Life and Thoughts of The One Ocean

'Skinny women more likely to miscarry'

Women who are underweight are more likely to have a miscarriage.

Researchers found women with a low Body Mass Index increase the odds of losing their baby in the first three months by 72%.

However, women who take vitamin supplements and eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables can cut their risk of miscarriage significantly.

The team looked at 600 women who had miscarried and 6,000 whose pregnancies continued past 12 weeks, reports the Mirror.

The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found that women with a BMI under 18.5 before becoming pregnant massively increased their danger.

Women who took supplements - especially daily folic acid, iron or multivitamins - could reduce the risk by around 50%.

Eating fruit and veg, as well as dairy products such as milk, cheese and chocolate, could also cut the odds.

Lead study author Noreen Maconochie said: "With one in five UK pregnancies ending in miscarriage, any advice on how women can improve their chances of a full term is welcome."

Researchers also foun that unmarried women, or those not living with a partner, were at higher risk.

posted by The One Ocean @ 12/08/2006 07:31:00 PM