Recurrent Miscarriages: The Most Dreadful Side Of Pregnancy
Miscarriages are one of the most emotionally painful experiences for any couple, and especially the mother. When you least expect it, they may hit you like a storm, and leave you feeling like your entire life has been stripped apart.
You may or may not be surprised to know that one in four couples suffers from miscarriage during their pregnancy. And out of this, around 75 percent of the miscarriages take place during the first trimester or the first 12 weeks.
Experiencing even a single miscarriage is extremely hard to deal with. The horror is much worse for those couples who have to experience it over and over again because of multiple clinical pregnancy losses.
A clinical pregnancy is a pregnancy that lasts more than six weeks or after visual confirmation of the gestational sac or heartbeat after conception. A pregnancy that lasts less than six weeks after conception is called biochemical pregnancy.
Losing a clinical pregnancy of more than six weeks post-conception is known as Miscarriage.
What Are Recurrent Miscarriages?
If a couple has undergone a miscarriage in two or more consecutive clinical pregnancies, then they’re suffering from what is commonly known as ‘Recurrent Miscarriages’.
The chances of a couple suffering from recurrent miscarriages are about 15 - 20 percent. And the chances of any woman who has experienced previous pregnancy losses experiencing it again are higher up at 40 percent.
Depending on which phase of the pregnancy the miscarriage occurs in every time, recurrent miscarriages can be classified as:
A. Recurrent Early Miscarriage: When the miscarriage happens in the first trimester of pregnancy every time. It occurs mostly due to chromosomal abnormalities of the embryo. In some cases, early miscarriages are also due to structural issues in the uterus.
B. Recurrent Late Miscarriage: When the miscarriage occurs 10-12 weeks after conception. It may occur due to autoimmune problems, uterine abnormalities, premature labor, or an incompetent cervix.
Why Do Miscarriages Occur?
You may have noticed that people tend to get wary in the first three months of their pregnancy. They’re a bit hesitant to announce the good news to the world. And the women are extra careful regarding their pregnancy during this time. Why, you ask?
It’s because the maximum number of miscarriages occur in the first trimester of pregnancy itself. Though in most cases the miscarriage is because of chromosomal abnormalities of the embryo. However, several other factors could lead to the failure of your pregnancy.
Most women who have suffered from one or two consecutive miscarriages do end up with a regular pregnancy and delivery in their third attempt. However, others may require some treatment before trying to get pregnant again to improve their chances of live birth in the next one.
What Causes Multiple Miscarriages?
Several factors within the woman’s body and their external environment could lead to multiple failed pregnancies or recurrent miscarriages. These are:
- Genetic Factors
Almost 50 - 80 percent of recurrent miscarriages occur in the first trimester of pregnancy due to a genetic or chromosomal abnormality of the embryo. In most cases, if the chromosomal abnormality has led to multiple miscarriages, the chances of it happening again are very high.
If you’re going the in vitro fertilization or IVF route because of multiple failed pregnancies, your fertility specialist can conduct a genetic test of the embryo before implanting it. This testing of the embryo is known as PGS or PGT-A. The fertility specialist will only implant an embryo that seems chromosomally normal to increase your chances of live birth.
- Abnormalities Of The Uterus
Problems in the structure of your uterus can be a major contributing factor to your multiple failed pregnancies. Many women are born with a structural defect in their uterus.
In some others, abnormal tissue growth like fibroids and polyps can cause problems in pregnancy.
Scarring in the uterine tissues can also lead to failed pregnancies. This is because the endometrium or the uterine lining becomes weak and is unable to implant an embryo.
- Endocrine System
Your endocrine system is closely linked with your fertility health and pregnancy. Abnormalities and issues in it can lead to failed pregnancies.
Any kind of issues in your endocrine system - thyroid, diabetes, or pituitary glands, and polycystic ovarian syndrome can cause issues in your pregnancy.
- Environmental Factors
Constant exposure to heat and harmful chemicals, drugs, etc., can also increase your chances of a miscarriage. Moreover, consumption of alcohol or caffeine, and smoking by either or both partners can reduce your fertility health and increase your chances of pregnancy loss. Obesity too can be a factor.
- Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune issues include blood clots in the blood vessels that transport essential nutrients from the mother to the growing fetus. The clots prohibit the movement of blood and vital nutrients. And therefore, lead to miscarriages.
Miscarriages are bad for anyone who goes through them. If you’ve undergone one or two miscarriages, it’s best to seek help from a trusted doctor and fertility specialist to identify the cause of the miscarriages in the first few attempts. Fortunately, science and technology have made the medical field well-equipped to determine as well as correct the issue in most cases.
If you and your partner have suffered from it once or have a family history of failed pregnancies or are exposed to any of the factors that could lead to them, don’t worry. Visit Archish IVF to get clarity on all your doubts and questions. The state-of-the-art technology and well-experienced team make it one of the finest IVF centers in Bangalore for fertility and related treatment.
Your first consultation at Archish IVF is absolutely free. Book your appointment with us now!
