When a miscarriage happens, one of the first questions people ask is: Why? The search for answers is natural — and painful when none are available. Unfortunately, myths and half-truths often cloud the reality.
Let’s break down what we know, what we don’t, and where research is headed.
Miscarriage in Context
A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks. It’s more common than most people realize: around 1 in 4 known pregnancies ends this way, with the vast majority happening in the first trimester.
Most often, miscarriage occurs because of chromosomal abnormalities — random genetic errors in the embryo that prevent healthy development. These are outside of anyone’s control. (source)
Common Myths vs. Facts
Myth | Fact |
“Stress, exercise, or sex caused it.” | Everyday activities, including moderate exercise or sex, do not cause miscarriage. (source) |
“If I had eaten differently, I could have prevented this.” | Diet plays little role in preventing miscarriage. The cause is almost always genetic, structural, or medical. (source) |
“One miscarriage means I’ll keep miscarrying. There’s something wrong with me.” | Most people who experience miscarriage go on to have healthy pregnancies. (source) |
“There must be something wrong with me.” | Up to 50% of infertility cases involve male (paternal) factors, and sperm abnormalities—like DNA fragmentation or chromosomal issues—can contribute to miscarriage (source) |
What About Recurrent Miscarriage?
While most miscarriages happen once and never again, about 1 in 100 women experience recurrent miscarriage, defined as three or more consecutive losses.
In about half of these cases, doctors can find an explanation beyond genetics — causes may include blood clotting disorders, immune conditions, hormonal issues, or uterine abnormalities. (source)
In the other half, the cause remains unexplained, which can feel deeply frustrating for families seeking answers.
Organizations like Tommy’s in the UK are at the forefront of research, aiming to better understand recurrent miscarriage and improve both prevention and treatment. Their work gives hope that fewer families will have to endure loss without explanation in the future.
Emotional Truth
Even when science says “it wasn’t your fault,” self-blame can creep in. Many people replay every meal, workout, or stressful day, wondering if it contributed. But the overwhelming truth is this: miscarriage is not caused by something you did or didn’t do.
Key Takeaways
Most miscarriages are caused by random chromosomal issues, not something you could have prevented.
Recurrent miscarriage (3+ losses) affects 1 in 100 women; about half of cases have identifiable causes.
Research organizations like Tommy’s are working to uncover answers for families who’ve been left in the dark.
Grief and self-blame are common, but miscarriage is not your fault.
