Skip to main content
Mayo Clinic Health System
  • Patient Online Services
  • Pay Bill Online
  • Request an Appointment
    • Services
    • Providers
    • Locations

      Minnesota

      • Adams
      • Albert Lea
      • Austin
      • Belle Plaine
      • Blooming Prairie
      • Butterfield
      • Caledonia
      • Cannon Falls
      • Fairmont
      • Faribault
      • Janesville
      • Kenyon
      • Lake City
      • Le Sueur
      • Mankato
      • Montgomery
      • New Prague
      • New Richland
      • Northfield
      • Owatonna
      • Plainview
      • Red Wing
      • Sherburn
      • St. James
      • St. Peter
      • Waseca
      • Waterville
      • Wells
      • Zumbrota

      Wisconsin

      • Arcadia
      • Barron
      • Bloomer
      • Chetek
      • Chippewa Falls
      • Eau Claire
      • Ellsworth
      • Glenwood City
      • Holmen
      • La Crosse
      • Menomonie
      • Mondovi
      • Onalaska
      • Osseo
      • Prairie du Chien
      • Rice Lake
      • Sparta
      • Tomah

      Iowa

      • Decorah
      • Lake Mills

      View map
    • Classes/Events
    • Blog
    • Wellness
    • Referrals
    • COVID-19
    • Influenza
    Posted By
    Gabriela Cardenas Palecek, M.D.

    Gabriela Cardenas Palecek, M.D.

    Birthing Centers, Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB-GYN), Prenatal Care, Reproductive Endocrinology (Fertility)

    Recent Posts

    • Toast with peanut butter and fruit
      Speaking of Health
      Eating twice as well during pregnancy
      May 11, 2022
    Featured Topics
    • Behavioral Health
    • Cancer
    • Children's Health (Pediatrics)
    • COVID-19
    • COVID-19 Vaccine
    • Exercise and Fitness
    • Heart Health
    • Men's Health
    • Neurosurgery
    • Obstetrics and Gynecology
    • Orthopedic Health
    • Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery
    • Women's Health
    Join our email newsletter
    Speaking of Health
    Friday, May 13, 2022

    Miscarriage: It’s not your fault

    Topics in this Post
    • Women's Health
    • Obstetrics and Gynecology
    Blog_miscarriage_couple

    As an OB-GYN, I see couples who have difficulty staying pregnant. It is certainly disappointing and saddening when they realize they have lost their baby.

    When a miscarriage happens, it cannot be blamed on anyone, especially yourself. Unfortunately, miscarriages are common.

    It's estimated that 10% of clinically recognized pregnancies end in a miscarriage. The most common cause of miscarriage is chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo. This means it's neither mom nor dad's fault.

    Women often want to know if having one miscarriage means they'll likely have another. There is no way to say for sure. Most women who have a miscarriage go on to have healthy pregnancies. Still, women who have had a miscarriage could have other miscarriages. After two consecutive clinical miscarriages, it's recommended to be medically evaluated by your health care team.

    There's no way to ensure you will not have a miscarriage. But you can reduce your chances of having a miscarriage by having preconception and prenatal visits. Most miscarriages happen during the first trimester of pregnancy.

    It's important to avoid alcohol, drugs and tobacco while trying to get pregnant. It's also recommended to take prenatal vitamins, or at least folic acid, three months before conception.

    Signs of a miscarriage

    You will be able to tell you're going through a miscarriage if you start experiencing heavier vaginal bleeding accompanied by the passage of fetal tissue. This looks similar to a white mass covered with blood. It's also common to feel severe cramping afterward.

    Not every episode of pain or bleeding during pregnancy is a miscarriage. Heavy, prolonged bleeding can be associated with a normal pregnancy. If you experience these symptoms, it's important to contact your health care team. If bleeding is heavy enough to soak one pad per hour, or you start feeling dizzy and lightheaded, go to the emergency department.

    You don't need to go through miscarriage alone

    Miscarriages are difficult to go through, but it's important to not give up. Many women who have miscarriages are able to have a baby in the future. After two consecutive clinical miscarriages, it's recommended to have a medical evaluation. Having a miscarriage can be tough to deal with. If you're having a hard time coping, talk to your health care provider. They will be able to help you find a counselor to speak with.

    Gabriela Cardenas Palecek, M.D., sees patients in Obstetrics & Gynecology in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.


    For the safety of our patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was either recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in a non-patient care area where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.
    Topics in this Post
    • Women's Health
    • Obstetrics and Gynecology

    Related Posts

    Two women enjoying a cup of coffee Choose the birth control that’s best for you
    Mom holding baby as dad cooks Breastfeeding 101: Tips for new moms
    Umm...Too Embarrassed to Ask Too Embarrassed to Ask: Part I

    Stay Connected

    • Contact Us
    • Notice of Nondiscrimination
    • Notice of Privacy Practices
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • About Us
    • Careers
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • For Patients & Visitors
    • Financial Assistance
    • Community Resources
    • Mayo Clinic Connect
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Press Room
    • Mayo Clinic
    • Home
    © 2018 - 2023 Mayo Clinic Health System