Evaluation for infertility factors by a fertility specialist can help prevent subsequent and recurrent miscarriages
Miscarriages are unfortunately not uncommon and not easy to cope with – for our patients and our staff. The hopeful journey toward pregnancy comes to an abrupt halt when a miscarriage takes place. It’s a tragic, heartbreaking experience – perhaps even more so for those who have been trying to overcome infertility.
Everyone at Ember strives to comfort those couples and individuals who have a miscarriage. Beyond that and encouragement, we can often provide infertility treatments to enable a successful birth.
But with an estimated 26% of pregnancies ending in miscarriage (about 10% in those who know they are pregnant), how does one know when to seek treatment from a fertility specialist?
At Ember, everyone is a VIP – very important patient
Single miscarriage treatment
Most women and couples do not need to seek help from a fertility specialist after a miscarriage. After having a miscarriage, the risk of having one in another pregnancy is about 20%, according to the National Library of Medicine.
It is advisable for the woman to consult with her OB-GYN after a miscarriage. Bleeding should stop in about a week if all the fetal tissue has passed from the uterus. You should seek medical care if bleeding continues, if it is heavy or you have a fever.
Related reading: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists discusses miscarriage treatments you can expect.
Experiencing two or more miscarriages back-to-back is called recurrent miscarriage, which is considered a sign of infertility. This is a strong reason to seek an evaluation by a fertility specialist. Only about 2% of pregnant women have two miscarriages back-to-back.
Causes of miscarriage related to infertility
The cause of one’s miscarriage can indicate a risk for recurrent miscarriage. People with certain factors that may make them susceptible to a repeat miscarriage may want to consider seeking a fertility specialist’s evaluation before attempting another pregnancy.
These causes include:
- Endometriosis and the scarring effects of pelvic inflammatory disease and other infections.
- Reproductive hormone imbalances.
- Issues in reproductive organs such as uterine structural abnormalities from birth or development of uterine fibroids.
A major cause of miscarriages is genetic abnormalities in the fetus. Individuals and couples known to carry certain genetic conditions, or who suspect they do or have a family history of these conditions, may want to consider a genetic evaluation before attempting another pregnancy. We can direct them to genetic testing services.
Fertility doctor & geneticist
Did you know that Dr. William Freije’s background and doctorate in genetics enables him to personally meet with patients for genetic counseling? He is passionate about epigenetics, studying how behavior and environment impact the presentation of genes.
When to seek our help with treatment after miscarriage
If a couple or individual is aware of the issues listed above, they should seek our evaluation and care. Experiencing recurrent miscarriage is the main reason we treat women and couples after miscarriage.
We also encourage people to see us after a miscarriage if they encounter complications such as hemorrhaging or an infection. Additionally, if the woman’s period doesn’t return after two months, she should also seek our evaluation.
If you suspect a miscarriage is related to an issue that can cause another miscarriage, it is a good idea to seek our evaluation. Sometimes wanting to avoid another possible miscarriage is a good reason for a fertility evaluation.
What to expect with Ember treatment after miscarriage
Ember provides compassionate, understanding care with thorough explanations and answers to all your questions. We will first talk to you about your medical history and reproductive history. It is always best that we have this information for both partners.
Our evaluation and infertility testing of the woman after miscarriage(s) can involve a physical exam to check for structural abnormalities. A hysteroscopy can also assist in this.
We may also recommend ultrasound and other imaging tests. Laparoscopic surgery may be employed to both evaluate conditions of reproductive organs and to make repairs at the same time.
These evaluations will indicate the treatment plan, which I discuss thoroughly with the patient(s) including all options and prospects for success. Changing one’s lifestyle may help prevent another miscarriage.
We may use medications to correct hormone issues. Surgery to correct uterine abnormalities and conditions like endometriosis is another option.
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is another treatment option. This may be a particularly good idea for patients with genetic issues, as we can conduct preimplantation genetic testing of the IVF embryo to evaluate the healthiest to implant in order to increase chances of childbirth and reduce the risk of a child with genetic issues.
