INFORMATION
Recurrent Loss
Recurrent loss is defined as having 3 or more early (first trimester) miscarriages.
Miscarriage involves the loss of a baby before 24 weeks of pregnancy. Miscarriage can be devastating and having multiple miscarriages is often a very traumatic experience. It affects around one in every hundred couples trying for a baby (The Miscarriage Association).
If you have experienced recurrent miscarriage, you should be offered tests to see if there is an underlying cause or causes for your losses.
Every pregnancy loss is different and there is no right or wrong way to feel about it. Everyone will process grief in their own way and at their own pace. You may experience a complex mix of emotions - including sadness, anxiety, anger, or a deep sense of loss and uncertainty about the future. It’s important to remember that support is available, and you don’t have to navigate this experience alone. We are here to help you.
Tommy’s is the largest UK charity researching the causes and prevention of pregnancy complications, miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth. More information.
The Charity provide comfort, connection, and support for those facing miscarriage, baby loss, and infertility through peer-to-peer support, a podcast, books and courses. Find out more.
The Miscarriage Association was founded in 1982 by a group of people who had experienced miscarriage and continues to offer support and information to anyone affected by the loss of a baby in pregnancy, to raise awareness and to promote good practice in medical care. Further information.
Philip’s Footprints is a small Jersey charity supporting local families affected by baby loss - from the earliest stages of pregnancy through to infant and child loss, and into subsequent pregnancies and beyond, no matter how long ago. The charity also works to protect the smallest members of Jersey's community through Safer Pregnancy Projects, helping to improve outcomes for babies. Learn more.
Tests for recurrent miscarriage should always follow reputable research and evidence-based guidelines, unless they are part of clinical research. For that reason, the Miscarriage Association recommend the patient information provided by the UK’s Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG).
It’s important to know that having tests does not necessarily mean that a cause or causes will be found. About half of those who have investigations don’t come out with any clear reason for their miscarriages. This can be very frustrating, but it is also positive news because it means that there is a good chance of the next pregnancy being successful, without any treatment at all.
If you are found to have a problem which has a clear treatment plan, that can be very positive news. Even so, your doctor should warn you that treatments don’t always work – especially if a pregnancy miscarries for a different reason from the one being treated. In this case, you may be encouraged to try the treatment again in another pregnancy. Sometimes treatments are sometimes offered in the hope that they may help. The RCOG patient information lists the key investigations that may be offered.
