Prevent miscarriage – but how does it work?

Causes of miscarriage

With a positive pregnancy test, many parents-to-be often experience fear of a miscarriage in addition to great joy. Unfortunately, often not without reason, because a miscarriage is the most common complication that occurs in pregnancy. An estimated 15 to 20 percent of all pregnancies already diagnosed end in miscarriage. The number of unreported cases is likely to be much higher, as many miscarriages occur before the woman even knows she is pregnant.

The reasons for a miscarriage are very diverse and range from genetic damage to the embryo to stress and pre-existing conditions, such as miscarriages that have already been suffered. In our article ” Miscarriage: If the pregnancy ends early ” you can learn more about the causes of a miscarriage and find out when there is an increased risk.

Prevent miscarriage – but how?

There is no one-size-fits-all recipe for preventing a miscarriage, but certain steps can help reduce the risk:

• Prevention : Infections rising from the vagina are often the trigger for a miscarriage. The best way to prevent them is to have regular check -ups with your gynecologist. In this way, disorders of the vaginal flora and infections can be recognized and treated in good time. But you should also keep a close watch on your body between check-ups and see your doctor immediately if you notice any abnormalities . Regular self-tests from the pharmacy can also be useful to prevent a vaginal infection and thus a miscarriage.
• Take pre-existing conditions into account: Pre-existing conditions affecting your heart, kidneys and circulatory system, for example, but also diabetes, should be taken into account and discussed with your doctor before you plan to become pregnant. Because if you know what you have to pay special attention to, you can prevent a miscarriage at an early stage. For example, a special blood sugar setting is important for diabetics even before pregnancy.
• Healthy and balanced nutrition: You and your unborn child will always benefit from it. You should completely avoid some foods, such as raw milk cheese or liver, during pregnancy. In our special on “ Nutrition during pregnancy ” you will find numerous tips and information on healthy nutrition. Proper handling of food is now particularly important to prevent foodborne infections such as listeriosis. Because they can be particularly dangerous for pregnant women. You can find out more about this in the “ Infections during pregnancy ” section. Our article “ 10 things that pregnant women should not eat ” also contains a lot of important information that you can take into account.
• Avoiding stimulants: Cigarettes, alcohol and drugs should be taboo during pregnancy anyway. However, excessive consumption of caffeine can also have a harmful effect on the unborn child. One or two cups of coffee a day are usually harmless. In our article “ Alcohol, cigarettes and coffee during pregnancy ” you can find out more about the effects the consumption of stimulants can have on your baby.
• Avoid stress: Stress is a risk factor for a miscarriage that should not be underestimated and that you should definitely avoid. Treat yourself to breaks and create enough free space that you can use for conscious relaxation. Whether you can do this best with a good book, with yoga or while you sleep is entirely up to you. However, you should always make sure you get enough sleep.
• Light physical activity: Exercise during pregnancy is generally good and beneficial for the birth process. Light endurance activities are best, such as longer walks, light jogging, swimming and, of course, relaxation techniques such as yoga. On the one hand, they contribute to a good condition, which will certainly make the course of your pregnancy a lot easier. On the other hand, they are a wonderful helper in reducing stress. You should not do jerky sports, such as tennis or handball, or sports with a risk of falling, such as horseback riding, as they can be more likely to encourage a miscarriage. If you intend to get involved in a new sport, take it slow. It is best to always get the advice of your doctor, because he can assess which sports you can practice without hesitation. You can find more information on the subject in our article “ Exercise during pregnancy? “.
• Protect your body and mind: You should avoid hard physical work such as heavy lifting as well as mental overload. Both can cause stress and you should avoid it. If you are exposed to a lot of stress in your job, your doctor can write you off work or issue you a ban on employment.
• Get support: If you can’t easily find time for yourself, don’t be afraid to ask your family or friends for help. Even the smallest help, for example in the household, can often mean a great deal of relief. You should also not “digest” psychological stress, for example caused by financial problems or problems with your partner, but discuss it with someone. Sometimes it can also be helpful to go to a counseling center or to confide in your doctor.
• Hormone treatment: Progesterone, also known as the luteal hormone, is responsible for maintaining pregnancy. Low progesterone levels in the first few weeks of pregnancy can lead to miscarriage. If this is the case for you, prescribing luteal hormones from your doctor can help prevent a miscarriage. Low progesterone levels are mainly caused by stress. You can avoid this and thus help to ensure that such a deficiency does not occur in the first place.
• Concluding with a previous miscarriage: If you have already suffered a miscarriage, you should, if possible, process this severe loss before you get pregnant again. Of course, that doesn’t mean that you should forget your lost child, because you certainly never will. But deep grief also means mental stress and you should avoid this in a new pregnancy. In our article ” Grief after a Miscarriage ” we have shown ways to cope with grief that may also help you.
• Taking folic acid and magnesium: The B vitamin folic acid is important for the physical and mental development of your child. A lack of folic acid can also lead to a miscarriage. Since your need for folic acid increases enormously during pregnancy and a deficiency can easily occur, the additional intake of folic acid preparations is definitely advisable. In our article How important is folic acid in pregnancy? “ you can find out more about folic acid. Pregnant women also have an increased need for magnesium. It has a muscle relaxant and antispasmodic effect. Many doctors therefore recommend taking magnesium supplements as a preventive measure. There are no specific drugs that prevent miscarriage.
• Taking homeopathic remedies: It has not been medically proven, but there are voices that say that homeopathy can prevent a miscarriage. In this context, the potencies 6X and 12X are mentioned again and again.

A healthy lifestyle and avoiding stress are the be-all and end-all for a healthy pregnancy. You can prevent a miscarriage by being good to yourself and your body. Your feelings will tell you what is good for you and what is not. It is important that you take warning signs seriously. In our article ” Signs of a miscarriage ” you can also read which symptoms indicate an imminent miscarriage.