Reasons for Miscarriage at 6 Weeks (First Trimester)

Q: Dear Doctor, thanks for your reply. I am sorry to inform you that I had miscarriage again. The fetus was growing normal but there was no cardiac activity. Having miscarriage twice in a row is devastating. I am 35 and trying for my second child. The first child was born healthy after a miscarriage, so I have had 3 miscarriages so far in my life. Is there anything wrong with me. All miscarriages have happened within 6-8 weeks after detecting a fetal heart beat which raises hope every time. Please advice what should we do next? The doctor has sent fetus for some test this time and we should see the report in a week. Until then, please advice.

Reply:

We are very sorry for all that happened. May God give you strength.

It would be better to investigate the probable causes of miscarriage before attempting again for conception.

Causes of Miscarriage in First Trimester

Fetal Factors

Chromosomal abnormality in the fetus. This is probably the commonest cause of miscarriage in this phase. Here, the genetic code of the baby is defective, not letting it grow or survive after a certain gestational age. As if the fetus is predestined not to survive.

Probably your doctor has sent the fetus for ruling out this cause.

Autosomal trisomy is the commonest among such anomalies. However, there may be other types of anomalies too.

Sometimes, the error occurs when the fertilized egg starts dividing. There may be some erroneous division.

Such fetus are not able to grow beyond a certain length of time. Nothing can be done in such cases. However, it is not necessary that every conception will yield such a fetus. This is just a matter of chance.

Maternal Factors

• Structural abnormality in the cervix or the uterus. These include many defects like septa (flap like structure) inside the uterus, fibroid in uterus or a very small cervix. Such factors may interfere with proper implantation of the fetus. Your doctor must have checked out these factors.
• Production of too little hormones by the maternal body. Fetal development requires adequate levels of progesterone and HCG in mother’s blood. If there is insufficient amount of these hormones, miscarriage may occur. So early phases of pregnancy should be closely monitored and hormonal levels should be checked on a continuous basis.
• Medical conditions like diabetes, thyroid problems or any autoimmune disease can interfere with pregnancy in initial phase. So you may get a simple health check done to rule out any of these factors.
• Infectious disease in mother (TORCH). These include certain deadly bacteria and virus which can destroy pregnancy in early phases. These can be ruled out after investigations.
• Advancing maternal age and any type of stress in itself becomes a factor sometimes.

We recommend you to take some time now. Get investigated again with the help of your doctor to find out the probable cause of miscarriage.

One step to be taken before planning the next pregnancy is to get healthy so as to provide a healthy atmosphere to the fetus for development.

Steps to Health

• Learn to deal with stress. Never let it overpower you and become symptomatic. A number of relaxation techniques and meditation would help in this regard.
• Eat healthy, more of fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid fatty stuff.
• Exercise daily. Tone up your muscles.
• Take folic acid tablets daily for 3 months before conception.
• Do not smoke. Avoid excess of stimulating drinks like coffee, tea etc.

Take Care,

Buddy M.D.