Pregnancy loss can take an enormous emotional toll on individuals and couples attempting to build a family.
At Boston IVF, our goal is to help you to understand there is a biological reason behind a miscarriage - and that most women go on to successfully conceive via the help of our innovative technologies.
comprehensive care
Each of our physicians are Board Certified in both Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology/infertility, which means they are highly trained in all aspects of pregnancy, including first trimester pregnancy complications.
miscarriage is common
It may be surprising to hear, but miscarriage is a common event. Research shows that between one quarter and one half of all conceptions may end up in miscarriage. Much of the time, these events occur so early in the conception process that a woman may not even know she was pregnant because she may not have missed a period. These early losses can sometimes be documented with blood work (called chemical pregnancies) but have no other clinical evidence of pregnancy.
the good news
On a positive note, one miscarriage (or even two) does not mean that the couple will never be able to have a baby. Pregnancy after miscarriage is normal and there are so many reasons to keep hope in your heart. We can help.
miscarriage defined
A miscarriage is defined as the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week of gestation. Recurrent pregnancy loss, or recurrent miscarriage, is when miscarriage occurs more than once, consecutively.
Signs and symptoms of miscarriage include vaginal bleeding accompanied by back pain, abdominal pain, fever, severe cramps, or passing blood clots of gray tissue.
what we offer
- a team of fertility specialists who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of miscarriage
- a team of fertility specialists who regular join together as a group to diagnose difficult recurrent miscarriage cases
- a team of 30 award-winning scientists, embryologists, and lab techs who work behind the scenes to optimize your embryo development
- cutting-edge PGT-A embryo testing that predicts chromosomal abnormalities, increases success rates, reduces miscarriage, and shortens the total time it takes you to achieve pregnancy.
- an in-house fertility wellness center, which offers psychologists who understand the impact of miscarriage.
GET STARTED
Have questions about your fertility? Rhonda can help! Rhonda has been with us since 1986 and is a phone call or email away if you need general advice or answers to specific questions.
Don't hesitate to contact Rhonda any time by phone at 888.300.2483 or via email by clicking here.
A variety of issues can lead to miscarriage.
In the majority of cases, the pregnancy stops developing because of a genetic issue within the embryo itself. An imbalance in the number of chromosomes within the embryo (also known as aneuploidy) will often result in miscarriage.
miscarriage causes
GENETIC ABNORMALITIES
Chromosomal abnormalities on the part of the mother, the father, or both, lead to miscarriage for at least 50-60% of all first trimester losses, making it the most common cause of early pregnancy loss. Aneuploidy, the presence of too many or too few chromosomes, is the most common type of genetic abnormality.
AGE
Because older women carry a higher risk of health conditions that can affect pregnancy, and are more likely to have eggs with chromosomal irregularities, age is a common reason for miscarriage.
ANATOMICAL ABNORMALITIES
The most common anatomical abnormality is a malformed uterus — specifically a septate uterus. Fibroids or polyps in the uterus are also associated with miscarriage, but they may be surgically removed.
IMMUNOLOGIC FACTORS
Placental insufficiency and miscarriage can result from abnormal blood clotting. Common causes of abnormal blood clotting are antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APAS) or lupus anticoagulant.
ENDOCRINE PROBLEMS
Chances of miscarriage increase when hormones are out of balance, specifically those associated with thyroid disease and pituitary problems.
Treatment for miscarriage depends entirely on the results of our initial fertility evaluations.
- if a hormonal issue is discovered through testing, the treatment may be medical.
- if a structural defect is discovered in the uterus, the treatment may be surgical. Your doctor will help you determine if and when GYN surgical treatment (such as fibroid removal) is necessary to treat your individual case.
- if diagnostic tests reveal no structural issues with your reproductive system, chromosomal problems, hormonal issues, or conditions such as fibroids, your doctor at Boston IVF may recommend that you attempt to conceive again once your menstrual cycle returns (typically 4-6 weeks after a miscarriage).
Examples of these tests and treatments include:
GENETIC TESTING and ivf
The most common reason for pregnancy loss is aneuploidy, a genetic issue which leads to an incorrect number of chromosomes within an embryo.
Because many miscarriages are due to these chromosomal abnormalities, one mode of treatment involves preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-A). This test allows for genetic analysis of embryos prior to implantation via IVF. Genetic testing increases the odds of a healthy pregnancy and childbirth and dramatically reduces the chance for miscarriage by allowing embryologists to implant only healthy, chromosomally normal embryos.
blood testing
A simple blood test reveals information about a number of hormones that affect pregnancy, including progesterone and thyroid hormones.
ultrasound
An ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of organs and other structures in the body, enabling doctors to detect fibroids or polyps and uterine growths that can cause infertility and miscarriage.
hope and support
It is completely natural to experience grief after a miscarriage. In order to provide support and comfort to our patients who have experienced miscarriage, the Boston IVF Wellness Center is here to help you heal during this difficult time. Our specialists can refer you to a psychologist or social worker, who can help you to heal emotionally.
