The Frustration of Multiple Miscarriages Before Fertility Help

Fertility challenges can be emotionally and physically taxing for anyone, especially for those who are eager to start a family. One aspect of fertility care that often raises eyebrows is the requirement for some individuals to experience multiple miscarriages before they can receive medical assistance. In this blog post, we'll delve into the reasons behind this practice and discuss the frustrations it can cause, along with the importance of working on your health to prevent miscarriages.

The Standard Practice:

In the medical world, the diagnosis of recurrent pregnancy loss is typically made when a woman experiences three or more consecutive miscarriages. This is the point at which doctors may start looking for underlying causes and offer treatments to improve the chances of a successful pregnancy. While this practice is based on statistical data, it can be incredibly frustrating for those who have to endure the heartbreak of multiple miscarriages before they receive help.

Why This Practice Exists:

Doctors often follow the "three miscarriage rule" because miscarriages are relatively common, occurring in about 10-20% of known pregnancies. The majority of miscarriages are due to chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo, and many resolve themselves. Therefore, medical intervention before three miscarriages may not significantly change the outcome.

The Role of Health in Preventing Miscarriages:

While the frustration of multiple miscarriages is understandable, there is an important aspect to consider - the role of health in preventing miscarriages. Maintaining good physical and mental health before conception can significantly reduce the risk of miscarriages. This is where preconception care, such as optimizing nutrition, managing stress, and addressing underlying health conditions, becomes crucial.

Preconception Care:

Preconception care focuses on ensuring both partners are in the best possible health before trying to conceive. It includes activities like maintaining a healthy weight, managing chronic illnesses, ensuring proper nutrition, and eliminating harmful habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Preconception care can lead to healthier pregnancies and lower the risk of miscarriage.

The Emotional Toll:

For those who desperately want to have a child, enduring multiple miscarriages can be emotionally devastating. It's a rollercoaster of hope, despair, and grief. The psychological toll of this process cannot be underestimated, and it's one of the primary reasons why many people find this requirement ridiculous. By working on health and receiving preconception care, couples can not only reduce the physical risks of miscarriage but also better prepare themselves emotionally.

Advocating for Change:

There is an increasing awareness of the emotional hardships that couples face during their fertility journey, and some advocacy groups are pushing for changes in the way recurrent pregnancy loss is addressed. They argue that a more empathetic and personalized approach should be considered, one that acknowledges the emotional strain that miscarriages can bring, and emphasizes the importance of preconception health.

Conclusion:

The practice of requiring multiple miscarriages before offering fertility help is indeed a contentious issue. While it's rooted in medical statistics and resource allocation, it can be emotionally challenging for those who go through it. Advocacy for more compassionate and individualized care is on the rise, and it's important for healthcare professionals to consider the emotional well-being of their patients in addition to the statistical data. Additionally, the importance of preconception care and working on one's health cannot be overstated in reducing the risk of miscarriages and ensuring healthier pregnancies.

If your doctor isn’t suggesting holistic ways to improve your chances of conception I would suggest a program that works on your health and your partners health before conception. Whether it is the program I utilize or a different program.  Working on your health is always a form of wealth in my book and to me you have nothing to lose but everything to gain when you plan for your pregnancy.

<3 Dr. Ashley