Getting pregnant can be one of the most exciting times in a woman’s life. After all, it sometimes takes months, or even years, to get pregnant.
Unfortunately, not all pregnancies end in a happy delivery. Miscarriages happen more often than you might think.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, “Miscarriage is a term used for a pregnancy that ends on its own, within the first 20 weeks of gestation.” This is a common reality that is said to affect somewhere between 10 and 25 percent of clinically recognized pregnancies, as originally reported by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). The majority of these miscarriages are said to occur within the first 13 weeks of pregnancy.
There are many factors that can cause a miscarriage, and the exact cause is often indeterminate. According to the American Pregnancy Association, the most common of these is a chromosomal abnormality. However, hormones, infections, improper egg implantation, the mother's age and maternal trauma can cause miscarriage.
Certain lifestyle factors are thought to increase the risk of miscarriage. Take a look at these six habits and lifestyle factors that may increase the risk.
- Caffeine Intake
Studies link the likelihood of miscarriage to caffeine. According to CBS News, one such study, conducted by researchers at the National Institutes of Health and Ohio State University, found that more than two caffeinated drinks daily before and post conception can increase the chance of miscarriage. The study also cited a link between daily multivitamins and a decreased risk of miscarriage.