Latest Developments in Treatment of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

Miscarriage or recurrent pregnancy loss is devastating. What are the latest ways to treat miscarriage? Host Dawn Davenport, Executive Director of Creating a Family, the national infertility and adoption education and support nonprofit, interviews Dr. Lora Shahine, a reproductive endocrinologist, the Director of the Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Program at Pacific NW Fertility and author of Not Broken: A Guide to Recurrent Pregnancy Loss.

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What has happened in the last several years in medical science that has changed so much of our understanding of recurrent pregnancy loss?
How common are miscarriages in general?
What is considered recurring pregnancy loss? In other words, when should a woman begin to worry?
Do miscarriage very very early in the pregnancy count in this number?
If we include miscarriages that occur very early after a pregnancy test (biochemical pregnancy), what is the percentage of all pregnancies that end in miscarriage.
Let’s distinquish between first trimester miscarriages and 2nd or 3rd trimester losses. What are the different causes?
What type of doctor should a woman see if she has had more than one miscarriage in the first trimester? In the 2nd trimester?
What are the chances of having a baby after a miscarriage?
Is it true that most often a cause for recurrent pregnancy loss is never found?
Is there a way to test the mother to determine if the embryo has a chromosomal imbalance?
Will embryos that were created through IVF and genetically tested have a lower chance of being miscarried?
Most often miscarriages are caused by a problem in the embryo, but what are some anatomical problems in women that can cause recurrent pregnancy loss?
Does use of an IUD result in scarring of the uterus that can contribute to causing a miscarriage?
Can elective abortions increase a woman’s chance of a miscarriage?
Genetic issues in the parents that can lead to miscarriage
Immune issues in the mother that can cause miscarriage.
Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS)
How to diagnose and treat Antiphospholipid Syndrome.
Can hormonal imbalance in the mom increase her risk of miscarriage?
Are women with diabetes at higher risk?
Are overweight woman at higher risk?
What are some of the current controversies in the treatment of recurrent pregnancy loss?
If you have had 2 or more miscarriages, should you be tested for thrombophilia? Should you be tested for MTHFR?
Should you supplement with progesterone if you have had 2 or more pregnancy losses?
Should you have your thyroid tested if you have had 2 or more miscarriages?
Should you take a baby aspirin if you have had 2 or more miscarriages?
Can a woman’s immune system cause her to miscarry?
Lifestyle modifications to help reduce the chance of miscarriage.