Miscarriage foods to avoid during early pregnancy are unpasteurized milk, coffee, tea, seafood with mercury, undercooked meat, pineapple, pomegranate, peaches, raw eggs, liver, soft cheese, aloe vera, unripe papaya, licorice, raw sprouts, bitter melon and wild apples.

Pregnant women are often confused about the things they should have during pregnancy. Mostly, they are worried about the foods that might potentially cause miscarriage. If you are one of those women, then don’t worry, you are not alone. A lot of women have this worry. This is because during pregnancy, a lot of women tend to have a lot of questions due to utter lack of knowledge and guidance. In this article, we have compiled a list of 31 miscarriage foods that you should avoid during early pregnancy. Let’s have a look at these foods.

CAUSES

There are many causes behind a miscarriage. Most of them have been discussed here. They pertain to the kind of food you take. However, there are five major causes that bind together all the discussions we had so far. Highlighting those five causes would make this issue clearer for you. Here are the two major causes behind a miscarriage:

1. Chromosomal Abnormalities

The most common reason that a miscarriage occurs is a problem with either the egg or sperm’s chromosomes during the formation of the embryo. While there are certain chromosomal abnormalities that are compatible with life, such as Down syndrome, other chromosomal disorders are incompatible with life. Paternal age may also play a role. The frequency of miscarriage in women below age 20 doubles as the woman approaches age 40. There is nothing that can be done to prevent miscarriage due to a chromosomal abnormality.

2. Thyroid Disorders

Whether it is hypo (too low) or hyper (too high) thyroidism, thyroid disorders can lead to problems with infertility or cause miscarriages. If a woman’s thyroid function is low, her body will try to compensate by producing hormones that can actually suppress ovulation; conversely, a thyroid that is producing too many hormones can interfere with estrogen’s ability to do its job and therefore make the uterus unfavorable for implantation or lead to abnormal uterine bleeding.

3. Diabetes

Diabetic women need to work with their endocrinologist to optimize their sugar level. Uncontrolled insulin-dependent diabetes in the first trimester can lead to miscarriage and also an increased risk of major birth defects. Chronic medical disorders including diabetes, hypothyroidism, hypertension, and autoimmune illnesses need to be addressed and well-controlled prior to pregnancy. 

4. Lifestyle

Certain lifestyle habits like drug abuse, alcohol use during pregnancy, and smoking cause early miscarriage and pregnancy loss in later trimesters. A lot of pregnancies are unplanned, which means that a lot of women are not prepared for pregnancy when it happens. Preparing for pregnancy by modifying diet and exercise, limiting stress, optimizing chronic medical disorders, and beginning prenatal vitamins is ideal for all pregnancies. However, even this cannot minimize miscarriage risk due to chromosomal abnormalities.

5. Physical Complications

There are certain instances of miscarriage that can be caused by physical problems with the mother, such as uterine abnormalities including septum or polyps, or cervical incompetence. However, in many instances, losses as a result of a physical complication will occur in the second or third trimester.

What to eat during pregnancy? What food causes miscarriage? Do you worry about these questions? It is common to feel worried when you are pregnant. It is more so if you are expecting for the first time.

31 Must Avoid Miscarriage Causing Foods During Early Pregnancy

 

Unpasteurized Milk

Unpasteurized raw milk contains listeria bacteria. This is one of the most common causes of miscarriage. It is a major miscarriage causing factor in early pregnancy. Listeria bacteria is very dangerous. It can cross the placenta and infect your fetus. Unpasteurized can cause severe infections to the fetus. It can even cause blood poisoning.

These infections can cause miscarriage. It can fatally harm your fetus. It is best to avoid unpasteurized milk during early pregnancy. In fact, it is better not to consume it during the entire pregnancy.

Coffee and Tea

Consuming tea and coffee during pregnancy is bad. They can lead to increased risk of miscarriage. Coffee and tea are stimulants. These can lead to complications during childbirth. They are also linked to deformities in infants.

Tea contains high amounts of fluoride. Fluoride prevents iron absorption. This causes anemia in pregnant women. Anemia during early pregnancy can cause miscarriage. Tea and coffee both contain caffeine. This component is responsible for increased heart rate. This causes pressure on the cardiovascular system. Caffeine also has a diuretic effect. This leads to increased stress on the urinary system during early pregnancy.

Alcohol

Regular consumption of alcohol can lead to miscarriage. Regular drinking during pregnancy is a leading cause of early miscarriage. During pregnancy the alcohol in your bloodstream passes to your fetus. This causes your fetus to have the same blood alcohol level as you. This is highly dangerous.

Babies do not have the ability to process alcohol like adults. It is very detrimental to the growth of the fetus. Doctors are divided on the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. Some say occasional drinking is ok. Others are strictly against the idea. It is best to avoid alcohol during pregnancy.

Fish/Seafood with Mercury

Fish is good for you. They are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. However, fish with high levels of mercury isn’t. Fish and seafood high in mercury are very bad in pregnancy. They are the worst foods to cause miscarriage. You should strictly avoid these during pregnancy.

Some of the fish to be avoided are shark and swordfish. You should also avoid crab. King mackarel and tile fish should also be kept out. Canned, chunk light tuna is low in mercury content. However, pregnant women should limit consumption.

Certain types of fish used in sushi should also be avoided. These are known to contain high mercury levels. Consult your doctor before eating.

Processed and Under Cooked Meat

This is another no-no during pregnancy. Processed meats can include:

• pate
• sausages
• stuffed meats
• deli meat
• Mincemeat
• Salami
• pepperoni

If you love meat, you need to restrict yourself during pregnancy. Processed meats are known to contain bacteria – toxoplasma gondii. This can cause toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage.

To avoid ingesting this bacteria make sure to cook the meats well. Refrigerated meats must be heated up to 73 degree Celsius. Only then it is safe for consumption. Moderation is key to eating meats during pregnancy. Maintain some restrictions on meat consumption to avoid miscarriage.

Pineapple

It is one of the most dangerous foods. It is a known cause of early miscarriage. Pregnant women should avoid pineapple juice in early pregnancy. It is known to cause miscarriage especially in the first three months of pregnancy.

Pineapple contains bromelain. This substance causes softening of the uterine and contractions. It creates a substance that is responsible for causing miscarriage. Pregnant women should avoid pineapple. Especially during the first three months of the pregnancy.

Read More: Can Pineapple Induce Labor Naturally? Truths and Myths

Pomegranate

It is best to stay away from this fruit during pregnancy. It is very good for your health otherwise. During pregnancy, pomegranate can induce uterine contractions. These can lead to an induced abortion or miscarriage. It is more dangerous when taken during early pregnancy.

Avoid pomegranate in all forms during pregnancy. Juices, smoothies, and preserves with pomegranate should be avoided.

Read More: Can Pomegranate Cause Miscarriage?

Peaches

This is a tasty fruit. But should be strictly avoided during pregnancy. Consuming too much peaches during pregnancy is dangerous. It can increase the risk of bleeding. This is because it is a “hot” food. This is why it increases the chances of bleeding in pregnant women.

Bleeding may lead to risk of miscarriage. The fuzz or hairs on the shell may also cause irritation. It can lead to itching in the throat. You may also experience a burning sensation. It is best avoided by pregnant women.

Soft Cheese

Soft cheese varieties include Brie, feta, Gorgonzola, Camembert, and Roquefort. These should be avoided during pregnancy. Soft cheese may contain listeria bacteria. We have discussed the harmful effects of this earlier.

Contracting bacterial infection through listeria can be fatal for the fetus. It can cause miscarriage. It can even lead to stillbirth and premature delivery. Best to avoid these types of cheeses.

Raw Eggs

Eggs are well known for their health benefits. They are one of the best sources of essential nutrients during pregnancy. It is needed for having a healthy pregnancy. However, raw or under cooked eggs can be equally bad for your pregnancy.

Raw or under cooked eggs can have salmonella. It is a type of bacteria that can cause severe illnesses. These include:

• Diarrhea
• Poisoning
• Fever
• Abdominal pains
• Miscarriage

Avoid foods that have raw eggs as an ingredients. These include mayonnaise, mousses, and souffles. Do not consume smoothies that contain raw eggs.

Liver

Liver has many health benefits. However, during pregnancy, it is very harmful. It is a common cause for miscarriage during early pregnancy. Liver contains Vitamin A. This can affect the development of your fetus. High levels of Vitamin A in your body can lead to miscarriage. It can also damage the cell development of the fetus.

Elevated levels of vitamin A can also cause spina bifida in babies. It is also responsible for urinary tract malformations and hydrocephalus.

Aloe Vera

In recent times aloe Vera has gained great prominence. This is due to its numerous benefits for skin and health. It is often used as a natural remedy to take care of everyday problems. However, it is very bad during pregnancy.

Pregnant women should avoid consuming aloe Vera. Do not eat dishes made with aloe Vera. Drinks with aloe Vera is also to be avoided. This is because aloe Vera can cause pelvic hemorrhage. This can lead to a miscarriage.

Unripe Papaya during early pregnancy 

This is yet another food to avoid during pregnancy. It can cause miscarriage. This is due to an enzyme called papain. The enzyme works and prostaglandin and oxytocin. These may induce pre term labor and miscarriage.

Avoid salads that contain unripe papaya. The compounds present in unripe papaya trigger powerful uterine contractions. This can induce a miscarriage. Unripe papaya can also cause lead to abnormalities in your baby.

Read More: Can I Eat Papaya in My First Trimester?

Licorice

Licorice is a seemingly harmless spice. It is used in various recipes and cuisines. However, it is not safe to consume during pregnancy. Licorice can cause uterine contraction. This can lead to miscarriage.

Avoid licorice in all forms during pregnancy. Recopies that make use of licorice should also be avoided.

Raw Shellfish

Shellfish like oysters, mussels, and clams should be avoided during pregnancy. These are the carriers to major sea borne illnesses. Severe illnesses and infections during the pregnancy can cause miscarriage.

You can try to minimize the risk by cooking them well. However, it is best to not have shellfish at all during pregnancy. This way you can totally eliminate the risk.

Read More: Is Eating Shellfish During Pregnancy Bad for You?

Grapes

Eating too many grapes can be harmful for the developing foetus during early pregnancy. Moreover, you must make sure that the grapes that you consume in quantities must be washed well and should not be sour. Grapes are one of those foods that heat up the body. Foods that heat your body can lead to miscarriage.

Sesame Seeds

Sesame seeds, especially the white ones, are harmful for pregnant women. Moreover, when sesame seeds are consumed with honey, they can be deadly for the developing foetus. Although not widely studied and known why, sesame seeds have been seen to be harmful for the foetus.

Read More:11 Fruits to Avoid During Pregnancy

Drumsticks

Pregnant women must refrain from eating drumstick because they contain an element called alpha-sitosterol, which is detrimental to the mother’s reproductive system and causes harm to the foetus. This can even lead to miscarriage.

Herbs

Gotu kola, Centella, Dong quai, and some other herbs can be harmful for pregnant women. They contain certain natural steroids that affect the growth of the foetus and can even result in miscarriage.

Unwashed Raw Vegetables

During pregnancy, everything natural is the best. However, make sure that you wash those fruits and veggies before adding them to your salad. Not washing them well can lead to worms and harmful bacteria lingering on and affecting the foetus with infections. If not detected in time, this can lead to miscarriage as the baby will be likely to be infected with life-threatening diseases.

Spices

Certain spices – not all – result in uterine contractions as they stimulate and excite the uterus and its lining. It is best to consult your doctor and avoid some of them when pregnant.

Raw Sprouts

While sprouts, especially the green ones, are very healthy overall, they may contain salmonella and might negatively affect you if consumed directly. The highest content of salmonella can be found in alfalfa, radish, sunflower, green lentils, and soy beans. Make sure you wash them thoroughly and cook them well to avoid contamination and miscarriage as a result.

Unpasteurized Fruit Juice

Synthetic fruit juices are definitely as good as the naturally pressed ones, but you must make sure that the natural juices are made from clean, washed fruits. Unpasteurised juice can cause serious bacterial infections in your reproductive area and might even lead to miscarriage.

Processed Junk Food

As we all know, processed foods are generally not healthy because of the preservatives, salt, fat, and other harmful ingredients. They are hence even more harmful for pregnant women and are best to be avoided.

Bitter Melon

Although this fruit is healthy at other times, it should not be consumed during pregnancy as it can cause uterine contractions and irritate the reproductive system. In fatal cases, it can also cause your uterus to bleed. Hence, it might lead to a miscarriage if you are carrying.

Ginger

A rarely known minus point of ginger is that it heats your body. Heat inducing foods are definitely not good for your reproductive system while pregnant.

Sprouted Potatoes

Potatoes that have sprouted, have been in the storage room for too long. Hence they become green due to the toxic development inside them. Potential toxins like alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine are connected to spina bifida. Hence it is best to avoid eating potatoes that have sprouted.

Cookie Dough

It might be a good idea to grab some cookie dough in the middle of the night, when those pesky hunger pangs call out. Eat healthy foods, even sweet stuff, but NOT cookie dough. It contains raw eggs, which is dangerous for the foetus.

Wild Apples

Unlike the regular apples available in the market, wild apples are sour in taste and have a very different texture. They are naturally acidic in nature, don’t confuse them will domestic apples that actually good for pregnant women. Sour foods cause contractions in the muscles of the reproductive system and the acid that they produce can deter the baby’s growth, leading to miscarriage in fatal situations.

Tomatoes

This vegetable contains a high quantity of acidity inducing ingredients and can cause excessive heartburn, which might reduce the baby’s ability to absorb nutrients from the mother and thereby stop the process of development. Tomatoes also have the ability to absorb high levels of Bisphenol-A (BPA) chemical. This increases the risk of carcinogenic growth and sell damage, which can possibly lead to early miscarriage.

Lemons

Being a citrus fruit and containing the acidic sour property, lemon is not supposed to be eaten while pregnant. The sourness might increase the uterine contractions and lead to miscarriage.

Other Steps to Take in Order to Avoid Miscarriage

Having a balanced diet is definitely the key to preventing miscarriage, but did you know that there are other things you have to keep in mind as well? We make a list of the most important things here:

If your are not already pregnant, schedule a pre-conception visit with your gynecologist

Your gynecologist will review your medical history, ask about your lifestyle, perform an annual exam and take blood samples to check for blood type, Rh factor, and varicella (chicken pox) and rubella immunity. If you haven’t been vaccinated against these infectious diseases, then this is the time to get your shots. Although skipping them won’t increase your odds of a miscarriage, the vaccines are live viruses and can’t be given once you’re pregnant.

Exercise in moderation

You should continue with your usual exercise routine once you’re pregnant, unless specified otherwise by your doctor. The key is moderation. Seven hours or more of high-impact exercise a week while pregnant could greatly increase your risk of miscarriage, so avoid them and go for lighter exercises or prenatal yoga. Contact sports are also a no-no, as they could lead to an injury or fall.

Get your blood sugar under control (in case you have diabetes)

Elevated blood sugar can lead to fetal malformation and a subsequent loss. So get your sugar level checked before conceiving and keep a track on it during your pregnancy.

Therefore, to conclude, eating balanced meals is the key to a healthy pregnancy. When it comes to food, moderation is the path to follow. Anything in excess is to be avoided during this time. Raw, uncooked, and under cooked foods are a strict no-no. Talk to your doctor to better understand which foods causes miscarriage. Do not self-administer medicines and vitamins. Excess of vitamins and minerals is very bad for pregnancy. Consult your doctor instead of self-diagnosing symptoms.

Hope this article was of help to you! Please share your comments/queries/tips with us and help us create a world full of Happy, Healthy and Empowered Women!!

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4163795/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4664130/