Pregnancy questions : What are the causes of recurrent miscarriages and is there a way to help avoid them ?
Having a baby and being pregnant are exciting times in any couple’s life. Some women have trouble carrying a pregnancy and thus suffer miscarriages. Some women will only have one and then continue to have healthy pregnancies, while others will continue to have miscarriages until some medical intervention occurs. There are several things a woman can do to aid her body in maintaining a healthy pregnancy.
A miscarriage is a devastating thing and when a woman experiences them over and over again, it can become even more discouraging. After the first miscarriage, the chances of another decreases, but after the second, the risks of subsequent miscarriages just keeps rising. There are many different reasons why women have recurrent miscarriages, but there is almost always something that can be done to help the problem.
Some of the reasons that a woman will experience a miscarriage can be treated. About half of pregnancy losses are due to chromosomal abnormalities while the other half can be attributed to other problems. If a woman’s hormone levels are not on target, this can cause her to lose her baby. This problem will either cause a failure to implant or a failure for the lining to properly form. Having thyroid or adrenal gland problems or even diabetes can increase a woman’s chance of miscarriage for this reason.
A woman’s uterus can also be the problem area. Those with a misshapen uterus, one that is separated, or one that has other size or shape issues will have difficulty sustaining a pregnancy. These problems do not have to keep a woman from having a healthy baby. A woman must just take extra care and possibly have extra doctor visits to help keep the baby safe.
Infections can also be a big problem. Especially those that are sexually transmitted diseases can cause problems for a pregnant mother. German Measles can also be a problem so women who have not had the rubella vaccine should be tested for immunity and if they are not immune, should be given the rubella shot prior to trying to conceive a child.
Environmental toxins can also play a big part in recurrent miscarriages. Harsh chemicals at work such as arsenic, ethylene, lead, and other chemicals can cause a woman to be unable to carry a baby to term. Those who work closely with these chemicals should have their body cleansed of these chemicals prior to trying to conceive. Less harsh chemicals such as caffeine, alcohol, and drugs should also be avoided prior to and during pregnancy to ensure the baby is as healthy as possible.
Some women simply have immune system issues that can cause them trouble. These are only found to be the cause in a small number of miscarriages. Things like blood clots cutting off the baby from the mother and other issues that cause the mother’s body to see the baby as a foreign object and attack the baby can make the mother lose her child.
After having two or more miscarriages, a woman should make an appointment with a specialist to rule out any of the above problems and if they do exist, to find a solution to the problem. A woman should also give herself and her spouse time to heal after each miscarriage. Most doctors will recommend waiting two or three months before trying again. This is to ensure that the uterus is allowed to heal up completely and also to give the mother time to grieve her loss and be emotionally prepared to try again. Having a doctor with you each step of the way is especially important for women who have had recurrent miscarriages.
By Kimberly Huth
