Although pregnancy losses happen very often, women generally do not like to talk about them because of the social and mental pressure they are experiencing in their daily lives. If a couple suffers from miscarriage for a time, they will visit a doctor to understand the reason. However, if it keeps happening frequently and recurrently, they are indeed at a stage where any possible reproductive problems can be fully scrutinised.
Not all women who experience repeated miscarriages face reproductive issues. With more continuous pregnancy loss, clinicians can now pinpoint several common causes of the condition including age, egg quality, lifestyle changes, genetic disorders, hormonal changes, etc. This article will help you understand the symptoms, causes, and treatment for recurrent miscarriage.
What is Recurrent Miscarriage?
A continuous or repeated pregnancy loss is said to be an event that happens 3 or more times early in the first trimester of pregnancy. It is terrible to experience miscarriage and many people do find it difficult when they suffer a series of miscarriages.
It is hard to say right or wrong the emotions you and your partner have been going through at this time with more grief, anxiety, and losing hope. Don’t lose your hope. With the right treatment and guidance of an expert fertility specialist, you can change these sad emotions into happy moments.
Is Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Common?
Spontaneous abortion is an uncommon thing for pregnant women. Women at reproductive age barely between the ages of 20 and 30 have only a few pregnancy losses. Women over 35 or those with a history of miscarriages have a higher likelihood of having continuous pregnancy loss. They may have some form of reproductive problems or unexplained infertility.
Some women may not have any pregnancy symptoms at the initial phase which makes them not to be aware of their pregnancy. This may also result in miscarriages, but often unnoticed.
Symptoms of Recurrent Miscarriages
Some women who experience one or more miscarriages may experience vaginal bleeding, a decrease in the fullness or tenderness of their breasts, or a loss of the ability to feel or hear the movement of the baby. They should let their doctor or midwife know if this occurs and record the amount of bleeding.
It is beneficial to preserve any tissue that is passed during a miscarriage. Later, a doctor might analyse it to determine what caused the miscarriage.
Causes of Recurrent Miscarriages
Genetic Abnormalities:
Genetic disorders can happen when an embryo acquires an incorrect number of chromosomes at fertilization, problems may result. Most of the time this happens inadvertently and is not associated with any disease. In some couples who suffer recurring miscarriages, however, one partner will have a chromosome problem called translocation, in which part of one chromosome is attached to another.
Anatomic Abnormalities
When a tissue wall separates the uterus into two sections it is considered a septate uterus. It can lead to recurrent miscarriages and is somewhat common. It is not precisely known why, but it is thought that the embryo may attach to this wall and possibly not get the blood supply needed. The baby might be in a breech position if the pregnancy continues. Fortunately, this is usually an easily resolved issue with a simple surgical procedure.
It is incompetent if the cervix is too weak to remain closed. The cervix may not hold the growing and heavier foetus sometimes, resulting in miscarriage.
Medical Conditions
Spontaneous abortions are sometimes more likely due to certain medical conditions, including:
- Antiphospholipid Syndrome a disease of an autoimmune disorder.
- Thyroid and hormonal problems
- Noncancerous growths such as fibroids and polyps.
- Asherman’s syndrome describes scar tissue inside the uterus.
Diagnosing Recurrent Miscarriage
To find out why a woman is having multiple miscarriages, a fertility doctor or OB/GYN will check her medical history and past pregnancies. They usually do a full physical check-up, including a pelvic exam.
The doctor may even offer a karyotype test when genetics seems the problem by ascertaining whether the size or even the number of the chromosomes in the body cells is correctly measured.
The doctor may recommend imaging studies such as an ultrasound, MRI, or a specific X-ray known as HSG to see the uterine and fallopian tube morphology in case the cause seems to be related to the uterus. Blood studies may also be conducted to investigate immune system disorders like APS.
About half of women who are tested get a clear explanation for their miscarriages. A cause is still unknown in 50% of cases. However, based on the age factor, many women still have a 70% chance of having a successful pregnancy in the future even if the cause is unknown.
How is Recurrent Miscarriage Treated?
Medication, surgery, lifestyle adjustments, and sometimes genetic testing might be employed for recurrent miscarriages to increase the chances of a normal pregnancy. Under some conditions, the risk of future miscarriages can be minimised by using some medications or surgical procedures.
At full term, the risk of a woman getting pregnant is still at 60-80 percent even after three miscarriages. In some instances, doctors may advise women for therapies to decrease the risk of further pregnancy loss; however, other women may opt to continue with their attempts at conception naturally.
Treatments Available:
With the correction of uterine abnormalities, surgery increases one’s chance of having a safe pregnancy.
Autoimmune diseases can be corrected using medications as prescribed by your physician. However, doctors often prescribe blood thinners like heparin or low-dose aspirin, but one should use such medications only under medical supervision because of the risk of bleeding.
Pregnancy success can be enhanced by controlling medical illnesses, for instance, thyroid disorders, balance in blood sugar levels, or hormonal imbalance. Some women may benefit from progesterone supplements or hormone-balancing drugs.
chromosomal issues can be treated by using testing. Doctors might even suggest IVF with preimplantation genetic diagnosis to select healthy embryos for implantation, to avoid miscarriages in couples.
Healthy Lifestyle
Smoking, drugs, alcohol, caffeine, and being overweight can be avoided to reduce your consistent miscarriages. However, stress, anxiety, or mild depression are not proven causes of recurrent miscarriage.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you have consistent pregnancy loss for nearly two to three attempts, don’t hesitate to consult your healthcare provider. It can be easily treated either by giving medications or simple surgery. Make up your mind that it is not your fault, it is the condition you are facing that can be resolved effectively by an experienced fertility specialist.
