It is often difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of a miscarriage. However, most miscarriages are caused by problems that occur during fertilisation – when the sperm and the egg fuse to form an embryo. The commonest cause of a miscarriage is an abnormal number of chromosomes- either too many or too few. Often the baby (also called a foetus) does not develop at all, or may develop abnormally. In such cases, miscarriage is the body’s way of ending a pregnancy that is not developing normally.

To give you an example, if we plant seeds in the ground, all seeds do not sprout into a healthy plant. It is nature’s way of making sure that a weak or abnormal plant does not grow. Similarly, miscarriage is nature’s way of preventing an abnormal pregnancy from continuing.

I am pregnant for the second time. In my first pregnancy, I miscarried in the third month. I had fallen once in the bathroom before the miscarriage. My mother-in-law told me I was careless and the fall caused the miscarriage. How do I prevent a miscarriage this time?

Please tell your mother-in-law to back off and not blame you for the miscarriage. A fall can hardly be blamed for a miscarriage. The baby is well protected within the uterus. It was just a coincidence that you fell a few days before the miscarriage. It is a human tendency to connect the dots and create a cause and effect phenomenon!

I am 31 years old. I have just confirmed my pregnancy. My mother and husband want me to quit my job because I have to travel 1 hour each way. Will traveling such a long distance cause me to miscarry?

Traveling to work or working long hours will not cause a miscarriage. Please do not give up your job (and your independence!). Sitting at home will only make you put on unnecessary weight (because of lack of activity and overeating) and bore you to tears.

Traveling by two-wheeler, auto, bus or car does not cause a miscarriage. Many husbands are worried that the potholes on the roads will cause a miscarriage. This is just a misconception.