Repeated miscarriages women can have healthy pregnancies

Panchkula, April 30, 2014: “About 15 to 20 % of pregnancies in tricity ended in miscarriages, which was defined as a pregnancy loss before 20 completed weeks. The actual number was probably higher because many miscarriages occurred so early in pregnancy even when a woman did not know yet that she was pregnant.”
This was stated by Dr Seema Wadhwa, Senior Consultant, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Max Super Speciality Hospital Mohali while speaking at a health talk on “Pregnancy after miscarriage” which was attended by around 100 members of the Panchkula Ladies Club at Nirwana Restaurant, Sector 8 here today.
“Female might miscarry four times out of five pregnancies without even knowing that she was pregnant. It could happen so early, even before a lady skip her menstrual cycle. The process of implanting the fertilized egg was not perfect and sometimes it might take the female body a few attempts for the pregnancy to materialize.”
The good news was that miscarriage was usually a one-time occurrence. Most women who miscarry would go on to have a healthy pregnancy after that. About 60-70 % of women with unexplained repeated miscarriages could have healthy pregnancies. Less than 5 % of women have two consecutive miscarriages and only 1 % has three or more consecutive miscarriages, she pointed out.
“The recommended tests that one could through before attempting pregnancy after a miscarriage included biopsy and chromosomal tests from the tissue of miscarriage as well as from parents blood, blood tests to diagnose medical illnesses, ultrasound, hysteroscopy, laparoscopy, or hysterosalpingography to detect any abnormality in uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes.”
Discussing as to how long one should wait before trying for next pregnancy, she said that a woman’s period usually returned within 4-6 weeks. It was possible to become pregnant during the menstrual cycle immediately after a miscarriage, as during this time hormone as well as fertility levels were the highest, maintained Dr Wadhwa.
Steps to improve the chances of a subsequent healthy pregnancy:
?  Regular prenatal vitamin or folic acid supplement.
?  Maintain a healthy weight & include physical activity in daily routine
?  Eat a healthy diet and limit caffeine.
?  Stress management.
?  Avoid  alcohol & smoking.
?  Control diabetes, thyroid disease,  high BP etc.