Miscarriage is an emotionally challenging ordeal accompanied by all the feelings of bereavement. When it occurs more than once it may, understandably, be a devastating experience. Most experts suggest that investigations to detect the cause of recurring miscarriage should begin after three consecutive pregnancy losses. Regional centres have difficulty coping with referrals even for women who have miscarried three times. For those who have miscarried twice, this seems harsh. If we are pedantic, when something recurs it has happened more than once so the second miscarriage is obviously a recurrence. Some departments, have revised their criteria so that consultation and some investigations can commence after two consecutive miscarriages.
As the majority of pregnancies, even after three miscarriages, are likely to be successful, it is particularly difficult to scientifically prove that a particular treatment is effective. The one cause of miscarriage that can be detected and for which there is effective treatment is increased levels of antiphospholipid antibodies. The blood tests are for lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin. If these prove to be positive, Aspirin (75mg daily) particularly in combination with heparin, significantly reduces the likelihood of miscarriage.
The incidence of early pregnancy loss doubles from the age of 20 to 40 years and evidence from IVF with egg donation suggests that increased miscarriage problems in older women may be partly attributable to the state of the uterus. A recent study in Bologna, Italy compared implantation and pregnancy rates in an oocyte donation programme with women of different ages sharing oocytes from the same donor: clinical pregnancy rates and ongoing pregnancy rates were twice as likely in recipients of less than forty years old compared to older recipients.
Please click on the required question.
- 1 What is a miscarriage?
- 2 What are the different types of miscarriage?
- 3 How accurate are pregnancy tests?
- 4 What is a blighted ovum?
- 5 I have had a hydatidiform mole. What is this?
- 6 Why did I have a spontaneous miscarriage?
- 7 How frequently do miscarriages occur?
- 8 I am miscarrying. How should this be treated?
- 8a Can miscarriage result in anxiety and depression?
- 9 What is meant by recurrent miscarriage?
- 10 I have a problem with recurrent miscarriage. What is the chance of my next pregnancy being successful?
- Q 12.11 Recurrent Miscarriage I have miscarried again. Why does this keep happening?
- 12 What congenital problems might be associated with recurrent miscarriage and how could they be treated?
- 13 What traumatic conditions can cause recurrent miscarriage and how can they be treated?
- 14 Can infection cause recurrent miscarriage and would treatment help?
- 15 Could a metabolic disorder cause recurrent miscarriage?
- 16 Could a hormonal problem account for recurrent miscarriage and would hormone treatment help me?
- 17 Could an autoimmune problem cause recurrent miscarriage and how could this be treated?
- 18 Could a tumour cause recurrent miscarriage?
- 19 What degenerative processes may be associated with recurrent miscarriage?
- 20 After every miscarriage I become more depressed. Could this account for the problem?
- 21 Is it always possible to explain recurrent miscarriage?
- 22 I have a problem with recurrent miscarriage. What treatment is available to ensure that this does not happen again?
- 23 What is an ectopic pregnancy?
- 24 How frequently do ectopic pregnancies occur?
- 25 Why do ectopic pregnancies occur?
- 26 How can an ectopic pregnancy be diagnosed?
- 27 How can an ectopic pregnancy be treated?
- 28 Where can I obtain more information?
- 29 Support Groups.
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This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London - Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.
I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.
