Epidemiology of miscarriage and its relation to other reproductive events in Finland

OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the occurrence of miscarriages over the reproductive life span of women in a population-based study. STUDY DESIGN: A questionnaire was sent in 1994 to a random sample of 3000 F innish women aged 18 to 44 years (73% response rate). Age-adjusted percenta ges of women having had miscarriages, and age- and other pregnancy event-ad justed odds ratios were calculated. RESULTS: Fifteen percent had at least 1 miscarriage,Miscarriages were more common in the moderately educated group and among women in health and socia l occupations, but there was no difference according to urbanism or health. By the age of 40 to 44 years, 90% of the women had been pregnant, and for only half had all pregnancies ended in a birth. The sequence of a miscarria ge or miscarriages coming first and a birth or births coming later was more common than vice versa. CONCLUSION: In this population-based study miscarriages appeared incidental . Further studies on social class distribution might reveal new clues regar ding etiology.