The majority of Americans are misinformed about the causes and frequency of miscarriages, leading to feelings of guilt when parents experience it.
A poll of 1,083 men and women in the U.S., conducted by researchers at New York's Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, found that 76per cent believed a stressful event is a common cause of miscarriage, and 74per cent listed longstanding stress as a major cause.
What's more, 65per cent wrongly believe miscarriage is a rarity when, in actual fact, one-in-four pregnancies result in a miscarriage, making it the most common of any pregnancy complication.
Common misconceptions: A new poll has found that 76per cent of Americans believe a stressful event is a common cause of miscarriage, and 74per cent list longstanding stress as a major cause
Dr S Zev Williams, an OB-GYN at the institute, said of the findings: 'Miscarriage is a traditionally taboo subject that is rarely discussed publicly - even though nearly one million occur in the U.S. each year.'
Not only are Americans misinformed about the frequency of miscarriages, but they also have false ideas when it comes to its most common causes.
The majority of those surveyed wrongly believed stressful events or chronic stress are major causes of miscarriage - a common misconception that has never been proved true.
In reality, 60 to 80per cent of miscarriages are due to chromosomal abnormalities, the most common cause by far.
According to the research, which was posted on LiveScience.com, 41per cent of Americans believe miscarriages may be due to sexually transmitted diseases - a factor that can contribute, but is not a leading cause.
'Miscarriage is a taboo subject that is rarely discussed - even though one million occur yearly'
Sixty-four per cent said they thought lifting a heavy object could cause a miscarriage.
And nearly a quarter said they believed the myth that a mother not wanting the pregnancy can result in a miscarriage.
These common misconceptions about the causes of miscarriage have led parents to feel guilty when they experience one, since they believe their behavior has caused it, according to Today.com.
Other perceived causes cited by the people polled were previous abortions and long-term birth control.
One thing they did accurately predict was the emotional impact caused by a miscarriage.
66per cent said they believed the emotional impact is 'severe and potentially equivalent to losing a child', a feeling that is shared by many parents who experience a miscarriage.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2465969/Miscarriages-NOT-caused-stress-How-76-Americans-misinformed-pregnancy-complications.html#ixzz2iORCPQbd
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