The findings, that require further study for confirmation, scientists say the risk of miscarriage varies greatly with woman’s age. The risk also depends on the complications having occurred during previous pregnancy.

A team of researchers at Norwegian Institute of Public Health studied 4,21,201 pregnancies. After accounting for induced abortions, the over all miscarriage rate was 12.8%. The risk of miscarriage was found to be least in women between the age of 25-29, and rose rapidly after the age of 30 t touch 53% among women aged 45 years and above.

A strong trend of miscarriage recurrence was also observed. After one miscarriage, the risk of another increased y half. After two, the risk doubled. After three consecutive miscarriages, the risk was four times higher.

Previous pregnancy complications also played a role in miscarriage. If the previous pregnancy ended in preterm delivery, caesarean section, or if the woman had diabetes during pregnancy, there were high chances of miscarriage. Women who themselves were born small also had an increased risk of miscarriage.