MISCARRIAGE About 15 to 20 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage. For women in their 20's and early 30s, the chance of miscarriage is about 15 percent. At 35 the chance of miscarrying rises to one in four, and at 40 the miscarriage rate is close to one in three. Miscarriage can be caused due to number of reasons. Most early pregnancy losses are due to genetics reasons and cannot be prevented. But losing a pregnancy doesn't mean that anything is wrong with a woman's health or that she can't have more children. Ninety percent of women who have one miscarriage go on to have a healthy pregnancy. Despite the fact that recurrent miscarriages may increase the risk of future pregnancy losses, even women who have had three or more miscarriages in a row may have a good chance of carrying the next pregnancy to term. However, these recurrent miscarriages may be an indication of problems that require medical help. When you experience miscarriage you may either bleed without any pain and there will be a gush of fluid from your vagina without any pain at all or experience heavy bleeding with severe abdominal pain. You may also pass tissue from the vagina. It is advisable to save it in a sterile container for your doctor's examination. Symptoms of miscarriage Vaginal bleeding that may be preceded by a brownish discharge Cramps in the pelvic area and pain in the lower back. Tissue or blood clots passing from the vagina A decrease in the usual signs of early pregnancy, such as nausea and breast tenderness Can miscarriages be prevented? Miscarriage cannot be avoided at the last stage but it can be prevented if you have a history of miscarriages and by regular check up. You might be able to decrease your chances of miscarrying by taking good care of yourself early in your pregnancy and not smoking, drinking, or taking drugs. If you've had several miscarriages in a row, your doctor may recommend genetic testing to see whether you or your partner carry any chromosomal abnormalities that affect the egg or sperm. Your doctor may also give you instructions to reduce your risk of miscarriage. These can include putting your feet up for the day, avoiding intercourse for a short period of time, or avoiding some forms of exercise. Pregnancy After Miscarriage If your last pregnancy resulted in a loss then it is very natural for you to have the fear and anxiety in your mind about this pregnancy. Miscarriage always end up in grief and noone can come out of that grief and so when you conceive again after the loss you are bound to be worried until you've reached the point at which things went wrong the last time. Or if you lost a baby later in pregnancy or endured multiple miscarriages, you might never feel completely relaxed during this pregnancy. But you need not worry because it is not at all necessary that if your last pregnancy ended up in a loss this might also be threatened. Ninety percent of women who have one miscarriage go on to have a healthy pregnancy. You must not worry much during your pregnancy and to get that extra assurance you can always consult your doctor. Get some peace of mind so you can actually enjoy the pregnancy without being paralysed by fear that everything you do could be a threat to the baby. Get as much rest as is required and be happy and relaxed.