The Reality: How Common Is Miscarriage?

“Approximately 10–15% of clinically recognized pregnancies end in miscarriage, with the majority occurring in the first trimester.”
(ACOG Practice Bulletin, 2018)

That number alone is significant. But when researchers include pregnancies that are lost before a woman even realises she is pregnant, the estimate rises sharply: up to 30% of all conceptions may end in miscarriage.

In other words, pregnancy loss is far more common than most people realize — and most of it happens early, often silently, during the most delicate stages of embryo development.

Age also plays a critical role, but not in a simplistic way. As women age, both egg quality and chromosomal integrity decline, increasing the likelihood that an embryo will not develop normally. Studies have shown that miscarriage risk increases from around 10–15% in the 20s to nearly 20% by age 35, and rises steeply to approximately 33–40% by age 40.

This is not meant to create fear — it highlights something important: pregnancy outcomes are deeply tied to underlying biology, and that biology can be supported.

What Actually Causes Miscarriage?

“Approximately 50% of miscarriages are due to chromosomal abnormalities.”
(ACOG Practice Bulletin, 2018)

This is often where the conversation stops — and where many women feel powerless. But it shouldn’t.

Because the other half of miscarriages are not purely genetic accidents. They are influenced by the environment in which the embryo implants and develops. "The remaining cases are influenced by maternal health, lifestyle, and environmental factors.”
(ESHRE Guidelines)

 

The Preventable Portion (This Changes Everything)

“Up to 25% of miscarriages may be preventable through optimisation of modifiable risk factors.”
(Bhattacharya et al., BJOG, 2010)

That means roughly so many miscarriages may be influenced by factors that can be improved before pregnancy. Not guaranteed. Not absolute. But meaningful.

And when it comes to something as important as pregnancy, even a small shift in probability matters. One of the biggest misconceptions is that miscarriage is simply “bad luck.” In reality, research consistently shows patterns — and many of them are linked to underlying health.

Metabolic Health

“Maternal obesity is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, with odds ratios ranging from 1.5 to 1.8.”
(Metwally et al., Human Reproduction Update, 2008)

This doesn’t just refer to weight, but to metabolic function — including insulin resistance, inflammation, and hormonal balance. Even being underweight can increase risk. This suggests that the body’s internal environment plays a direct role in supporting — or struggling to support — early pregnancy.

Thyroid and Hormonal Balance

“Thyroid dysfunction, including subclinical hypothyroidism, is associated with increased risk of miscarriage.”
(Thangaratinam et al., BMJ, 2011)

What makes this particularly important is that many thyroid imbalances go undiagnosed. Even mild disruptions can interfere with implantation, placental development, and early fetal growth. And during first trimester, the recommended thyroid levels are much below the usual accepted normal ranges. 

So it is important that we manage the thyroid levels during conception itself to these newly recommended values for first trimester. 

Nutrient Deficiencies

“Maternal anemia is associated with increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriage.”
(Rahman et al., BMC Public Health, 2016)

Nutrients are not just “supportive” — they are foundational. They directly influence cell division, DNA synthesis, and oxygen delivery, all of which are critical in the earliest weeks of pregnancy. It is important to get the right quantities of protein, carbs and healthy fats. 

Lifestyle Factors

“Smoking, alcohol consumption, and high caffeine intake are associated with increased risk of miscarriage.”
(ACOG; Mayo Clinic)

 

What “Preparing Your Body” Actually Means

Preparing your body is not about being perfect. It’s about creating the right internal conditions for pregnancy to begin and continue.

This includes improving nutritional status — ensuring adequate levels of folate, iron, vitamin B12, and vitamin D — all of which are essential for early fetal development.

It also involves supporting metabolic health, stabilising blood sugar levels, and achieving a healthy weight range, all of which influence hormonal balance and implantation.

Hormonal regulation is equally important. Thyroid function, ovulation quality, and cycle regularity all play a role in determining whether a pregnancy can be sustained. This can be achieved through movement, yoga and more.

Lifestyle factors matter too — reducing caffeine, eliminating smoking and alcohol, improving sleep, and managing stress can all contribute to a more supportive environment for pregnancy.

And perhaps most importantly, identifying underlying issues early — before conception — allows for intervention at the stage where it is most effective.

 

The Truth No One Talks About

Most miscarriage advice comes after loss.

But by then, many of the key factors — egg quality, implantation conditions, and early development — are already set.

“The preconception period represents a critical window for improving pregnancy outcomes.”
(WHO Preconception Care Guidelines, 2013)

This is the window that is often missed.

So instead of asking: “Will I miscarry?” 

A more useful question is: “Is my body prepared to sustain a pregnancy?”

Because the evidence shows that while miscarriage cannot always be prevented, it is also not entirely random.

Final Thought

You cannot control everything. But you can control far more than you’ve been told.

And sometimes, that difference — made before pregnancy even begins — is what changes the outcome entirely. 

If you’re thinking about trying soon, it may be worth taking a step back and asking whether your body has the support it needs first.

Because in many cases, small, targeted changes before conception can make a meaningful difference to how a pregnancy progresses.

This is exactly what we focus on inside our program — helping you prepare your body in a way that’s practical, personalised, and grounded in science.