 | Recurrent Miscarriage SupportFor over 15 years I have been committed to caring for women who have suffered pregnancy loss, including miscarriage, recurrent miscarriage, and stillbirth. As a qualified specialist in maternal-fetal medicine, I have advanced knowledge and expertise to handle complicated and high risk pregnancies. I am able to arrange investigations, advise you on appropriate treatment strategies and options, and develop a plan that supports your health and wellbeing. I understand the anxieties of embarking on a new pregnancy after a miscarriage, so I always strive to provide a positive and supportive environment. I can also arrange additional psychological and genetic counselling services should they be required. |
Providing the right emotional support | Miscarriage can be a traumatic experience that causes significant disappointment and distress. Women may experience a range of different emotions after miscarriage, and there isn’t a single approach that is right for every person. Most women find that sharing their stories with trusted family or friends with similar experiences is helpful for their recovery. |
Miscarriage | Miscarriage is defined as the loss of a pregnancy at less than 20 weeks gestation, although it mostly occurs in the first 10-12 weeks of pregnancy. Approximately 15% of women who are aware of their pregnancy will experience a miscarriage. But many miscarriages actually happen before women even realise that they are pregnant. When you include this factor into the calculation, it is apparent that up to 50% of all conceptions end in miscarriage. The most common cause of miscarriage is a chromosomal (genetic) abnormality in the baby. This issue occurs at the moment of conception, and there is no treatment or preventative measure that could have changed the outcome of the pregnancy. The risk of chromosomal abnormality increases as women get older. |
Late Miscarriage | Most pregnancy losses occur before 13 weeks, in the first trimester. So when a loss happens between weeks 14 and 20, doctors may refer to it as a late miscarriage. The most common signs that signify a miscarriage are vaginal bleeding and strong labour-like cramps, or even preterm labour. Some women may experience no signs of miscarriage and only discover the loss of their baby during an ultrasound scan. If you notice that your baby’s movements have significantly changed or even stopped, you can always contact your doctor or maternity unit to double check. Treatment options for late miscarriage
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Recurrent Miscarriage | Recurrent miscarriage (sometimes also called recurrent pregnancy loss) is defined as 3 or more consecutive miscarriages and occurs in approximately 1% of women. One miscarriage can be distressing, so multiple miscarriages can be devastating. Both sadness and loss, along with the fear of future miscarriages can be traumatic. Thankfully, most women who experience recurrent miscarriages are still able to have successful pregnancies. In fact, over 80% of women with recurrent miscarriages have had a successful pregnancy and given birth to a healthy baby. |
Causes of Recurrent Miscarriage |
There are many theories about other potential causes of recurrent miscarriage, including factors such as NK (natural killer) cells in the lining of the uterus, disturbances of blood clotting mechanisms, and immune system incompatibility between the parents. Whilst there is evidence to support some of these theories, they haven’t been proven to be the definitive causes. Investigating the cause of recurrent miscarriage Investigations looking for an underlying cause of recurrent miscarriage are usually performed after 3 consecutive miscarriages. Sometimes investigations may be conducted after 1 or 2 miscarriages in the following settings:
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Treating Recurrent Miscarriage | There are numerous treatments described in the management of recurrent miscarriages, which include:
The treatment that may be recommended for you will depend on the underlying cause of your miscarriages, and your personal circumstances. Sometimes your doctor may even recommend multiple treatments at the same time. |
FAQs
| What can I do to prevent recurrent miscarriage? | There’s no treatment to stop a miscarriage, but you may reduce the risk of recurrent miscarriage by practising the following preventative actions:
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| Should I do any tests after experiencing recurrent miscarriages? | If you have recurrent miscarriages, I can arrange tests for a range of infections or other conditions that may be the underlying causes. Blood tests can help identify potential immune conditions, clotting disorders, or chromosome abnormalities. While testing the baby for abnormalities may not always be possible, it can help us better understand your chances of miscarrying again. A pelvic ultrasound to check for abnormalities in the shape of your uterus may also be recommended. If you had a late miscarriage, vaginal swabs may also be used to test for potential infection. |
| How many miscarriages does the average woman have? | While recurrent miscarriages are defined as having more than two miscarriages, some women have multiple miscarriages in a row. Approximately 1 in 6 -7 pregnancies will end in miscarriage, so having a miscarriage is a very common experience - more common than most people realise. Talking about miscarriage can be difficult and distressing, but if you are confident enough to discuss your own miscarriage, you may well be surprised at how many others will open up about their own experiences. When is the best time to get pregnant after a miscarriage? |