Many people during pregnancy are afraid that they will do something that may lead to a miscarriage. Did you have a miscarriage? Then some feel a great sense of guilt. But is this true? Can you induce a miscarriage yourself? We asked gynecologist Nora Van Mello. Spoiler: There's nothing you can really do about it.
What can increase miscarriage?
Miscarriage is common and can happen to anyone. However, some people miscarry more than others, but that does not mean that they cause miscarriage through certain activities. “We know that age is an important factor, but we can't immediately find a definitive cause for many miscarriages,” Van Mello says. The risk of miscarriage also increases with recurrent miscarriages, but ultimately only a small percentage of miscarriages are explained by medical reasons. We know that the following factors can increase miscarriage:
- Age over 35 years
- Smoking
- Alcoholic
- overweight
- Use of medication
- Untreated medical problems
Would you like to know more about the possibility of miscarriage? Read here whether the fear of miscarriage is justified.
Can you cause a miscarriage yourself?
Many people are afraid to exercise or lift a heavy shopping bag during early pregnancy, but this cannot lead to a miscarriage. You can't do anything about miscarriage, because it is usually a natural selection process over which you have no influence. “Early development in pregnancy is a very protected process – the early fetus is well protected by the uterus, which has a thick muscular wall and takes care of itself well,” Van Melo explains. Did you have a miscarriage? Then you can't really do anything about it.
Can you induce a miscarriage?
There are no mild conditions in your daily activities that can lead to miscarriage. Is it a non-vital pregnancy but there has been no miscarriage yet? Then you can choose to induce a miscarriage with a doctor or gynecologist. For example, certain medications or sometimes curettage are usually chosen, because waiting for a natural miscarriage can be very difficult. You know you are carrying a non-viable baby, while you can still feel pregnant due to pregnancy hormones. “We first recommend using some medication to induce a miscarriage, because curettage carries risks,” says Van Mello. Is the medicine not working? Then you can consider having a curettage procedure with a specialist.
Have you had a miscarriage? Then this can have a huge impact on your life. Miscarriage expert Madelon Van Oeflen offers advice here on how to cope with a miscarriage. You don't have to do it alone! Are you pregnant again after a miscarriage? That's how you hold on mentally.
Already follow your Women's Health Facebook, Instagram And Tik Tok?
Nora van Mello is a gynecologist at UMC Amsterdam. Her areas of interest are issues of early pregnancy, gender care, fertility preservation, and hormone care – she has a lot of experience and knowledge in gynecological care and specifically fertility care for transgender people. She is also a researcher in these fields.
