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Medical Tests for Recurrent Miscarriage Causes

After recurrent pregnancy loss, or two or more consecutive miscarriages, women should see a medical practitioner for diagnostic tests that may reveal a treatable cause. About half the time, doctors can diagnose and treat a specific medical problem, bringing greater odds of a successful subsequent pregnancy.
Medical Evaluation for Recurrent Miscarriages
Women with two or more consecutive miscarriages should see a doctor for testing for possible miscarriage causes. About half the time, doctors can find a possibly treatable medical problem that may have caused the pregnancy losses.
Diagnosis of Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Antiphospholipid syndrome, a.k.a. Hughes Syndrome, is an accepted cause of recurrent miscarriages but it is not always easy to diagnose. Learn what criteria doctors use to determine whether someone has antiphospholipid syndrome.
Parental Karyotype Tests
Because so many miscarriages are caused by chromosome problems, your doctor may suggest that you and your partner have karyotype tests performed as a part of the evaluation to look for causes of your recurrent miscarriages. The value of the test is not clear, however, in many cases.
Testing for Chromosome Abnormalities in a Miscarriage
After a miscarriage, parents may choose to run a karyotype or chromosome microarray analysis test on the baby's tissue to confirm or rule out chromosome disorders as the cause of the miscarriage. Chromosome testing may be of particular interest in couples having multiple miscarriages.
What Does It Mean If I'm Positive for Lupus Anticoagulant Antibodies?
Lupus anticoagulant antibodies are one of the markers for antiphospholipid syndrome, a condition tied to recurrent pregnancy loss. Doctors often test for lupus anticoagulants after a woman has two or more miscarriages.
Hysteroscopy for Recurrent Miscarriage Testing or Treatment
A hysteroscopy is a medical procedure that involves a doctor inserting a tiny telescope through the cervix to see the inside of the uterus, often as a part of the diagnostic workup for recurrent miscarriage causes. A hysteroscopy may also be used during surgery to treat suspected problems with the uterus, such as a uterine septum or fibroids.
Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) - Testing for Uterine Factors in Recurrent Miscarriage
The hysterosalpingogram (HSG) is a test used for infertility and recurrent miscarriage testing. As a part of a diagnostic workup for recurrent miscarriages, the HSG screens for problems with the uterus such as congenital malformations, fibroids, and scarring.
Karyotyping
Many hopeful parents undergo karyotyping as a part of the recurrent miscarriage workup. The test looks for balanced translocations and other genetic disorders that might contribute to increased risk of pregnancy loss.
Hysterosalpingogram - HSG Procedure
In recurrent miscarriages, doctors sometimes order a test called a hysterosalpingogram, or HSG, to get an image of the uterus. This helps in diagnosing conditions involving abnormal uterine shape, such as a uterine septum.
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