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Diet To Minimize The Risk Of A Miscarriage

A healthy balanced diet has a strong role to play in a healthy pregnancy.

Suffering a miscarriage (A miscarriage, which is also known as ‘spontaneous abortion’, occurs when a baby (foetus) is lost spontaneously before the 24th week of pregnancy.) is one of the most devastating things that can happen to a woman, and to her partner. Miscarriages are far more common than most people realize; it is thought that about three-quarters of all human conceptions do not result in the birth of a baby. Often these miscarriages happen so early that the woman does not even know she is pregnant, but just seems to be having a heavier or later period than normal.

You can achieve optimum health and minimize the risk of a miscarriage by following these dietary recommendations:

EAT PLENTY OF

AVOID

DIET BEFORE CONCEPTION

Potential parents should try to get fit before conception. Healthy babies tend to be produced by healthy parents who are neither markedly underweight nor overweight.

Both parents should eat a nutritious, balanced diet, make every effort to give up or cut down on smoking and alcohol. Some form of regular exercise is also very important. Current thinking suggests that these lifestyle changes should be made at least three months – and preferably six months before baby is conceived.

ALCOHOL AND SMOKING

To increase the chances of a healthy baby, it is best to avoid all toxic substances. In women, alcohol is at its most dangerous in the earliest stages of pregnancy when foetal cells are dividing very rapidly. Unfortunately, this is when a woman is least likely to be aware of her pregnancy. It is therefore safest for women to avoid alcohol from the moment conception is planned.

Women who smoke have a higher risk of miscarrying and of their baby being underweight or even having a birth defect. But if a woman is an addictive smoker, her doctor may advise that the stresscaused by trying to give up during pregnancy would be more harmful to her and her baby’s well-being than continuing to smoke a few cigarettes. In these circumstances, pregnant women may find it useful to go to an anti-smoking organisation which helps people to give up.

DIET DURING PREGNANCY

It is generally accepted that a nutritionally poor diet during pregnancy increases the likelihood of miscarriage. During the first three months of pregnancy, when foetal cells are beginning to develop into rudimentary organs, the quality rather than the quantity of the mother’s food is particularly important. Because at this stage the growing foetus is so tiny, a much larger calorie intake is not required.

What is needed is good nutrition: if the foetus lacks essential nutrients it may not develop properly and may be spontaneously aborted.

A balanced diet should include:

Keep to fresh, natural foods, and try to cut down on refined carbohydrates which may contain large amounts of sugar and saturates fats.

FOODS TO AVOID

Listeriosis, caused by the food-borne bacterium, Listeria monocytogenes, is a rare but serious infection. Should a woman become infected during pregnancy it could lead to miscarriage, still birth or severe illness in her newborn baby. High-risk foods include soft-rinded cheeses (such as Brie, and Camembert) and pate – which should be avoided during pregnancy. Ensure that all meat, poultry and eggs are cooked thoroughly (to kill bacteria). Pregnant women and those trying to conceive should avoid liver as it is high in vitamin A, excessive amounts of which can cause birth defects.

Some studies suggest that caffeine (in coffee, tea and chocolate) should be restricted but many doctors advise that moderate amounts are harmless.

 

SUPPLEMENTS:

The supplements recommended below have been studied in clinical trials and have been found to be effective in connection with miscarriages. For best results you should take them over a period of three months or as advised by doctor.

Many doctors prescribe supplements of iron and folic acid during the latter part of pregnancy to prevent anaemia.

NOTE: Most drugs and herbal medicines should be avoided during pregnancy.

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