Zen Fertility Center works closely with Fertility Specialists Medical Group (FSMG) in San Diego, CA to improve success rates of IVF and inseminations. 

Dr. Arlene Morales of FSMG talks about recurrent pregnancy loss (recurrent miscarriage).  Watch the video or listen to the podcast.

According to Dr. Arlene Morales, the medical director and reproductive endocrinologist at San Diego's Fertility Specialists Medical Group, women who have experienced at least two consecutive first trimester losses are advised to see their local reproductive endocrinologist

Recurring pregnancy loss

Recurring pregnancy loss is commonly defined as 'women who lose two pregnancies in the first trimester.'

As an example, women who've experienced second trimester losses (after fourteen weeks) are usually recommended to seek an immediate medical evaluation. When the losses take place much earlier, around twelve weeks, women are usually encouraged to start trying again. In fact, many women successfully conceive following their first trimester loss.

Only five percent of women, however, will likely have two consecutive losses. Thanks to this, it's important to learn why these miscarriages may occur. As mentioned by Dr. Morales, we do know some facts.

The cause behind recurrent miscarriage

The large majority of losses in the first trimester occur due to abnormal chromosomes present within the embryo. The presence of abnormal chromosomes causes a woman's body to naturally stop an abnormal pregnancy from continuing.

Many doctors look at blood tests and/or tissue from women to check if known abnormalities are present in their chromosomes. They also evaluate the anatomical features of the uterus, looking for evidence of fibroids and/or polyps that may cause implantation abnormalities.

Stress and immunological factors like Antiphospholipid syndrome are alleged to cause detrimental effects, though the evidence isn't strong enough to support the prospect of those factors causing a miscarriage.

In fact, around 50 to 75 percent of couples don't receive any indication about their miscarriage, besides that the embryo itself possessed abnormal chromosomes.

Recurrent miscarriage: seeking infertility treatment options

Couples have several treatment options, as commented by Dr. Morales, for recurrent miscarriage.

If couples choose to naturally conceive or use infertility treatments like IVF, medical specialists can perform what's known as pre-implantation genetic screening, which helps couples identify embryos with abnormal chromosomes before implantation occurs.

There's good news, however. Most couples will be able to conceive again without any other intervention. Of course, Dr. Morales recommends that couples should always get evaluated to understand the reason behind their miscarriages.

Some people might even benefit from working with a local acupuncturist; Dr. Morales recommends Zen Fertility Center for treatment. Acupuncture can actually help women regain balance within their reproductive cycles, while relieving stress upon themselves and their partner at the same time.

For more information, Dr. Morales suggested to visit the Fertility Specialists Medical Group website, www.IVFspecialists.com. International fertility patients are also welcome to visit their facilities for more information and possible fertility treatments.