Overcoming Recurring Pregnancy Loss

If you’ve had two miscarriages in a row, don’t wait for a third.  About 1 in 4, or 10-20%, of pregnancies will end in miscarriage. So, while they are not unusual, if you are trying to conceive, you should make an appointment with a fertility specialist to rule out certain factors that can cause multiple miscarriages.

The good news is you can get pregnant. This means you’re ovulating and at least one of your Fallopian tubes is open and allowing your egg to pass and be united with sperm. Your body and your partner’s sperm have to be doing a number of things right to get you to this point. So let’s take a quick look at what may be going wrong and discuss how a fertility doctor can remedy your situation so your third pregnancy results in a full term baby.

What Can Cause Recurring Pregnancy Loss?

• Infection
  A vaginal infection may be the culprit. Some women have a low-grade infection and do not know it. A round of antibiotics to clear it up might be all you need to carry to full term.
• Thyroid Issues
  Hormonal issues are very common, and many women do not have their thyroid levels tested on a regular basis. Taking a prescription pill once daily can get your thyroid back on track and lesson your chance of early miscarriage.
• Abnormalities with the Uterus
  There can be a dividing wall of tissue inside your uterus, a condition called a septate uterus. This can make it hard for the fertilized egg to attach to the uterine lining and grow properly. A quick outpatient surgical procedure can remove the extra tissue. Other uterine abnormalities include fibroids, polyps, or scar tissue. These issues can be identified by a fertility specialist and surgically corrected.
• Autoimmune Conditions
  Several types of autoimmune diseases affect a pregnancy. Antiphospholipid antibodies and lupus anticoagulant are autoimmune conditions where a woman can make proteins that attack normal tissue in the body, including the baby’s placental tissue when pregnant. But with proper medical care, most women with autoimmune conditions can have a safe and successful pregnancy.
• Lifestyle
  This may go without saying, but if you are drinking too much alcohol or doing drugs or just not eating food on a regular basis, this will have an effect on your reproduction. Also, if you are training for a triathlon, now would be a good time to switch from extreme to moderate exercise. Lifestyle of both the female and the male need to be reviewed. Energy drinks and too much caffeine in one or both partners can be an issue.
• Genetic Factors
  The number one cause of early miscarriage is an incorrect number of chromosomes. Remember, if the egg or sperm have more or fewer chromosomes than normal, the pregnancy will often end in a miscarriage. Chromosomes carry the blueprints or genes for development. Because half the chromosomes come from the male, a semen analysis is an import step in gathering information about how to avoid another miscarriage. If the sperm count is abnormal, don’t panic. Fertility clinics have ways to isolate healthy sperm and achieve a viable pregnancy.

Also, age plays a factor as a woman’s egg quality diminishes with time. All of these issues can be overcome by working with a fertility doctor. But because age works against you, waiting to see a fertility specialist is not a good idea. With age, egg supply diminishes and using an egg donor can become a more viable option.

The first call to make an appointment is often the hardest step. But once you open up to getting professional fertility help, you’ll hopefully feel supported and given a plan.  In most cases, your issues can be resolved with the proper expertise.