What Is Recurrent Miscarriage and What Support Is Available?
Experiencing a miscarriage can be devastating. When pregnancy loss happens more than once, the emotional impact can become even harder to navigate, often bringing questions about why it is happening and what the future may hold.
If you have experienced repeated pregnancy losses, you may hear the term "recurrent miscarriage". Understanding what this means, what investigations may be available and where you can find support can help you feel more informed about your next steps.
What Is Recurrent Miscarriage?
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) defines recurrent miscarriage as having three or more early miscarriages. These losses do not have to happen consecutively, and healthy pregnancies may occur between them. RCOG estimates that recurrent miscarriage affects around 1 in 100 women.
However, every experience of pregnancy loss matters. You do not need to wait until you have experienced multiple losses before seeking emotional support or speaking to a healthcare professional about your concerns.
Why Does Recurrent Miscarriage Happen?
One of the most difficult parts of recurrent miscarriage can be not knowing why it keeps happening.
There are a number of factors that can sometimes contribute to recurrent miscarriage, including genetic or chromosomal factors, certain blood clotting conditions, the shape of the uterus and some hormonal or medical conditions. However, in many cases, investigations do not identify a specific cause.
Not receiving a clear explanation can understandably be frustrating and upsetting. It is important to remember that experiencing recurrent miscarriage does not mean you have done something wrong.
What Tests Might Be Offered?
If you have experienced recurrent miscarriage, your healthcare professional may discuss investigations to see whether there is an identifiable reason for your losses.
Depending on your individual circumstances, these may include blood tests, tests for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), thyroid testing, genetic testing and an ultrasound scan to examine the shape of the uterus. The investigations offered will depend on your medical and pregnancy history.
RCOG also advises that clinicians may use their discretion to consider evaluation before three miscarriages where they believe there could be an underlying cause.
Always speak to your GP or healthcare team about which investigations, if any, are appropriate for you.
When Tests Don't Provide an Answer
Sometimes, even after investigations, no clear reason for recurrent miscarriage is found.
This can be incredibly difficult when you have been hoping that testing will finally provide an explanation. However, an unexplained result does not mean there is no hope for a future pregnancy. RCOG states that where recurrent miscarriage remains unexplained, the chance of a successful future pregnancy is often good, although this will depend on individual circumstances.
The Emotional Impact of Recurrent Miscarriage
Recurrent miscarriage isn't only a physical experience.
After repeated losses, trying to conceive again can bring fear and uncertainty. Pregnancy announcements, due dates, appointments and conversations about starting a family can all become emotionally difficult.
You may experience grief, anger, guilt, anxiety or isolation. Partners can also be deeply affected, even if they process their grief differently.
There is no correct way to feel and no set timeline for coping with pregnancy loss.
Finding Support After Recurrent Miscarriage
Being able to speak openly with people who understand can be incredibly valuable.
Chasing Rainbows provides peer support for those experiencing recurrent miscarriage, baby loss and infertility. Our support groups offer a safe and welcoming environment where you can meet others who have experienced similar journeys, share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with and receive support without judgement.
If attending a group isn't right for you, our nationwide Pen Pals Programme can also connect you with a peer supporter with lived experience, allowing you to receive support by email wherever you are in the UK.
Taking the Next Step
If you have experienced recurrent miscarriage and would like support from Chasing Rainbows, you can complete our online self referral form. We'll use the information you provide to help identify the support that may be most appropriate for you.
You may also wish to speak to your GP or healthcare professional about your individual circumstances and whether further investigation or specialist care may be appropriate.
You Are Not Alone
Repeated pregnancy loss can leave you searching for answers while grieving each individual baby you have lost.
At Chasing Rainbows, we believe that every loss matters. Whether you are looking for someone to listen, hoping to meet others who understand or navigating what comes next, support is available.
You don't have to go through recurrent miscarriage alone.
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