Is Successful Pregnancy Possible after Recurrent Miscarriage?
Pregnancy loss is heartbreaking, especially when two or more losses occur. At Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine, PC, we understand that recurrent miscarriage is devastating, which is why our doctors are dedicated to helping couples overcome fertility problems and grow their families.
Patients often ask “is successful pregnancy possible after recurrent miscarriage?” With treatment at our Omaha, NE, practice, many couples have overcome fertility issues to realize their dreams of having children.
How Common Is Recurrent Miscarriage?
Recurrent miscarriage is the term used to describe having two or more pregnancy losses. Although most women who suffer a miscarriage will only deal with this painful experience once, a small number will have more than one miscarriage.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), only about 1 percent of women have recurrent miscarriages.
What Increases the Risk of Recurrent Miscarriage?
While most miscarriages occur randomly and without an underlying medical condition, those who have experienced recurrent miscarriage are more likely to have one or more underlying issues that may be responsible for repeated pregnancy loss.
Some issues that can increase the risk of recurrent miscarriage include:
- Translocation: Translocation is a genetic issue in which a piece of one chromosome is transferred to another. When one partner has a translocation, abnormalities may occur in the sperm or eggs, which can lead to miscarriage.
- Uterine problems: Congenital issues with the uterus, including endometriosis, a septate uterus, and fibroids, can increase the risk of miscarriage.
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome: Polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, can increase the risk of miscarriage, as well as make it more difficult to become pregnant.
- Preexisting medical conditions: Some preexisting medical conditions can increase the risk of recurrent miscarriage. Diabetes, especially when uncontrolled, is one of the more common health issues that can increase the risk of miscarriage. Some autoimmune disorders, like antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), can also increase the risk of miscarriage.
Pregnancy Is Possible for Many Women after Miscarriage
Although it's not always possible to know for sure what caused a miscarriage, undergoing testing is an important way to identify possible causes.
By identifying underlying health or reproductive issues related to recurrent miscarriage, treatments may be customized at our Omaha practice to help couples overcome fertility problems and have successful pregnancies.
Treatment Options for Pregnancy
There are several treatment options that may help our Omaha patients have a successful pregnancy. Depending on the possible underlying causes of recurrent miscarriage, treatments may include:
- In vitro fertilization with genetic testing: In vitro fertilization (IVF) with genetic testing makes it possible to identify healthy embryos when chromosomal errors may be the likely cause of miscarriage.
- Corrective surgery: Women with uterine problems, like endometriosis or a septate uterus, may benefit from corrective surgery.
- Medications: Women with certain health issues, like uncontrolled diabetes, may have successful pregnancies with the help of fertility medications.
Learn More about Treatment Options
At Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine, PC, our doctors provide compassionate care to help patients through their journey to growing their families. To learn more about our treatment options, please call (402) 717-4200 to schedule a consultation.