Pregnancy is definitely a joyful thing, but it also makes you think twice before doing anything that you would normally do before becoming pregnant. You cannot take certain medications, you cannot engage in certain activities, and you cannot eat specific food. If you do not stay careful, your pregnancy may end up in miscarriage.

Miscarriages are more common than most women think – up to 15% known pregnancies result in miscarriage. Certain lifestyle habits increase your risk of having a miscarriage, but there are several pregnancy myths as well. Some believe you will have a miscarriage if you take too much of stress. Is it true? Is there anything you can do to lower your risk of having a miscarriage?

Can Stress Cause Miscarriage?

If you are talking about everyday stress, then the answer is no. Studies have failed to identify a link between the ordinary stresses of modern life and miscarriage. You will not have a miscarriage if you feel startled by a sudden noise. The truth is that what causes a miscarriage is unknown in most cases. More than half of miscarriages during the first trimester are due to chromosomal abnormalities in the egg and you can do nothing about it.

However, extreme stress from severe financial problems, a divorce, or the death of someone you love can have negative effects on your baby. Research shows that being under a high level of psychological stress for too long increases your risk of stillbirth by 80%. Some other studies show that high stress levels can result in low birth weight, premature birth, and increase risk of asthma and allergies later in life.

How to Manage Stress During Pregnancy

Can stress cause miscarriage? Not really but if you are under serious stress for an extended time, this may affect you and the health of your baby. Nevertheless, it makes sense to take such steps that would help lower stress in your life. Here are some suggestions:

1.        Talk It Out

If there is anything making you feel stressed, talk about it with your partner or turn to your midwife for assistance. Be honest about your feelings. Talking about things that make you uncomfortable will help you feel better. You can even talk to other mums-to-be at the same stage of pregnancy in online groups, exercise classes, or antenatal classes. Knowing that others are feeling the same will give you some relief and get you out of your stress.

2.        Maintain a Healthy Diet

Make no compromises over your diet during pregnancy. It works both ways – eating wrong type of food can trigger anxiety, whereas stress and anxiety can affect your appetite. Increasing your intake of vitamins, omega-3s, and minerals can boost your mood. Omega-3s in particular are beneficial because they reduce depression. Try to have a couple of portions of tuna, salmon, pilchards, sardines, or other oily fish a week to get enough omega-3s. Found in seeds, nuts, chicken, turkey, cheese, and fish, tryptophan helps improve mood by raise levels of serotonin and melatonin in the brain. These brain chemicals help you sleep well and feel happy.

3.        Stay Active

Can stress cause miscarriage? No, but it helps to stay active during your pregnancy to manage stress. Swimming is one outstanding exercise to do when you are pregnant. It keeps you in shape without putting too much pressure on your joints. You may go to your local pool, but if it is difficult to find a pool near you, simply going for a 20-minute walk will do the trick. Go out and take some fresh air. At work, take short breaks and walk around for a few minutes. Just maintain an active lifestyle.

4.        Try Massage

You can hire a professional for massage or ask your doctor to teach your partner how to give you a relaxing massage. A lower back massage will help you de-stress. Similarly, going for aromatherapy massage will also help. Just ensure you are using essential oils that are safe for use in pregnancy.

5.        Learn Relaxing Techniques

Learn meditation or try some positive visualization techniques. You can use these techniques anywhere to reduce stress. You can combine yoga and meditation as well to get out of stress. Meditation works great to lower stress hormone cortisol. Simply sit in a quiet place, close your eyes and focus on your breath to meditate.

Breathe in deeply and exhale through your nose. Keep your shoulders relaxed. You can even focus on an image while trying breathing techniques. Doing 20 minutes of meditation once a day, five days a week will do.

6.        Opt for Reflexology

Whatever the answer to the question "Can stress cause miscarriage?" it is important to keep your stress under control for better health. Reflexology involves using pressure points in your feet to reduce stress. Only work with a qualified therapist who has experience working with pregnant women.

7.        Calm Your Nerves with Lavender Oil

You can keep it in your purse and enjoy its fragrance by putting a drop on your wrist. Use a few drops to massage your upper shoulders and back of your neck.

8.        Create a Mantra

The technique involves creating simple phrases that you need to speak often to change your belief. This works amazingly well to reduce stress. Finding a right mantra that you can repeat any time will work wonders to make you feel better when you become overwhelmed. A simple statement like "I am ready to take care of my baby" will have its effects.