The time during pregnancy is filled with anticipation, excitement, and maybe even a bit of apprehension. In the midst of it all, fear of miscarriage is a common thing in pregnant women. Miscarriage can occur at any stage of pregnancy. However, the more informed you are about the underlying causes of miscarriage, the better equipped you are to take precautions to prevent it from happening. Here, we will talk about certain things to avoid during pregnancy that cause miscarriage.
There are certain foods to avoid during pregnancy and lifestyle choices to reduce the risk of an early miscarriage. Although there are some lifestyle preferences and food items that are considered safe during pregnancy, there are some things to avoid during pregnancy that cause miscarriage. Reading this article will help you to know about how to avoid miscarriage by taking care of several things that you do in your daily routine.
In This Article
What causes miscarriage?
Miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy in the first 20 weeks. While some miscarriages are caused by genetic abnormalities, most are caused by circumstances that cannot be prevented. According to a report, miscarriage can be caused by several factors including the stress level during pregnancy. Some other causes of miscarriage are ectopic pregnancy, placental problems in the first trimester, etc. However, reasons for miscarriage might differ in loss of pregnancy in the second trimester and third trimester. Moreover, women who have had one miscarriage are at a slightly higher risk of having another one. Yet, in most cases, these risks can be managed.
What are foods to avoid during pregnancy?
To keep yourself and your baby safe, it is important to know what foods to avoid while pregnant. Some foods are not considered safe for pregnant women to eat. Pregnant women should always consult their doctor before consuming any food or drink during pregnancy, but some foods are known to contain toxins that may be harmful to babies. Avoiding these foods is especially vital in the first trimester of pregnancy. Listed below are some of those foods to avoid during pregnancy:
- Raw Eggs
- Unpasteurized dairy
- Soft cheese
- Deli Meat
- High-mercury fish
- Caffeine
- Raw meat
- Fruits like pineapple, papaya
What to avoid doing during pregnancy to prevent miscarriage?
Miscarriage is heartbreaking and it is very difficult to cope with a miscarriage. Every parent wants to ensure a healthy pregnancy and wants to prevent chances of any complications. For that matter, you must keep in mind that when it comes to pregnancy, the things that you do, and do not do, can have a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of your unborn child. Here are several things to avoid during pregnancy to prevent miscarriage:
Drinking Alcohol
Drinking alcohol is never a good option during pregnancy. It not only leads to health problems in the mother but in the unborn child as well. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is known to cause a wide range of problems in a developing baby. These problems include birth defects, learning, and behavioral problems, and even stillbirths.
Contact Sports
Medical professionals advise that pregnant women who are not at high risk for complications should avoid contact sports altogether. It is dangerous for you and your baby when you participate in contact sports, such as football, boxing, or karate. These sports not only pose a threat to the fetus, but to the pregnant woman as well.
Certain Medicines
Among the most important things that every woman should know about pregnancy is the side effects of medicines, especially during pregnancy. While some medicines can be safely used during pregnancy, others should be avoided. These medicines may be harmful to the baby, thus, always consult a doctor before taking any medicine.
Smoking
Most women smoke during their pregnancy, but they do not realize how dangerous it can be for the unborn baby. It is important to avoid smoking during the pregnancy because it can cause many complications for the baby. Smoking during pregnancy can increase your baby’s risk for miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), and low birth weight.
Lifting Heavy Objects
Lifting heavy objects is a common task that most of us do every day at home or the workplace. However, lifting heavy objects and carrying them on your shoulder is not advised during pregnancy due to the possibility of miscarriage. Moreover, it is recommended that pregnant women should avoid lifting heavy objects and focus on other exercises instead.
Sitting or Standing for Longer Period
Sitting around all day is terrible for you, but standing up could be worse. Research says that extended periods of sitting could be even more dangerous than lying on the couch for hours on end. Women who sit for longer periods may face a higher risk of developing a miscarriage. Thus, it is one of the things to avoid during pregnancy that cause miscarriage.
Wearing Stilettos
Pregnant women should be informed of the dangers of wearing high heels. Not only are they difficult to walk in, but they also put a lot of pressure on your body. High heels can cause your pelvis to tilt forward, which can increase the risk of having a baby with a neural tube defect, or may cause a fall which can cause spontaneous abortion.
Too Much Caffeine Intake
Although caffeine may seem harmless, it is a drug and can produce side effects during pregnancy. Caffeine is harmful when consumed in large doses. Many doctors recommend that pregnant women should consume no more than 200 to 300 mg of caffeine per day.
Participating in Amusement Park Rides
Amusement parks are fun places for families, but some rides in amusement parks may be dangerous for a pregnant woman. When your little one is on the way, the last thing you want is for them to get sick or injured while experiencing one of the rides. Thus, it will be safe to stay away from such rides that can cause harm to you or your baby.
Hot Tubs
Hot tubs are a great luxury to have in our backyards. It allows us to enjoy the outdoors and take a break from our stressful lives. However, it is not the best idea to jump into a hot tub while pregnant. Taking a hot tub during pregnancy is risky. It might lead to miscarriage if you are in the early stages of pregnancy.
Quick Tips to Ensure a Healthy Pregnancy
Being pregnant is one of the most exciting and incredible experiences you will ever have. It can also be one of the most terrifying and uncomfortable times in your life if you do not take care of yourself properly. Your body is going through a lot, and it needs to be taken care of. Here are some quick tips to help you ensure a healthy pregnancy:
- Make sure you follow a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy that does not include smoking, drinking alcohol, or taking drugs.
- Increase the intake of folic acid in your diet for a healthy pregnancy.
- Maintain proper hygiene during pregnancy to reduce the chances of infection. Wash your hands properly and maintain distance from sick people.
- Be extra careful while doing the household work, avoid moving or lifting a heavy object, etc.
- Avoid doing activities that pose a risk of falling from a height.
- Follow a proper nutritious diet to ensure that your baby is getting all the essential nutrients.
- Be informed about food to avoid during pregnancy so that you do not include them in your daily meals.
- It is good to be involved in some light exercises to stay active after consulting your doctor.
- Do not take the stress and do activities that help you to relieve stress.
- During pregnancy drink enough water each day.
- Do not take painkillers or medicine without consultation from your doctor.
- Ensure that your immunizations are up to date.
- Get a sufficient amount of sleep and reduce the amount of caffeine intake.
- By following a balanced diet make sure you are not underweight or overweight during pregnancy.
Conclusion:
As an expectant mother, it is easy to focus on the negative aspects of pregnancy such as a miscarriage. However, there are many positive statistics that you can glean from your pregnancy to ensure that you have a healthy and enjoyable experience. Eating right is important during pregnancy, as are exercise and relaxation. The more you can take care of yourself and pay attention to foods to avoid during pregnancy, the better chance you have of avoiding pregnancy complications and avoiding the risk of miscarriage. Pregnant women should keep in mind the above-mentioned things to avoid during pregnancy to prevent miscarriage. Besides, in case, if you have any questions or concerns about your pregnancy, it will be ideal to seek consultation from the doctor as soon as you can.
