Recurrent Miscarriage

Written by: Dr. Mohammed Agdi

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Recurrent miscarriage is defined as the loss of three or more consecutive pregnancies in the first few months of gestation. Generally, the risk of miscarriage in any given pregnancy is about 15-20%. Following three consecutive miscarriages, the risk of further miscarriage is about 40%. Furthermore, women may develop recurrent miscarriage after a successful pregnancy.

 

Recurrent miscarriage often leaves patients feeling disheartened and frustrated about their situations and more stressful if it is combined with infertility. Both infertility and recurrent miscarriage may have overlapping causative factors.

 

Causes of recurrent miscarriages may include:

 

• Advanced maternal age

• Chromosomal abnormality

• Antiphospholipid syndrome

• Uterine congenital anomalies

• Intrauterine Scar tissue

• Multiple intramural and submucosal fibroids

• Cervical incompetence

• Polycystic ovary syndrome

• Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus

• Thyroid Disease

• Immunological factors

• Inherited thrombophilia

• Infections

• Unknown

 

Accurate history and relevant investigations may identify factors contributing to recurrent miscarriage and help in the treatment plan of future pregnancy. Treatment is suggested according to the cause or possible cause of recurrent miscarriage.

 

Losing a pregnancy can make you worry, wondering if you will ever be able to get pregnant again or have a healthy baby. You may even be asking yourself if you did something wrong or could have prevented this somehow. 50% of all miscarriages, the cause is never determined. But on the bright side, most women who experience one or several miscarriages will ultimately go on to have healthy babies.