When Gordon Ramsay announced that he and his wife, Tana, had lost their baby in their second trimester, fans were heartbroken for them. Some also wondered why later-term pregnancy loss occurs and the proper terminology.
According to the Mayo Clinic, about 10 to 20 percent of all pregnancies end in miscarriage, but most happen in the first trimester within the first few weeks of egg fertilization. “Only about 2 to 3 percent of pregnancies will be lost in the second trimester, which is between 13 and 27 weeks,” Chicago-based Ob/Gyn Jessica Shepherd tells Us Weekly.
Though Ramsay described the loss of their unborn child as a miscarriage, Dr. Shepherd — who did not treat Tana — tells Us pregnancy loss is considered a miscarriage when it occurs before 20 weeks gestation. After that period of time it’s called a stillbirth.
“One of the most common risk factors for miscarriage is age,” says Dr. Shepherd. “After the age of 40 the risk rises to approximately 29 percent, while at the age of 35 and younger it is 15 percent.”
Causes for loss in the second trimester can also include previous surgery to the cervix, fetal abnormalities, uterine infection and physical problems with the uterus such as fibroids.
According to Babymed.com, women who experience a second trimester loss can go on to carry full-term babies, but the future pregnancies would be considered high risk.
The Hell's Kitchen star shared his sad news in a Facebook post on Monday, June 13. “We had a devastating weekend as Tana sadly miscarried our son at five months,” the 49-year-old wrote. “We’re together healing as a family, but we want to thank everyone again for all your amazing support and well wishes.”
The celebrity chef first revealed that Tana, 41, was pregnant during an appearance on James Corden’s The Late Late Show. The couple, married since 1996, are already parents to Megan, 17, twins Jack and Holly, 16, and Matilda, 14.
