Guest Author - Krissi Danielsson

Here are some of the latest headlines about miscarriages for the month of September.

Folid acid in grains has reduced birth defects

Thoughts: This underlines the importance of making sure that you get adequate folic acid in your diet. Taking prenatals is a good precaution. I personally took even more folic acid when trying to conceive, through an additional supplement. To this date I have not seen any conclusive research that suggests you can take too much folic acid, and in fact research suggests that folic acid deficiency may be related to miscarriage in some cases.

Research shows secondhand-smoke exposure can harm a fetus

Thoughts: Most conscientious mothers who are pregnant or trying to conceive know that smoking is bad, but this shows that it's also important to avoid secondhand smoke.

Older mothers 'epidemic' a danger to health

Thoughts: I don't care for the title this author used for this article, but it is interesting to read about the editorial in British Medical Journal that it discusses. The authors are suggesting doctors warn women of the risks of delaying motherhood. Older mothers are indeed at higher risk for miscarriages, particularly due to chromosome problems in the eggs. In this day and age, women face conflicting goals in trying to pursue and establish a meaningful career but still having a family. But life happens and not everyone is ready or able to start their families in their twenties. I hope that medical science will continue to advance to allow older women to fulfill both dreams.

Mother shows little sympathy for daughter's miscarriage

Thoughts: This is actually a Dear Abby question from the month of September and the answer is pretty much spot on. I think this is a very common problem that many women face following a loss.

A lost baby, and the pain of endless reminders in the mail

Thoughts: I've been there. In my second pregnancy, I believed the doctors' reassurances that it was unlikely I'd miscarry again, and I signed up for all those free pregnancy and parenting magazine subscriptions. When I lost the baby at 9.5 weeks, the magazines continued to flow in. I'd find magazines with smiling babies and advertisements for products matched to the age my baby should have been. I received calls from companies trying to sell me baby products. This probably happens to a lot of us. May these companies take note and realize that perhaps this is not the best way to market their products.

Obesity increases risk of miscarriage

Thoughts: I really hate any miscarriage "causes" that seem to put the responsibility on the mother's shoulders. It is a good idea to try to take care of yourself and be in the best health possible when you get pregnant. I think that goes without saying though.