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Causes of Miscarriage It is thought that in most cases of early miscarriage the cause is a 'faulty' chromosome - a one-off genetic problem in the baby that commonly does not happen again in future pregnancies. Most women do not discover the cause of their miscarriage, as miscarriages are rarely investigated unless a woman has three or more. Three or more miscarriages in a row are known as 'recurrent' miscarriages, and occur in around 1 in 100 women. Less common causes of miscarriage include womb abnormalities, hormonal imbalance, infections such as listeria and rubella (German measles), and a weak cervix. Miscarriage is also more common in smokers, and as women get older. Age is a factor because as women get older so do their eggs - which means that the eggs are more likely to have chromosomal abnormalities - and therefore the pregnancy is more likely to miscarry. The miscarriage rate increases in women over the age of 30, but the fact remains that many women have successful pregnancies throughout their thirties, and into their early forties.   Article continues below advertisement   Miscarriage is not caused by stress, lack of rest, lifting, sex, eating spicy food, normal exercise or constipation. © Crown Copyright   (www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk 07/10/2007)   Where to now? Melissa Tells us about her Thrupenny Bits. A Great Time for All Ages to be had at Center Parcs Chat and make friends on our SmallTalk Forum   ◄back top▲ next►