A single miscarriage can be traumatic enough for an expectant couple. The fact of the matter is that somewhere between 15% and 25% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. In many cases, the cause of a miscarriage remains unknown, and research has yet to establish the cause for the majority of miscarriage. If you have experienced multiple miscarriages, it can be even more devastating. Many couples who have had multiple miscarriages undergo fertility testing to help determine why exactly it is that they have recurrent pregnancy loss. Typically, the threshold is considered to be three miscarriages in a row to fall into this category.

There are a variety of things that your health care provider and/or your fertility specialist may be able to do to help determine what is causing your recurrent pregnancy loss. In some cases, problems with the way that your blood clots is thought to be behind multiple miscarriages, as this will keep enough blood from flowing through the placenta to your fetus. In some cases, genetic abnormalities with the embryo are responsible for a miscarriage, although this is rarely the cause for multiple miscarriages. A structural problem with your uterus, such as scarring or abnormally small size, can create multiple miscarriges. Hormone imbalances, and disorders that cause them such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS for short) can also be responsible for multiple miscarriages.

If you have had multiple miscarriages, fertility testing can help to determine what the cause of your miscarriages may be. Depending on the cause, there may be options for treatment. If you are having trouble with hormone imbalances, for example, your health care provider may be able to help you with hormone therapy that can help increase your chances of successfully carrying your pregnancy to term. If there is a problem with a blood disorder, you may be able to take certain medications, such as heparin or low-dose aspirin, that will help the flow of blood in your system, and thus the flow of blood from you to your baby. If there is scarring or a problem with your uterus, surgery may be a treatment option.

Posted in Fertility Issues

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