Can miscarriages be prevented with lifestyle changes?

A miscarriage is one of the worst experiences an expectant mother can have. The joy of knowing you will be a mother is the stuff of dreams for many couples. Some couples struggle with infertility and opt for more technology-enhanced ways of getting pregnant or even adopting as a solution to have a family of their own. A miscarriage is an emotionally strenuous experience for any couple. There are feelings of loss and guilt. Sometimes the mother blames herself, thinking she could have done more to carry her pregnancy to full term. Sometimes, it is a biological issue that cannot be addressed head-on but can be managed to help the woman carry the pregnancy to full term. Either way, it is a stressful experience.

The cause of a miscarriage is often the result of a weak cervix. The weakness of the cervix is called an incompetent cervix, which cannot hold the pregnancy hence a miscarriage. A miscarriage that happens due to an incompetent cervix takes place in the second trimester. This is after or during the period of four to six months. In some cases, there are symptoms before a miscarriage happens which is caused by cervical insufficiency.

Some women do not experience any symptoms prior to a miscarriage, but bleeding is a cautionary sign that needs immediate attention. Mild to severe cramps is also a cause for medical attention as well as pain in your back and abdomen. Additionally, excessive vomiting can be linked to a miscarriage.

Unfortunately, miscarriages happen more often than not, with an average of one pregnancy out of five ending in a miscarriage. Miscarriages cannot be prevented. Other than having a weak cervix, it is also caused by a chromosomal abnormality in the development of the fetus which then results in a miscarriage. It is often heartbreaking and mothers need a lot of support, from friends, family and sometimes professionally. This is to prevent mothers or the couple from falling into depression or bearing feelings of guilt and blame.

To avoid a miscarriage altogether, it is best to maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout your pregnancy. Mothers who are breastfeeding should also consider adopting a healthy lifestyle after birth to ensure their children are safe and gain full nutritional value from the mother’s milk. To ensure that you are not in danger of having a miscarriage, pregnant women should visit a gynecologist to check the cervical area and uterus to ensure the pregnancy is going well. At this time, they will also advise on supplements to take and foods to avoid for a healthy pregnancy.

A woman who is planning for a pregnancy should visit the gynecologist to assess the strength of her uterus and cervix to be able to carry the baby to full term. Additionally, a well-balanced diet will go a long way to strengthen both mother and baby. Exercise should also be done in moderation, under the instructions of your doctor to avoid any unnecessary strain that could harm the pregnancy. As the pregnancy progresses, the strenuous movement should be kept to a minimum. This includes work long and late hours or frequent travel that could stress the body.

A stressful environment can also lead to a miscarriage. If a mother is working in an area that causes her to feel stressed frequently, or lives in such an environment; it could be detrimental to her health and that of the baby’s. If you have a regular habit of eating sugary foods and junk, your diet has to change to avoid acquiring diabetes during pregnancy. It is important to have your vitals checked for your blood sugar to make sure it is within the safe levels. Additionally, if you already have diabetes it is important to have it under control.

Poor habits like drinking too much alcohol, smoking and doing drugs can lead to a miscarriage and need to be stopped immediately. Therefore, it is safe to say that a poor lifestyle can be a contributing factor among other things when it comes to a miscarriage.