Can stress cause a miscarriage? Or are there other factors involved? What can we do to prevent miscarriages?
One in four pregnancies results in a miscarriage. Often, miscarriage is nature’s way of dealing with chromosomal abnormalities which you can’t do anything about.
Three in four of all miscarriages happen in the first trimester. Miscarriages from 14 weeks onwards may be due to a range of health issues of the mother, including diabetes or thyroid disease, hormone problems, immune system responses, or uterine and cervix weakness. Women aged 35 or over have a higher risk, particularly if they have already miscarried.
Lifestyle can have an influence. Here are some factors that are thought to have caused miscarriages:
- Obesity
- Tobacco
- Alcohol
- Too much caffeine use
- Certain herbal remedies
- High levels of mercury from certain types of seafood
- Chlorine compounds in drinking water
Can stress cause a miscarriage? Find out as Dr Peter Wood talks more about the signs and symptoms of a miscarriage, and how to handle them in the video below.
However, there are lots of myths about miscarriage. Remember, miscarriages are not linked to:
- Your emotional state
- Exercise
- Work
- Sex
- Air travel
- Spicy food
In the video below, nutritionist Amanda Muhl discusses the top foods to eat while you’re pregnant, and what do avoid.
Best advice? Be happy, look forward to the birth. Continue taking folic acid, eat healthy food, exercise regularly, don’t smoke or drink alcohol, and manage stress. Following all of these tips will give you a good chance to minimise complications.
Any advice given is general in nature and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice and must not be relied upon as such. For any healthcare advice, always consult a healthcare practitioner.
