Early Miscarriages

QUESTION: What are the myths regarding early miscarriages?

ANSWER:

There are many myths about pregnancy in general and quite a few myths regarding early miscarriages. One of the most common is that having an x-ray while you are pregnant will result in a miscarriage or result in birth defects. The truth is that a small amount of radiation will not hurt either the mother or the child she is carrying. However, anytime a pregnant woman undergoes an x-ray, she should inform the x-ray technician so that proper precautions can be undertaken.

Other myths regarding early miscarriages range from bad karma to stress. Expectant mothers may worry about things like sex, medication, diet, exercise, etc. and there is little to no truth in these myths regarding early miscarriages.

The truth is that miscarriages in the first trimester are quite common. Some studies estimate that nearly one in every nine pregnancies ends in an early miscarriage. No reason for this alarming statistic has been found, but most researchers attribute it to genetic abnormalities. The rate of early miscarriages is not attributed to something the mother did or did not do, and therefore mothers who have miscarried should not feel guilty.

Another myth regarding early miscarriage is that a backwards-pointing womb, or retroverted uterus, or a medical examination by a physician can cause an early miscarriage. Again, there is no truth to these myths. Woman with one of these problems should not feel guilty if she has a miscarriage.