When there are more than 3 miscarriages it is known as recurrent miscarriage or recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). The definition of recurrent miscarriage is not always clear.
According to the ASRM, recurrent pregnancy loss is defined by two or more failed clinical pregnancies (pregnancies documented by ultrasound or histopathological examination).
Other entities define recurrent miscarriage as three or more consecutive failed pregnancies. ASRM recommends that after three or more losses, a couple should have a full evaluation; however, many fertility doctors recommend testing sooner rather than later.
Celebrities have struggled with miscarriages and getting pregnancies to take as well. Click HERE for an article on several celebs who opened up about their pregnancy issues to encourage other women. Click HERE for a British study that says that women who have recurrent miscarriages may lack stem cells.
Dr. Jessica Shepherd is a gynecologist and the founder of Her Viewpoint, an online women’s health forum. She is also seen regularly as an expert on Dr. Oz, and CBS News. She contributes to several leading publications including Women’s Day, Women’s Health, Essence,Just Parenting and for several blogs including MadameNoire, Cafe Mom, She Knows and Lux and Concord. As a health care expert, she strives to educate women on their bodies and as a national speaker, her mission is to empower women and to promote awareness on our health
Dr. Shepherd answers your miscarriage questions on the flip.
Is it true that miscarriages are due to the male sperm?
No, sperm is not a cause because miscarriages occur after the sperm has already fertilized the egg. Miscarriages are due to a multiple reasons such as chromosomal abnormalities, fibroids, hormone abnormalities and more.
How about taking a baby aspirin daily to prevent early blood clotting to help prevent miscarriage or spontaneous loss of pregnancy?
ACOG recommends baby aspirin in healthy pregnant women at high risk for preeclampsia daily after 12 weeks of gestation.
How does a baby end up in your tube?
The fertilization of an egg is in the fallopian tube and then it travels to the uterus to implant. If it is not transported out of the tube, then it will continue to grow there and cause an ‘ectopic pregnancy” which can be very dangerous if not treated.
Is endometriosis hereditary?
Endometriosis is 10 times more likely in women if they have first-degree relative with it; however it is a disease of the pelvis caused by tissue from the uterus depositing all over the pelvis.
Do you trust over the counter fertility tests?
Yes they are rather reliable.
How soon after coming off of birth control patches can I get pregnant?
This can occur immediately up to one year after stopping birth control. After one year, if no conception you should see your doctor.
What about the impact of abortion (particularly multiple ones) on the ability of the mother to carry a baby full term? Does the abortion procedure weaken the uterus’ ability to support a fetus?
Abortions do not weaken the uterus to carry a baby, however multiple abortions can cause adhesions within the uterine cavity that can make it hard to conceive or carry a baby. This is usually seen after multiple abortions, however it does not happen with everyone and is not common. Multiple abortions, however, should be considered with medical advice because they should not be used as a form of birth control.
If you have one miscarriage, are you more likely to have another?
A woman who has had a previous miscarriage has a 25% chance of having another
Doctor, is spontaneous abortion in the same class of medical research as miscarriages?
Abortion is the medical term for miscarriages as well as terminations.
Can smoking marijuana cause miscarriages?
Marijuana can affect fetal and infant development and may cause miscarriage. Use of marijuana in pregnancy is linked to premature births, small birth size, difficult or long labor and an increase in newborn jitteriness. Smoking marijuana can affect the amount of oxygen and nutrients the baby receives, which may affect growth. Marijuana is never safe during pregnancy and it can harm the baby at any stage.
Can a blood clot on the placenta cause a baby to hemorrhage at 37 – 38 weeks and cause a miscarriage?
Miscarriage is the term for fetal loss up to 20 weeks. After that, it is considered fetal loss or preterm labor. Blood clots in the placenta can affect blood and oxygen flow to the baby as well as cause vaginal bleeding.
Do you know if there is anyone doing a study on women that have never been pregnant before, and have been trying for years? What can we do?
Women who have been trying for years to get pregnant should see a specialist called a Reproductive Endocriniologist or a Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Specialist to determine the cause of not conceiving, as it can be a ovarian, uterine, fallopian tube or hormonal problem. They must all be investigated.
I have endometriosis. What are some of the things I can do to increase being fertile or “pregnancy ready?”
For women with endometriosis, it is possible that you need a laparoscopic evaluation to help evaluate the pelvis and possibly also to look at the fallopian tubes to see if they are open?
My wife was having miscarriages because her blood was to thick. She had to give herself two injections of blood thinner everyday.
She may have a blood coagulation disorder that needed heparin to help decrease clots which can also increased miscarriage.
Is it possible to have a healthy, normal child at age 48 or 49? My wife had a miscarriage last year and another one when she was 19, but had 4 normal pregnancies after that.
For women at that age, it is very hard to spontaneously conceive and they may need help of a in-vitro fertilization.
