Specialist investigation and compassionate care for couples experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss, with personalised management plans tailored to your circumstances.
Around 15–20% of detected pregnancies end in miscarriage, and approximately 1% of couples experience recurrent pregnancy loss. While a miscarriage can involve bleeding, spotting, or abdominal pain, some women have no symptoms and only discover the loss at a routine scan. Recurrent miscarriage is defined as three or more consecutive pregnancy losses, and specialist investigation can help identify an underlying cause and reduce the risk of future loss. Reassuringly, the majority of couples go on to have a healthy pregnancy following investigation and treatment.
Three or more consecutive miscarriages
Two miscarriages with known fertility problems or a second trimester loss
Vaginal bleeding or spotting in early pregnancy
Abdominal pain or cramping during pregnancy
No symptoms but pregnancy loss confirmed on scan
Investigation typically involves blood tests to identify clotting disorders or hormonal abnormalities, chromosomal analysis of pregnancy tissue where available, and imaging to assess the anatomy of the uterus. A 3D ultrasound, laparoscopy, or hysteroscopy may be used to detect structural causes. It is important to note that in around 50% of cases no clear cause is identified — which itself carries a reassuring prognosis for future pregnancies.
Treatment depends on the cause identified and individual circumstances:
Heparin and low-dose aspirin for blood clotting disorders
Cervical stitch (cerclage) at around 14 weeks for cervical weakness
Pre-implantation genetic screening of embryos for couples undergoing IVF with a history of chromosomal abnormalities
Monitoring and supportive care in subsequent pregnancies
Treatment of underlying conditions such as polycystic ovaries or poorly controlled diabetes
At London Pregnancy Care and Gynaecology, care is delivered by experienced consultant specialists with a focus on personalised treamtent, continuity of care, and clear, supportive guidance.
In many cases a definitive cause cannot be identified, but known causes include genetic abnormalities in the developing baby, hormonal conditions such as polycystic ovaries, blood clotting disorders, anatomical factors such as a weakened cervix or irregularly shaped uterus, chronic health conditions such as poorly controlled diabetes or lupus, and serious infections. Large fibroids can also contribute to pregnancy loss at a later stage. It is important to know that miscarriage is rarely caused by anything you or your partner did or did not do.
Investigation is recommended after three consecutive miscarriages. However, if you have existing fertility problems or have experienced a loss in the second trimester, investigations after a second miscarriage are advisable. Early specialist assessment can help identify treatable causes sooner.
A range of investigations may be recommended, including blood tests for clotting disorders and hormonal abnormalities, chromosomal analysis of pregnancy tissue, and imaging to assess the structure of the uterus. A 3D ultrasound, laparoscopy, or hysteroscopy may be used to detect anatomical causes such as an unusually shaped uterus or fibroids.
Around half of all couples investigated for recurrent miscarriage receive no definitive diagnosis. While this can feel frustrating, it is generally an encouraging sign — the absence of an identifiable underlying condition means your next pregnancy has a good chance of continuing without problems. Supportive monitoring throughout subsequent pregnancies can be offered.
Where a cause is identified, effective treatments are available. Blood clotting disorders can be treated with heparin and low-dose aspirin, which increases the chances of a successful pregnancy to around 70%. A cervical stitch can be inserted at around 14 weeks for women with cervical weakness. For couples undergoing IVF with a history of chromosomal abnormalities, pre-implantation genetic screening allows only unaffected embryos to be selected for transfer.
.avif)
.jpg)