Previous Miscarriage
What is a miscarriage?
A miscarriage or a spontaneous abortion is any pregnancy that spontaneously ends before the fetus can survive. In Australia, a fetus that cannot survive is defined as one that weighs less than 400 grams and has a gestational age of less than 20 weeks.
What causes a miscarriage?
Often there is no discernable cause for a woman to have a miscarriage; however there are a few common causes for miscarriages. They include:
1. Chromosomal or genetic abnormalities formed during the conception process can cause a woman’s body to rid itself of the embryo.
2. There is something wrong with the placenta, cervix, or uterus.
3. Sometimes the egg will actually implant in the wrong location.
4. If a woman has endometriosis, the chances are increased for a miscarriage. Endometriosis is the growth of cells outside of the uterus and can be cancerous.
5. A woman who has fibroids has an increased risk of miscarriage–almost a 55% increased risk.
6. Anti Phospholipid Syndrome causes blood clots in the placenta and is responsible for repeat miscarriages.
7. Environmental toxins and diet can also lead to a miscarriage. Things such as alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, and recreational drugs have all been linked to early miscarriages.
8. Unfortunately, age is also a factor in many miscarriages. Women who are over 35 years of age are more likely to experience a miscarriage than women who are younger.
Are previous miscarriages an indication of infertility?
Yes and no. The good news is that just because a woman has a miscarriage does not mean she is doomed to repeat it. A woman who conceives after having a single miscarriage has an 85% chance of carrying the pregnancy to term and having a healthy baby. However, if a woman is over 35 years of age and has had more than one miscarriage, then her chances of carrying a baby to term are dramatically decreased.
On the downside, if a woman had a miscarriage as a result of a physical defect, such as an irregular placenta, or as a result of an infection, like fibroids, and the problem is not resolved before conception occurs again, then the chances are very high that a miscarriage will occur. For this reason, it is extremely important that a woman determines the exact cause of her miscarriage and have it rectified before trying to conceive again.
How soon after a miscarriage can conception occur?
Immediately following a miscarriage, a woman has a higher level of fertility but this period of increased fertility is brief and doesn’t last for long. Normal fertility levels usually return within four to six weeks after the miscarriage when her menstrual cycle returns to normal. Anytime after this point, it is safe and possible for a woman to conceive again. However, just because a woman is physically able to try to conceive doesn’t necessarily mean she is ready and she should always consult with her doctor to ensure that she is truly ready.
Furthermore, a woman who has experienced three or more consecutive miscarriages should consult with a fertility specialist because her chances of carrying a baby to term are less than 5%.
The Numbers are Shocking:
The risk of having a miscarriage is the highest immediately after implantation with an estimated 50% of all eggs not surviving. Many times this early miscarriage will simply be overlooked as a late onset period.
If an egg does survive implantation, an estimated 15% – 20% of pregnancies will end in a miscarriage.
Chromosomal abnormalities were responsible for 50% of all miscarriages in Australia while the remaining 50% were due to unknown causes.