Miscarriage is one of the most traumatic experiences for a woman. While the cause of many miscarriages is unknown, knowing how to avoid a miscarriage is something many women want to understand.

There are certain risk factors that can increase the chance of miscarriage. These include lifestyle factors and health conditions. Many women will need to make some lifestyle changes when they become pregnant. With this in mind, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk and learn how to avoid miscarriage.

• Get medical advice when you decide to try for a baby. Ask for advice about conceiving and how to avoid a miscarriage. Choose an Obstetrician or a General Practitioner who has experience in pregnancy.

• As soon as you think you are pregnant, either by a positive home pregnancy test or because your period is late, go to your doctor for the proper medical care right from the beginning. Early medical assistance can often make the difference between a healthy pregnancy and one with problems.

• If you have a pre-existing medical condition, seek advice from your usual physician as soon as you fall pregnant. Ask questions about how your condition could impact your pregnancy and unborn child. Find out whether medications that you are taking will have any effect on the pregnancy or the fetus. Ask whether there are any special requirements your conditions make necessary to ensure a successful pregnancy.

• Focus on your diet and make sure that you eat a nutritionally balanced menu, eating a wide range of foods each day to make sure both you and your baby receive all the nutrients and trace elements you need. Limit the amount of pre-prepared and fast food you eat, reduce fatty foods, excess salt and sugar. Fresh fruit and vegetables should form a large part of your diet, adding lean protein, legumes, fish, eggs, wholegrains and lean dairy, and make sure you keep hydrated with plenty of fresh water. Limit your intake of sugary drinks and diet sodas. Fruit, nuts and seeds make great snacks.

• If you smoke, stop as soon as you know you are pregnant. If you have made a decision to try to conceive, stop smoking even before you are pregnant. Smoking is associated with miscarriage, so being smoke-free before you fall pregnant is going to reduce this risk factor.

• Don’t drink alcoholic beverages when you are pregnant. Alcohol has been proven to pass through the placental barrier and so, when you drink alcohol, your unborn baby does too. Alcohol has been shown to affect brain development and performance and limit is a risk factor for miscarriage.

• Avoid all caffeine drinks, hot and cold, diet and normal; caffeine has been linked to miscarriage in recent studies.
• Stay away from anyone who has a rash or an infectious disease. Chicken pox and rubella have been implicated in miscarriage.
• Cats can pass on toxoplasmosis through their feces. If you have a pet cat, get someone else to attend to the litter tray while you are pregnant, as this normally harmless disease may cause miscarriage. Wash your hands with soap and warm water after handling the cat.
• At any time that you experience pain or bleeding, even if it is only mild, seek immediate medical advice. Early medical assistance can often prevent an impending problem.