8 Drinks That Can Cause Abortion

8 Drinks That Can Cause Abortion

Drinks That Can Cause Abortion

Pregnancy can cause women to crave for a certain kind of food and drinks. Yet, it is important for women to observe food and drink restrictions, especially during pregnancy. Pregnant women are supposed to refrain from such food and drinks to ensure that both she and her child are safe and healthy. This is because diet and lifestyle have a major role in determining the health of the mother and the child.


Although health services worldwide are advanced enough to ensure that the woman has a normal pregnancy and delivery. Yet, women are generally advised to monitor what they eat or drink as some drinks can have a deleterious effect on the child’s health either due to the type of drink itself or due to the contents present in such drinks.


We all know the abortion is also called a miscarriage, which means an abrupt end of pregnancy often leading to the death of the fetus.


Causes For Abortion

  • Hormonal defects
  • Infections during pregnancy
  • Alcohol or cigarette smoking can cause miscarriage in early pregnancy
  • Trauma during pregnancy
  • Maternal age over 30 years

Drinks That Can Cause Abortion


Alcohol

alcohol-drinks taht cause abortion

Alcohol is known to cause serious impairments to health even in a normal adult. It will certainly have worse effects on the mother and child if consumed during pregnancy. The first and foremost instruction given by obstetricians to a pregnant woman is to refrain from consuming alcohol.


Reasons To Avoid Alcohol During Pregnancy

  • Alcohol is capable of causing miscarriage during early months of pregnancy
  • When a woman consumes alcohol during pregnancy, it can pass to the fetus through the placenta. It can affect the fetus in the following ways:
    • Stillbirth (when the child is delivered in a dead condition)
    • IUGR (intra-uterine growth retardation)
    • Physical and mental disabilities
    • Low IQ after birth and behavioral abnormalities
    • The child may be born with functional abnormalities
    • Abnormalities in organ functioning
    • Learning disabilities and delayed milestones
    • Attention deficit

Caffeine

Caffeine-drinks that cause abortion

According to researchers, pregnant women who are heavy coffee drinkers are at a risk for miscarriage. On average, two cups of coffee contain 200mg caffeine which can be potentially dangerous for a pregnant woman.


Reasons To Avoid Caffeine During Pregnancy

  • The rate of metabolism in a pregnant woman is lower than that of a nonpregnant female.
  • Caffeine can reach the fetus via the placenta. Since the organs of the fetus are less developed, elimination of caffeine is a slow process.
  • High caffeine can also cause hormonal changes which in turn affect the growth and development of fetus inside the womb.
  • Caffeine during pregnancy is commonly linked with a low birth weight of the baby on delivery.

Energy Drinks

energy drinks-drinks that cause abortion

Researchers have concluded that consuming energy drinks during pregnancy can have a negative impact on the newborns and should be treated as a serious health problem.


Reasons To Avoid Energy Drinks During Pregnancy

  • Energy drinks contain around 80-150mg caffeine. The risk of abortion rises in proportion to the amount of caffeine consumed.
  • Energy drinks also contain sodium. Pregnant women are supposed to have a salt-restricted diet as it can cause the body to retain fluid and increases swelling around the ankles.
  • Energy drinks contain a generous quantity of sugars. Pregnant women who fall under the category of high risk need to consult their doctor before consuming energy drinks.

Pineapple Juice

Pregnant women are instructed to avoid pineapple or pineapple juice at it contains an ingredient called bromelain.


Reasons To Avoid Pineapple Juice During Pregnancy

  • Bromelain present in pineapples softens the cervix and causes it to contract to result in miscarriage.

Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe vera is known for its numerous health benefits. Yet, it is better to avoid consuming aloe vera juice during pregnancy. It is safe to use aloe vera gel locally during pregnancy.


Reasons To Avoid Aloe Vera Juice During Pregnancy

  • Aloe vera contains anthraquinones which have a laxative effect.
  • This content of aloe vera may also cause uterine contractions during pregnancy pelvic bleeding resulting in premature delivery or miscarriage.

Hot water

water is generally allowed during pregnancy; although it is a belief that boiling water reduces pathogens from water.


Reasons To Avoid Hot Water During Pregnancy

  • Hot water is high in minerals which can pass through the placenta and reach the fetus.
  • High mineral content in water is harmful to the child and can cause miscarriage.

Raw Dairy Products


Reasons To Avoid Raw Dairy Products During Pregnancy

  • Unpasteurized milk contains bacteria like Listeria monocytogenes which may cause infection during pregnancy.

Certain fruits and their seeds have properties to cause uterine contractions and eventually cause miscarriage. Such fruits and their juices must be avoided:

Along with these drinks above, there is also a list of foods that should be avoided to reduce the risk of miscarriage, such as:

  • Undercooked crabs and seafood
  • Sesame seeds
  • Animal liver and liver oil
  • Drumsticks
  • Fish rich in mercury such a tuna, mackerel, shark, swordfish, etc.
  • Processed meat such as sausages, stuffed meat, minced meat,
  • Undercooked meat or fish
  • Eggs and egg products like mayonnaise, mousse, soufflé or smoothies containing raw eggs
  • Unwashed vegetables
  • Certain spices such as asafetida, garlic, peppermint, cinnamon, and fenugreek

Pregnancy is an extremely crucial phase for each woman. Every woman desires to have a normal pregnancy and deliver a healthy child. To achieve this, it is important for pregnant women to observe and follow the above mentioned dietary restrictions. This not only enables a woman to have a normal pregnancy but also works beneficially to maintain a generally healthy condition.


It is also important to consult the doctor regarding the safety of consuming herbal medications and supplements during pregnancy. This is because high or unmonitored doses of herbs can have a negative effect on pregnancy and the fetus.

Author:

Dr. Himanshi Purohit

Dr. Himanshi is a Homeopathic consultant currently working as a lecturer in Post-graduate faculty of Homeopathy, Parul University, Vadodara.

Reviewed By:

Dr. Kaushal M. Bhavsar (MBBS, MD)

Assistant Professor in Pulmonary Medicine, GMERS Medical College, Ahmedabad