Recurrent miscarriage: exploring causes, risk factors and common myths
Deciding to start or grow your family can be an exciting time, but some women face challenges in carrying a pregnancy to term. Recurrent miscarriages are upsetting and confusing, and it’s natural to wonder why it keeps happening.
Although recurrent miscarriages are distressing, support and help are available. This guide explains the possible causes of recurrent miscarriages, how fertility specialists investigate them and what they can do to help. We also take a look at some common myths.
What is recurrent miscarriage?
Miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy during the first 23 weeks. Recurrent miscarriage is when you experience three or more miscarriages within the initial 12 weeks (the first trimester). It’s possible to have successful pregnancies between miscarriages – they don’t have to occur one after the other to be ‘recurrent’.
Recurrent miscarriages can have a devastating effect on you and your partner. Not only must you cope with the physical side effects, but also the profound emotional aspects.
If you’re experiencing recurrent miscarriages, tests to establish a cause are vital. You may also want to consider emotional support, such as counselling for your emotional wellbeing.
What are the possible recurrent miscarriage causes?
The many possible reasons for recurrent miscarriages include the following:
Abnormal chromosomes – chromosomes are clumps of DNA that enable embryo development. One of the most common causes of recurrent miscarriage is an embryo that develops too many or not enough chromosomes. Sometimes, the chromosomes’ structure can also be incorrect.
Blood clotting disorders – such as anti-phospholipid syndrome, affect blood flow to the placenta, which restricts oxygen and nutrients and can lead to miscarriage.
Hormonal imbalances – issues with your thyroid and uncontrolled diabetes may lead to recurrent miscarriage as high levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone and high blood sugar levels can create difficulties during pregnancy. Other common conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) can also impact your chances of conceiving and miscarriage.
Your womb’s shape – if you have an abnormally shaped womb, you may have an elevated risk of recurrent miscarriage.
Sometimes, you may experience recurrent miscarriages for no apparent reason. Unexplained recurrent miscarriages are incredibly disheartening. However, with your fertility specialist’s dedicated care and support, fertility treatment options may be available that work for you.
Are there any factors that increase the risk of recurrent miscarriage?
Some women may be more at risk of recurrent miscarriages than others. Being an older mother may increase your risk of recurrent miscarriage because the older you are, the greater the risk of having an abnormal embryo.
Other possible factors that increase your risk of recurrent miscarriage are:
Smoking
Excessive alcohol consumption
Being overweight
If your fertility specialist believes any of these could be an underlying cause of your recurrent miscarriage, they will guide you to make healthy changes to your lifestyle.
What can be done to investigate recurrent miscarriages?
We can carry out several investigations to identify the cause of your recurrent miscarriages.
Some of the investigative tests include:
Blood tests – to measure your hormone levels on the first few days of your first period after your most recent miscarriage as well as other tests to check thyroid function and for underlying clotting disorders that may contribute to an increased risk of miscarriage.
Ultrasound scans – we may carry out a detailed scan of your pelvis to look for problems with your endometrial lining, any uterine anomalies or abnormalities with your fallopian tubes. We’ll also check your ovarian reserve. Scans may offer insights into why you’re experiencing recurrent miscarriages.
In addition to testing, your fertility specialist will examine your medical history and current lifestyle choices.
Sometimes, we can’t find an answer to your recurrent miscarriages. However, with fertility treatment and support from your specialist, it’s possible to start or continue your parenthood journey.
Can recurrent miscarriages be treated?
Depending on the underlying causes of your recurrent miscarriages, various fertility treatments or preservation options may help.
Freezing your eggs can be an excellent way to preserve your fertility, enabling you to continue or start a family in your own time. It also means you can use your eggs in future fertility treatments, such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF), intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and surrogacy.
Genetic testing, though not a treatment, may reduce your risk of miscarriage. It involves screening embryos to rule out chromosomal abnormalities that are known to be the most common cause of miscarriage, giving you the best chance possible of a successful pregnancy.
Other medications might also help with hormone imbalance or as a treatment if underlying clotting disorders or immune problems are thought to play a role.
At the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine, we offer a full investigation into the underlying cause of your recurrent miscarriages and a personalised treatment plan based on your results.
Common myths about recurrent miscarriages
It’s crucial to understand that the many myths and misconceptions about recurrent miscarriages can be harmful when you’re trying to deal with and overcome them.
Let’s look at some of the most common myths.
Myth: Recurrent miscarriages are rare
Miscarriages are not rare and neither are recurrent miscarriages. Around 1 in 100 women in the UK have recurrent miscarriages. So remember, you are not alone in what you’re going through.
Myth: Recurrent miscarriages mean you’re infertile
Recurrent miscarriages can make you feel as though you’ll never have a baby. However, many women go on to have successful pregnancies.
A good way to enhance your chances is to work closely with a fertility specialist who can investigate the reasons for your recurrent miscarriages and provide expert advice.
Myth: Emotional stress causes recurrent miscarriages
Although excessive stress isn’t recommended while pregnant, stress alone will not cause recurrent miscarriages. Everyday stress is OK, so don’t worry more when faced with a stressful situation.
Get in touch with the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine for recurrent miscarriage support
Recurrent miscarriages are challenging for you and your partner, but at BCRM, we understand their impact on your wellbeing. We support women and couples going through recurrent miscarriages. Our dedicated fertility specialists carry out thorough investigations. We also offer counselling and emotional support.
If you’re experiencing recurrent miscarriages, contact our caring team. We’re here to provide you with the committed support you deserve during this challenging time in your fertility experience.