Recurrent miscarriage – causes, risk factors, treatment

A recurrent miscarriage is defined as three or more consecutive pregnancy loss. By pregnancy loss or miscarriage medically we mean spontaneous abortion that ends on its own within the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. Recurrent miscarriage can be very disheartening to a couple. Those who experience it often wonder whether they can ever be parents. But there is no reason to lose heart. Recurrent miscarriage can be treated. Let us share with you some information on it which you may find very helpful.

Risk factors of recurrent miscarriage

Certain factors increase chances of getting recurrent miscarriage. These are as follows.

• As a woman grows old, her chances of experiencing miscarriage increase. Starting from 30 the risk increases progressively and is about 50% after the age of 45.
• Women who smoke, take drugs and drink alcohol are at more risk of recurrent miscarriage.
• Previous miscarriages increase chance of recurrent miscarriage.
  

  Recurrent miscarriage can be very disheartening to a couple.

Causes of recurrent miscarriage

Recurrent miscarriage causes can be classified into the following heads.

Anatomical cause of miscarriage

Every woman is different. Sometimes certain peculiarity in the structure of the uterus becomes an obstacle in successful pregnancy. It could be an abnormal shape of the uterus or a weakened cervix that causes recurrent miscarriage.
The anatomical factors behind recurrent miscarriage are cervical insufficiency, fibroids, uterine septum and uterine scarring.

Hormonal factors may also be responsible for recurrent miscarriage

There is no consensus among doctors regarding hormonal problems causing recurrent miscarriage. The subject is still under research but generally elevated prolactin, insulin resistance and thyroid disorders are regarded as probable causes behind recurrent miscarriage. Many women suffer from polycystic ovarian syndrome which interrupts the hormonal balance necessary for a healthy pregnancy. Doctors opine that almost 20% of recurrent miscarriages occur due to hormonal factors.

Blood clotting or immunological disorder leads to miscarriage

Blood clotting disorder is another factor that causes recurrent miscarriage. Almost 15% of recurrent miscarriages are due to blood clotting disorders. Blood clotting disorders obstruct blood flow to the placenta which leads to death of the fetus. Doctors generally examine for antiphospholipid syndrome.

Genetic abnormalities sometimes causes recurrent miscarriage

Genetic abnormalities of the embryo are the most common cause of miscarriage. They play a significant role in recurrent miscarriage also. It is estimated that half of the total eggs that a woman makes in her lifetime are capable of successful pregnancy. The other half lead to chromosomally abnormal eggs that do not get identified as pregnancies. Men and women over 35 years of age are more prone to produce eggs and sperms that have chromosomal abnormalities.

Unknown reasons for recurrent miscarriage

Other than the above mentioned causes there are other unknown causes of recurrent miscarriage which doctors cannot diagnose.

Treatment of recurrent miscarriage

Recurrent miscarriage can be treated effectively.
First of all, a woman who has experienced recurrent miscarriage has to undergo a lot of tests to diagnose the cause of miscarriages. The treatment will depend on the cause detected.
A chromosome analysis is undertaken of the couple and the fetus to determine genetic abnormality. Surgery is done to reduce scarring of the uterus or to open up the uterus in case it is divided. For blood disorders, anticoagulants are prescribed to thin the blood. Hormone therapy is done to for women with hormonal disorders so that they can carry a pregnancy to term.

Although recurrent miscarriage is emotionally very shattering but you should not lose hope. If the reason behind recurrent miscarriage is diagnosed with a treated cause then there are 70 to 90% chances of having a successful pregnancy. Even in case of genetic abnormalities 20 to 80% chances of live birth exist depending on genetic condition. For unknown reasons also initial medical care sees 40 to 90% successful pregnancies. So there is hope but only thing is you have to be patient.