TTC With Recurrent Miscarriage
Hope for People Who Are TTC With Recurrent Miscarriage
A history of two or more miscarriages is rare, and when it happens two or more times in a row while trying to conceive (TTC), it is a heartbreaking situation known as recurrent miscarriage. While it’s possible that recurrent pregnancy loss can occur without an identifiable cause, tests can pinpoint certain causes that in many cases are treatable. Our New England miscarriage specialists understand the emotional toll of TTC with recurrent miscarriage, and we bring extensive resources and expertise to investigate and treat the causes to help you achieve a successful pregnancy and bring your much-wanted baby home.
Potential causes of recurrent miscarriage
While it’s understandable to become discouraged after suffering a history of miscarriages, many people are relieved to finally discover a medical reason for recurrent pregnancy loss. Roughly half of cases of recurrent pregnancy loss have no known cause. However, many other causes can be identified and treated.
- Endometriosis
- Uterine abnormalities, such as fibroids or structural defects
- Hormone imbalances
- Thyroid problems
- Chromosomal problems in embryos
- Chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes
- Infections
- Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome
- Immunological issues
- Environmental factors, including smoking, heavy alcohol use or drug abuse
Through a series of tests, our New England miscarriage specialists can often identify one or more contributing factors, putting patients on the path to treatment and hope.
Tests for recurrent pregnancy loss
When you come to our New England miscarriage specialists with a history of losses, we begin by documenting your medical history to learn more about you, your partner and your pregnancies. We also order a series of tests designed to provide a complete picture of your overall fertility and health.
- Blood tests to check hormone levels and spot any medical conditions known to contribute to miscarriage
- Pelvic and ultrasound exams to check for abnormalities in the uterus or reproductive organs
- Genetic tests for both partners to check for chromosomal issues that could affect embryo development
If our team identifies any problems during testing, take heart. Most identified causes of recurrent miscarriage can be treated, and many women and couples go on to have healthy pregnancies and babies.
For example, if a hormone imbalance is found, our fertility specialists can prescribe specific medications to ensure that hormone levels are stabilized before and during pregnancy. We can often correct uterine issues with minimally invasive surgery, and medical conditions such as infections, diabetes or thyroid imbalances can be successfully treated to reduce risks to a developing fetus.
For many people, IVF is a highly effective treatment that provides careful monitoring of every stage of conception and pregnancy, helping women and couples overcome many causes of recurrent pregnancy loss. With this treatment, we prescribe medications to prompt egg production, so that we can retrieve multiple eggs that can be fertilized in our IVF laboratory under tightly controlled conditions. The resulting embryos can be genetically tested to ensure that only those free of chromosomal defects can be transferred to the uterus. After transfer, we prescribe supplemental hormones that support pregnancy, providing the best chance of success.
Get help if you are TTC with recurrent miscarriage
If you are experiencing recurrent miscarriage, don’t hesitate to reach out to our New England miscarriage specialists to get answers. The sooner you seek help, the sooner you can be on the path to a healthy pregnancy and birth. Contact us to make an appointment to begin an evaluation for recurrent pregnancy loss.
