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recurrent miscarriage (RPL)

This devastating condition is also known as ‘Recurrent Pregnancy Loss’ (RPL) and is associated with reproductive problems with the parents, resulting in the loss of viable pregnancies. According to scientists from the Monash Institute of Medical Research and Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital, 5% of women will suffer two miscarriages or more.

The recurrent miscarriage figures in NZ start from 3 miscarriages and are defined as being after ‘3 or more early miscarriages (before 13 weeks), not necessarily consecutive, but all pregnancies must be by the same partner, or 2 late miscarriages (13 - 20 weeks)’ which affects between 2%-3% of women. Only 1%-2% of these women do not go on to have a family according to statistics from various sources.

Even with a second miscarriage, it is not generally a precursor to future problems and there is a 72% chance that a third pregnancy will be fine. However, if you wish to take positive action, have some basic diagnostic tests done and treated when possible. It could be helpful and prevent further trauma, especially if the miscarriage is with the same partner and you suspect that you or he suffer from one or more of the listed ‘Why Miscarriages Happen’. You may need to be persistent and ask around for a medical professional who agrees. After three consecutive miscarriages, testing is essential as chances of a normal pregnancy are only 43%. 

In many cases of recurrent miscarriage, the reason is found; however in around 50%, nothing is ever discovered as the definitive cause. In one research study on this 50%, no specific treatment was offered except asking participants to remove as many stress factors as possible in their lives. How this was achieved is not described and the resulting 80% success rate is controversial. However individuals have their own body rhythm, family history, stresses and circumstances. You may wish to try this yourself by making changes and trying relaxing techniques when possible. Miscarriage is also self correcting to some degree with a spontaneous cure rate of 30%-50% so there is hope.

Women who have suffered as many as six or seven miscarriages, can and do still go on to have a successful pregnancy which has happened in our group.  We also know of women with as many as 17 miscarriages who have had babies but that is not a situation that many would have the tenacity, courage or will to endure.

 

‘After my first miscarriage I was very upset, but picked up the pieces reasonably quickly and began moving forward. After my third I was less philosophical. I felt inadequate and a little panicky – after all 3 is not “normal”. After my seventh I felt angry and cheated out of my basic rights as a woman. I was in despair, and was coping with the very real horror of never having the baby I felt I needed. I mean ‘needed’ in the sense of oxygen or food – a baby was something I couldn’t imagine living without. It was after this that my husband and I completed the adoption education and assessment, and became approved. 

Each time I got pregnant, it was with a sense of impending doom, and the inevitable joy which I tried very hard to control in the face of almost certain disappointment. I would lie on the bed, hands on my belly and say “this time, please, this time”. It got to the point of obsession, and it was all I could think about. Pregnant women were everywhere, flaunting their swollen stomachs. I was jealous and angry it wasn’t me. I was ashamed of those feelings, and didn’t like who I was becoming. The adoption education forced a real confrontation of those feelings, and after months of being a toxic savage b*tch I came to terms with my fertility.

Leah (P.S. Leah later went on to successfully have twins.)