Miscarriages: Understanding the missing links

By Dr S Dash, MD (Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist)

Pregnancy loss can be emotionally devastating to both mother and father. Frequently, the response tends to be, “Why me, and what could we have done differently?” It is important for these couples to realize that the miscarriage is usually not a result of something that they have done. It is also important to realize that they are not alone. In fact, human reproduction is one of the most inefficient biological processes known. Out of a hundred acts of unprotected sex, pregnancy results only in 50 per cent. Of these 50 pregnancies, 25 would have a miscarriage even without the woman knowing it. In the remaining 25 pregnancies, only 10 to 12 would go on to deliver normal healthy babies with the rest succumbing to miscarriages and pregnancy complications. Of these, recognized miscarriages share the largest piece of the pie. So, to sum it up, a hundred acts of intercourse would lead only to a ‘take home baby’ rate of 12.