A Place for Modern Miracles! Over 20,000 Babies Born.
Understanding Miscarriages
A Place for Modern Miracles! Over 20,000 Babies Born.
The Florida Institute for Reproductive Medicine (F.I.R.M.) in Jacksonville, FL supports patients through one of the most difficult experiences in a fertility journey — pregnancy loss. A miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks and is more common than many people realize, occurring in approximately 10–20% of known pregnancies. The most frequent cause of miscarriage is a chromosomal abnormality in the embryo — not something the mother did or did not do. F.I.R.M.'s board-certified reproductive endocrinologists evaluate patients who have experienced miscarriage or recurrent pregnancy loss and develop individualized plans to support future healthy pregnancies.
The Florida Institute for Reproductive Medicine (F.I.R.M.) provides compassionate evaluation and care for patients who have experienced miscarriage or recurrent pregnancy loss in Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, Tallahassee, and Valdosta, GA — offering evidence-based answers and a clear path forward.
Reviewed by the Physicians of F.I.R.M. — The clinical content on this page reflects the expertise of F.I.R.M.'s board-certified reproductive endocrinologists, including Kevin Winslow, MD, Teresa Erb, MD, Adrienne Gentry, DO, and Viji Sundaram, MD. F.I.R.M. has been recognized by Newsweek as one of America's Best Fertility Clinics and has helped more than 20,000 families over 35+ years across North Florida and Southeast Georgia.
Miscarriages are pregnancies that stop developing. Development stops at different times and for different reasons. The great majority of miscarriages are early occurring before 10 weeks due to a genetically/chromosomally abnormal conceptus – the result of an abnormal egg or sperm fertilization. Most often it is an abnormal egg because the egg is much older than sperm. Women are born with a certain number of eggs, they never make any more eggs their entire life. Eggs accumulate genetic/chromosomal errors as a function of time.
Sperm live approximately 90 days, die off and are continually being replaced, so that the great majority of sperm are genetically normal.When you look at miscarriage rates they reflect mother’s age. If the egg is grossly abnormal, fertilization does not occur. If the egg is somewhat less abnormal, fertilization may occur and development may proceed for a short time, but almost always ends prior to ten weeks. Babies are born with genetic/chromosomal abnormalities, these errors are the least severe that can still be compatible with life. Development usually ends early because all the genetic material is important for development.
Most women whether they know it or not have had 2-4 losses some time in their reproductive life. Often when a woman is a week or so late for her cycle and then bleeds she has had a miscarriage. Miscarriages beyond 10 weeks are still most commonly due to a genetically/chromosomally abnormal pregnancy, but other factors start to become more common, i.e. anatomic and clotting problems. Knowing the time at which development stopped is helpful in determining the cause for loss. Anatomic and clotting problems are correctable. If losses are felt due to a genetically/chromosomally abnormal conceptus, in vitro fertilization with pre-embryo genetic testing can be performed to try and identify a normal embryo for transfer.
Most miscarriages are caused by chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo — which can originate from either the egg or the sperm, or from an error that occurs during fertilization or early cell division. Egg quality is more commonly implicated, particularly in women over 35, as the rate of chromosomal abnormalities in eggs increases with age. However, sperm DNA fragmentation and other sperm quality factors can also contribute to embryo abnormalities and pregnancy loss. F.I.R.M. evaluates both partners when assessing recurrent pregnancy loss.
Chromosomal abnormalities are the most common cause of miscarriage, accounting for the majority of first-trimester losses. These abnormalities typically occur randomly and do not necessarily indicate a problem with either parent's health or fertility. Other potential causes include uterine structural issues, hormonal imbalances, immune factors, and — in a smaller number of cases — genetic conditions in one or both parents.
Recurrent pregnancy loss is generally defined as two or more pregnancy losses. It affects a smaller percentage of couples and warrants a thorough evaluation to identify any underlying causes. F.I.R.M.'s board-certified reproductive endocrinologists offer a comprehensive workup including genetic testing, uterine evaluation, hormonal assessment, and immune screening to guide the most appropriate treatment plan.
Not all miscarriages can be prevented, particularly those caused by chromosomal abnormalities. However, for patients with identified causes — such as uterine abnormalities, hormonal imbalances, or immune factors — targeted treatment can reduce the risk of future pregnancy loss. Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) during IVF can also screen embryos for chromosomal abnormalities before transfer, which may reduce miscarriage risk in appropriate candidates.
After a miscarriage, F.I.R.M. recommends scheduling a follow-up appointment to discuss what happened, review any testing that may be appropriate, and talk through options for future pregnancies. Our care team understands that pregnancy loss is emotionally as well as physically difficult, and we are here to provide both medical guidance and compassionate support. Call (904) 399-5620 or request a consultation online.