Being pregnant triggers protective instincts and a desire to ensure the well-being of your growing baby. During this time, you are extra cautious about what you consume to avoid any potential harm to your baby. As a result, questions like “Can Vitamin C cause miscarriage?” may arise in the minds of expectant mothers.
You may have come across rumors or claims, particularly regarding the use of Vitamin C, suggesting that it can lead to a miscarriage. However, it is important to stay calm and rely on factual information to address this concern.
What You Should Know About Vitamin C
Vitamin C supplements typically contain ascorbic acid or ascorbate, which you may have noticed mentioned on the label of the vitamin C tablets. Ascorbic acid itself has a slightly sour taste, as you might have experienced when placing a tablet on your tongue.
However, it’s important to note that the tablets you consume are not solely composed of acidic substances. The ascorbic acid is converted into a salt form, which helps reduce the sharp acidic taste of the vitamin. This conversion is beneficial for both your taste buds and your stomach, as excessive acidity in the stomach is not desirable.
What Does It Mean For A Pregnant Woman To Have A Miscarriage?
According to the National Library of Medicine’s Encyclopedia, a miscarriage is defined as the spontaneous loss of a fetus before the 20th week of pregnancy. It is important to note that after the 20th week, pregnancy losses are referred to as stillbirths. Unlike medical or surgical abortions, a miscarriage is a naturally occurring event and is not induced.
The timing of the loss is significant in distinguishing it as a miscarriage. For it to be classified as such, the loss of a fetus must occur before the 20th week of pregnancy. Additionally, a key characteristic of a miscarriage is its spontaneous nature, meaning it is an unplanned and unforeseen event.
During a miscarriage, the uterus, which is the womb, contracts and expels its contents. This process involves heavy bleeding from the vagina and the expulsion of pregnancy tissue from the uterus. It’s important to note that the expulsion of the pregnancy tissue may occur gradually over several days or even weeks. In some cases, doctors may prescribe medication to facilitate the removal of any remaining tissue and help expedite the process.
Is Miscarriage The Same As Abortion?
It is important to clarify the distinction between a miscarriage and an abortion. While these events may share similarities in terms of the processes involved and vaginal bleeding, they are not the same and have significant differences.
A miscarriage occurs spontaneously and naturally when the woman’s body expels the fetus from the womb. It is an unplanned and unintentional event, often occurring due to factors beyond the woman’s control. In contrast, an abortion is a deliberate termination of pregnancy, usually for medical, emotional, or financial reasons. It is a decision made by the woman regarding what should happen to her body.
While the processes involved in both a miscarriage and an abortion may be similar, the underlying motivations and control over the event differ. An abortion is a conscious choice made by the woman, whereas a miscarriage is an involuntary event in which the body takes control. This is why a miscarriage is sometimes referred to as a “spontaneous abortion” to acknowledge the shared physiological aspects while emphasizing the distinct nature of each event.
Can Vitamin C Cause Miscarriage?
Some time ago, one of the most prevailing searches on the Internet was related to Vitamin C and its possibility of triggering a miscarriage or an abortion.
The Vitamin C technique may have originated from the claims of scientists who wrote an article in a Russian Scientific Journal in the 1960s (the article is no longer in print).
Having produced an article that cited large doses of Vitamin C as a possible cause of miscarriage and abortion, many individuals and blogs began publicizing this method and dubbed it the vitamin C Technique. Note that a large dose of this Vitamin C would be more than 2000mg of the vitamin.
However, this research has been tested by many who have refuted the claims that Vitamin C could cause miscarriage. This research has also been considered to be without verifiable claims and evidence, thus making it unsafe for the general public to use.
In Another Research Case
A study was carried out on rats in the first month of pregnancy, and it was suggested that large doses of Vitamin C could negatively affect the level of progesterone, the pregnancy hormone, which could trigger a miscarriage. The study also showed that women who had miscarriages had higher levels of Vitamin C.
However, the authors of this research also stated that this finding could mean nothing more than “evidence of causal association.” This simply means that this research is not completely verifiable.
Other Causes/Risk Factors Of Miscarriage
Since it has not been medically proven that Vitamin C can cause miscarriage, here are some other causes/risk factors of miscarriage you should know:
1. Lifestyle
As a mother-to-be, you should know that your lifestyle has a great influence on the fetus inside you. Habits such as smoking are dangerous to a developing baby. You should stay away from smoking and people who smoke as well. The chemicals from the fumes are not good for your baby.
Another habit to stay away from is drinking. It is true that while carrying a pregnancy, emotional challenges are inevitable. There are days that you’ll feel like drowning yourself in alcohol – kindly resist the pressure.
Alcohol brings no benefits to your baby; it increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and deformities if the baby manages to make it out alive. Try to stay away from alcohol during your pregnancy period. Instead, take a lot of water and fruit juice.
Finally, make sure you do not consume any hard drugs during pregnancy. Hard drugs put your pregnancy at great risk.
2. Food Poisoning
Food poisoning during pregnancy can increase your risk of having a miscarriage. Common food poisoning types are:
- Salmonella: This is gotten from eating raw or undercooked eggs.
- Toxoplasmosis: This is mainly acquired from eating raw or infected meat.
This is why you need to be careful when cooking. You also need to see your doctor regarding foods to stay away from or the diet you should be on during your pregnancy.
3. Chromosomes
Chromosomes are like the building blocks of your baby’s features; they carry the genes or genetic material passed from both parents. More than half of miscarriage cases result from incomplete or excess chromosomes in the embryo as a result of errors during division.
If this occurs, it doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a problem with you or your partner.
4. Medical History Of The Mother
If you have a medical history of an underlying health condition, then it may result in your pregnancy being at a higher risk of a miscarriage. Examples of such medical conditions are:
- Diabetes
- High Blood Pressure
- Problems with the uterus or cervix, such as fibroids
- Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia.
- Infections such as malaria and rubella (German measles)
- Kidney disease
5. Medications
Some medications can increase the risk of miscarriage. This is why you should consult your doctor before taking any medicine. Ensure you do not practice self-medication.
Can I Take Vitamin C During Pregnancy At All?
Yes, you can and you should! Vitamin C is a vitamin – a type of nutrient essential for your body to function well. Pregnancy is indeed a peculiar condition, but Vitamin C can be taken in appropriate doses.
It is safe and necessary to take Vitamin C during pregnancy, especially for the sake of your baby’s development.
Most of your Vitamin C can be obtained from a good diet and prenatal vitamins, so most of the time, Vitamin C supplements may not be needed. Consult your healthcare provider to determine whether you should take Vitamin C supplements.
Nonetheless, Vitamin C provides numerous health benefits and can be obtained from numerous fresh fruits and vegetables.
Fruits And Vegetables That Contain Vitamin C
You’ll be surprised to see that a lot of fruits and vegetables contain Vitamin C, with some having a higher quantity than citrus fruits. Below is a list of foods that contain Vitamin C and an estimate of the quantity:
Note: 90mg Vitamin C = 100% DV (Daily Value)
Fruits:
This ranking is according to household serving size.
| Acerola Cherries (West Indian Cherry) | 1644mg (1827% DV) in 1 cup |
| Guavas | 376.7mg (419% DV) in 1 cup |
| Kiwifruit | 166.9mg (185% DV) in 1 cup, sliced |
| Lemons | 112.4mg (125% DV) in 1 cup, sections |
| Strawberries | 97.6mg (108% DV) in 1 cup, sliced |
| Oranges | 95.8mg (106% DV) in 1 cup, sections |
| Sugar-Apples (Sweetsop) | 90.8mg (101% DV) in 1 cup, pulp |
| Papayas | 88.3mg (98% DV) in 1 cup 1-inch pieces |
| Grapefruit (Pink, Red, and White All Areas) | 79.1mg (88% DV) in 1 cup sections, with juice |
| Pineapple | 78.9mg (88% DV) in 1 cup, chunks |
Vegetables:
This ranking is done per 100g
| Freeze-dried Chives | 660mg (733% DV) |
| Hot Chili Green Peppers | 242.5mg (269% DV) |
| Sweet Yellow Peppers | 183.5mg (204% DV) |
| Hot Chili Red Peppers | 143.7mg (160% DV) |
| Parsley (Fresh) | 133 mg (148% DV) |
| Mustard Spinach (Tender green) | 130mg (144% DV) |
| Jalapeño Peppers | 118.6mg (132% DV) |
| Kale | 93.4mg (104% DV) |
| Broccoli | 89.2mg (99% DV) |
| Cauliflower (Green) | 88.1mg (98% DV) |
Health Benefits of Vitamin C
1. As An Antioxidant
In this role, Vitamin C protects the body cells from damage by free radicals, which are unstable molecules that play a role in major diseases such as cancer and heart diseases. It also slows down or prevents the damage to cells caused by the effects of oxygen.
Although free radicals function in the body positively, they shouldn’t be more than the number of antioxidants as this can result in what is known as oxidative stress.
2. Collagen Formation
In this case, both you and your child need Vitamin C for this. Collagen is a structural protein that is essential to the strengthening of bones, ligaments, and tendons. So, if you want your baby’s bones to be well structured, your diet should contain Vitamin C.
3. Cholesterol Breakdown
Vitamin C has been linked to the breakdown of cholesterol into bile acids. This suggests that Vitamin C thus affects cholesterol levels.
4. Iron Absorption
Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron, especially from plant-based foods. Remember that you need a lot of iron during pregnancy, so it’s important to add foods rich in Vitamin C to your daily diet.
The Recommended Daily Intake Of Vitamin C With No Risk Of A Miscarriage
If you’re a pregnant woman of 18 years or less, you should aim for about 80 milligrams per day. If you fall into the category of pregnant women aged 19 or older, you should aim for about 85 milligrams per day.
Taking more or less of this recommended intake may not exactly lead to a miscarriage but it puts you and your baby at risk.
Can Vitamin C Deficiency Cause Miscarriage?
No proof links Vitamin C deficiency to miscarriage. However, Vitamin C deficiency is likely to cause brain damage to the fetus and anemia in the mother. Recall that Vitamin C is important for iron absorption; a deficiency in the vitamin could lead to low iron levels.
Final Thoughts
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that plays a crucial role in maintaining good health, especially during pregnancy. As an expectant mother, it is important to include an appropriate dosage of vitamin C in your diet.
It is worth noting that there is no evidence to suggest that vitamin C can cause a miscarriage. Vitamin C is generally considered safe for consumption during pregnancy when taken within the recommended dosage.
However, it is important to exercise caution and avoid overdosing on vitamin C. Like any other nutrient, excessive amounts of vitamin C can have adverse effects. It is always advisable to consult with your healthcare provider to determine the appropriate dosage and ensure that your vitamin C intake aligns with your specific needs during pregnancy.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.