Avoiding miscarriage.
Miscarriage is defined as the loss of a baby before 20 weeks of pregnancy. When you find out you're pregnant it's an incredibly exciting time, and the last thing you want to think about is losing your baby.
However, with around 10-20 percent of pregnancies ending in this way, it's important that you do everything in your power to ensure that your pregnancy is as safe and healthy as possible. Try to avoid becoming paranoid or neurotic – stress is counterproductive. There are many myths surrounding the causes of miscarriage and you don't want to fill your head with old wives tales. It's important to separate fact from fiction and be more aware about what can harm your developing baby.
Your lifestyle
The first thing to do if you've recently found out you're pregnant is to adopt a healthy lifestyle. You’ll have to make some sacrifices and give up some of your ‘vices’ – if you were a smoker or heavy drinker, for example, you're going to have to make some changes.
• Smoking Although you may be reluctant to give up smoking, it's an important sacrifice to make. If you smoke while you're pregnant it makes it more difficult for the placenta to grow. It reduces the supply of oxygen to your baby and this can result in premature delivery or low birthweight. Passive smoking can also be harmful – if someone in your home is a regular smoker, it's advisable they either quit or smoke outside.
• Substance abuse Excessive drinking can cause fetal alcohol syndrome, which damages your baby’s nervous system and retards his growth and mental abilities. It's obviously dangerous (and illegal) to use recreational drugs in any situation but if you're expecting a baby they could seriously harm your unborn child. Drugs enter your baby's bloodstream and increase your chances of miscarriage. The safest thing to do for you and your baby is to give up drugs completely.
Your diet
You can increase your chances of having a healthy pregnancy by eating a well-balanced diet. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, this should include:
• Fiber Three to four servings of fruits and vegetables.
• Complex carbohydrates Nine servings of wholegrain or enriched bread, cereal, rice, or pasta.
• Calcium-rich dairy Three servings of milk, yogurt and cheese.
• Protein Three servings of meat, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, dried beans and peas.
• Folic acid You should start taking a 400mcg daily folic acid supplement well before you plan to get pregnant, increasing to 600mcg when you find out you’re expecting. It can help protect your baby from spina bifida.
Read gurgle’s features on a healthy diet during pregnancy and foods to avoid when you're expecting – for instance, you’ll be advised to steer clear of undercooked meat and unpasteurized dairy foods.
If you're a caffeine addict, it's also wise to cut down – for more information on how much coffee you should drink read caffeine and fertility. There’s conflicting information about exactly how much caffeine a pregnant woman should consume, but most experts recommend no more than three regular cups a day as higher amounts have been linked with miscarriage.
Your risks
Miscarriage is most likely to occur in the first three months of pregnancy and while you can't wrap yourself up in cotton wool, you'll want to be as careful as possible. Try to avoid contact with anyone who has a rash or temperature. If you know anyone who has chicken pox or rubella, or has a child suffering from either of these diseases keep your distance, especially if you don't know whether or not you have antibodies to those infections. Contracting chickenpox in the first two months of pregnancy can increase your risk of miscarriage and if it's caught in later pregnancy it can damage your baby. Rubella also increases the risk of miscarriage and, in later pregnancy, can even cause deafness or blindness. It’s a good precaution to check if you’ve had them or been vaccinated against them (you’ll likely have been immunized against rubella and have had chicken pox) before you start trying for a baby.
If you have a cat keep in mind they can pass on an infection called toxoplasmosis via their feces. Usually, this is harmless, but if you haven't had it before and catch it while you're pregnant, it can increase the risk of miscarriage. If you do have a cat, see if your partner can change the litter tray. Use gloves and thoroughly wash your hands afterwards if you have to do it yourself.
Your wellbeing
Gentle exercise, such as walking, will benefit your health as long as you don't overdo it. Read our features on which forms of exercise are recommended and which to avoid. As a rule, steer clear of high-impact exercise and anything else, such as horse riding or cycling, that could give you a nasty fall. If you're overweight try to lose some of it before you conceive, since it has been linked with miscarriage (as has being underweight).
Try not to become paranoid about matters such as having sex; this doesn't harm the baby and will help you to feel close to your partner during pregnancy. However, if you experience any spotting or bleeding you should avoid intercourse until you get checked out by your caregiver.
Before you try to conceive, get checked for sexually transmitted diseases. If you do have something like Chlamydia, it's important that it’s treated since it can cause infertility and raise your miscarriage risk.
Your peace of mind
If you’ve suffered from a miscarriage in the past, this doesn't mean that you’ll miscarry in the future, so try to remain optimistic. Unless you’re advised to wait a few months before trying again you can start trying as soon as you want to, although waiting until you’ve had a period will help date any resulting pregnancy.
It's true that you'll have to make some adaptations to your lifestyle when you're pregnant. But rather than thinking of it as a sacrifice, focus on why you're making these changes. You've created a new life and by making these alterations, you're ensuring that your unborn baby is given the best possible start in life.
It's normal to have worries when you're pregnant but rather than bottle things up, share your fears with other moms or pregnant friends. Always talk through your concerns with your OB-GYN or nurse-midwife too.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
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Last Modified: 09/06/2008