy weight. Cook meats to safe internal temperatures and heat deli meats until steaming to reduce your risk of listeriosis. If you need medicines for a cold or other ailment, choose pregnancy‑safe options and avoid products that contain NSAIDs or decongestants linked to birth defects.
By making healthy lifestyle choices and working closely with your healthcare provider, you can improve your chances of a healthy, full‑term pregnancy. The SafeMom Ingredient Checker can help you evaluate over‑the‑counter medicines and personal‑care products, giving you peace of mind that the ingredients you use are safe for both you and your baby.
