There are some things that increase your risk of miscarriage that are beyond your control. This includes one-off genetic abnormalities, placental problems or problems with the baby, such as spina bifida or heart defects. The risk of miscarriage also increases as both you and the father get older. Show
Find out more about the causes of miscarriage. Lifestyle choices that do affect your risk of miscarriageThere is clear evidence that your lifestyle can affect your chance of having a baby, so there are things you can do to try to limit the risk of miscarriage. SmokingSmoking increases the risk of miscarriage, as well as premature birth, low birth weight and stillbirth. There is some evidence that suggests that men can also increase their partner’s risk of miscarriage by smoking during their partner’s pregnancy or even during the time leading up the pregnancy. Quitting smoking can be challenging, but there is support available. Drinking alcohol and using illegal drugsUsing illegal drugs or drinking heavily during pregnancy increases your risk of miscarriage. There is no amount of alcohol that is considered ‘safe’ to drink during pregnancy, so the Chief Medical Officers for the UK recommend that pregnant women don’t drink any alcohol at all. It can be difficult for some women to avoid alcohol – you might find our tips for an alcohol-free pregnancy helpful. If you do decide to drink alcohol in pregnancy, try to avoid alcohol completely in the first 3 months. This is when the baby’s brain is developing. Not managing health conditions properlyMany women with long-term health conditions have healthy pregnancies and babies, but there can be some risks. For example, most women with diabetes have a healthy baby, but if you don’t take care of yourself and your symptoms are not managed properly the risk of miscarriage increases. The best thing you can do to make sure you and your baby stay well is to talk to your healthcare professional before you start trying for a baby, or as soon as possible if you’re pregnant now. Not being a healthy weightYour BMI (body mass index) is a measure that uses your height and weight to work out if your weight is in a healthy range. Having an overweight or underweight BMI before pregnancy can increase the risk of miscarriage. Find out more about managing your weight during pregnancy. Not eating wellYou can eat most things during pregnancy, but there are some things that you are advised to avoid because there is a small risk that you may get an infection that could increase your risk of miscarriage. Read more about what foods to avoid in pregnancy. Consuming too much caffeineCaffeine is found in coffee, tea, some soft drinks and energy drinks. High levels of caffeine during pregnancy has been linked to miscarriage and low birth weight. There is also some medical evidence that consuming too much caffeine while you are trying to conceive can also increase the risk of miscarriage. The evidence suggests that this applies to both women and men. If you’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant, you and your partner may find it helpful to get into the habit of limiting your caffeine intake to 200mg a day. This is the same as two mugs of instant coffee a day or one mug of filter coffee. Use our caffeine calculator to check your daily caffeine intake. Myths about the causes of miscarriageThe following things are not linked to an increased risk of miscarriage:
What can I do to live a healthier lifestyle in pregnancy?It’s important to remember that there is nothing you can do that will guarantee that you won’t have a miscarriage. However, we have lots of information about what you can do to reduce the risk and stay as healthy as possible before you try for a baby and during pregnancy. Finding out the reasons for miscarriageOur National Centre for Miscarriage Research is dedicated to finding the reasons for miscarriages that are not caused by lifestyle, or chromosomal abnormalities. This animation describes how we are doing it.
The outcome of a pregnancy depends significantly on the kind of lifestyle a would-be mommy follows. Eating a healthy, balanced diet is particularly important in this context. An expectant woman requires a nutrient-dense diet to sustain a healthy pregnancy. Fresh fruits, vegetables, whole cereals, lean meats and dairy products supply all that her body requires during these nine months. At the same time, she needs to be aware that certain foods can be detrimental to her own health as well as that of the baby. Most women would be surprised to know that eating such foods could cause something as drastic as a miscarriage. Such foods have been scientifically linked with an elevated risk of pregnancy loss. It is really important to know all about these foods and make sure that these are not included in the pregnant woman’s diet. She can seek advice from her specialist to know all about them. Here are some foods that should be avoided during pregnancy as these can induce miscarriage: Raw Eggs Surprisingly, eggs which are regarded as an excellent protein-source can harm a pregnancy if consumed in raw form. Even foods containing raw eggs, such as mayonnaise, soufflés and mousses should be avoided. The culprit is a bacterium called salmonella which lurks in uncooked eggs and can cause abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea, food poisoning, and even miscarriage. Conversely, cooked eggs are safe for consumption during pregnancy. Unpasteurized Milk Another miscarriage-inducing food is milk in its unpasteurized form. Direct consumption of milk in its raw form exposes the expectant woman to potentially dangerous bacteria called listeria. Besides causing severe food poisoning, the bacteria are capable of crossing the placenta and causing damage to the fetus. Therefore, it is important to consume only pasteurized milk during pregnancy. Canned Seafood Canned seafood is also likely to be contaminated with listeria, the same bacteria which are found in unpasteurized milk. The risk of miscarriage can be reduced by avoiding the food item. Additionally, seafood high in mercury is absolutely prohibited for pregnant women. Such foods can cause an array of complications including fetal brain damage and developmental delays. These include crab, swordfish, shark, tilefish, and king mackerel. Raw Papaya Gynaecologists recommend avoiding papaya, particularly raw papaya, during pregnancy as it is associated with increased risk of miscarriage. The fruit contains an enzyme, which can lead to uterine contractions and result in miscarriage. Pineapple Pineapple is another fruit to be ditched by mommies-to-be during the first trimester of pregnancy. Pineapple juice should be avoided too. The fruit is high in bromelain, which soften the uterine muscles and induce early labor. Having the fruit or its juice during early pregnancy is therefore, regarded dangerous. On the other hand, pineapple juice is used to ease up labor and have faster contractions at the time of delivery. Sprouted Potato Sprouted potato is a toxic food which is dangerous for everyone, let alone pregnant women. The green sprout is high in solanin, a toxin which is detrimental for fetal growth. It can subsequently cause miscarriage too. A pregnant woman should be careful about eating potatoes and discard the sprouted one. Liver Animal liver is regarded as a high-nutrient food source but may be contaminated with toxins if it comes from an infected animal. Another reason to avoid liver during pregnancy is that it is high in cholesterol and vitamin A. Excess of vitamin A can influence fetal development and cause complications such a spina bifida, urinary tract malformations, and hydrocephalus. It can also be responsible for inducing miscarriage. Drumstick Drumstick leaves are high in calcium, vitamin C, potassium and iron. Yet, they are regarded as a dangerous food for pregnant women as the tree contains a substance called alpha-sitosterol. It has an action similar to the female hormone estrogen and can cause smoothening of the uterine muscles. As a result, it puts a woman at the risk of miscarriage. Aloe Vera Though aloe vera has been revered for its medicinal value, it is to be avoided during pregnancy. Aloe Vera as well as its products (such as gel and juice) should not be taken during the first three months of pregnancy. The reason is that it can cause pelvic hemorrhage and miscarriage. Peach Another food that may cause miscarriage is peach as it heightens the risk of bleeding. The shell hair of this sweet fruit is particularly dangerous. It generally causes a burning and itching sensation in the throat but can also have dangerous consequences such as miscarriage. Though these food items may not have the same effect on all pregnant women, yet it is better to avoid them to reduce the risk of miscarriage. Pregnancy is the time when extra care and precaution can make all the difference. Therefore, a pregnant woman should look for constant guidance from her doctor to know all she can do to have a safe pregnancy. Gaudium IVF is one of the best IVF clinics in Delhi where patients can access affordable yet high-quality infertility treatment and gynaecological care from the experts. The expert team also provides counselings and support for pregnant women so that they can have a safe and healthy pregnancy. Visit here to get free second opinion from Dr Manika Khanna, the top infertility specialist in Delhi. |