Cheer up, maybe you'll have a miscarriage . . . .

Famous last words before the fall down the staircase that leads to Scarlett's miscarriage and further estrangement from Rhett.  The medical reality is most miscarriages in the first trimester, are due to genetic issues, or autoimmune disorders.  The article Can Fall During Pregnancy Cause a Miscarriage  helps dispel the myths of falls and trips causing miscarriages as perpetuated by authors and film-makers.  In this case, the miscarriage was a plot device, and since Margaret Mitchell was writing during the 1930's, when the real causes of miscarriages were not known, it makes sense that she and other early writers didn't know any better.   If the fall took place further along in the pregnancy, such as the 2nd or 3rd trimester, it could lead to a miscarriage or stillbirth.

Now Scarlett's drinking, if heavy enough could, contribute to a miscarriage, but her drinking after Rhett flees Atlanta with Bonnie is not mentioned in Gone With The Wind, though her drinking when pregnant with Ella was.  This leads the reader to presume she probably wasn't drinking, or not more than she did when expecting Ella after Rhett deserted.

Here's an extra tidbit.  I came across this great little blog post, The Role of Staircases in "Gone With The Wind", which is based on the film, but still makes some interesting points.  Enjoy.