Is it normal to have two miscarriages in a row

Fifty percent of women who have RPL have some type of anatomic uterine problem that interferes with implantation and growth of a pregnancy such as:. There can also be developmental or trauma-caused deformations of the cervix which contribute to miscarriage:.

Hormonal issues Another very common cause for early RPLs 15 percent or more is hormonal inadequacy. The amount of progesterone produced after ovulation may not be sufficient to keep the lining of the uterus built up so that it can support the pregnancy. It begins to slough and the pregnancy is lost. This occurs more frequently in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome symptoms of which include irregular periods, weight gain, excess hair growth and acne.

Up to 60 percent of very early miscarriages before 10 weeks gestation are caused by chromosomal abnormalities. The risk of miscarriage can also increase with the number of previous pregnancy losses. There are several tests that can be done to gain insight into what has caused the two miscarriages in a row. For example, if your doctor suspects that there may be a concern with your uterus, he or she can perform a test called a Hysterosalpingogram HSG. There are also several kinds of blood work and tests that your doctor can order.

They can look at your hormone levels, such as your progesterone levels, see if you have any protein deficiencies and order a thyroid panel. POC testing is done on tissue from the lost pregnancy and evaluates the chromosomes to help provide insight into what has caused the miscarriage. This can provide helpful information to couples regarding if there might be an increased risk for having another miscarriage in the future due to a chromosomal abnormality, and it can provide some closure for the couple if a cause for the miscarriage is identified.

The majority of embryos that we make, whether in nature or the IVF lab, are not normal. Pregnancy is a very strong filter of the abnormal, so most abnormal embryos will fail to implant.

More than half of all miscarriages happen because of an irregular number of chromosomes in the embryo and the pregnancy does not develop properly from the start. The miscarriage risk increases with increasing maternal age as older eggs are more likely to be abnormal.

The list of things that do NOT cause miscarriage is far longer than those that do. Miscarriages in early pregnancy are not caused by:. After an isolated spontaneous miscarriage, the chance of having a successful pregnancy in the future is quite high. Every time you get pregnant, you have the same age-based risk of pregnancy loss. Based on chance alone, the odds of having two miscarriages in a row are:.

In reality, however, the chance of consecutive miscarriages is higher than one would expect based on chance alone. One category of immunologic problems that can cause miscarriages are the antiphospholipid antibodies. Blood tests are used to detect the presence of these antibodies. If present, medication that helps thin the blood may be used. Some women experience signs and symptoms before a miscarriage actually occurs; others do not. Some of the signs that a miscarriage may be about to start are: vaginal spotting, which is usually dark brown and changing to pink or red; a decrease in breast tenderness or fullness; and absence of fetal movement or heart sounds.

Cramping and vaginal bleeding are signs that the miscarriage is occurring. Be proactive and call your doctor immediately. Even if ends up to be nothing wrong, a peace of mind will go a long way. If you do find that you are bleeding, try to keep track of the amount of bleeding that occurs.

If you notice any tissue has passed, try to save it. This may sound strange to some, but many doctors will want it for laboratory evaluation to help determine the cause of the miscarriage. They can run a series of tests to see if there is an underlying cause to what may be causing the reoccurring miscarriage.

Here are some of the tests your doctor may recommend:. Miscarriage can leave you and your partner with many intense feelings of loss and grief. These feelings should not be dismissed or devalued.

All to often they can be suppressed and misunderstood by friends and family. Allow yourself grace in this difficult time. The grief associated with the loss not only of your baby, but also of your pregnancy is one that should be acknowledged. It is okay to feel angry and depressed. Talk to your spouse and remember, that men and women sometimes experience grief in different ways. Accept that and try to support each other. Join a support group or a grief counselor.

You may find that friends and family will have trouble understanding your loss, know there is much comfort and refuge in others who are experiencing the same heart break.