A loss of pregnancy is also known as a miscarriage. A miscarriage is a pregnancy that unexpectedly ends in either the early weeks or months. Miscarriages are common, and around 10% of early pregnancies end in a miscarriage before the 20th week.
Different situations may lead to miscarriage.
For example, there are accidental situations that can contribute. If you were in a car accident while pregnant, your injuries could lead to a pregnancy loss.
There are also many factors that can’t be prevented at all. For example, genetic abnormalities are the reason for more than half of first trimester miscarriages. This means there is an issue with the fetus’s chromosomes. If your body detects missing or damaged chromosomes, it ends the pregnancy.
Other common reasons for early loss of pregnancy are blood clots, ectopic pregnancy, and problems with the placenta.
In the second trimester, common reasons for loss of pregnancy include infection, chronic conditions like high blood pressure, autoimmune conditions, and lifestyle factors.
While many times there is nothing you can do to prevent a miscarriage, particularly one that happens in the first trimester, having a healthy pregnancy is important.
The following are tips to help you do that.
Hand Hygiene
Viruses and bacterial infections can cause miscarriage as well as stillbirth and infant death.
Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. Do this both before and after you eat, after you use the restroom, if you’re around someone sick, and after you touch things that are frequently handled.
Along with washing your hands and taking general precautions against infections, be careful with food as well.
Listeria and other food-borne illnesses are linked to an increased risk of miscarriage.
Avoid unpasteurized cheese and dairy as well as undercooked meat. Cook your fish, eggs, and meat to the appropriate recommended temperature. Wash all of your produce thoroughly, and refrigerate leftovers right away.
Get a Flu Shot
It’s always a good idea to get a flu shot, but especially when you’re pregnant. Talk to your doctor about whether or not they recommend it for you.
If you get the flu while you’re pregnant, it puts you at high-risk.
Having a high fever when you’re pregnant is also linked to the potential of neural tube defects.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Obesity is linked to a number of health problems when you’re pregnant. It can increase your risk of complications, including all types of pregnancy loss, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and premature birth. There is a much higher risk of losing your pregnancy if you have obesity.
If you can lose even a modest amount of weight before conceiving, it may reduce your risk of miscarriage.
You should also work with your doctor on strategies to maintain a healthy weight while you’re pregnant.
Manage Chronic Conditions
There are several chronic conditions that can increase the risk of miscarriage including autoimmune diseases and diabetes, among others. High blood pressure is also included on that list. It’s always important to keep these conditions well-controlled and managed, but particularly during pregnancy.
Talk to your doctor about your chronic conditions and develop strategies to keep them controlled throughout your pregnancy.
Go Over Medicines with Your Doctor
When you’re pregnant, it’s important to be cognizant of everything you’re putting in your body. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
Some medicines that you might not even think of being harmful can be during pregnancy.
Go over everything you take, including vitamins and supplements, and get your doctor’s approval.
Reducing Future Risk
If you’ve already suffered a miscarriage and want to conceive again, many of the tips above can help improve the likelihood of this happening.
Focus on your overall health and wellness, physically and mentally. Give yourself time to grieve before trying to get pregnant again because stress can affect pregnancies.
Regularly visit your doctor and work on staying active, eating a balanced, healthy diet, and maintaining a healthy weight.
Try to have no more than one cup of coffee a day and take time for yourself.
Do things you enjoy and things that relieve your stress.
In many ways, miscarriages can’t be prevented, but you can increase your chances of a healthy, full-term pregnancy by taking care of your mental and physical wellness. If you have questions you should always speak to your doctor who can work with you on the appropriate steps as you try to conceive or during your pregnancy.