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Recurrent Miscarriage Testing

The importance of recurrent miscarriage testing

The team at our San Antonio fertility center knows that it can be devastating to suffer multiple miscarriages. The best way to treat this issue is to identify the root cause with recurrent miscarriage testing. The right diagnosis leads to the right treatment.

What is recurrent miscarriage?

Recurrent miscarriage is defined as two or more failed pregnancies. Miscarriage is relatively common, affecting about 1 in 6 recognized pregnancies. Most miscarriages happen because the pregnancy does not have the right genetic information to be able to move forward as a healthy pregnancy.

As maternal age increases, the chances of the egg having the wrong “genetic instructions” increase. This is why miscarriage is more common in older women and dramatically increases after the age of 38.

When a woman has recurrent miscarriage, there is a possibility that something other than genetic abnormalities may be contributing to the losses. This is why recurrent miscarriage testing is an important part of any fertility evaluation and management plan at our San Antonio fertility center.

A look at recurrent miscarriage testing

Recurrent miscarriage testing includes genetic studies, evaluation of the uterus and testing the environment in which the pregnancy is being established.

  • Genetic studies. A karyotype can make sure both male and female partners are handing off the right number and structure of chromosomes in each sperm or egg. Your fertility specialist may also recommend testing of miscarried tissue (if available) to look for a recurrent genetic problem.
  • Uterine evaluation. Your fertility specialist will recommend looking at the uterus for any structural problems, such as scar tissue, polyps or fibroids. This is usually done in our San Antonio fertility center without the need for anesthesia.
  • Pregnancy environment. Many hormones are important in establishing an early pregnancy. A hormonal imbalance can lead to pregnancy loss. Rarely, women may have antibodies to blood vessels or platelets that can interfere with a pregnancy. These kinds of problems can be checked with bloodwork. It is also important to avoid smoking, drug and alcohol use, and to achieve a healthy weight to optimize the body for pregnancy.

Treatment for recurrent miscarriage

The results of recurrent miscarriage testing will influence the treatment plan because the underlying cause guides the treatment. Correcting a specific issue may be as simple as a daily medication or as complex as genetic testing on IVF embryos.

The vast majority of women with recurrent pregnancy loss do have a high likelihood of ultimately achieving a pregnancy and taking home a baby, often without the need for complex treatments.

For more information on recurrent miscarriage testing, contact our San Antonio fertility center to schedule a consultation to review your history and create a personalized management plan to get you on the path to parenthood.