Recurrent abortion

Dr. Juan Francisco Solís Bercian. Medical Director Clinica Santa Maria. 2011

Recurrent abortion is defined as two or more consecutive pregnancy losses.

Although roughly 25% of all pregnancies end in abortion, less than 5% of women will have two consecutive losses and only 1% will suffer three or more. After 3 losses a full evaluation by a specialist should be done, to diagnose and treat the cause. This will increase the likelihood of a normal pregnancy.

Causes of recurrent abortion:

Chromosome abnormalities in one or both parents
Hormonal causes (progesterone deficiency, pco syndrome)
Metabolic abnormalities (such as poorly controlled diabetes)
Uterine abnormalities
Antiphospholipid syndrome (abnormal production of antibodies)
Thrombophilias (predisposition to form clots)
Sperm defects
Unknown (up to 50% of all cases)

The good news is that couples with this problem have 60 to 70% chances that the next pregnancy will be normal.

We recommend a healthy lifestyle; take a daily supplement of folic acid, smoking cessation (both men and women), reducing alcohol and caffeine intake, moderate exercise and proper weight control.

Tags: abortion, pco syndrome, pregnancy losses, progesterone deficiency, recurrente abortion