Even if you take the best care of yourself during pregnancy, you often can't prevent a miscarriage.
However, there are ways to lower your risk of miscarriage:
- Do not smoke during pregnancy – see NHS Smokefree for more information about smoking and pregnancy.
- Do not drink alcohol during pregnancy.
- Do not use illegal drugs during pregnancy.
- Drink at least 1.2 litres (six to eight glasses) of fluids, such as water and fruit juice, every day.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet with at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
The Pregnancy care planner has more information on:
Your weight
Obesity increases your risk of miscarriage. A person is obese when they have a body mass index (BMI) of over 30. You can check your BMI using the healthy weight calculator. However, if you are pregnant the calculator may not be accurate, so you should consult your midwife or doctor instead.
The best way to protect your health and your baby’s wellbeing is to lose weight before you become pregnant. By reaching a healthy weight, you cut your risk of all the problems that are associated with obesity in pregnancy. Contact your GP for advice about how to lose weight. They may be able to refer you to a specialist weight-loss clinic.
As yet, there is no evidence to suggest that losing weight during pregnancy will lower your risk of miscarriage, but eating healthily and activities such as walking and swimming are good for all pregnant women. If you were not active before becoming pregnant, you should consult your midwife or doctor before starting a new exercise regime while you are pregnant.
Read more on if you’re pregnant and overweight and find out about exercises and keeping active during pregnancy.
