currently most practitioners will not initiate an extensive medical evaluation for a single pregnancy loss since the chance of having a normal pregnancy subsequent to even two consecutive miscarriages is 80% to 90%. for women with recurrent pregnancy loss an evaluation will focus on the pattern and history of the prior miscarriages. three consecutive miscarriages would suggest a woman should receive further evaluation. thus the following tests are considered for women with three consecutive miscarriages. blood testing can be ordered to identify chromosomal abnormalities in the couple that could be transmitted to the fetus. the couple can each appear completely normal but still carry chromosomal defects which when combined can be lethal to the embryo. this type of testing is called karyotyping and it is performed on both members of the couple. a hysterosalpingogram (hsg) can identify anatomical abnormalities within the uterus. antinuclear antibody anticardiolipin antibody vdrl rpr and lupus anticoagulant are some of the blood tests used to diagnose autoimmune diseases that can cause recurrent miscarriage. as described above some of these illnesses will already by apparent to the woman and her doctor but not all cases. other antibody tests may be performed as well.
when should a woman receive evaluation for underlying causes of pregnancy loss?