What to do if you think you are miscarrying?
Genetic abnormalities are one of the more common causes for miscarriage. The expression "It's nature's way..." is often accurate; the body has rejected a fetus because it was not quite right. We know that approximately half of miscarried pregnancies have a chromosomal problem and we check for these errors. If we find an abnormal result your doctor will be able to explain to you the risk of recurrence for future pregnancies. If no abnormality is found there may be other causes for your pregnancy loss and other tests may be requested by your doctor.
We can perform the following tests after miscarriage:
Chromosome testing miscarriage material
Miscarriage may be caused by numerical loss or gain of chromosomes, also known as chromosome aneuploidy. We can test the miscarriage or ‘products of conception’ (POC) material for chromosome abnormalities using our new MLPA aneuploidy screening test.
Your doctor can arrange chromosome testing of miscarriage material (see POC sample collection).
For more information on chromosome testing, see Molecular aneuploidy screening test: MLPA.
Chromosome testing of parents
Miscarriage can result from chromosomally unbalanced pregnancies that result from a parent who carries a structural chromosome rearrangement. Such individuals have a greater chance or risk for infertility, future miscarriages, and offspring with a chromosome abnormality.
The test involves taking a blood sample (see Blood sample collection) from you and your partner from which we can obtain and analyse your chromosomes for abnormalities of this type. Your doctor can arrange this test for you and your partner.
For more information on chromosome testing, see Cytogenetics - chromosome testing.
Thrombophilia screening
It has been know for some time that a woman's blood thickens during pregnancy and this process is more pronounced in some women than others. Blood clotting disorders (thrombophilias) can be inherited or acquired, and contribute to 10-40% of cases of recurrent miscarriage. The problem is not one of blood clots occurring in the blood vessels of the placenta as we know that the frist trimester placenta doesn't actually have any blood flowing through it; blood vessels are developing but they are plugged by 'extravillous trophoblast' cells.
Inherited thrombophilias include Factor V Leiden, prothrombin gene mutations and polymorphisms in the gene that codes for MTHFR (an enzyme involved in folate metabolism). A DNA test can reveal many of the conditions that can affect the ability of a woman to sustain a pregnancy.
Your doctor can arrange a Thrombophilia screening test on you and your partner. A blood sample is required, see Blood sample collection.
For more information on testing, see Molecular DNA testing.