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Why Do Early Miscarriages Happen? | IVF Expert Explains Causes & Solutions
An early miscarriage brings two kinds of pain — the loss itself, and the question that follows every couple home: “Why did this happen? Was it something we did?” In this video, Dr. Sweta Patel answers that question honestly. The most important thing she wants every couple to hear first: in the vast majority of cases, an early miscarriage is not caused by anything the mother did or failed to do.
The most common reason: nature’s own quality check
More than half of first-trimester miscarriages happen because the embryo carried a chromosomal error — an accident during the joining of egg and sperm, not an inherited defect and not anyone’s fault. When the genetic blueprint is incomplete, the pregnancy stops on its own, usually within the first 12 weeks. This is why doctors describe early miscarriage as nature’s quality-control mechanism. It is painful, but it is also common: roughly 1 in 5 to 1 in 6 known pregnancies ends this way, and most of those women go on to have completely healthy pregnancies afterwards.
Other causes doctors look for
| Cause | What it means | What can be done |
| Chromosomal errors in the embryo | Random error at fertilisation; risk rises with age of the egg | In recurrent cases, embryo genetic testing (PGT) during IVF can help select healthy embryos |
| Hormonal issues | Thyroid imbalance, uncontrolled sugar, low progesterone support | Blood tests; correcting these before the next pregnancy is often straightforward |
| Uterine problems | Septum, polyps, fibroids or adhesions inside the uterus | Diagnosed by scan/hysteroscopy and usually correctable with a minor procedure |
| Blood clotting disorders | Conditions like APS that disturb blood supply to the pregnancy | Detected by blood tests; managed with medication in the next pregnancy |
| Infections | Certain untreated infections of the reproductive tract | Screening and treatment before conceiving again |
What does NOT cause an early miscarriage
This part matters as much as the causes. Climbing stairs, lifting normal household weight, continuing to work, travelling, having intercourse, eating papaya or “hot” foods, stress from an argument — none of these cause a genetically normal pregnancy to miscarry. These beliefs only add guilt to grief, and Dr. Sweta is clear that the mother is not to blame.
When should you get tested?
A single early miscarriage usually does not need any investigation — the odds are strongly in your favour next time. Testing is advised after two or more losses (recurrent miscarriage). The workup typically covers hormones, a uterus evaluation — often with hysteroscopy, clotting studies, and in selected cases genetic testing of both partners. For couples with repeated losses linked to embryo chromosome errors, IVF with PGT (embryo genetic testing) allows a chromosomally normal embryo — usually grown to the blastocyst stage — to be chosen for transfer.
The road ahead
A miscarriage is an event, not a verdict. Most causes on the list above are either self-limiting or treatable, and even recurrent miscarriage has a structured path of evaluation and management. If you have experienced a loss and want answers — or simply reassurance before trying again — book a consultation and bring any previous reports. The next pregnancy is then monitored closely by the obstetrics team from the earliest weeks. You can also hear from couples who came through this on our testimonials page, or watch more of Dr. Sweta’s videos in the vlog section.
Frequently asked questions
How common are early miscarriages?
Very common — about 15–20% of known pregnancies end in the first trimester, and many more happen before a woman even knows she is pregnant. It is far more normal than most couples realise, because it is rarely talked about.
Was it caused by something I did?
Almost certainly not. Daily activities, work, travel, normal exercise and food choices do not cause early miscarriage. The most common cause is a random chromosomal error in the embryo.
After one miscarriage, what are my chances next time?
Very good. After a single early loss, the large majority of women have a normal next pregnancy without any treatment at all.
When is it called recurrent miscarriage?
Two or more consecutive losses. That is the point where a structured evaluation — hormones, uterus, clotting, and sometimes genetics — is worth doing before the next attempt.
Can IVF prevent miscarriage?
IVF by itself does not prevent miscarriage — but in specific situations, such as repeated losses due to embryo chromosome errors, IVF with PGT improves the odds by transferring a tested embryo. Whether that applies to you depends on your evaluation; discuss your history with the team at our fertility centre in Surat.