Pregnant women should pay attention to what foods are consumed so that the fetus does not have problems. There are a number of foods that are not recommended for pregnant women. Here we will share with you at least 25 foods that can cause miscarriage and these should be avoided during pregnancy, unless there is permission from the health service.
Pregnancy is a time when a mother feels very emotional in her life. For example, her body parts undergo many changes, her emotions are also disturbed and whatever the story, no mother takes risks with her fetus. Everyone wants the fetus to be safe and born healthy. So paying attention to what food is consumed is very important, especially when there are a number of foods that are dangerous and have a risk of miscarriage.
If you don’t know the list of foods that are at risk of miscarriage, see our review below. We will present to you the foods that can cause miscarriage. Come on, let’s see until the end!
Foods that Can Cause Miscarriage
There are a number of foods that should be limited and which should be avoided completely during pregnancy, considering these foods are at risk of miscarriage. So, pregnant women should take the safe way by avoiding these foods at all.
1. Papaya
One of the foods that can cause miscarriage is unripe papaya. Papaya fruit is rich in sap or enzymes that can cause contractions of the uterus and encourage miscarriage.
The enzymes present in this young papaya encourage seizures, so pregnant women should stay away from these foods so that their babies are safe until birth.
2. Animal Liver
Animal liver is a delicious food and many like it, including pregnant women. Even chicken liver, for example, is rich in vitamins that are good for health. However, if consumed continuously during pregnancy, the animal’s liver can cause a buildup of retinol. Retinol is said to cause harm to the fetus.
So, pregnant women should not eat animal liver continuously. If you only eat once or twice, it is still safe and does not cause miscarriage.
3. Pineapple
Pineapple is included in the category of foods that can cause miscarriage, especially young pineapples. The content of the bromelain enzyme in pineapple is dangerous for the presence of the baby in the womb in the first trimester.
Bromelain enzymes also cause contractions in the uterus that causes the fetus to be stillborn. However, when the pregnancy is 6 months old or longer, pineapple is safe for consumption even though it should not be too frequent (not continuous).
4. Aloe Vera
Furthermore, the food that can cause miscarriage is Aloe Vera. What’s with Aloe Vera? Aloe vera is the raw material for making Aloe Vera juice which is famous for its detox juice, but pregnant women should be careful with this juice because it is said to cause pelvic bleeding.
This bleeding eventually causes bleeding in the uterus and can trigger a miscarriage. Why did it happen? Ale Vera is a plant that contains a laxative called anthraquinone.
5. Sprouted Potatoes
Potatoes may be mediocre, but that’s not the case with sprouted potatoes. As reported by bebodywise, that sprouted potatoes can be harmful to babies in the womb.
Why is sprouted potatoes dangerous for pregnant women? It is said that these potatoes contain a substance called solanine and this has proven harmful to the fetus.
6. Raw or Undercooked Fish
Raw or undercooked fish. Fish are actually normal to be eaten by anyone. However, it is different with raw fish. As a pregnant woman who must be selective in food, immature fish can be dangerous for the fetus.
The problem is that fish can be a host to a number of bacteria, parasites, and viruses. It is mentioned that generally pregnant women are very easily attacked by listeria. Listeria can cross the baby’s placenta and cause miscarriage. So, pregnant women should eat food that has been cooked until cooked, especially food from fish or other animal sources.
7. Processed or Raw Meat
Just like undercooked fish, consuming processed or raw meat is a cause for infection with listeria or other bacteria such as E-Coli, and Salmonella. This is a dangerous bacteria that can threaten the life of the fetus, so pregnant women should avoid raw meat.
In fact, eating raw foods like this is a serious cause of neurological disorders, epilepsy, blindness and even stillbirth.
8. Raw Eggs
Another food that contains bacteria as above is raw eggs. Raw eggs sometimes contain salmonella bacteria that can harm the fetus.
Among the symptoms that may occur during a bacterial infection are stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and nausea. So pregnant women should avoid raw eggs and foods that contain raw eggs. This includes raw eggs on the cake, undercooked hard-boiled eggs, and undercooked scrambled eggs.
9. Caffeine
Caffeine is actually harmless as long as it is consumed in small amounts. Pregnant women can still drink coffee in reasonable quantities. But excess caffeine in drinks can be harmful to the fetus in the womb.
So, caffeinated drinks in large quantities are included in the list of foods that can cause miscarriage or abnormal birth in babies with minimal weight.
10. Mercury-rich Fish
Apart from immature fish, there are other types of fish that are dangerous for pregnant women even though these fish have been cooked to perfection. This is a fish that is rich in mercury content. Pregnant women should be careful consuming fish in the first trimester. There are some fish that are rich in mercury content in their meat so they should be avoided.
Fish that are considered to cause miscarriage are tuna, marlin, king mackerel, and swordfish because they are mercury-rich fish species.
Mercury can affect the development of the baby’s brain, and nervous system, and this is harmful to the baby and can cause mental instability.
11. Raw Spouts
Raw sprouts like radish, alfalfa, sprout and clover are some of the healthy vegetables that can actually cause miscarriage in pregnant women. This is due to vegetables that have the potential for salmonella.
Why is that, this vegetable to grow needs a moist environment and this is very easy for salmonella growth. Salmonella is a bacterium that causes damage to the fetus.
12. Alcohol
Alcohol is a dangerous drink and is not only harmful to pregnant women. Everyone who consumes alcoholic beverages will experience brain damage. In pregnant women, alcohol is included in drinks that can cause miscarriage and should be avoided by pregnant women.
Pregnant women who often drink alcohol can cause facial abnormalities in babies, intellectual disabilities, heart defects, and can even cause miscarriages and stillbirths.
13. Dairy Products
Dairy products are included in the list of foods that can cause miscarriage. But not all dairy products but those that are not pasteurized.
Dairy products that are not pasteurized have the potential to contain harmful bacteria such as salmonella and listeria. Many cases state that unpasteurized dairy products have caused problems in babies, neurological disorders and even miscarriages.
14. Drumstick
Drumsticks are another food that pregnant women should avoid. Drumstick is a food that contains alpha-sitosterol and this is dangerous for pregnant women. So, if you really want to eat drumsticks, you should only eat small amounts.
However, you should avoid these foods early in pregnancy.
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15. Certain Herbs
There are certain herbs that are dangerous during pregnancy, so pregnant women should be careful in consuming herbs so as not to cause problems with the content.
Among the herbs reported to cause miscarriage is the Dong Quai herb, this herb contains enzymes that stimulate miscarriage or cause premature birth.
16. Wild Apples
Wild apples or forest apples are a type of sour fruit. Its acidic nature sometimes causes uterine contractions that end in miscarriage.
If not a miscarriage, another problem that may occur is premature birth. So pregnant women should stay away from eating wild apples.
17. Junk Food
Junk foods are foods that are included in the list of foods that can cause miscarriage. So, since pregnancy, pregnant women should no longer consume junk food.
Junk food is rich in calories, rich in sugar, and bad fats. Pregnant women who have excess sugar in their diet during pregnancy can cause gestational diabetes, can cause heart disease, and can even lead to drastic weight loss in the fetus.
18. Crabs
Crab is a seafood that is very much a fan, including pregnant women, but for pregnant women should refrain from this one food.
Maybe if in small amounts it is still safe for pregnant women, but consuming excessive amounts of crab can cause the uterus to shrink and bleed. This can cause stillbirth and high cholesterol content can also have a negative impact on the overall health of pregnant women.
19. Certain Spices
Spices are additives in cooking to give food flavor. However, there are certain spices that are included in the diet that can cause miscarriage. Among these spices are fenugreek, asafoetida, garlic and angelica.
This spice stimulates the uterus to contract and causes miscarriage, besides that the spice is also a blood thinner, making it easier for bleeding.
20. Sesame Seeds
Sesame seeds when mixed with honey will cause heat and can cause uterine contractions.
So avoid eating sesame seeds in the first and second trimester. While in the later stages of pregnancy, sesame seeds are considered a food that can help with childbirth.
21. Smoked Seafood
Smoked seafood is also one that pregnant women should avoid. Usually if you buy it, this food has a special label, namely Nova or Lox.
Smoked meat like this has the potential to contain salmonella and listeria.
22. Pre-packaged Salads
This is also included in foods containing listeria, where the bad effect is that it can harm the fetus.
23. Energy Drinks
In the list of drinks, energy drinks are the type of product that pregnant women should totally avoid. Energy drinks are very rich in caffeine and these are foods that can cause abortion, especially when consumed in excessive amounts.
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24. Unwashed Fruits and Vegetables
When you buy fruit and vegetables in a store, you have to remember cleanliness. The fruits that are sold freely are not clean and must be washed when they get home. Likewise, the vegetables you buy, you have to wash them at home in clean water. Dirty fruits and vegetables are hosts for harmful bacteria.
25. Herbal Tea
Herbal teas sometimes contain steroids that are harmful to the fetus. If you want to drink herbal tea, ask your doctor for advice so that you find the type of herbal tea that is safe for the womb.
Those are the foods that can cause miscarriage and should be avoided by pregnant women as well as possible.
Foods that Can Cause Miscarriage in the Second Trimester
Before we already know what are the foods that cause miscarriage in the first trimester. But there are also some foods that sometimes cause miscarriage even in the second trimester.
We need to know that in the second trimester pregnant women must meet a diet rich in nutrients, especially those containing folic acid, calcium, iron, protein, and vitamin D. However, we must also be careful in choosing sources of these vitamins and minerals.
Some foods that can cause miscarriage in the second trimester are: soft cheeses like feta, Raw eggs, raw meat and raw fish, Ready-to-eat seafood, and Unpasteurized dairy products.
Other things that Can Cause Miscarriage
Not only food is the cause of miscarriage, but there are many other things that sometimes trigger a miscarriage. So, pregnant women must be careful in choosing certain foods and activities.
During pregnancy there are things that should be avoided such as: Acupuncture massage, especially massage that deals with the points connected to the abdomen.
Then, avoid paint or the activity of painting the house and others. Paint products are dangerous for pregnant women because they contain lead and fumes, and this poses a risk to the baby’s development.
Apart from that, another thing to avoid during pregnancy is X-rays. X-ray radiation can cause defects in babies, including physical and mental disabilities.
FAQs
Can Cashew Cause Miscarriage?
No, cashew is completely safe for pregnant women as long as it is consumed in reasonable amounts. If taken in excess, cashews can cause gallbladder problems because cashews are rich in oxalic acid.
Can Cucumber Cause Miscarriage?
How about cucumbers? Do you like to eat cucumbers in the form of cucumber juice or as a snack?
You need to know that in general cucumber is not recommended for pregnant women. Cucumber can cause certain reactions in women. Doctors recommend that a person avoid cucumber if he is experiencing things like: Gastritis, Hepatitis, atric reflux disease, Pyelonephritis, Colitis, and Chronic Nephritis.
So, if pregnant women want to eat cucumber, wash it thoroughly before you consume it. But remember that cucumber can cause a high frequency of urination which becomes a difficulty during pregnancy in the first trimester.
Can Watermelon Cause Miscarriage?
No, even watermelon is an important healthy fruit for pregnant women to consume. Watermelon is rich in liquid which is great for hydrating the skin and body. It also prevents constipation which often occurs during pregnancy.
Can Raw Garlic Cause Miscarriage In Early Pregnancy?
Actually there is no official guide on this. If you only add garlic in cooking as a flavoring, this is not harmful and even good for health. However, consuming it in excessive amounts is feared to cause bleeding.
Garlic is a spice that can thin the blood, it contains a substance called ajoene, ajoene prevents the formation of red blood cells so that blood is difficult to clot.
Can Coconut Water Cause Miscarriage?
No, coconut water is a healthy drink even for pregnant women as long as it is consumed in reasonable amounts. Coconut water can hydrate and refresh the body. It is even said that coconut water can kill certain harmful bacteria.
Is papaya good for pregnant women to eat?
No, papaya is a fruit that can generate heat in the body. So, papaya can act as a laxative and this can lead to miscarriage or premature labour.
Can pregnant women eat pineapple?
No, pregnant women should avoid pineapples, especially undercooked or unripe pineapples. Pineapple contains the enzyme bromelain, which softens the cervix and can cause bleeding.
Can pregnant women eat guava?
Yes, guava is a healthy fruit that can reduce constipation because it is a fruit that is rich in fiber.
Are dates good for pregnancy?
What about dates, can pregnant women eat dates? True, it is very important for pregnant women to eat dates, especially in the second and first trimesters, but pay attention to the portions so as not to overdo it. Dates are a great iron-rich food to prevent anemia that often occurs during pregnancy.
Eating dates late in pregnancy or before delivery can prevent or reduce pain.
References:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17307104/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC6262956/
https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/risk-groups/pregnant-women.html
