Going through a miscarriage can be sad and stressful. And, unfortunately, some people end up dealing with it more than once.
In general, a miscarriage is defined as the loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks of gestation. Doctors estimate that 10 to 15 percent of all recognized pregnancies end in miscarriage. About 1 percent of women have more than one miscarriage.
Anyone experiencing a miscarriage wants answers about why it happened, but it is often hard to find a specific cause. There are several tests, however, that may be able to rule out certain problems.
One of the most common is called parental karyotyping. For this test, a blood sample is taken from both parents and tested for chromosomal problems. If any chromosomes are abnormal, it could mean that a genetic disorder may be to blame for the miscarriages.
A blood test also may be used to screen for a condition known as antiphospholipid syndrome. This disease happens when a person's immune system mistakenly attacks some of the normal proteins in the blood. It is known to cause pregnancy complications, including miscarriage and stillbirth.
An exam called a hysterosalpingogram can be useful, too. It involves injecting contrast dye through the cervix and then using an X-ray to examine the uterus and fallopian tubes for any problems. Tests to check for thyroid disease and diabetes are often performed, as well. Those diseases may cause complications that can result in miscarriage. Additional tests also may be helpful depending on a person's age, medical background and family history.
Even if all this testing is done, the exact cause of miscarriages still cannot be determined for about 50 to 75 percent of couples. On a brighter note, many couples who have more than one miscarriage do go on to have a successful pregnancy. Studies suggest that number to be about 60 percent.
