Miscarriage: Why does it happen?

The reasons for miscarriage are varied and usually the cause cannot be identified. However, the most common reason (80%) in the first trimester is chromosomal abnormalities. This means that something isn’t right in the baby’s chromosomes and this is not the fault of anybody or anything.

Other causes include the following:

hormonal problems, infections, or maternal health problems
lifestyle (smoking, drug use, malnutrition, excessive caffeine & exposure to radiation/toxins)
implantation of the egg into the uterine lining does not occur properly
maternal age (over 35 years of age)
maternal trauma

The latest theories and things to consider:

Caffeine – stay under 200 milligrams (one 12 ounce cup of coffee or 5 cans of soda)
Aspirin and Ibuprofen – these pain pills may double the risk of early pregnancy loss.
Use Acetaminophen instead.
Obesity (BMI over 30) – have an increased risk of miscarriage.
Low levels of folate – women who don’t get enough folate may have a 50% higher
chance of miscarriage. 400 mcg a day is recommended and can be found in prenatal
vitamins or in folate fortified breakfast cereals or other grains and leafy greens.
Infection – Several types of viral infections have been implicated in miscarriage (the
virus that causes chicken pox, rubella and HIV). Also listeriosis caused by certain bacteria
found in food can be a risk. Stay away from hot dogs or luncheon meat that isn’t
steaming hot as well as smoked seafood like lox and unpasteurized milk and soft cheeses.

FACTORS THAT ARE NOT PROVEN TO CAUSE MISCARRIAGE:
sex
working outside the home
moderate exercise

www.fitandfabulouspregnancy.com
rebecca@fitandfabulouspregnancy.com