Most women spend the first months of their pregnancy keeping their fingers crossed. That miscarriage is common in the first trimester is a well-known fact: around 10 to 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage, and 80% of these occur in the first 12 weeks. But knowing there is a chance of miscarriage does not soften the blow when it does happen. A miscarriage is a devastating event – and for some women it can happen over and over again…
When do I seek specialist help?
When a woman has three consecutive miscarriages before she reaches 12 weeks, it is termed ‘recurrent miscarriage’. At this point, tests to diagnose an underlying cause are recommended. At her clinic on London’s Harley Street, female gynaecologist Miss Amanda Tozer has helped many couples struggling with fertility issues to achieve the family they so keenly desire with her approach of systematic diagnosis and relevant treatment. However, before embarking on any investigations, she will ensure that you understand firstly that tests may not reveal an explanation for your miscarriages; and, secondly, that it may discover a cause that is not ultimately treatable.
What could be the cause recurrent miscarriage?
There are many known causes of miscarriage, including maternal age or poor health, foetal chromosomal abnormalities, antiphospholipid syndrome, and fibroids. The cause of recurrent miscarriage is not fully understood but the potential causes include luteal insufficiency (a disruption in a the monthly menstrual cycle), immunology, thyroid peroxidase antibodies, and maternal and paternal HLA antigen conformity. At Miss Amanda Tozer’s London fertility clinic, all couples are assessed on an individual basis and the ensuing tests are tailored to their particular medical history. Similarly, the findings of a couple’s individual tests will inform a treatment plan. With compassion and sensitivity, Miss Tozer helps couples in this painful position to uncover, where possible, a reason for their repeated pregnancy disappointment – and, hopefully, a way forward.