Are married/cohabiting women less likely to experience pregnancy loss?
Women who were neither married nor cohabiting were far more likely to experience pregnancy loss. The reasons for this association are unclear, and confounding due to medical, social or behavioral factors that are correlated with marital/relationship status is possible. On the other hand, our findings are consistent with a recent British study in which women who were neither married nor cohabiting had 73% greater odds of first trimester miscarriage. Based on these two studies, we recommend that clinicians who provide obstetrical care be especially vigilant to encourage healthy prenatal behaviors for patients who are not married or cohabiting.
