Can You Prevent Miscarriage?

If you have been around here long enough then you probably have heard my story by now. I had my first miscarriage at 5 wks, then my second a year later at 10 wks. My biggest regret is not investigating my health after the first. I was swept up in the “oh it happens” and “it’s really common”, and just accepted it.

So losing another baby immediately after was more than shocking, more than devastating. In hindsight though, I realize I did nothing differently between the two pregnancies. And the underlying cause for the first was most likely the cause for the second.

Miscarriage can not be prevented, but we can reduce our risk.

Here’s why..

Early miscarriage can often be traced back to two main issues.

First, low progesterone levels may be insufficient in the early weeks to maintain the uterus and support the growing embryo before the placenta can take over progesterone production around 10-12 weeks. Progesterone, or progestation hormone, is part of a signaling loop that tells the body not to shed the uterine lining, not to end this current cycle. Progesterone is released from the same follicle that once housed the egg. It is also a part of the signaling sequence that helps a fertilized egg implant and then be nurtured by the rich uterine lining.

With low or weak progesterone levels in the early days and weeks of pregnancy, the womb may not have what it needs to support an ongoing pregnancy or to keep the next cycle from starting—bleeding.

Secondly, poor egg health and quality often results in chromosomal issues that will prevent the development of an embryo.  The body senses these chromosomal issues, either too few or too many, and this may cause a spontaneous abortion.

One set of chromosomes are donated by each parent; one set in the egg, one set in the sperm. This is how babies have mommy’s lips but daddy’s eyes! During fertilization the sperm and the egg literally fuse and match all 23 chromosome pairs, if possible. If the egg or the sperm had the incorrect amount of genetic material, so too will the new embryo.

Egg quality and egg health are most impacted during the 120-days preceding ovulation (which why I developed the 120-Day Method for my program). During this time the egg needs to divide from a full set of Mama’s DNA to only half, to later match with Dad’s other half. It takes an incredible amount of energy and nutrients to time this perfectly and to align the DNA perfectly to split down the middle. If there is a disruption, like from poor mitochondrial health, or interruptions like damage from oxidatiation (the thing antioxidants work against), or an “early” ovulation before the egg is ready, then the resulting quality and health may be affected.

Both low progesterone and poor egg health are established in the first weeks of your cycle.

The health of the maturing follicle decides the health of the egg before ovulation as well the level of progesterone that will be released after ovulation. Only a healthy follicle can produce a healthy egg and produce an adequate level of progesterone.

We often talk about about luteal phase defect, but the first domino may be in the follicular phase, the days between your first day of bleeding and ovulation. Supporting this phase may make the difference weeks later when you are in the two week wait. Many women are often unsure if their period is late or if they had an early miscarriage and either may be true but early miscarriages are more common than we think.

Reduce your Risk

Getting pregnant can be exciting and a time filled with love. But sometimes, once it proves difficult, it may be hard to find the fun in it again. Remember that you have control over your uterine and ovarian enviroment! You can choose habits that either protect or cause more harm and disruptions.

Habits that protect

Find stress relief techniques. Stress is a major source of oxidative stress and can set off a cascade of pathways that directly damages your follicle and egg or interferes with normal healthy development.

• Deep breathing

• Mindfulness and meditation

• Relaxing self-care practices

• Social media breaks

• Get into your favorite hobby

Eat nutritious whole foods. What you feed your body during the months and weeks prior to ovulation provides the building blocks of your uterine tissues and eggs.

• Dark leafy greens

• Foods with orange pigment

• Turmeric and other antioxidants

• Salmon, wild caught when possible

• Dark colored berries

• Lentils and beans, other fiber rich foods

• Zinc, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin C

Avoid hormonal toxins. Make an effort to swap out your home and persoanl products that contain harmful, hormone disrutpting chemicals

• “Fragrance”

• Phtalates

• Non-stick cookware

• Plastic food storage

• Unfiltered water and bottled water

Supplement when needed. Sometimes we just need a little boost to fill in any nutritional gaps in our diet. I always recommend food first, but if you are struggling getting on track with your eating, quality, potent, trusted supplements can be very supportive.

• CoQ10 to energize your eggs

• Probiotic with at least 10 strains and 50 million CFUs

• Potent prenatal (not everything at Target is quality)

Your fertility is in your hands

I know first hand the feeling of hopelessness and powerlessness when you blame yourself and question" “why can’t my body keep my babies safe?” A spontaneous miscarriage can be devastating, but it is often the best and only option to keep you healthy and with the wisdom that you baby would not be healthy.

Your daily choices can be just the shift you need to stronger fertility to help you get and stay pregnant. Choose wisely.