The most important factor in first trimester miscarriage is chromosomal abnormality. It is believed that up to 70 percent of all first trimester miscarriages are caused by chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus. A mother s lifestyle can also increase her risk of first trimester miscarriage. Studies suggest that women who drink two or more alcoholic beverages per day double the risk of miscarriage. Cigarette smokers have a 20 to 80 percent greater chance of having a miscarriage than non-smokers do, and some studies have suggested that heavy caffeine intake can increase the risk of miscarriage.
All medications affect the fetus differently.
Women who take medications for preexisting medical conditions, such as arthritis, epilepsy, or high blood pressure, should always check with their physician before continuing to use that medication while pregnant. Also discuss medication use with your physician while trying to become pregnant. Taking common pain relievers during pregnancy may increase the risk of miscarriage, according to a study published in last week s British Medical Journal . However, they did find an increased risk in the occurrence of miscarriage in the women who took the pain relievers. They also compared 4,268 women who had miscarriages, of whom 63 had taken the drugs, with 29,750 women who had live births.