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Miscarriage, while scary, is a common concern for all pregnant women. While some are unavoidable, there are steps you can take to lower your risk.
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We'll explore healthy habits to embrace before and during pregnancy, from managing stress to folic acid intake.
Remember, information is power, and with a proactive approach, you can increase your chances of a healthy pregnancy.
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Common causes of miscarriage
Here's an overview of some of the most common causes of pregnancy loss.
Abnormal Chromosomes: When a miscarriage happens in the first 12 weeks, more than half the time it’s because of a problem with the baby's chromosomes.
Chromosomes contain the genes that determine your baby's unique traits, such as hair and eye color. A baby can't grow normally with the wrong number of chromosomes or with damaged ones.
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Medical Conditions: A pregnancy loss often results from a problem with the mother’s health. Some of these include; an infection such as cytomegalovirus or rubella, poorly controlled long-term diseases such as diabetes or high blood pressure, thyroid disease, lupus, and other autoimmune disorders. STD infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, or HIV, blood clotting issues that block blood vessels carrying blood flow to the placenta.Â
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Lifestyle: Your habits as the mom-to-be can increase the risk of pregnancy loss. Here are some habits that are dangerous for a developing baby:
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(I)Â Smoking. Some studies show an increased risk of pregnancy even if only the father smokes.
(II) Heavy drinking
(III) Using illegal drugs
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What trimester is miscarriage most common?
Most miscarriages - 8 out of 10 (80 percent) - happen in the first trimester before the 12th week of pregnancy. Miscarriage in the second trimester (between 13 and 19 weeks) happens in 1 to 5 in 100 (1 to 5 percent) pregnancies. Pregnancy loss that happens after 20 weeks is called stillbirth.
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Predisposing factors to a miscarriage
* Infection
* Exposure to TORCH (Toxoplasmosis, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, and Herpes)
* Hormonal imbalances
* Improper implantation of a fertilized egg in your uterine lining
* Age
* Uterine abnormalities
* Incompetent cervix (your cervix begins to open too early in pregnancy)
Foods to avoid in the first trimester of pregnancy
The first trimester is a crucial time for development, and making sure you eat a healthy diet is essential. Here's a list of foods to avoid during this important phase.
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Raw or Undercooked Fish and Shellfish:Â These can harbor harmful bacteria and parasites like toxoplasmosis, which can be dangerous for your developing baby. Avoid sushi, sashimi, ceviche, and raw oysters, clams, or scallops.
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Undercooked Meat: Raw or undercooked meat can also contain harmful bacteria. Be sure to cook all meats, poultry, and pork to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) for ground meats and 145°F (63°C) for solid cuts of meat.
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Raw Eggs: Raw eggs can carry salmonella, another type of foodborne illness. Avoid runny eggs, homemade mayonnaise, hollandaise sauce, and caesar salad dressing made with raw eggs.
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Unpasteurized Dairy Products: Unpasteurized milk, cheese, and yogurt can contain harmful bacteria like listeria. Stick to pasteurized dairy products to be safe.
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Excessive Caffeine: Limit your caffeine intake to less than 200 milligrams per day. This is roughly equivalent to one cup of coffee.
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Unwashed Fruits and Vegetables: Toxoplasmosis can also be present in unwashed fruits and vegetables. Wash all produce thoroughly before eating.
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Alcohol: There is no safe amount of alcohol to consume during pregnancy. It's best to avoid alcohol altogether.
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How to prevent a miscarriage
In many cases, the cause of a miscarriage is not known and you would not have been able to prevent it.
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However, there are ways to lower your risk of miscarriage, including:
- Take folic acids before and during conception
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Avoid smoking during pregnancy
- Avoid drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs during pregnancy
- Eating a healthy, balanced diet with at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day
- Making attempts to avoid certain infections during pregnancy, such as rubella
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While there's no guaranteed way to prevent a miscarriage, especially those caused by chromosomal abnormalities, there are steps you can take to improve your overall health and create a safe environment for your pregnancy to thrive. Remember, preconception care is key.
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