INTRODUCTION

Spontaneous pregnancy loss is a common medical condition in reproductive-age women [1]. According to a worldwide estimation, 23 million cases occur annually (Quenby, et al., 2021; Turesheva, et al., 2023).

Miscarriage is a spontaneous loss of early pregnancy, which often occurs in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy and occupies about 15–20% of maternal pregnancy com plications (Quenby, et al., 2021; Bardos, et al., 2015; Wang, et al., 2025). The aetiology and pathogenesis of miscarriage are unclear. Approximately 50% of miscarriages are caused by chromosomal abnormalities (Griebel, et al., 2005). Patients with complete spontaneous abortions rarely require intervention. Women with incomplete miscarriages require medical or surgical interventions. Early abortion with a combination of mifepristone and misoprostol has replaced some surgical abortions, as it has no long-term adverse effects on health or fertility (Biggs, et al., 2017; Stubblefield, et al., 2004).

Psychological impact of the event is far more serious than the clinical presentation and subsequent physical harm (Quenby, et al., 2021; La, et al., 2021; Turesheva, et al., 2023). Moreover, many societies, due to their cultural and traditional beliefs, determine women’s status based on their ability to conceive and give birth (Aimagambetova, et al., 2020; Bapayev, et al., 2021; Issanov, et al., 2022; Turesheva, et al., 2023).

Abortion and miscarriage have the same outcome— pregnancy loss, both of them are involved the separation of an embryo or a fetus from the mother’s uterus before it is mature (DeVilbiss, et al., 2020). Abortion is defined as elective or medically indicated termination of pregnancy at any gestational age (Sedgh, et al., 2007; Wang, et al., 2025). The term abortion is commonly used to indicate an induced abortion, meaning a medication or procedure to end the pregnancy, while the term miscarriage is used to indicate a spontaneous abortion. According to Bearak’s f indings, six out of ten unintended pregnancies end in induced abortion (Bearak, et al., 2020; Wang, et al., 2025).

MATERIALS AND METHOD

This was a cross-sectional study involving 250 married women who were within the age of 18 to 47 years. A well-structured questionnaire was administered to participants. Each participant had one questionnaire to fill appropriately and independently after instructions were given to them by the Research Assistants. Data collection took place over two months, from1st February to March 31st, 2025.

RESULTS

The results revealed that The results revealed that most of the participants were between 23-37 years of age and 60% had tertiary level of education, 44% were business women (Table 1), 40% have married for a period between 2-4 years (Table 2), 92% has been pregnant (Table 3), 88% has been having miscarriages(Table 4), 56% at 3 months gestation(Table 5), 20% had a child, and 76% had previous abortion(Table 6).

Table 1: Occupational Distribution of Respondents

Table 2: Duration of marriage

Table 3: Respondents who have gotten pregnancy

Table 4: Respondents who have experienced miscarriage

Table 5: Gestational of miscarriage

Table 6: Respondents who have done previous abortion before marriage

DISCUSSION

Miscarriages among newly married women is on the increase and this scenario has made these women to pass through psychological trauma. Miscarriage occur spontaneously and naturally thus leading to loss of pregnancy. Most of these women experienced these miscarriages right from their first intake (pregnancy) and some after given birth to their first child. These miscarriages are influenced by various biological, physical, medical, psychological, emotional, social and cultural factors. Miscarriage, also known as spontaneous abortion, refers to the natural loss of a pregnancy before the age of viability.

The study revealed that the respondents were between 18 to 47 years of age with most (30%) between 33 to 37 years of age. This maternal age is important in-terms of conception and this maternal age is a well-established risk factor for miscarriage, particularly as women age beyond their early 30s. Both pathogenesis (the biological mechanisms of disease development) and pathology (the structural and functional changes in tissues/organs) contribute to this increased risk. Educational levels of the respondents shows that majority (60%) had tertiary level of education and this might have caused their delayed in early marriage. The respondents might decide to complete their education because engaging in marital affairs in order not cause academic distraction.

Also, the study revealed that 44% of the respondents are business class and this may contribute to the incessant miscarriages they experienced due to stress. Occupation-related miscarriage refers to pregnancy loss due to harmful exposures, physical demands, or stressors encountered in the workplace. While not all occupational factors directly cause miscarriage, certain environments, tasks, and exposures increases the risk through identifiable pathophysiological mechanisms. Occupation-related miscarriage is multifactorial and involves toxic, physical, psychological, and biological stressors that disrupt normal pregnancy physiology, implantation, fetal development, or placental function. Again, prolonged standing or night shifts may leads to vascular congestion in the pelvis, disrupts circadian rhythms thus, affecting hormonal balance and increased cortisol (stress hormone), which may impact placental development. High-stress jobs (emergency services, caregiving, catering services etc) increase cortisol and catecholamines and these interfere with implantation, placental development and fetal growth. Night shifts disrupt melatonin production, affecting reproductive hormone regulation.

Most of the respondents have married for a period between 2 to 4 years and this means that they are been experiencing spontaneous abortion (miscarriage). However, 92% has been pregnant, and 88% has been having miscarriages. This shows that miscarriages is on the increase among married women. These means that most of miscarriages may be influenced by various biological, physical, medical, psychological, emotional, social and cultural factors. The study revealed that majority of the respondents have their miscarriage between 2 to 3 months of gestation. Miscarriages are most common in the first trimester of pregnancy, particularly between 6 to 12 weeks of gestation. This is because organogenesis happens during this period, and the embryo is most vulnerable to genetic abnormalities also early miscarriages are due to chromosomal abnormalities or failures in implantation.

Furthermore, majority (76%) of the respondents had previous abortion before they got married and history of previous abortion (either spontaneous miscarriage or induced abortion) may predispose women to future pregnancy loss through several biological and structural mechanisms. However, not every woman with history of previous abortion will have subsequent miscarriage but increases with multiple abortions, unsafe procedures, or infection. Proper medical care, including cervical assessment and infection treatment, can reduce these risk factors. The psychological impact of previous abortions may also lead to increased stress and anxiety in subsequent pregnancies. Elevated stress hormones (like cortisol) may negatively affect uterine blood flow and fetal development, contributing indirectly to miscarriage. The study shows that 20% of the respondents had their first child birth before experiencing miscarriage and this may be due to chromosomal abnormalities, uterine abnormalities, cervical insufficiency, infections, hormonal or endocrine disorders, immunological factors, lifestyle factors, advanced maternal age, and previous obstetric complications. Also, 80% have not gotten any child due to spontaneous miscarriage and this may also due to several risk factors.

CONCLUSION

Miscarriages among newly married women is on the increase and this scenario has made these women to pass through psychological trauma. Miscarriage occur spontaneously and naturally thus leading to loss of pregnancy. The rising trend of miscarriages in recent years has garnered significant attention. While the overall global rate of miscarriage remains relatively stable, certain factors have contributed to an apparent increase in specific populations and time periods.The results revealed that most of the respondents were between 23-37 years of age and 60% had tertiary level of education, 44% were business women, 40% have married for a period between 2-4 years, 92% has been pregnant, 88% has been having miscarriages, 56% at 3 months gestation, 20% had a child, and 76% had previous abortion.

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge Nazor Barinua-Gbaranor, Nuazor Victory Barinua, Kedumle Success Barinua, Tuamene Excellent Barinua and Excellent Support Global Foundation for their moral support, prayers, understanding, and encouragement during the period of this research.

Funding: No funding

Conflict of Interest: None declared

Ethical Approval: Not required

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