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How Age Affects the Rate of Miscarriage
On this occassion of the 1st anniversary of The Wellness Today, I thought it would be appropriate to share some new info I learned about pregnancy and miscarriage as a contribution to healthy motherhood, which is the beginning of life and wellness. I recently shared in my Geeky Mommy blog about my personal experience with having a miscarriage. I viewed the ordeal as a learning experience, and one that I gained a lot of knowledge from.
By definition, miscarriage can be caused by many factors, not just physical stress that most people are aware of. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), miscarrying a baby may be brought about by hormonal changes, drug use, drinking, smoking, and being overweight or obese. Statistics say that about 15 to 20% of pregnant moms are at risk of miscarriage.
New research has added to the knowledge that the mom’s age can affect her rate of miscarriage. It is already a known fact that the older the pregnant mom, the more likely it is for her to miscarry. But why is this so? Dr. Patricia Hunt of Washington State University explains how in her study as published in the May 2011 issue of Current Biology.
She found that as the fertilized egg cell begins to divide in the womb, there is a critical stage wherein the chromosomes fail to properly arrange. This leads to abnormalities in the development of the embryo, and thus contributes to the possibility of miscarriage.
Dr. Hunt states that women in their 20s produce about 10 percent chromosomally abnormal egg cells in their lifetime. As they become older, like in their 40s, about 50 percent of their egg cells are likely to be genetically abnormal.
For pregnant moms and soon-to-be pregnant ladies, this data should not be a cause for alarm. It just provides us with the added info to guide our lifestyles so we can gear them towards healthier living, both for ourselves and our babies. There is no harm in eating well, exercising regularly, and getting adequate sleep. Wishing you all the best!
Sources:
Age as a Risk Factor for Miscarriage
