Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Treatment

Treatment options for couples with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) depend highly on the underlying cause but sometimes RPL has no explained cause. However, keeping the causes of RPL in mind, the success chances of overall treatment for RPL is over 77%. Some of the treatment recommendations considered for recurrent loss of pregnancy are:

• Medications: Certain medications are prescribed for women with diabetes, thyroid, or PCOS to manage the severe symptoms and prevent pregnancy loss. In the case of women with auto-immune conditions such as antiphospholipid syndrome, certain medications can help reduce blood clots and pregnancy complications.
• Surgical corrections: For women with uterine abnormalities such as uterine fibroids, uterine deformities, surgery can repair the abnormalities of the uterus and help through a successful pregnancy. Traditional surgery or minimally invasive surgical procedure like laparoscopy or hysteroscopy can be the options.
• Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS): Chorionic villus sampling enables genetic testing of the fetus during its development. It is usually performed between the 10th to 12th week of pregnancy where the sample tissue of the placenta is removed through a minimally invasive, ultrasound-guided procedure. The extracted placental tissue is tested for the presence of genetic defects in the fetus.
• Amniocentesis: Amniocentesis also allows prenatal genetic testing performed during the 15th to 18th week of gestation. Here, the amniotic fluid (the fluid surrounding the fetus during pregnancy) is removed by inserting a needle through the abdominal wall and ultrasound images. The amniotic fluid is genetically analyzed for chromosomal/genetic defects.
• Non-invasive prenatal genetic testing (NIPT): Genetic testing of the fetus can be done through non-invasive procedures. The maternal blood contains fragmented fetal DNA or cell-free fetal DNA (cfDNA). The risk of the fetus having genetic abnormalities can be determined by genetic analysis of maternal blood samples. This procedure can be performed as early as the 9th-10th week of pregnancy.
• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) with preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD): Assisted reproduction procedure with IVF begins with hormonal injection administration to stimulate the ovaries to produce more eggs. The eggs are retrieved and fertilized with the obtained sperms in a laboratory. The cells of the embryos developed as a result of fertilization undergo genetic screening. The embryos with genetic defects are eliminated and viable embryos are transferred into the woman’s uterus. This process reduces the risk of miscarriages and improves pregnancy possibilities.