If you have suffered through two or more pregnancy losses, experts recommend you seek help from a fertility specialist with experience in managing recurrent miscarriage. Around 1-2% of women are affected by recurrent pregnancy loss in Australia.
The loss of a pregnancy can be highly distressing for both you and your partner. If you’ve experienced more than one miscarriage, a consultation and examination with Dr Kate can help to uncover any contributing reasons, and help to inform the next steps towards supporting you through a healthy pregnancy and building your family.
A significant number of repeated miscarriages don’t have an identifiable cause. For other women, recurrent pregnancy losses can be caused by:
Up to 15% of cases of recurrent miscarriage are affected by a balanced chromosomal anomaly in either you or your partner. Undergoing genetic testing can identify if these genetic abnormalities are present, and help to guide your treatment options.
If you and your partner are affected by a genetic disorder causing recurrent miscarriage, you can consider:
There are a number of anatomical problems that can make it difficult for a woman’s body to maintain a healthy pregnancy. The most significant of these are uterine fibroids, developmental abnormalities of the uterus (known as Mullerian anomalies), and uterine adhesions.
If conditions of the uterus are thought to be contributing, Dr Kate can confirm the diagnosis through various tests and scans. Depending on the results, she may offer surgery to address the problem, such as removing problematic fibroids, correcting a septate uterus, or surgically separating uterine adhesions. Not all women with these conditions will be suitable for surgery, but in those who are, the appropriate management can help to improve your chances of a healthy pregnancy through to birth.
The most well-understood blood clotting disorder in pregnancy is a condition called antiphospholipid syndrome. This syndrome and the associated abnormal antibodies (defensive molecules of the immune system) have the potential to disturb a pregnancy by causing blood clots and interfering with the development of the placenta.
Treatment of antiphospholipid syndrome to protect your pregnancy is through preventative medication – daily aspirin and heparin have been demonstrated to significantly reduce the risk of pregnancy loss in women with this blood clotting disorder.
Hormones and the endocrine system play a vital role in conception and pregnancy. Several endocrine disorders have been associated with recurrent pregnancy loss, including hypothyroidism, poorly managed diabetes, and high prolactin hormone levels.
Dr Kate has a specialised interest in the role of the endocrine system in pregnancy, and is currently working towards the prestigious Certificate of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (CREI). She may recommend certain blood tests to investigate any hormonal imbalances causing repeated pregnancy losses, and tailor a management plan for you. This will include medications to stabilise any abnormal hormone levels.
As a fully qualified fertility specialist and well on her way to attaining her Certificate in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (CREI), Dr Kate brings the right experience and expertise in managing recurrent pregnancy loss. After investigating any underlying causes, she will be able provide treatment or advise you on your options with IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies.
