1. Have a healthy body weight. Both low and high body mass index are associated with increased miscarriage. Avoid crash diets if you are overweight and aim for weight loss of 0.5 kg per week.
2. Stop smoking. There is a 1% increase in the risk of miscarriage for every cigarette smoked. Avoid exposure to side stream smoke as passive smoking is also associated with increased risk of miscarriage.
3. Reduce caffeine intake to less than 150 mg per day. Caffeine counters are available online.
4. Reduce alcohol consumption. Women should not drink alcohol whilst trying to conceive and men should consume only low or moderate amounts.
5. Shiftwork is associated with an increase in miscarriage, so if this can be modified and reduced it may help.
6. There is no particular diet which is associated with reduced risk of miscarriage but there is some evidence that risk may be reduced when a mixed diet of fruit and vegetable with seafood. Consumption of processed meats is associated with increased risk of miscarriage.
7. Getting 7-8 hours of sleep per night between 10 pm and 7 am is also a sensible intervention associated with reduced risk of miscarriage.

Learn about miscarriage causes and when to seek help.

The administration of vaginal progesterone can help prevent a miscarriage if bleeding occurs, particularly if a woman has had many previous miscarriages. Administration of pregnancy hormone (hCG) does not help. Sometimes bed rest is recommended but the evidence underpinning that recommendation is not present.