Condition guide
Recurrent pregnancy loss
Repeated miscarriage — a distinct evaluation, and a different kind of grief.
Written and reviewed by the MyBabyBridge editorial team · Last reviewed · 3 sources · General information, not medical advice. Our editorial standards
What it is
ASRM defines recurrent pregnancy loss as the spontaneous loss of two or more pregnancies, excluding ectopic and molar pregnancies. The losses do not have to be consecutive, and losses confirmed only by a blood or urine pregnancy test count, though clinicians use judgment about when to start testing after non-consecutive losses. It warrants its own evaluation rather than being folded into a general infertility workup. Chromosomal abnormality in the embryo accounts for a large share of individual losses, particularly with increasing age. Other identifiable causes include uterine structural problems, antiphospholipid syndrome, thyroid disease and other endocrine factors, and parental chromosomal rearrangements. Often no cause is found, and even then many people go on to have a successful next pregnancy.
Unfamiliar term? See the fertility glossary.
Signs people notice
Having one of these does not mean you have this condition, and having none does not rule it out.
- Two or more pregnancy losses, consecutive or not, including early losses confirmed only by a pregnancy test
- Losses at a consistent gestational age, which may point toward a cause
- Known thyroid disease, antiphospholipid syndrome or a personal history of blood clots, or another autoimmune condition
- A family history of recurrent loss or chromosomal rearrangement
How it is diagnosed
Genetic testing of pregnancy tissue where available, which ASRM recommends as the first step; uterine cavity assessment by saline sonohysterogram, hysteroscopy, or HSG; thyroid (TSH) testing, particularly when tissue testing is normal or unavailable; parental karyotype when tissue testing shows an unbalanced structural rearrangement or is unavailable; and antiphospholipid antibody testing when clinical criteria are met.
Treatment paths that usually follow
- Treating an identified cause, such as anticoagulation for antiphospholipid syndrome; surgery for a uterine septum may be offered, though evidence of benefit is limited
- Thyroid and endocrine optimization
- IVF with PGT where a parental rearrangement is identified
- Supportive early pregnancy monitoring, which does not change biology but does change how the wait feels
- Mental health support, which is a legitimate part of care and not an afterthought
Each of these is explained in the treatment library. Which one is right depends on your age, your history, and your own priorities.
What to ask your clinician
- Which of the recommended tests have I actually had?
- Was the pregnancy tissue tested, and if not, can it be next time?
- What is my chance of a successful next pregnancy with no treatment?
- Is the treatment you are proposing supported by evidence, or is it empirical?
- What support is available while we try again?
Sources
- Women's Health Frequently Asked Questions — American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
- Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: A Committee Opinion (2026) — American Society for Reproductive Medicine
- Infertility and Fertility — Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
A diagnosis is a starting point, not a plan.
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