Why Do I Keep Having Miscarriages?

The goal at Rocky Mountain Fertility Center is to provide the highest quality infertility services available in a welcoming and stress-free environment that respects your individual needs.  

Our team, led by award-winning Reproductive Endocrinologist Dr. Deborah Smith, is proud of its high success rate, since each triumph means we’ve helped you achieve your dream of becoming a parent.

We’re very much aware of the confusion and distress multiple miscarriages can bring. But we also know that many treatments exist that can help your next pregnancy succeed.

Understanding the rate of miscarriage

While each miscarriage certainly deserves acknowledgement and a period of mourning, spontaneous pregnancy loss is not a rare occurrence.

According to the March of Dimes, approximately 10-20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage, and most of those occur before 12 weeks of gestation. But Dr. Smith and other researchers believe that number could reach as high as 30-50%, because many women miscarry before they know they’re pregnant.

Fortunately, the odds of conceiving and delivering a full-term, healthy baby following a single miscarriage are high.

Even so, Dr. Smith generally recommends an evaluation following a second miscarriage to help identify and create a strategy for treatable causes of recurrent pregnancy loss.  

What causes multiple miscarriages?

Multiple miscarriages, also referred to as recurrent pregnancy loss, may be due to:

Chromosome abnormalities

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine notes that most early miscarriages are due to genetic abnormalities in the developing embryo or fetus.

Miscarriage occurs when extra or missing chromosomes make it impossible for a baby to survive or develop normally in the uterus. These types of chromosome abnormalities can occur for unknown reasons and trigger about 60% of early (first trimester) miscarriages.

Approximately 10-15% of these types of miscarriages occur in women younger than 35, but the risk rises to 50% in women over 40.

It’s important to note, though, that one or both parents may carry abnormal genetic material that can be passed on to a developing embryo yet experience no signs or symptoms of illness. A specific blood test (chromosome evaluation) can identify these potential abnormalities.    

Anatomic issues

Structural issues that affect the shape and size of the uterus or cervix are another common cause of multiple miscarriages.

Certain conditions, such as uterine fibroids, polyps and adhesions (scarring) can also contribute to pregnancy loss. Many of these abnormalities are correctable with surgery.  

Hormonal issues

Untreated thyroid disease, progesterone deficiency and poor egg quality are all hormonal issues that could affect a woman’s ability to carry a pregnancy to term. Blood tests can be performed to determine if hormonal issues are the cause of your pregnancy losses. 

Autoimmune issues

Women with autoimmune diseases are at higher risk of pregnancy loss.  Women with lupus or other autoimmune disease may have miscarriage rates as high as 70%.  Sometimes the only symptom a woman may have of the autoimmune disease is miscarriages. 

Evaluating and treating recurrent pregnancy loss

Your evaluation experience at Rocky Mountain Fertility Center begins with an exam as well as a detailed discussion and review of your personal and family medical history.

Depending on those results, Dr. Smith generally recommends a series of tests or imaging studies to help uncover the cause of your miscarriages.

Your diagnostic workup may include:

• Karyotype evaluation to identify potential chromosomal abnormalities
• Blood tests to check for antibodies and clotting factors known to induce miscarriage
• Blood tests to check the hormones
• Imaging studies to check for uterine or cervical defects 

Treatment, of course, depends on the results of your evaluation. We offer a full range of services that are designed to make future pregnancies successful.

Your treatment may include:

• Preimplantation genetic testing
• Donor sperm or egg donor insemination
• In vitro fertilization (IVF)
• Surgical correction of structural abnormalities
• Therapy for autoimmune and blood clotting disorders

Schedule an evaluation at Rocky Mountain Fertility Center in Parker, Colorado, today for a definitive diagnosis and the supportive care you need to overcome recurrent pregnancy loss.