Recurrent miscarriage:
When loss keeps happening and no one knows why
Why does no one talk about this?
Losing a pregnancy is heartbreaking. Losing more than one can leave you feeling stuck in a cycle of grief, confusion, and silence. If you’ve experienced two or more miscarriages, you’re not alone, even if it feels that way.
Recurrent miscarriage affects more people than you might think. And while each story is different, the feeling is often the same: sadness, frustration, and a deep longing to understand why it keeps happening.
This page is here to explain what we know, what can be tested, and what steps you might take next.
Recurrent miscarriage Perth
What is recurrent miscarriage?
Recurrent miscarriage usually means having two or more pregnancy losses, often in the first trimester. Sometimes these happen before a heartbeat is seen. Other times, it’s later than that.
Each miscarriage brings its own emotional toll, and many people are left wondering: should I wait and try again, or is it time to look deeper?
While miscarriage is common and often random, having consecutive miscarriages may be a sign that something more is going on.
Recurrent miscarriages Perth
What causes it?
In many cases, we can’t pinpoint one clear cause, but there are things we look at closely. These include:
Genetic factors
Sometimes, the embryo has an incorrect number of chromosomes. This can happen by chance, especially as egg quality changes with age. In some cases, one partner may carry a chromosome rearrangement that increases the chance of miscarriage.
Hormonal Issues
Conditions like PCOS or thyroid problems can affect how the body prepares for and supports pregnancy.
Immune or clotting conditions
Some people have autoimmune or clotting issues (like antiphospholipid syndrome) that may raise the risk of miscarriage. Blood tests can help check for these.
Lifestyle and general health
Smoking, high stress, low body weight, high BMI, and poorly controlled medical conditions can also play a role.
Fertility treatment Perth
What tests might be done?
If you’ve had two or more miscarriages, your doctor may suggest a miscarriage workup. This might include:
- Blood tests to check hormones, clotting, and immune function
- Genetic testing for both partners (to look for chromosome rearrangements)
- Ultrasound or specialised imaging to check the uterus
- Testing of miscarriage tissue, if available
In some cases, you may also consider preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-A) during IVF. This checks embryos for chromosome differences before they are transferred.
Recurrent miscarriage specialist Perth
What can be done?
Treatment depends on what we find. Sometimes it’s as simple as correcting a hormone imbalance or addressing a physical issue in the uterus. In other cases, we may look at changes to how we support early pregnancy—such as low-dose aspirin, progesterone, or monitoring more closely in the early weeks.
Some couples choose to try IVF with PGT-A to help identify embryos with the highest chance of implanting. Others choose to keep trying naturally. There’s no one right path.
Just remember: This is not your fault
Miscarriage is rarely due to anything you did or didn’t do. That doesn’t make it less painful, but it might help to know the blame doesn’t belong on your shoulders.
What people often say
- “I kept thinking I’d done something wrong, even though I knew deep down that wasn’t true.”
- “We waited after the first two, but after the third, I needed answers. I couldn’t keep guessing.”
- “It helped just to have someone say, ‘You’re not crazy to want to look into this now.”
Dr Tamara Hunter
What now?
- Track your cycle and symptoms. Make notes of your cycle length, ovulation (if known), pregnancy dates, and any details about each loss. This can help guide investigations. If you need a simple way to track things, I co-founded a free tool called charli.health. You can use it to keep everything in one place.
- Talk to your GP. You can say, “I’ve had two (or more) miscarriages and I want to understand why.” They may run some initial tests or refer you to a fertility specialist.
- Book a consultation. If you’d like to explore your options or get a second opinion, I’m here to help. I see patients at The Woom (West Perth) and Monash IVF (West Leederville). Fertility treatments, where needed, happen at Monash IVF West Leederville.