Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
Experiencing more than one miscarriage can be emotionally and physically exhausting—and often leaves patients searching for answers. Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) refers to two or more consecutive pregnancy losses, typically occurring in the first trimester. While miscarriage is more common than most people realize, repeated loss deserves expert evaluation and thoughtful, individualized care.
At IVF Florida, we’re here to uncover the causes and guide you toward the most effective next steps for growing your family.
What is recurrent pregnancy loss?
RPL is defined as two or more clinically recognized pregnancy losses. These may occur with or without a fetal heartbeat and often happen early—before 12 weeks. The cause may not always be obvious, especially when pregnancies were otherwise healthy up to a certain point.
It’s important to know recurrent miscarriage is not the result of something you did or didn’t do. Most causes are medical, hormonal, genetic, or structural—and many are treatable once identified.
What causes recurrent pregnancy loss?
There are several known contributors to recurrent miscarriage. Your fertility specialist will consider multiple factors, including:
- Chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo (often due to egg or sperm quality)
- Uterine abnormalities, such as a septum or scar tissue that affects implantation
- Blood clotting disorders, like antiphospholipid syndrome
- Hormonal imbalances, including thyroid dysfunction or luteal phase issues
- Immune system factors that affect how the body responds to early pregnancy
- Age-related factors, particularly for individuals over 35
In some cases, no clear cause is found—but treatment is still possible and often effective.
Treatment options for recurrent pregnancy loss
Treatment depends on the identified cause (if one is found), age, and reproductive history. Options may include:
- Surgical correction of a uterine septum or adhesions
- IVF with preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-A) to select chromosomally normal embryos
- Anticoagulation therapy to reduce the risk of clotting disorders during pregnancy
- Hormonal support during early pregnancy
- Lifestyle or nutritional counseling if relevant risk factors are identified
In cases with no clear diagnosis, IVF may still improve the chance of a successful pregnancy by optimizing fertilization, embryo quality, and implantation.
We understand the emotional complexity of recurrent loss. We’ll help you move forward with the answers, care, and support you deserve.
Dr. Hoyos is the ultimate professional and an incredibly kind human being. He listened with compassion, put me at ease, and made the entire process painless, quick, and gentle. His skill and bedside manner are remarkable!