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A pregnancy that suddenly ends through miscarriage is one of the most heart-wrenching events a woman can go through. As the writer N. West Moss wrote in the New York Times, “It feels as though having three miscarriages in a year means I did something wrong, when the reality is that most miscarriages take place for chromosomal reasons out of our control.” Not only are miscarriages—defined as loss of pregnancy before the fetus reaches 20 weeks old—out of human control, they are becoming more and more detectable.

With more accurate tests, and more women getting pregnant later in life, doctors are able to recognize more miscarriages than ever before. In fact, the odds a pregnancy will result in fetal loss are1 in 6.05—nearly the same odds a man will attend a Major League Baseball game in a year (1 in 6.07).

Age plays a big role in the risk of miscarriage. While the odds a 20-to-24-year-old woman will have a pregnancy that results in fetal loss are1 in 7.4, the same odds for a woman 35 - 39 years old are 1 in 3.68.

During the first four weeks after conception, the numbers may be even higher–many women who lose a baby during this time do not know they are pregnant. These common early miscarriages, also known as chemical pregnancies, can happen for a number of reasons. The miscarried fetus may have abnormal chromosomes or the mother may have specific health conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes or uterine conditions that increase the risk of chemical pregnancy. In addition, women who smoke or drink during the first few weeks of pregnancy carry a higher risk.

Despite all that is known about pregnancy and fetal development, many of the causes of repeat miscarriages are still unknown, adding mystery to pain of loss. Fortunately for those who choose to keep trying, there are instances of babies being born after several miscarriages, and there is optimism. “With the sorrow comes hope,” writes N. West Moss. “And after all, we are resilient creatures.”