With a thorough fertility evaluation, we are able to identify
the cause of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) in 50 percent of
couples. Potential causes are described below. In approximately
4 percent of couples who experience RPL, one or both partners
will have an abnormality of chromosome structure. Abnormalities
of the uterine cavity account for about 15 percent of RPL cases.
Abnormalities may include a uterine septum (an abnormally-shaped
cavity), scar tissue within the uterus, polyps or fibroids.
About 15 percent of couples with RPL have circulating antibodies
that interfere with the proper function of the placenta, the
tissue that supports the pregnancy. Blood tests can identify a
set of these antibodies and, if found, the diagnosis of anti-
phospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) can be made. Some women
with RPL have inherited disorders that make them more prone to
clots in their blood vessels. The link between thrombophilas and
miscarriage is strongest for women experiencing losses in the
late first trimester