RECURRENT MISCARRIAGE: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

This month, we spoke with Dr. Hanan Al Issa, Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialist at HealthPlus Family Clinic, all about recurrent miscarriage, an issue faced by many women today.

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When you want children, nothing is tougher than the experience of recurrent miscarriage. It is considered a medical condition if a woman experiences a miscarriage at least three consecutive times before week 20 of pregnancy. While the causes of this type of miscarriage are not totally clear, many women have delivered their babies successfully, despite suffering from this difficulty.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES

There are several conditions that lead to recurrent miscarriage, which Dr. Hanan goes through below:

Genetic issues

A genetic issue in either or both partners plays a key role in miscarriages. This may become clear if there is a flaw in the genetic makeup - such as in the chromosomes or the chromosomal structure, sadly leading to foetal loss in the early stages of your pregnancy.

Autoimmune disorders

This is when the immune system doesn't recognise the difference between your own cells and foreign cells. The natural defence system produces a specific protein, designed to attack any healthy 'foreign' cells. This is where autoimmune diseases during pregnancy may lead to serious complications as these 'foreign' cells can include the foetus. Therefore, it's best to consult your doctor as a couple, to evaluate your specific situation before planning for pregnancy.

Potential pre-existing conditions

There are certain conditions that can sometimes impact how a pregnancy develops. These include congenital uterine defects, or uterine diseases, such as fibroids or polyps inside the uterus. Issues related to the endocrine system can also play a role too. These include diabetes, thyroid disorders and ovarian insufficiency. If you suffer with any pre-existing conditions like these, make sure to seek medical advice around how they may affect pregnancy.

Coagulation issues