About Pregnancy Loss and Evaluation Services
If you have had two or more miscarriages, you should consider a pregnancy loss and evaluation at The IVF CenterSM to find out about treatment for a possible underlying cause.
Miscarriage is a common experience in 15 percent to 20 percent of confirmed pregnancies.
The Pregnancy Loss Evaluation Service at The IVF CenterSM offers assistance to couples dealing with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL).
Pregnancy Loss Evaluation Service (PLES)
The team at PLES is made up of board certified physicians in the specialty fields of reproductive endocrinology and infertility, and maternal fetal medicine. The PLES staff works in conjunction with your obstetrician/gynecologist to manage your care and make recommendations as needed for fetal monitoring during pregnancy. This team works together to determine the most appropriate treatment for each patient.
RPL is one of the most frustrating problems in the medical field for both physicians and patients. Although not explained in 40% of patients, RPL can be treated when a cause is discovered. Additionally, a cost-effective evaluation based on test results can help patients avoid unproven treatments that may have significant health risks. Studies show that more couples succeed in achieving a healthy pregnancy when they have a supportive health care team monitoring their progress.
Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Facts
Miscarriage, the loss of a pregnancy during the first 20 weeks, affects about 15% of women at some point in their lifetime. Of all diagnosed conceptions, approximately 50% do not continue before they even implant in the uterine cavity.
Most first trimester miscarriages are caused by random chromosomal errors that occur in the first stages of growth. Other frequent causes of miscarriage include:
- Inheritable genetic problem in the male or female
- Uterine anatomic abnormality
- Hormonal disorder
- Autoimmune disorder
Although a fetal heartbeat after 8 weeks is reassuring, RPL patients are still at higher risks of miscarriage than the general population. Therefore, an extensive evaluation and comprehensive treatment plan are crucial to a successful outcome.
Miscarriage is usually a random event, not a sign of an ongoing reproductive problem. If you have had one miscarriage, your chances for future successful pregnancies are good.
Risk and Myths of Pregnancy Loss
There’s a lot of confusing information about pregnancy loss causes and risk factors, learn the facts about what causes a pregnancy loss and understand fact from myth:
Risks
Myths
Frequently Asked Questions
Two to three consecutive spontaneous miscarriages before 20 weeks gestation.
In miscarriages, several issues may be involved and if not treated, they may result in recurrent miscarriage. Structural issues with the uterus like a septum or fibroid are treatable problems that may be removed surgically. Hormonal related imbalances like thyroid disease that may be treated medically. There have been links in recurrent miscarriage and blood clotting disorders, very few women will actually test positive for a blood clotting disorder.
Testing will be tailored around each individual couple and their history. In general, testing includes a uterine cavity evaluation and blood tests screening for ovarian reserve, hormonal imbalances, genetic issues (balanced translocation), and antiphopholipid syndrome (an immune issue associated with miscarriage).
The results of the evaluation will determine your treatment options. Treatment will be medical if a hormonal issue is during testing. Treatment will be surgical if a structural defect is discovered in the uterus.
Why The IVF CenterSM Is Unique
At The IVF CenterSM we recognize the process of IVF can at times be overwhelming.
To address this issue, we have an IVF Nurse available 24/7 to answer questions, guide you through the process, and provide emotional support. We also offer a Reproductive Health Psychologist to help couples develop their best coping strategies along their journey.
Success of the IVF Program at The IVF CenterSM is due to our scientific and technological excellence coupled with our compassionate and highly personalized approach to patient care.
The IVF CenterSM is committed to each couple’s success by providing individualized and supportive care along the way. We consider each couple part of our family as we attempt to help them create their own.