Some women have no trouble conceiving, but they experience recurrent miscarriages. This unexpected pregnancy loss before 20 weeks is common and stressful. After getting pregnant, you look forward to building a family. Having your hopes abruptly dashed can be devastating. Recurrent miscarriages, although less common, can take a toll on your emotional and physical health.
You might find comfort in knowing that you're not alone in this. Estimates show that approximately one in five pregnancies result in miscarriage. Another estimate by the March of Dimes claims that up to 50% of all pregnancies result in a miscarriage. Most of these happen even before a woman knows she's pregnant, making the figure hard to pin down.
When a miscarriage happens two times consecutively, experts term it repeat or recurrent pregnancy loss. Approximately 1% of women have recurrent miscarriages, and if the loss happens three times consecutively, it's essential to get a physical evaluation.
Your physician may decide to conduct an ultrasound, pelvic exam, or blood test to confirm a miscarriage and determine the cause. In the case where you've passed tissue through the birth canal, the doctor may send it to the lab for testing.
It's natural to grieve after a miscarriage, and you should give yourself enough time for the process. It's perfectly okay to feel angry, cry, and take some time to feel okay again. Allow yourself time to process your emotions, whatever they are, while skipping events you don't feel prepared for, like birthday parties and baby showers.
After recurrent pregnancy loss, you may find it necessary to wait until you heal completely before trying again. If you're not ready to have sexual intercourse, you may want to explore other options like IVF therapy.
Talk to your partner, loved ones, or counselor about your feelings and fears. Venting your frustrations to a supportive person can help relieve negative emotions.
In-Vitro Fertilization is an excellent approach to pregnancy for women who have experienced recurrent miscarriages. The process provides specific steps you can take to increase your chances of having a healthy pregnancy, minimizing the risk of a miscarriage.
Fertility specialists provide IVF with preimplantation genetic screening (PSG). It's accompanied by preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). The procedures enable the specialists to check an embryo for chromosomal and genetic problems that may cause a miscarriage. They screen for specific genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis and many other conditions. Learn more about PGD here.
The doctor ensures that they only transfer a healthy and chromosomally normal embryo to the uterus, significantly reducing the risk of a miscarriage.
Because your eggs are at a higher risk of chromosomal damage as you age, you may opt to use donor eggs in IVF. If you've made an attempt at IVF therapy but still had a miscarriage or the procedure failed, an egg donor could be the solution you need.
After IVF, your doctor will monitor your hormone levels through blood tests, one being a pregnancy test nine days after embryo transfer.
Miscarriage and recurrent pregnancy loss can take a toll on you physically, emotionally, and mentally. As you take care of yourself during this time, it's also essential to get the support of a professional to walk through the journey with you. A fertility expert can help you explore other options like IVF.
At Pacific Fertility Center, we help you build the family of your dreams through assisted reproductive technology. We have a team of experts to guide you through the entire process, from consultation to post-conception. Contact us today to get started.
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Note: This is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Information provided is for general educational purposes only and is subject to change without notice. Speak to your doctor directly with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Any information contained herein does not replace any care plan as determined by a physician.
¹Birth rate percentage using aggregate data from ALL age groups on the Live Births Per Intended Egg Retrieval (ALL EMBRYO TRANSFERS) of Patient's Own Eggs chart for 2020. Reference: PFCLA SART | NATIONAL SART
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