Miscarriage isn’t bad luck. Being told that your pregnancy loss ‘is very common’ , ‘just try again’ or ‘it wasn’t meant to be’, is not helpful. Having to wait until another loss happens before you can start to figure out why this might be happening can leave you feeling utterly helpless and frankly terrified.  

If your medical practitioner is not willing to investigate these reasons with you, then I would highly recommend moving to someone who will. You are entitled to have your questions answered. 

The Thyroid 

A poorly functioning thyroid has been strongly linked to miscarriage. Be sure to rule out autoimmune thyroid conditions such as Hashimoto’s and Graves disease by requesting thyroid antibody screening.  

The Gut 

Inflammation and increased permeability of the intestine can impact the function of the immune system which can affect pregnancy. 

Progesterone Levels 

Progesterone is essential to maintain a pregnancy. In the first trimester, until the placenta takes over, progesterone is solely produced by the corpus luteum. Low levels of progesterone puts a person at a higher risk for miscarriage. Getting your progesterone levels 

checked 7 days after ovulation is essential to ensure you are producing sufficient progesterone. 

How long is your luteal phase? This is the time between ovulation and the beginning of your next period. Ideally it should be at least 10 days. Less than this could indicate low levels of progesterone.  

Vaginal Imbalances 

Infections such as bacterial vaginosis (BV) as well as imbalances of other bacteria in the vagina are linked to pregnancy loss. This may be due to low grade inflammation that they can cause.  

Sperm Health 

Has your partner (if applicable) had their sperm DNA fragmentation level tested? Elevated sperm DNA fragmentation levels can have a negative effect on pregnancy success 

Blood Clotting 

A healthy, blood flow is essential to maintain a pregnancy. Anything that interferes with the blood clotting balance such as genetic issues, immune dysfunction or nutrient deficiency may put a woman at high risk for a pregnancy loss. 

Anatomical Issues 

A heart shaped uterus, uterine fibroids, prior abdominal surgery, scar tissue or adhesions may increase the chances of a pregnancy loss.  

PCOS and Endometriosis 

Women with PCOS, the hormonal imbalance may interfere with the growth and release of eggs from the ovaries (ovulation). Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition and may negatively affect fertility by causing scarring in the Fallopian tubes, adhesions around the reproductive organs, changes in the hormonal environment of the eggs causing reduced egg quality, impaired implantation of the embryo and changes in the functioning of the immune system. 

Have you experienced a pregnancy loss? It is vital that all women have a supportive GP, consultant and ideally a nutritional therapist who can work together to give you a positive outcome. It is important to know that some risk factors associated with pregnancy loss are modifiable (hello nutrition and lifestyle support, sperm quality, vaginal health, thyroid health). Some losses can be prevented for example with progesterone or levothyroxine. 

Preconception care can save lives. 

Would you like support and guidance on the various areas to explore in relation to pregnancy loss? Would you like expert nutritional advice tailored to your needs and fertility journey? 

Click below to book a chat with me to talk about how I can support you on your journey