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This devastating condition, also known as Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL), effects about one percent of the population. It is defined as three or more early miscarriages (before 13 weeks), not necessarily consecutive, (but all pregnancies must be by the same partner), or two late miscarriages (13 - 20 weeks).
Most miscarriages are caused by a problem with the particular foetus and are therefore unlikely to recur. In contrast RPL is associated with reproductive problems with the parents, resulting in the loss of delicate but often viable pregnancies.
Causes
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Hormone problems within the mother's reproductive system.
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Uterine malformations.
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Cervical incompetence.
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The presence of autoimmune antibodies which cause the formation of tiny blood clots in the blood vessels leading to the placenta starving the foetus.
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Infections.
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Chromosomal anomalies resulting in various syndromes.
In about half the women in the research studies, no cause could be found, so no specific treatment could be given. However, this group responded very well to a programme which removed as many stress factors as possible from their lives, resulting in an 80% success rate with the subsequent pregnancy. The younger you start this treatment the better, but even after 35, the chances of you having a child are very very high. Not only is RPL self-correcting to some degree with a spontaneous cure rate of 30% - 50%, it is the area of miscarriage where the most research progress has been made in recent years.
Referral
If you meet the criteria above, ask your doctor for a referral to either the The Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Clinic (which has a waiting list), or to the private clinics where the same programme is available: Maungawhau Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fertility Associates and Artemis. There are also other gynaecologists who specialize in managing difficult pregnancies. It is your choice who you would like to see, not your doctor's. It is preferable to be referred to the clinic before you conceive so that you can have the benefit of the pre-pregnancy care these clinics offer. However if you are already pregnant you can be referred, or even self-refer to the private clinics.
It is advisable to get medical insurance if you aren't already covered.
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