Miscarriage Is Widely Understood, Survey Shows

Survey results analyzed in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology reveal that many hold an unclear understanding of the causes of miscarriages and the emotional impact they hold on women.

Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University and Montefiore Health System made up a 33-item survey to find out what the public believed they knew about miscarriages, including any preconceived misconceptions surrounding the birthing loss.

For the survey, over 1,000 U.S. adults aged 18 and older from 49 states participated, and it ran for three days in 2013. Forty-five percent of the respondents were men, while 55 percent were women and another 15 percent reported that they or their partner had suffered from a miscarriage.

"Miscarriage is a traditionally taboo subject that is rarely discussed publicly," Zev Williams, director of the Program for Early and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (PEARL) at Einstein and Montefiore and assistant professor of obstetrics & gynecology and women's health, said in a press release. "We initiated this survey to assess what the general public knew about miscarriage and its causes and how miscarriage affects them emotionally."

Findings revealed that 22 percent wrongly assumed that taking drugs or drinking alcohol or smoking were the primary causes of a miscarriage. However, lifestyle choices are only contributing factors that can increase the risk of miscarriage, according to health officials. Research shows that three out of five miscarriages are triggered by a genetic problem, via abnormal chromosomes, including autoimmune disorders, structural abnormalities of the uterus and endocrine disorders, like hypothyroidism.

Furthermore, researchers found that long-term stress (74 percent) or stressful events (76 percent) contributed to miscarriage risk. However, some surveyed incorrectly believed that getting into an argument (21 percent), history of oral contraceptives (22 percent) or IUD use (28 percent) and lifting heavy objects (64 percent) could increase the risk.

The survey findings show that many are still uncertain about miscarriage risk and the related causes. In fact, findings revealed that up to 88 percent of those surveyed wanted to know how to prevent a future miscarriage, while 78 percent looked to identify the reason for its cause, even when things were too late to correct.

Researchers hope this further illustrates a need to create a more secure and educational approach on the matter for women, men and health care providers alike so that those who support someone going through the problem can provide the right care and treatment, emotionally and physically.