Although women often feel responsible for miscarriages, the latest research tells us that men’s sperm contribute to miscarriage rates.

85% of miscarriages are due to abnormal chromosomes which means that there is something wrong with either the egg OR sperm leading to an extra or one less chromosome, says Dr. Kim Garbedian, fertility doctor and medical director at Pollin Fertility Centre. 

While we can’t change genetic egg quality or an inevitable miscarriage due to chromosomal errors, we can help with metabolic egg quality. By increasing the metabolic energy of our cells by not smoking or drinking and taking taking Vitamin D supplements, Acai berries and doing things like acupuncture, we may be able to help decrease miscarriage risks. That means that there are things within your control in terms of healthy habits and treatments that may help fuel normal embryo development as a pregnancy progresses. 

But whatever the risk factor is at the start of a pregnancy, risk of miscarriage goes down from week to week as pregnancy progresses. That means that if you see a fetal heartbeat at 8 weeks, your chances of miscarrying is less than 5% even if you are 40 (with a risk factor of 40 - 50% at the start of pregnancy). In this podcast, we walk you through things you can do to take back control over your pregnancy.