What Causes Multiple Miscarriages?

“Congratulations! You are going to be a mother!” These are the words that most women dream to hear. Pregnancy, though, is a complex and delicate process which sometimes unfortunately is abruptly and prematurely terminated. The medical term is “miscarriage”. Emotionally it cannot be termed but the fact is that it’s a great stress for the woman. Yet, there are ways to cope with that problem. If you have multiple miscarriages like three miscarriages in a row, doctors call this condition “recurrent miscarriage”. If this is the case for you, you’d better consult your gynecologist. They will most probably prescribe work with you towards healthy pregnancy in future. 

What Causes Multiple Miscarriages?

About one in every 100 women experiences miscarriage. With 30 percent of the ladies the causes are never known. Furthermore, every miscarriage may be caused by a different factor so it’s impossible to develop a pattern of the phenomenon. The good news is that there is a definite chance for a woman after a series of miscarriages to have a successful pregnancy in the long run.

However, there are several possible reasons for 2 or 3 miscarriages in a row or multiple miscarriages:

Possible Causes	Description
Genetics	The most common is genetic errors. Genetic defect happens to be the cause in 70 percent of miscarriages, mainly in women over the age of 35. It has random occurrence, though, and is not likely to reoccur in future pregnancies. Genetic errors are not inherited so it is not guaranteed that if your mother had subsequent miscarriages you will have, too.
Age	Another reason for multiple miscarriages can be age. With women over 40 the chance to lose the baby is over 33 percent.
Uterus abnormality	Uterus abnormality can be another reason for multiple miscarriages. Some women are born with a double or abnormally shaped uterus which increases the risk of having miscarriage. If the uterus is not properly shaped, there is not enough space for the fetus to grow and develop normally.
Weak cervix	Another possible reason is incompetent cervix. It is most likely culprit for second trimester miscarriages or premature labor. A weakened cervix may require a special procedure called cerclage. It is a surgical stitch around the cervix to deter it from widening prematurely.
Lack of progesterone	There could be purely hormonal causes for miscarriage. Sometimes the quantity of progesterone in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle is insufficient. Progesterone plays a major role in conception process because it is responsible for creating a nutrient rich environment for the baby.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome	Another problem could be the presence of too many male hormones in a woman’s body. This condition, scientifically termed Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, is responsible for over a third of multiple miscarriages.
Diabetes	Poorly controlled Diabetes A is also associated with miscarriage, because it disrupts the sugar balance in the body.
Bacterial infections	Some bacterial infections may be another reason for miscarriage. Those are generally overlooked because pregnant women are not tested for infections if there are no overt symptoms.
Faulty sperm	Another reason to be considered is the male factor. Some miscarriages can be caused by faulty sperm, although it is not known how often that happens.

How Can the Causes of Multiple Miscarriages Be Diagnosed?

One of the most effective ways to determine the reason of miscarriage is by having blood tests for possible health conditions. The couple may be tested for Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). The aim is to detect certain antibodies which the body produces in order to fight that condition. Antiphospholipid syndrome is associated with pregnancy complications, like fetal loss, fetal growth restriction, and preeclampsia. Two tests are done, which are six weeks apart in order to have a clear result. 

Chromosome abnormalities can also be detected by tests. If that is the case, the couple is referred to a genetic counselor. The specialist explains the essence of the problem and the chances of having a normal pregnancy. If that is not possible, one of the options is in vitro fertilization, with embryos being tested before being planted in the uterus.

You can also establish the cause for miscarriage by having tissue tests. Those are tests of the pregnancy tissues that are lost or tissues from the placenta. They can detect any chromosome abnormalities or other genetic problems.

Another method to look for the causes of miscarriage is the ultrasound scan. This technology can detect any uterus abnormalities or weakened cervix. Depending on the abnormality a suitable treatment can be prescribed.

This following video explains more reasons for multiple miscarriage like 3 miscarriages in a rowand what can be done to deal with the loss:

Can I Ever Have a Healthy Baby?

If the causes of multiple miscarriages, like 3 miscarriages in a row have never been found, the woman still has good chances to have a successful pregnancy in the long run.

Seek Medical Help

Common practice shows that about two thirds of the couples with unknown reasons for miscarriage end up having a baby sooner or later. If the couple has chromosome problems which cause miscarriage, however, the situation gets more complex. No doctor can say for sure whether they can have a baby or not. Moreover that the genetic problem is neither inherited, not recurrent, so it’s even harder to make predictions.

The best choice is to consult a genetic specialist who can analyze their case and propose some options. Some of the causes for multiple miscarriage are removable. If you have all the necessary tests, you improve your chances to establish the reasons for the problem and find a solution.

Find Support and Never Lose Hope

It’s normal to feel depressed and hopeless after losing one baby after another. In such cases it’s very important to look for support. Do not isolate yourself, talk to friends or seek professional help. You must never lose hope. Remember, there is always a chance for success one way or another. There is a variety of services and support centers all over the country where the couples can find help. The care and attention themselves sometimes are a sufficient precondition for a successful pregnancy.

In the following video, one couple shares their hardships of living through multiple miscarriages. You are not alone in this and there is always hope: