Lowering the Risk of Miscarriage

The excitement of a pregnancy often results in sharing the news with the whole family, friends and co-workers. Unfortunately, there are always risks with pregnancy, and miscarriage is not an uncommon tragedy in the lives of many couples.

The current statistic in regards to miscarriages is 15-50% of all pregnancies. (cnn.com/health)

There are however, certain preventative methods that can help to reduce that risk for expecting mothers.

One step in lowering the risk of miscarriage is knowing the risk factors. Diabetes is one risk factor involved in miscarriage, as is fibroids.

Many couples are greatly discouraged by a miscarriage, but know that many who miscarry go on to have wonderfully healthy babies. Some unfortunate cases include several miscarriages in a row.

For these types of situations, it is important to look at the risk factors. Couples often visit a doctor and identify some of the risk factors that may pertain to their individual situations.

For example, diet and stress are two big factors involved with miscarriages. Also, for some women, a hormone imbalance can be one cause of miscarriages.

It is recommended that couples do some detective work before getting pregnant. Women should be aware of potential risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, polycstic ovary syndrome, fibroids, or thyroid abnormalities.

It is important for women to go over their medical history with their doctors and mention any medications, herbs and supplements they may be using. Also, discussing family history and other family member's history of miscarriages, may help couples and doctors be aware of the risk factors involved with potential pregnancies.

Stress is often an unfortunate key factor in the lives of many pregnant women. Staying pregnant and being stressed to the max is a very bad combination. According to CNN health, being relaxed, happy and in control may lead to a 60% reduction in a woman's miscarriage risk.

Ways to reduce stress include gentle workouts, eating out with friends or watching your favorite TV show.

Another recommendation for lowering the chances of miscarriages is to do some chromosome testing. Testing the chromosomes can often detect a problem. This is a step that is often not done unless there have been several miscarriages. Doctors often do not do the testing unless they are specifically asked to by the patient.

Other tests include genetic screenings for blood clots, a weak cervix, a hormonal imbalance and an autoimmune problem such as lupus.

Many of these tests will reveal treatable problems, which will help lower that risk of having a miscarriage.

Many of these problems are treatable, and while the testing and treatments do cost more money, it may be worth it for couples who have a difficult time seeing the pregnancy carry out to the full birth.

While the statistic of up to 50% of pregnancies end in miscarriage is quite discouraging, there are other ways to reduce that risk. Most women do not realize that they have miscarried, as the majority of miscarriages happen within the first few weeks.

Miscarriages are not preventable. There are always risks involved with any pregnancy, and while miscarriage is devastating, the majority of women who suffer from them go on to have healthy pregnancies in the future.

Other ways to reduce the risk include eliminating alcohol, cigarettes and illegal drugs. These toxins are likely to increase the risk of miscarriages as well as other birth defects.

Experts say there is no safe amount of alcohol to put in your body while you are pregnant.

Also, lay off the coffee. Studies have shown (Journal of Medicine, 2000) that five or more cups of coffee a day double the risk of miscarriage in an early pregnancy. This risk is still controversial, and many pregnant women enjoy a cup of coffee a day, however, the increased risk of caffeine is more likely to affect the baby.

Other ways to reduce the risk include avoiding pills and other toxins in your body, getting exercise and taking care of your body and the life inside of it.