10 to 15% of confirmed pregnancies end in miscarriage. And the question remains, how to prevent miscarriage?
Women who experience this heartbreak frequently feel an awful and crushing sense of shame.
Is it possible that the pregnancy ended as a result of the forbidden fruit you had before you found out you were expecting it?
Was it the raw milk cheese you innocently consumed, or the stress you’ve been experiencing as a result of your new job?
This is hard, especially if you have gone through it several times. But, no worries! We have got some answers to your question ‘How to prevent a miscarriage’?
There are some steps you can take to decrease your chances of having another loss and prevent miscarriage by creating a healthy, baby-friendly body.
But first, we need to look at the potential causes of miscarriages.
Table of Contents
Why Do Miscarriages Happen?
There are many causes behind miscarriages, depending on your condition:
Anatomical Causes
Unfortunately, natural remedies will likely not affect recurrent miscarriages that fall within this category.
An ‘anatomical reason’ for miscarriage is something that occurs within the uterus’ biological anatomy.
A malformed uterus, an incompetent cervix, big uterine fibroids, or severe Asherman’s disease are all examples of this.
Genetic Reasons
Recurrent miscarriages can sometimes be caused by genetic abnormalities in either the egg or the sperm.
Women and men over 35 have a higher risk of developing this disease since their eggs and sperm may not be as healthy as they were when they were younger.
Blood Clotting
Miscarriages can be caused by blood that is too thick or has a tendency to clot.
The placenta can be cut off as minute blood clots form in the uterus, depriving the fetus of the oxygen and nutrients it requires to survive. A spontaneous abortion, often known as a miscarriage, can occur as a result of this.
Dr. Rabbia Ashraf, a renowned gynecologist with 10 years of experience, suggests a stillbirth or early birth might occur if your pregnancy progresses into the 24th week before the clotting occurs.
Because the body does not give any warning signs that blood clots are forming, the risk typically goes unnoticed until it is too late.
High Homocysteine Levels
If you’ve had at least one miscarriage or your doctor has told you that you’re at a higher risk of miscarriage than the average woman, you should check your homocysteine levels.
Homocysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid that is distributed throughout the body. While it is not hazardous at normal levels, it can cause hypercoagulability when those levels get too high (particularly during pregnancy).
What exactly does this imply?
Your blood clots far more easily than it should in general. It can not only put you at risk for a heart attack or stroke, but it can also put your baby in danger.
Research shows that homocysteine levels higher than 10-10.7 μmol/L increased a woman’s chance of a miscarriage by a whopping 38%.
Immunological Disorders
The body will sometimes attack the fetus or sperm for reasons unknown to doctors and scientists; this can be caused by increased natural killer cells or HLA incompatibility.
This is referred to as an immunological disorder or miscarriage caused by the immune system.
Hormonal Imbalance
Hormonal abnormalities and recurrent miscarriages have several relationships.
The hormonal system is a complex orchestra of hormones that follows a strict timetable. If one of these hormones is out of whack, it can have an influence on the rest of the cycle, including early pregnancy.
Some of these inequalities could be:
Low Progesterone
Progesterone is required for pregnancy for a variety of reasons, one of which is to protect the uterine lining so that the new embryo can connect and be fed while the placenta develops.
The lining will shed if progesterone levels are low, prompting menstruation to begin.
High Estrogen
When estrogen levels in the body are high, it can lead to a variety of problems, including low progesterone.
Elevated Prolactin
Prolactin is a hormone that is produced in large amounts during lactation.
Prolactin may decrease ovulation in addition to boosting milk flow for the new mother.
Suggested Read: What are Sexual Hormones in Females and their Functions?
How to Prevent Miscarriage? Home Remedies for Abortion!
Natural therapies are an excellent way to support your body while preparing for pregnancy. There are no guarantees with any technique to reduce the risk of miscarriage, but the following actions will assist to nourish and nurture the body, inviting a healthy pregnancy to occur.
Preparing for your pregnancy ahead of time is also vital for reducing the risk of miscarriage; these steps must be followed for at least three months before you become pregnant again.
Prepare for Conception
The first step in how to prevent miscarriage is to cleanse your body to prepare it for fertility.
Fertility cleansing aids the liver in ridding the body of old toxins and excess hormones.
It also assists the uterus to rid itself of ‘old’ contents, thereby improving uterine circulation and tone.
Eat a Nutrient-dense Fertility Diet
The next phase is to fuel and strengthen your body so that it is healthy and baby-friendly. This is simply accomplished by following a nutrient-dense fertility diet. The foods you eat affect:
- The health of your eggs
- Your hormonal equilibrium
- The importance of a healthy placenta
- lowering the likelihood of a miscarriage
- Creating a nutrition storage system for the newborn
- Developing a sound reproductive system
To increase your chances of having a healthy pregnancy, make sure you consume a fertility diet consistently for at least 90 days before you start trying to conceive.
Take Folic Acid
According to research, ingesting 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid daily may lower the incidence of birth abnormalities, which can lead to miscarriage.
Before you plan to become pregnant, begin taking this B vitamin daily. To get the most out of it, take it throughout your pregnancy.
Read more about how to get folic acid naturally.
Follow a Healthy Lifestyle
Avoid risk factors that are harmful to your health, such as:
- Cigarette smoking
- Inhaling secondhand smoke
- Consuming alcohol
- Abusing drugs
Caffeine consumption should be kept to 300 milligrams (mg) or less per day.
You may be able to improve your pregnancy health in addition to avoiding dangers by:
- Regular physical activity
- Getting enough sleep
- Eating a nutritious, well-balanced diet
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being overweight, obese, or underweight may increase your risk for complications during pregnancy. This includes miscarriage.
Take Precautions Against Infection
Wash your hands frequently. This can help you avoid illnesses that are easily spread, such as the flu and pneumonia.
Also, make sure you’re up to date on your vaccines. Discuss any other vaccines you may require throughout your pregnancy with your doctor, including the flu shot.
Practice Safe Sex
Some sexually transmitted infections (STDs) might cause pregnancy difficulties. Before you try to conceive, get tested. If you think you could be pregnant, get tested right away.
To lower your risk of STDs during pregnancy, utilize barrier measures appropriately in every sexual contact.
Exercise in Moderation
When you’re pregnant, you should keep up your usual fitness routine, but now isn’t the time to start training for your first marathon.
Moderation is the key.
Doing seven hours or more of high-impact exercise every week while pregnant increases your risk of miscarriage significantly.
Contact sports are also off the menu for the time being, as they may result in an injury or a fall, both of which could be harmful to the pregnancy.
Get a Handle on Stress
Staying relaxed will enhance your pregnancy’s health in addition to increasing your mood.
Keep in mind, ordinary strain or anxiety isn’t associated with pregnancy loss. When substantial stresses, such as divorce or a loss, occur, the problem arises.
Putting it all Together!
In almost all cases, a miscarriage is unavoidable. It’s most likely caused by a genetic defect that stops the fetus from correctly developing.
Regular miscarriages are uncommon. Only approximately 1% of women will experience a second miscarriage after the first. If a specific cause for a miscarriage is discovered, your gynecologist can assist you in treating how to prevent miscarriage.