Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

Three or more pregnancy losses in a row are considered “recurrent pregnancy loss”.  It occurs in 3 out of 1000 women.

The majority of the time, a cause of these pregnancy losses cannot be determined.  Looking for a possible cause is multifaceted.  Medical conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disease, and high blood pressure need to be ruled out.  Abnormalities of the uterine cavity need to be excluded through a specialized x-ray called a hysterosalpingogram (HSG).  Blood tests can look for a hormonal, immune, or chromosomal cause of the losses.  Although rare, sometimes infection can explain recurrent pregnancy loss.

Even if a cause cannot be found and there is no intervention, there is a 60-70% chance of a successful, future pregnancy.