Does your Lifestyle Increase the Risk of Miscarriage?
Miscarriage is also known as spontaneous abortion. It can happen to any woman at any time regardless of age, race or economic background. While the symptoms are usually the same, the reasons for the miscarriages differ.
Lifestyle Factors
No one can predict whether their pregnancy will end in a miscarriage. The best thing that any woman can do is follow her doctor’s advice and avoid what is called “risky behavior.” This includes lifestyle choices that are deemed less than suitable for a healthy pregnancy.
When you are pregnant, the placenta allows your body to connect with your growing baby. Through the placenta, nutrients are exchanged. But, other substances can pass across the placenta besides what your baby needs. Anything that the mother ingests, smokes or inhales can affect the baby.
What are these lifestyle factors? The most common ones are smoking and alcohol use. Smoking is unhealthy for you, not to mention your unborn child being exposed to nicotine and other particles that cause disease in the lungs. Alcohol use affects a baby also. The euphoria you feel is passed on to your child.
Abusing drugs is also a number one contributor to the possibility of miscarriage. These substances alter the chemistry of your brain when you use them. The baby’s brain is also affected, and it is not fully developed yet.
Another contributor is poor Health. Many miscarriages occur because of lack of proper prenatal care. Your physician will counsel you on proper nutrition and taking care of yourself to increase the chances of a full term healthy pregnancy.
These lifestyle factors can be controlled by you. If you participate in any of these and other risky behavior, seek help before deciding to get pregnant.
Symptoms of a Miscarriage
When a miscarriage occurs, you may not recognize what is happening to you, especially if it is early on in the pregnancy. One symptom is cramping in the lower abdomen. A woman who is in the middle of her pregnancy knows that cramping is abnormal. In the early weeks, it could be mistaken for Menstrual Cramps. Some miscarriages occur before you even know that you were pregnant.
Bleeding is an indicator that a miscarriage is in progress. This bleeding will be heavy and you may pass solid material which could be large blood clots or fetal tissue. Spotting of any kind could signal something is going on but hasn’t progressed.
If either of these symptoms occurs, seek medical attention immediately. Doctors will check for a viable heartbeat if you are far enough along in your pregnancy. A vaginal exam will tell him if a miscarriage has occurred.
Experiencing a miscarriage is a devastating event. There are many reasons for a miscarriage but only a few are under your control. Make the necessary lifestyle changes to give your unborn child a fighting chance.