Compassionate Care for Early Pregnancy Losses or Miscarriages
JIVA Fertility is not just for individuals/couples with difficulty conceiving or infertility. Mr Harish Bhandari has clinical and research interests in Recurrent Miscarriage and will help you understand the possible reasons for your miscarriages and more importantly, provide you with the guidance and reassurance in taking the brave step towards your next pregnancy with confidence.
A miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before 24 weeks. If this occurs in the first 12 weeks, it is referred to as an early miscarriage and after 12 weeks as a late miscarriage. Sadly, one in four pregnancies result in miscarriage.
Other types of early pregnancy loss include ectopic pregnancy and molar pregnancy, which also happen before 24 weeks.
According to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), recurrent miscarriage affects 1 in 100 women and is defined as three or more early miscarriages, which do not have to occur consecutively—you may have healthy pregnancies in between.
The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) suggests that recurrent pregnancy loss could be diagnosed after two or more pregnancy losses.
Many factors can contribute to recurrent miscarriage. Often, it is a combination of factors that can lead to a miscarriage.
General:
- Miscarriage risk increases in women over 35 years, with further increase after 40 years
- Being overweight, obese, or underweight
- Previous miscarriages
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol or caffeine consumption
- Use of recreational drugs
- Family history of pregnancy losses
- Chronic stress (linked to miscarriage but not a direct cause)
Conditions affecting the uterus (womb) or pelvis:
- Fibroids (can distort the womb cavity and impact implantation)
- Endometriosis & Adenomyosis
- Uterine septum or other congenital uterine anomalies such as heart-shaped womb
- Intrauterine adhesions (Asherman’s syndrome) – scar tissue inside the womb cavity
- Cervical weakness (incompetent cervix)
- Endometritis (chronic inflammation of the womb lining)
Clotting disorders & immune system issues:
- Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) (linked to abnormal blood clotting, affecting placental function)
- Inherited Thrombophilia (causes increased blood clotting risks)
- Increased Natural Killer (NK) cells (controversial, but some studies suggest they may play a role)
- Autoimmune disorders (anti-nuclear antibodies, Th1/Th2 imbalance)
Genetic factors
- Chromosomal abnormalities (aneuploidy) in the embryo – a leading cause of early miscarriage
- Parental chromosomal abnormalities (Balanced translocations)
Hormonal & Metabolic disorders
- Thyroid disorders (hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism)
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Poorly controlled diabetes
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Anaemia
- High Prolactin levels
Sperm related causes
- High sperm DNA fragmentation – Associated with a higher risk of miscarriage, even with normal sperm count and motility
For more in-depth details on the causes of miscarriage, visit: Tommy’s Research on Recurrent Miscarriage.
At JIVA Fertility, we offer a thorough evaluation to understand the potential causes of recurrent Miscarriage. Based on your circumstances, we may recommend a combination of diagnostic tests:
Medical Evaluation:
Comprehensive medical evaluations for both partners to identify potential causes of recurrent miscarriage (as discussed above).
Preconception Care:
We discuss optimising maternal health before further pregnancy to help reduce the risk of miscarriage and improve pregnancy outcomes.
We offer preconception counselling
Diagnostic Tests
Based on your medical circumstances, we offer appropriate tests.
- Blood Tests – To assess clotting disorders (APS, thrombophilia), nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, immune factors, and genetic abnormalities.
- Genetic Testing (Karyotyping) – In some circumstances, checks for chromosomal abnormalities in both partners.
- Pelvic Ultrasound (including 3D assessment) – To evaluate womb and pelvic health
- Hysteroscopy – A detailed camera examination of the womb to check for fibroids, intrauterine adhesions, or endometrial polyps.
- Semen analysis with DNA fragmentation test
Depending on the underlying cause, we tailor the treatment options for you.
Lifestyle Modifications
- Achieve a healthy BMI – Weight optimization to normal can improve pregnancy outcomes.
- Quit smoking, limit alcohol and caffeine
- Stress management – Relaxation techniques like yoga and mindfulness may help.
Medical Treatment
- Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) – medical treatment with low molecular weight Heparin injections & Aspirin tablets
- We advise you to see Endocrinologists for optimisation of thyroid gland function, high prolactin levels and Diabetes Mellitus, if identified
- Optimise Nutritional deficiencies – such as vitamin D deficiency, anaemia
Progesterone Supplementation – may be recommended for women with a history of early pregnancy loss and early pregnancy bleeding to reduce the risk of miscarriage
Surgical Interventions
- Hysteroscopic Surgery – Removal of fibroids, polyps, uterine septum, or adhesions.
- Cervical Cerclage – A stitch placed in the cervix to prevent late miscarriage in women with cervical weakness. You will be given appropriate advice on how to get this.
Assisted Reproductive Technologies
If you need IVF/ICSI for other reasons, pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) may be considered as it has been found to be effective at reducing the chances of miscarriage for most fertility patients.
Genetic Testing & Counselling
Genetic testing may be performed to identify chromosomal abnormalities or genetic mutations that increase the risk of miscarriage. Genetic counselling can help couples understand their risk and make informed decisions about family planning.
For a personalised approach, we will tailor your treatment based on your pregnancy history and test results. You will receive appropriate advice on some treatments not available through our clinic.
After booking your appointment at the JIVA Fertility Recurrent Miscarriage Clinic, we will contact you to ensure that this appointment is suitable for you. We will advise on the Recurrent Miscarriage Assessment Package we have specifically created for our patients who have experienced recurrent miscarriage. We will provide information on Consultation and Assessment Package fees.
If you have opted for the Recurrent Miscarriage Assessment Package, we will arrange all the tests as highlighted in the package in preparation for your appointment. Please note that some blood tests will ideally have to be done three months after your previous miscarriage.
We encourage both partners to attend the consultation, as this helps us evaluate all potential contributing factors. You will be seen by Mr Harish Bhandari who has clinical and research expertise in Recurrent Miscarriage.
Your Recurrent Miscarriage Package consultation includes:
- Comprehensive Medical History Review – Discussing previous miscarriages, general health, lifestyle, and previous test results.
- A detailed Pelvic Ultrasound Scan, including:
- 3D assessment of the uterus for womb cavity abnormalities
- Endometrial lining evaluation
- Hydrosalpinx (fluid in the fallopian tube) detection
- Ovarian reserve evaluation via Antral Follicle Count (AFC)
- Discussion of investigation results undertaken so far
- Arrange further tests as appropriate
- Discuss various treatment options
- Keep a plan in place for future pregnancies
- A letter summarising your consultation, test results and treatment options will be sent to you
- If investigations reveal an underlying cause, we will discuss further testing or treatment options tailored to your needs
- We will arrange appropriate counselling if you wish (separate fees apply), to prepare you psychologically for future pregnancies- we have a specialist Fertility Counsellor
- We encourage and support lifestyle modifications - We have a Dietician-Nutritionist to guide and support you
- If no specific cause for miscarriage is identified, we provide reassurance and guidance on future pregnancy success rates, using prediction models to support decision-making
- In over half of the couple, no cause is found (unexplained infertility) – about 70 % of couples still go on to have a successful pregnancy in the future with supportive care.
- We offer early reassurance scans from 6 weeks onwards in future pregnancies.
- Yes, you can arrange a New appointment (40 minutes) and we will be happy to discuss your circumstances and possible reasons first before arranging any tests. Please see the Price-list for the Consultation fees and Individual test costs.
At JIVA Fertility, we are committed to providing expert medical care, emotional support, and tailored treatment plans to help you achieve successful pregnancy.