What possible medical conditions cause miscarriage and premature labour?

Question

I have been pregnant seven times - only one time have I carried to term. Twice I've gone into labour at 25 weeks; with twins, who didn't survive, and with my youngest daughter, who is 5 months old and doing wonderfully. My other children were born at 31 and 35 weeks - they are perfectly healthy, except premature births. I've had two miscarriages. The first four years ago at 17 weeks, the second at 10 weeks, just last week :( It's been discussed with my doctor before that maybe I have some problem causing me not to carry my babies, but he hasn't been able to give me any real answers. Generally speaking, what medical conditions could cause my losses and premature births?

Answer 1

I understand what you are going through. I am 34. I've had 10
pregancies. 8 miscarriages. 2 live births. With my son (who is 2)
I went into preterm labor at 18 weeks, again at 24 weeks, and
then developed eclampsia. He was born at 37 weeks.
My daughter was born at 40 weeks after a lot of complications.

Pregnancy one...triplets...lost at 8 weeks.
Pregnancy two...twins.....lost at 12 weeks.
Pregnancy three...single...lost at 13 weels.
pregnancy four....twins....lost at 15 weeks.
Pregnancy five ...single...lost at 18 weeks
pregnacy six....twins...lost at 20 weeks.
pregnancy seven...triplets..lost at 22 weeks.
pregnacy eight....single...lost at 6 weeks.
Pregnancy nine....twins ...one lost at 18 weeks...one delivered heathy at 37 weeks.
Pregnancy ten....single....delivered healthy at 40 weeks.

I had to go see a doctor who is called a perinatologist to determine the cause of my miscarriages. They are super specialists that take care of very unusual high risk pregnancies
and unique infertiity problems.
They can do a lot of blood work and tests most OB/GYn have not even heard of.
My perinatologist found out I have a genetic blood clotting disorder
called Leiden Factor 5. It makes my blood thicker than normal,
therefore it can't get through the baby's placenta easily and the babies died. The solution was to thin my blood during pregnancy
so that it would flow through the placenta. I had to get shots in my stomach 4 times a day of LOVONOX. Painful beyond belief,
but I have beautiful, healthy, live children, now.
I didn't find out about this until I was 18 weeks pregnant with my 9th pregnancy and had miscarried 1 of a set of twins....
GO SEE A PERINATOLOGIST FOR A COMPLETE WORK UP.
You may have to travel if you don't live in a big city. You doctor
probably won't suggest you go or refer you becasue he won't want to lose you as a patient. Your insurance company probably won't pay for the first visit (until they discover the problem).
But, it will be worth it, in the end,

Answer 2

My family suffers from a condition called NAIT in which the unborn baby's platelets are attacked by Mom's platelets. Usually you don't know until after the first pregnancy (luckily my daughter is ok), but for some severe cases, strokes can happen in utero and in some cases, miscarriages can happen....and this could happen at any time during the pregnancy. Just something to consider. If your other kids were healthy, it probably isn't the issue because it is genetic. But then again, it could affect 50% as well depending on if Dad is hetero or homozygous.

A good friend of mine has two daughters who each went into premature labor at ~23-25 weeks. They never got definitive answers either, but because both daughters had the same condition, it makes me think there could be a genetic element to it.

Also, there is a condition (I don't know the name) in which the cervix is too weak to hold a pregnancy to term. I saw it on TV. Moms-to-be actually went into the doctor and had a stitch put in at the beginning of their pregnancy which enabled them to carry to term.

Just some thoughts...

Answer 3

Some causes can be immunological, chromosomal, hormonal, an incompetent cervix, or an STD. Fetuses that self-terminate are because of genetic abnormalties. So sorry for your losses. I had 4 miscarriages and the doctor couldn't explain why even after tests were done. I have 3 children now and with those pregnancies, I took progesterone for the first 3 months. You may never find real answers as to why. Good luck to you in the future.

Answer 4

Usually, when someone has as many problems as you do, it is genetic. It could be a gene that either you or your husband carry alone or one you both have in common. A good O.B./GYN could either help there or send you to a genetisist. Thank GOD that the babies you have are healthy.