Pregnancy loss or Miscarriage, whenever encountered couple gets totally disheartened.  Some are able to silently accept and try the next time.  But this is not something one should take lightly.  More than once means there is a problem.  It is always advisable to contact a specialist and understand the causes for it.  Nowadays, there are multiple options available for treating such issues.  It is better to consult a fertility specialist who will be able to assess the problem through proper tests and advise the couple on the right treatment.  Treatment options like IVF, IUI, or other simple treatments can help the couple to achieve a successful pregnancy.\nWhat are Recurrent Miscarriages?\nWhen a woman gets pregnant and is not able to complete the full term of full 9/10 months and the pregnancy is lost in any of the first few months consecutively or not consecutively for two times, then it is termed as recurrent pregnancy loss in medical terms.  This is a challenge for the couple to understand, and they tend to lose hope.  \nWhat are the causes of these recurrent miscarriages?\nThere are many reasons why this happens. In only 50% of the cases, specific causes can be identified; the remaining 50% remain unsolved. It can be because of genetic reasons, hormone problems, uterine anomalies, immune-related problems, a woman suffering from some chronic infections/diseases, or it may be due to environmental disturbances.\nThere may be problems with the egg or semen, which might be genetic.\nA woman may be having PCOS/PCOD, Thyroid issues, or other hormone problems.\nProblems in the uterus - fibroids or the size of the uterus is small, which may cause miscarriage.\nAutoimmune conditions can prevent the pregnancy from continuing to full term.\nAdvanced age can be a reason for a miscarriage\nLifestyle factors like smoking during pregnancy and excessive consumption of alcohol can also increase the likelihood of a miscarriage.\nIt is better to get proper investigations done before going for any specific treatment. Blood tests, ultrasound scans, genetic screening, and other diagnostic tests can be done to identify the underlying cause of miscarriages.\nSolutions for Recurrent Miscarriages:\nIf a specific cause is identified, it can be treated. If no known cause is identified, depending on the history and couple evaluation, solutions are given. IVF is one such solution for recurrent miscarriages. \nWhat is IVF? \nIVF is an assisted reproductive technology where the eggs are picked up and fertilised outside the body and then transferred into the uterus of the woman.  There are multiple stages in IVF. They are ovarian stimulation, egg pick up, fertilization, embryo formation, embryo freezing, and embryo transfer.\n\nHow does IVF help in recurrent miscarriages?\nIVF helps in many ways:\nMedication/injections, for improving the egg quality and number \nImprove the sperm quality \nGenetic testing in the embryo to avoid any genetic issues\nUse of donor egg or sperm is possible in IVF\nIt can improve the chances of implantation through proper evaluation and corrections required prior to embryo transfer \nHormonal therapies to support the pregnancy in the early stages\nWhat is PGT?\nPGT, Pre-implantation Genetic Testing, is used to test the cultured embryos before they are transferred into the uterus. It helps to find out if there are any genetic issues in the embryo - only the best embryo is selected and transferred into the uterus.  This helps in reducing the possibility of a miscarriage due to genetic reasons.\n\nStep-by-Step IVF Process:\n\nIVF involves fertilizing the egg in the lab and placing it in a woman’s womb. IVF can treat male and female infertility issues. IVF consists of three main procedures:\nFollicle aspiration - egg retrieval through an ultrasound-guided procedure\nFertilization - Sperm meets egg and embryo culture \nEmbryo transfer\nOne IVF cycle lasts approximately 3 weeks.\nCouples choose IVF for various reasons, such as:\n\nInfertility\nPCOS/PCOD\nEndometrial issues\nNot to pass the Genetic issues to the offspring \nAdvanced age\nRecurrent Miscarriages and recurrent implantation failure \nPostponing pregnancy - Egg Freezing\nPreserving fertility due to diseases like cancer\n\nSteps in an IVF Process:\nDoctor consultation/Preparation/Counseling\nOvarian Stimulation\nEgg Retrieval\nFertilization\nEmbryo Development\nEmbryo Transfer\nPregnancy\nA woman will be given medications/injections to produce several mature eggs that can be retrieved and fertilized.\nA man will provide semen so that the healthiest sperm can be retrieved for fertilization.\nIf the man is found to be infertile, then donor sperm can be used in IVF.\nRecurrent Miscarriages and IVF:\nA woman with recurrent miscarriages may require more than one cycle of IVF. Also, some extra therapies might be required.  Multiple fertilized embryos are frozen. The success rates of such cases depend upon the condition of the woman.  It has been observed that with pre-genetic tests, the chances of a successful pregnancy is high for women with recurrent miscarriages.\nThough a guarantee cannot be given to couples, one should have realistic expectations.  It may take more than one cycle. Many of the causes are addressed, and there are more chances of success. \nEmotional Support:\nA woman with recurrent miscarriages needs the full support of her partner and the family. It is disheartening for the couple undergoing recurrent miscarriages. If full support is received, they would become psychologically strong to face any challenges. \nConclusion:\nThrough advanced evaluation for recurrent pregnancy and IVF is a boon for couples who suffer from recurrent miscarriages.  With advanced technology and available reproductive technologies, it has become easy for couples to overcome the challenges of repeated pregnancy losses.  Though a guarantee cannot be given, the success rates show that it has significantly increased the chances of a full-term pregnancy.  Couples can go for a complete evaluation by fertility specialists and take necessary steps and advanced treatments like IVF with genetic evaluation as one option, with hope and faith to have a successful pregnancy. \n

Discover how IVF can help couples overcome recurrent miscarriages, identify underlying causes, and improve pregnancy success rates.

IVF for Recurrent Miscarriages: How Assisted Reproduction Can Help