Each case of early pregnancy loss is different, and we may never know the exact cause. However, research shows that about half of early miscarriages result from the abnormal chromosomes in the embryo. Studies show that your risk of early pregnancy loss increases as you get older. For your own peace of mind, it’s important to understand what actions do not cause early pregnancy loss. You will NOT cause a miscarriage by:

• Having sex
• Working
• Exercising
• Using birth control pills before pregnancy
• Falling
• Getting hit in the tummy
• Being startled or “spooked”

Many researchers have looked into the question of whether substances like alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco can cause miscarriage, and the results are mixed and include:

• Some studies suggest that smoking increases the risk, while others found no impact. I HIGHLY recommend you do not smoke during pregnancy
• Drinking alcohol in the first trimester may slightly increase your chances of losing the pregnancy, but it’s hard to say for sure. No surprise that I also suggest you do not drink during pregnancy as well
• Thankfully caffeine does not seem to have an effect on your chances as long as it’s no more than 200mg per day (one cup of coffee is about 100mg)