Who Is at the Lowest Risk of Miscarriage? Surprising Facts

Understanding Miscarriage Risk Factors

Miscarriage is, sadly, a reality that many people face. If you’re reading this, it’s likely because you want to understand who is at the lowest risk of miscarriage—who’s more likely to carry a pregnancy to term with fewer complications. The answer, as you might imagine, is not completely straightforward. But don’t worry, I’m here to break it down for you, step by step.

Age and Miscarriage Risk: How Much Does It Really Matter?

You’ve probably heard this a lot—age plays a huge role in the risk of miscarriage. And while that’s definitely true, it’s a bit more complicated than just saying “older women have higher risks.” Let me tell you, I was talking about this with a friend last week who had no idea how much it affects things. Sure, older women (over 35) tend to have higher miscarriage rates, but there’s more nuance here than you might think.

For women under 35, the risk of miscarriage is typically lower—around 10-15%. However, for women over 40, that risk can increase significantly. I mean, it's a pretty steep jump. Yet, some women in their 40s can still have healthy pregnancies. The key, though, is that if you’re under 35, your chances are generally better.

Healthy Lifestyle: Does It Reduce Miscarriage Risk?

Now, I know this might sound a bit too “wellness guru,” but hear me out—lifestyle matters. You might not believe it, but things like a balanced diet, regular exercise, and a healthy weight can make a difference. A few years ago, I remember hearing from a colleague who had been through several miscarriages and then made some lifestyle changes—cutting out alcohol, focusing on whole foods, getting more sleep. Guess what? She managed to get pregnant and carry her baby to term after all of that. It's not a guarantee, of course, but it definitely helps.

Avoiding Risky Habits

This one’s pretty obvious, but still worth saying: avoiding risky habits like smoking, excessive drinking, and drug use is crucial. If you’ve ever been told to quit smoking during pregnancy, it’s not just for your health—it’s to give your baby the best chance possible. These habits are well-known risk factors for miscarriage, and yet, many people don’t realize how much they contribute. I know someone (again, this happened to a friend of mine) who quit smoking and drinking before even trying for a baby, and her pregnancies were much smoother compared to before.

Medical Conditions That Impact Miscarriage Risk

Okay, here’s where things get tricky. Some medical conditions can increase the risk of miscarriage, but that doesn’t mean it’s a done deal. A person with well-managed conditions can still have a healthy pregnancy.

Thyroid Disorders and Diabetes

Let’s talk thyroid issues for a sec. Women with hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism may face a higher risk of miscarriage, but with proper treatment and monitoring, they can often reduce the risk. My aunt, for example, struggled with thyroid issues for years. When she became pregnant, her doctors closely monitored her thyroid levels, and guess what? She gave birth to a healthy baby girl after managing her thyroid condition.

Diabetes—particularly if it’s not well controlled—also raises miscarriage risk. However, with lifestyle changes, medication, and careful monitoring, many women with diabetes go on to have successful pregnancies. It’s all about management.

The Role of Genetic Factors

You might have heard that genetics play a part in miscarriage risk. Well, that’s true, too. Some people have genetic conditions, like balanced translocations, which can increase the risk of pregnancy loss. It’s hard to predict exactly who will have this, but if you’ve had multiple miscarriages, it might be worth exploring genetic testing with your doctor. It could give you some insight and possibly even a game plan.

The Surprising Role of Stress and Mental Health

Okay, here’s the thing: I didn’t always believe this one. I used to think that stress couldn’t really affect pregnancy, but boy, was I wrong. Stress—especially chronic stress—can negatively impact pregnancy. It can interfere with hormones, cause physical tension, and even affect the immune system. So, guess what? Keeping stress under control could actually lower your miscarriage risk.

I remember chatting with a friend who had a particularly difficult year emotionally. She had been dealing with a lot of stress and, unfortunately, experienced a miscarriage. We talked about this a lot, and she’s now working on managing stress better, and her second pregnancy is going much smoother. It’s not a guaranteed fix, but mental health plays a role in how your body handles pregnancy.

Conclusion: Who’s at the Lowest Risk of Miscarriage?

So, who’s actually at the lowest risk? If you’re under 35, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, avoiding risky habits, and managing any existing medical conditions, you’re already stacking the odds in your favor. But it’s not a perfect science—many other factors, like genetics, environment, and even sheer luck, play a part in pregnancy outcomes.

Miscarriage is an unfortunate part of many people’s journey, but that doesn’t mean it’s the end of the road. If you fall into a higher-risk category, don’t lose hope. Work with your doctor, manage what you can, and stay informed. And hey, I’ve learned over time (from personal conversations and experiences) that everyone’s journey is different. What’s most important is to keep an open mind, be kind to yourself, and lean on those who care for you.

You’ve got this.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.