James F. Beattie, MD
Obstetrics/Gynecology
Columbus Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Inc.
7450 Hospital Drive
Dublin, Ohio 43017
Phone (614) 434-2400

Q: Can a miscarriage be prevented?

A: Unfortunately, spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) occurs in approximately 20% of pregnancies. A majority of these are related to chromosomal abnormalities which are spontaneous and unavoidable. There are maternal factors that have been associated with an increase in spontaneous abortion. These include advanced maternal age, tobacco and alcohol use, chronic maternal diseases including diabetes, thyroid disease, autoimmune diseases, and maternal exposure to certain environmental toxins (arsenic, lead ethylene glycol, heavy metals, and organic solvents).

Ideally, women should discuss these issues with their health care provider in a pre-pregnancy consultation visit where they can address and treat chronic medical conditions, discuss medications which are safe in pregnancy, and explore potential work place toxins that may affect pregnancy. Tobacco, alcohol, and other substance abuse can be successfully managed prior to conception.

Women who have had a miscarriage can be reassured that it is highly unlikely that anything they have done in early pregnancy could have either caused or prevented the loss. It should be recognized that this fact alone may not relieve the grieving process that goes with this great loss. These couples may want to connect with an experienced grief counselor or contact groups such as SHARE Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support, Inc. (http://www.nationalshareoffice.com/)