Miscarriage facts for kids
A miscarriage is when a pregnancy ends naturally, before the baby is old enough to live on its own outside the mother's body. Doctors sometimes call this a spontaneous abortion. "Spontaneous" means it happens unexpectedly, and "abortion" means a pregnancy ends early. It's important to know that a miscarriage is not anyone's fault. It's a natural event that can happen for many reasons.
Contents
What is a Miscarriage?
A miscarriage is the natural loss of a pregnancy. This happens before the 20th week of pregnancy. Most miscarriages happen very early on, often before a person even knows they are pregnant. It means the embryo or fetus stops developing.
How Common Are Miscarriages?
Miscarriages are more common than many people think. About 10 to 20 out of every 100 known pregnancies end in miscarriage. This number might be even higher because some happen so early. Many people who experience a miscarriage can go on to have healthy pregnancies later.
Why Do Miscarriages Happen?
Most miscarriages happen because of problems with the baby's development. This is usually due to issues with the baby's chromosomes. Chromosomes are like tiny instruction manuals for how a body grows. If there's a mistake in these instructions, the baby might not develop correctly.
Common Reasons for Miscarriage
- Chromosome problems: This is the most common reason. It means the baby did not get the right number of chromosomes. This is usually a random event.
- Problems with the uterus: Sometimes, the shape of the uterus (womb) can make it hard for a pregnancy to continue.
- Health conditions: Certain health issues in the pregnant person can sometimes increase the risk. These include conditions like uncontrolled diabetes.
- Infections: Some infections can also lead to a miscarriage.
It's important to remember that everyday activities do not cause miscarriages. Things like exercise, working, or having stress do not cause them.
What Happens After a Miscarriage?
After a miscarriage, the body naturally clears out the pregnancy tissue. This can be like a heavy period. Medical care might be needed to make sure everything is okay. It's a very sad and difficult time for the people involved. Support from family and friends is very important. Many people need time to heal both physically and emotionally.
Images for kids
-
A cemetery for miscarried fetuses, stillborn babies, and babies who have died soon after birth
See also
In Spanish: Aborto espontáneo para niños
