Losing a pregnancy
Miscarriage is common, and about half of early loss is chromosomal. Stillbirth is rare, and the rate fell 2% from 2023 to 2024.
These two are usually spoken about together and should not be. They are counted on denominators that do not match, so the two figures below cannot be divided into one another or set side by side as a ratio. Miscarriage is much the commoner of the two.
Miscarriage. ACOG's 2018 guidance on early pregnancy loss states: Early pregnancy loss is common, occurring in 10% of all clinically recognized pregnancies. Approximately 80% of all cases of pregnancy loss occur within the first trimester.
It also states that approximately 50% of all cases of early pregnancy loss are due to fetal chromosomal abnormalities.
That 10% figure covers the first trimester, up to 12 weeks and 6 days.
A global pooled analysis published in 2021 covers a wider window, all loss before viability: The pooled risk of miscarriage is 15.3% (95% CI 12.5-18.7%) of all recognised pregnancies.
The same analysis gives how many women in the general population have had one: 10.8%, two: 1.9%, and three or more: 0.7%.
Note that the 10% and the 15.3% answer different questions and should not be blended. Note also that no US national figure exists for loss before 20 weeks specifically. The 15.3% is a global pooled estimate, not a US one.
Stillbirth. NCHS counts fetal deaths at 20 weeks or later, per 1,000 live births plus fetal deaths.
| Year | Rate per 1,000 | Fetal deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 final | 5.48 | 20,202 |
| 2023 final | 5.53 | 20,005 |
| 2024 provisional | 5.41 | 19,756 |
In 2024, 2.88 per 1,000 were early (20 to 27 weeks) and 2.55 were late (28 weeks or more). NCHS reports that the overall rate fell 2% from 2023 to 2024 and the late rate fell 4%.
1 in 160 deliveries in the United Statesand that
approximately 23,600 stillbirths at 20 weeks or greater of gestation are reported annually.That was the figure for its era. The current provisional national count is 19,756, about 16% lower. When you are given a number from a guideline, ask what year the number is from, not what year the guideline was last approved. Those are usually different.
"If I miscarry, will anyone tell me it was something I did? Because I would like to hear now that it usually is not."
"What movements should I be counting, and who do I call at 2am?"