Eating Enough in Early Pregnancy

I’ve had many clients ask me, can not eating enough in pregnancy cause a miscarriage?

The truth is, miscarriage can happen for many reasons. About 15-20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage, although the chance of this happening drops to less than 5% by weeks six or seven of pregnancy. Many newly pregnant mothers struggle to eat enough – because of morning sickness, busy schedules, or old habits. It’s understandable to want to know if this is a concern, pregnancy feels high stakes. 

Here are some common reasons why someone might not feel like eating enough in the first trimester:

• Normal eating habits take a while to return after morning sickness resolves 
• Heartburn, acid reflux, constipation – all can interfere with appetite
• Hormonal changes in pregnancy leading to food aversions
• Not knowing what to cook after changes in taste preferences
• Energy being too low to plan meals and snacks
• Feeling turned off by food in general 
• Concerns about weight gain and body image.

Looking beyond just calories, undereating is not simply missing a meal (intentionally or otherwise). Missing out could be in terms of overall energy from food, or essential proteins, fats, vitamins, or minerals. For a healthy pregnancy, make time to eat a nutrient-dense diet, take a good prenatal to fill in any gaps, and speak to an integrative medical provider or registered dietitian if you are interested in more guidance.

A diet that’s regularly low in key nutrients can affect the pregnancy and increase risk for conditions like intrauterine growth restriction, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and preterm birth. If during pregnancy, you experience severe nausea and vomiting for over 4-6 hours, call an emergency line or visit an E.R. 

Most people know that eating well during pregnancy is important. A prenatal nutritionist can help you determine if you are truly not eating enough, and then guide you toward the specific food and lifestyle choices that matter. This might include strategies to manage low appetite, deal with digestive issues, get better at planning meals.