Women who have miscarriages may experience an array of emotions, from grief to confusion. Their partner may also have the same emotions, leading the couple to ponder about possible causes. Fortunately, couples who experience one—or multiple—miscarriages can turn to infertility clinics to discuss available treatments to help women conceive. These clinics also have resources such as psychologists and clinical social workers who may be able to help couples deal with the difficult emotions that can arise from the situation. From a clinical perspective, miscarriages are considered recurrent when there have been two or more unexplained ones in the first trimester.
The Emotional Impact of Multiple Miscarriages
Grieving multiple miscarriages is a complex emotional process. In addition to intense sadness, which is often exacerbated by seeing other families with babies, some women may experience anger. Guilt and a sense of betrayal are also common responses, with women wondering, “Why me?” These emotions can contribute to depression, and a strong support network is crucial for working through it. However, women sometimes worry about receiving less support after subsequent miscarriages.
If you lack emotional support and are experiencing intense emotions, speak with your doctor right away. You may find counseling helpful, and there are even support groups where women can come together and talk about their miscarriages and experiences.
Common Causes of Recurrent Miscarriage
Identifying possible issues is the first step to receiving treatment. A medical condition, such as diabetes, could be a cause. Uncontrolled blood sugar levels early in pregnancy increase the risk of a miscarriage, as well as birth defects. Proper management of chronic issues is key to prevent miscarriages as well as infertility. Other causes may include uterine abnormalities such as uterine fibroids and scar tissue within the uterine cavity. In addition, albeit less common, some women (or their partners) may carry chromosomal abnormalities that can increase their possibility for an abnormal pregnancy and then a subsequent miscarriage. Some women also have acquired abnormal antibodies in their blood that can also increase the chance for a miscarriage and simple blood tests can detect these as well. Even poor egg quality can predispose patients to recurrent miscarriage as well.
Lifestyle choices may also play a role. Women who want to get pregnant are encouraged to stop smoking, lose weight (if overweight or obese), eat a healthy diet , exercise, and cut alcohol from their diet to improve their chances of conception. Infertility doctors advise women to limit caffeine intake, schedule regular visits with an OB-GYN, reduce stress levels, and take prenatal vitamins.
Clearly, there is a light at the end of the tunnel for couples who have experienced recurrent miscarriage and the first thing to do is speak with a specialist who can help you navigate this complex issue physically and emotionally.
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