Having a vegan diet makes childbearing different from other mothers. There are certain nutrients that can be scarce in plant-based foods. But do vegans have more miscarriages compared to people with animal-based diets? Is changing the way you eat affect how the body responds to having children?
Going Vegan
A lot of people are exploring leading a more sustainable lifestyle with better healthy eating habits. By following a vegan diet, all the food that you eat is plant-based. No more meat and poultry, and that includes milk, eggs, and seafood which differentiates vegans from vegetarians.
Removing these types of foods lessens the fat and sugar intake and more fiber is added to their body. This improves the overall condition of the body and lowers the risk of heart diseases.
Reasons for Miscarriages
Do vegans have more miscarriages? Miscarriage is when mothers lose their babies before the 20th week of pregnancy. There are many reasons why it may happen. But usually, it is due to underlying medical conditions that the mother has during pregnancy. Some of the known factors are:
- Chromosomal or genetic abnormalities are the most common cause of miscarriages, especially during the 1st trimester of pregnancy (1st-12th week of pregnancy).
- History of previous miscarriages
- Women aged 35 or older
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Hormonal irregularities
- Infections
- Problems with the uterus or cervix like myoma
- Weakened cervix
- Thyroid diseases
- Severe malnutrition hinders fetal growth
- Certain medication; for example: Misoprostol which causes the uterus to contract (illegal to use in the Philippines, but used by abortionists), Methotrexate, Non- Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS) like Ibuprofen
- Issues with chromosomes
- Medical (uncontrolled hypertension) and endocrinological conditions (uncontrolled diabetes and thyroid abnormalities)
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Conditions that cause hormonal abnormalities like Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
- Certain Infection: HIV, Dengue fever, influenza, bacterial vaginosis, malaria, etc
Most miscarriages cannot be prevented. But having a healthy diet and lifestyle decreases its risks. Smoking, drinking alcohol, and using drugs increase the risk of miscarriages and other illnesses. Being underweight or overweight not only affects the chances of getting pregnant, but also in sustaining the pregnancy.
Do Vegans Have More Miscarriages?
Vegans do not have a higher likelihood for miscarriages. They are still able to receive the nutrition that they need and sustain the growth of their baby through non-animal-based food. There are also supplements and other alternatives which can provide the nutrition beneficial for the babies’ growth.
What should be mentioned is the possibility of nutrient deficiencies during pregnancy as there are limited options for food.
Vitamin B12, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and protein are nutrients that are mostly found in animal-based foods. But supplements and nutritional yeast can be used to support the nutritional requirement for pregnancy.
It is also important that mothers consult their doctors regarding proper diet and other factors that may affect the risk of miscarriage. Have yourself checked up even before planning for pregnancy to address any underlying medical issues. The sooner these challenges are resolved, the less risk for the pregnancy to end in a miscarriage.
Key Takeaway
Going back to the question of “Do vegans have more miscarriages?”, there are no direct links that show that a vegan diet affects the success of pregnancy. Being vegan is a choice that mothers have and there are plant-based alternatives to most foods that should not affect the daily nutritional requirement for mothers and babies.
There may be different reasons behind miscarriages but veganism does not directly affect the early termination of pregnancies. Being vegan may be a cause for nutritional deficiencies, but knowing what food to eat and other alternatives can help address this. Consult your doctor if you need help addressing your conditions and to learn more about how to keep your pregnancy healthy.
Learn more about Pregnancy Problems here.
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