Everything You Need to Know About Miscarriage During IVF

Miscarriage is so common that one out of four pregnancies results in a miscarriage. While 10-15% is the rate of miscarriage for women with healthy embryos and under the age of 35, the rate increases by 40-50% for women who are aged 40 or more. So, whether you have lost a baby in the past or you want to take precautionary measures to prevent miscarriage – it’s natural to be interested in learning how to reduce the chances of it happening once again. From its causes to its symptoms to ways of minimizing its risk – this article will answer all your questions about miscarriage during IVF.

IVF Miscarriage: An Overview

The sudden loss of pregnancy before the 20th week is known as a miscarriage. Even people undergoing IVF treatments can have miscarriages. Now have a look at this informative guide to understand and cope with the complexities of IVF miscarriages.

Common Causes of Miscarriage

A miscarriage can be because by various reasons. The following are some possible causes:

Quality of the Embryo:

In IVF, the embryos used should be of high quality as this will play a major role. When the embryos aren’t of the best quality, implantation or embryo development may not be proper, thus causing miscarriage.

Chromosomal Abnormalities:

Chromosomal abnormalities top the list of miscarriages caused during early pregnancy when the embryo is still developing. This may happen at the time of fertilization or during cell division’s initial stages. The advanced age of the mother is also associated with a heightened risk of such chromosomal abnormalities.

Uterine Abnormalities:

If there are structural abnormalities in a person’s uterus, they can interfere with the process of implantation and cause recurrent miscarriages. Septum and fibroids are examples of such conditions that stand in the way of a healthy pregnancy.

Implantation Issues:

For implantation to be successful, several factors play a role. For instance, improper positioning of the embryo or thin uterine lining can be responsible for complications (like miscarriages) in your IVF journey.

Hormonal Imbalances:

If the levels of estrogen, thyroid hormones, and progesterone in your body are not as desired, it is called a hormonal imbalance. This too impacts the chances of a successful pregnancy.

Lifestyle Factors:

Various lifestyle factors like smoking, unhealthy eating habits, obesity, regular consumption of alcohol, high-stress levels, and lack of sleep can adversely impact your fertility and contribute to a heartbreaking miscarriage.

Immunological Factors:

Studies have found that some ladies have an overactive immune system. It ends up perceiving the embryo as a harmful foreign body and thus rejects the embryo.

Infection:

Bacterial and viral infections can pose risks to the growing embryo, sometimes, resulting in miscarriage.

Genetic Factors:

One or both partners might carry certain genetic factors that often enhance the chance of miscarriage. Potential issues can be diagnosed through genetic testing.

Most of the above-mentioned miscarriage causes are common for both IVF miscarriages and miscarriages occurring during natural conception.

Miscarriage Symptoms

Abdominal Pain:

Abdominal pain and cramping can be indicative of a potential miscarriage. You must seek medical attention if the pain is constant or severe.

Vaginal Bleeding: 

Miscarriage’s most common sign is vaginal bleeding. Occasional spotting is not uncommon, but persistent, heavy bleeding must be immediately addressed.

No Pregnancy Symptoms: 

If your pregnancy symptoms like nausea and breast tenderness decrease suddenly, perhaps you had a miscarriage. Note that the pregnancy side effects vary from one individual to another.

Pregnancy After Miscarriage

Couples who had a miscarriage have a common concern and that’s when to try conceiving again. You must know that a single miscarriage does not permanently impair your fertility. So, with the help of a fertility specialist, you can understand the root cause and take the necessary medications.

If you wait for a few weeks, another IVF cycle can be attempted with renewed enthusiasm. Your doctor will determine the right timing to commence the next IVF cycle.

Tips for Avoiding Miscarriage During IVF

To prevent miscarriages when undergoing IVF treatment, you need to address the factors that may cause pregnancy loss. Here are some preventive measures recommended by fertility experts:

Thorough Screening:

Before the IVF procedure begins, both partners must opt for comprehensive screening to identify underlying health complications, genetic conditions, or infections that may pose a threat to pregnancy.

Making Lifestyle Alterations: 

Do you follow a well-balanced diet enriched with adequate minerals and vitamins? If not, then you should be mindful of what you eat as your food choices are directly linked to your fertility. Did you know that you are also supposed to maintain a healthy body weight as being underweight/ overweight impacts fertility? Additionally, quit smoking, the use of illicit drugs, and excessive alcohol consumption, as these may negatively affect your fertility and therefore, double miscarriage risks.

Treating Hormonal Imbalances:

In many couples, hormonal imbalances are found to be the reason behind miscarriage. Hence, to reduce the risk, your healthcare provider will first treat the hormonal imbalances that are making fertilization difficult and can lead to pregnancy loss.

Managing Chronic Health Issues:

Are you suffering from chronic health problems such as thyroid disorders or diabetes? Then, before trying to conceive, you must ensure they are controlled and well-managed.

Managing Stress:

Stress is another factor that affects fertility in men and women. So, during your pregnancy, you should regularly engage in stress-relieving activities like yoga, counseling, massages, and meditation.

Supportive Medications: 

In some cases, healthcare providers prescribe specific medications like progesterone supplements that can support the initial stages of pregnancy.

Thrombophilia Testing:

If you have a history of issues like blood clotting disorders, you should consider thrombophilia testing to prevent miscarriage after IVF.

Regular Monitoring and Check-ups:

You should schedule regular ultrasounds and check-ups to closely track the progress and address concerns promptly.

PGT (Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT):

Pre-implantation genetic testing is done before implantation to identify and choose embryos that have the lowest chances of chromosomal abnormalities. If the person conceiving is in her late 30s or 40s, this technique is immensely useful.

The Bottom Line

We may conclude by saying that many women who had a miscarriage earlier have delivered healthy babies. Moreover, having one miscarriage will not make you infertile permanently. So, you must stay positive and have faith in fertility treatments. You may also follow the above-mentioned tips to decrease the chances of a miscarriage.

Dr Ritu Agarwal

Dr. Ritu Agarwal is an appreciated IVF expert in Jaipur for IVF therapy, owing to her more than ten years of experience in this field. She is the top IVF specialist in Jaipur who makes every attempt to provide correct counseling and emotional support to patients in order to help them find the ideal solution for becoming parents.