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There’s a reason many people wait to announce their pregnancy until the end of the first trimester: Miscarriages most commonly happen within the first 12 weeks of gestation. (And then mamas-to-be usually breathe a big sigh of relief!) But every once in a blue moon, we hear about a mom-to-be losing her baby later in the pregnancy. In fact, Lily Allen's rep announced this week that the singer miscarried at six months -- her second in as many years.
Stories like this one understandably strike an emotional chord in mothers and fear in all pregnant women. Yes, miscarriages happen -- the March of Dimes estimates that about 10 to 15 percent of known pregnancies end in miscarriage in the first 20 weeks. But, Allen's tragedy is actually categorized as a stillbirth, since it happened after week 20. Stillbirths only occur in about 0.6 percent of pregnancies. Chromosomal abnormalities are often to blame during first trimester miscarriages, but late miscarriages (after week 12) and stillbirths are more likely caused by other factors, like cervical insufficiency, uterus conditions, placenta problems, abdominal trauma, infections and congenital birth defects.
If you’ve passed the three-month mark in your pregnancy, and your doctor has found no complications, you're definitely through the woods! The statistics are overwhelmingly in your favor, so don't be freaked out. Just keep up with your OB visits and enjoy those last two trimesters -- and all the growth, kicks, fatigue, bursts of energy and cravings that come with them!
When did you feel comfortable announcing your pregnancy? Chime in below!
