HOW TO PREVENT A MISCARRIAGE

         For most women, a miscarriage is one of the most traumatic events ever experienced. Also called spontaneous abortion in the medical world, a miscarriage is the natural termination of a pregnancy before five months (20 weeks) of gestation and they are relatively common. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists lists miscarriage as the most common type when it comes to the loss of pregnancies.

A miscarriage is not the same thing as an induced abortion (popularly called D&C) and even though so much has been said about miscarriages, it must be said that there is no sure-proof way of preventing them. However, there are various ways that you can employ to reduce the risks of you having a miscarriage which is what we are going to be looking at here.

There are various causes of a miscarriage, many of which are beyond your control, and some of which are under your control. We will dwell more on the latter. The following are risk factors that you need to watch out for:

1. DISEASES TO AVOID OR MONITOR PROPERLY:

Diabetes is one disease known to increase the risk of having a miscarried foetus, especially if it is not properly monitored. Thus, if you are diabetic, you need to pay special attention to your pregnancy. Hypertension and hypothyroidism are also other similar conditions that can cause that devastating loss of a first child that the couple has been waiting for. Untreated sexually-transmitted diseases are also major culprits here. These include syphilis, gonorrhoea, HIV/AIDS, genital herpes and others. Get tested and get the proper treatment before the pregnancy progresses.

2. TOBACCO SMOKING, INTOXICANTS, STIMULANTS ETC:

Various research studies have shown that the more sticks of cigarette a woman smokes, the higher the risk of having a spontaneous abortion (miscarriage). The use of hard drugs has the same inimical effects on your pregnancy. Excessive intake of stimulants like coffee is also discouraged. A pregnant woman should also move very far away from a husband who smokes heavily. In short, stay away from all forms of smoke and environmental pollution.

3. MATERNAL AGE

There is a strong correlation between the age of the mother and the risk of having a miscarriage. This is particularly true if the mother is above 35 years of age. Well, that is not to say that all hope is lost in such a condition, what it simply means is that the woman has to be much more careful while carrying the pregnancy by staying away from all the risk factors and adhering to all the prescribed guidelines.

4. SIDE EFFECTS OF CERTAIN DRUGS

Some drugs have been noted to increase the risk of miscarriages as a side effect. Drugs used in the treatment of depression is a very good example. Consult with your doctor and talk about all the medications that you are taking once you have been confirmed pregnant. And never embark on self-medication before, during or after pregnancy.

5. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

The more strenuous and stressful a physical activity or exercise is during pregnancy, the higher the risk of the pregnancy coming down as a spontaneous abortion. This applies to most physical exercises except swimming. Therefore, as an expectant mother, you actually have no business in the gym but you can benefit greatly from a few dips in the swimming pool and other moderate exercises like walking.

6. TRAUMA

Stay away from dangerous activities such as riding a motor bike or climbing a tree or a mountain where you can sustain a direct hit or blow to the belly. Such blows can terminate the pregnancy instantly.

In addition to all that has been said, you should feed properly, take diets that have all the necessary minerals and vitamins (see your dietician). Malnutrition increases the risk of a miscarriage. Go for regular checks in the hospital (that means you should not miss your antenatal classes!) See you in the labour room!