Which factor is a common reason for late pregnancy loss?

Cervical incompetence is a significant factor that can lead to late pregnancy loss. This condition occurs when the cervix is unable to support a pregnancy due to weakness in its structure, leading to premature dilation and potential miscarriage, typically in the second trimester. When cervical incompetence is present, the cervix may thin and open too early, preventing the fetus from developing to term.

In clinical practice, it’s recognized that women with a history of cervical insufficiency are at increased risk of late pregnancy loss. Often, those affected may have had previous losses attributed to this issue, which can lead to interventions, such as cervical cerclage, to attempt to provide additional support during later pregnancies.

The other factors listed, while they may contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes, are not as directly implicated in the mechanism of late pregnancy loss as cervical incompetence is. Increased paternal age is associated with some risks to offspring but does not primarily relate to loss during pregnancy. Smoking during pregnancy is a well-known risk factor for various complications, including low birth weight and preterm birth, but it is not specifically a common cause of late pregnancy loss. Similarly, maternal stress levels can affect pregnancy in many ways, but the direct link to late pregnancy loss is not as pronounced as