Miscarriage is caused by many reasons, with many of these out of a woman’s control. What a woman eats while pregnant is within her control though, and safe choices in food can assist with a healthy pregnancy. While in general, most foods and drinks are safe to consume, there are some that you should probably avoid to ensure a safe pregnancy. Here’s a list of substances, drinks, and food that cause miscarriages that you may want to keep out of your diet during these precious nine months.
6 drinks and food that may cause miscarriage
1. Coffee and other caffeinated drinks
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While some doctors say that one cup of black coffee, a serving of tea, or one can of your soft drink of choice is fine, this is on a case-to-case basis. If your pregnancy is a high-risk one, it may be better for you and the baby to eliminate caffeine from your diet.
However, if your doctor gives you the all-clear for one cup of coffee or tea per day, bear in mind that anything with caffeine is a diuretic, meaning it flushes out fluids from your body. So make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day to compensate for any fluid loss.
2. Unsanitary, unwashed produce
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It goes without saying that all fruits and vegetables must be washed before eating. And while this step won’t likely be skipped when eating a home-cooked meal, be wary of hole-in-the-wall joints that may not follow sanitary practices.
3. Raw food
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Even if you’re having sushi in your favorite Japanese restaurant and you’ve never had food poisoning, you will need to be more cautious now. Eating raw food, such as sashimi, pate, even medium-rare meat can expose you and your baby to harmful bacteria and toxins. It’s best to avoid all raw foods during your pregnancy as one of the food that cause miscarriage.
4. Raw eggs
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You will be surprised at how many varieties of food may contain raw eggs — from salad dressings to cake icing . Raw eggs may carry a bacteria known as Salmonella. This is why even slightly runny or poached eggs might pose as a danger to both you and your child. Symptoms of salmonella poisoning include stomach cramps, diarrhea, pain and cramping in the stomach. Any discomfort in the stomach will send a pregnant woman’s stress levels through the roof, so it’s best not to risk it and avoid raw eggs, and any other products that may contain Salmonella, all together.
5. Fish with high Mercury content
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Eating fish while pregnant has its benefits, such as helping in your child’s brain development through a good dose of Omega-3. But, certain fishes have a high mercury content, which may have negative effects on your child’s development. According to Mayo Clinic, large fish like shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish must be avoided. Fish and marine life caught in polluted seas will definitely not be good for anyone, pregnant women and babies, more so. If you’re not sure where your seafood comes from, don’t consume it.
6. Alcohol
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The general consensus, backed by medical experts, is that any form of alcohol, ranging from a bottle of beer to fruity cocktails, must be avoided at all costs, no matter the amount, when with child. While there are conflicting studies out there that say otherwise, it’s been proven that alcohol has a negative effect on your brain cells, as well as on the brain of the child growing inside of you.
The safe option would be to not indulge in any form of alcohol whatsoever. Alcohol is known to increase the risk of miscarriage. It can also put your child at risk for a condition called Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, wherein both physical and mental development is impaired.
When pregnant, the mantra in relation to food and drink should be related to health and safety — for both you and your child. Listen to your body and its needs, and eat and drink only what will give you energy, help you heal, and make your child strong and healthy. We hope this list of drinks and food that cause miscarriage helps you plan your diet for the next 9 months of your exciting journey as you become a mum!