A series of three or more consecutive miscarriages.

(ACA) An antibody that acts against components in the cell membranes (membranes that holds a cell together as well as surrounding some internal cell structures). Looked for in the blood (we ask for a serum anticardiolipin as a possible immune cause of recurrent miscarriages. Intriguingly, the membrane that contains most cardiolipin is the membrane surrounding the mitochondrion (malfunction of which is implicated in causing miscarriage, although how (or if) the antibody might get to the mitochondria is not known.

Most commonly done before an operation that could cause significant loss of blood, especially if an ectopic pregnancy is suspected, because a blood transfusion might be needed. Also done for investigation of recurrent miscarriages, when the rare but important antibody anti-TjA needs to be excluded or detected. Rh-negative women who have a Rh-positive partner who are treated for miscarriage or for ectopic pregnancy often require an injection of Rhogam or anti-D gamma globulin to avoid being sensitised (developing antibodies to) possibly Rh Positive red blood cells from the embryo or fetus.

A complex set of blood and tissue components capable of a cascade of events causing blood to clot. The central event is the conversion of soluble fibrinogen to insoluble, polymerised fibrin through the action of thrombin. In a more moderate way, the coagulation system (and these molecules) lay down the scaffolding for normal development of the placenta, so that abnormalities of blood coagulation may contribute to recurrent miscarriages.

A rather insensitive way of referring to recurrent miscarriages.

A naturally occurring 'anticoagulant', or substance that stops blood from clotting. Used in medicine generally to prevent or to treat thrombosis, and sometimes in pregnancy to reduce the risk of miscarriage in someone who has had recurrent miscarriages by improving blood flow in the placenta. Administered by injection under the skin.

Adhesions inside the endometrial cavity caused by prior infection (endometritis), especially if there has been a curettage during the period of infection, or if curettage is performed in conditions of low estrogen. The circumstances in which this combination is most common are treatment for a missed abortion and treatment of a postpartum hemorrhage (bleeding a few weeks after the birth of a baby). A cause of absent periods amenorrhea, light periods (hypomenorrhea) or recurrent miscarriages.

An antibody first noted in the disease systemic lupus erythematosus or 'lupus', that has the ability to stop blood clotting. A cause of recurrent miscarriages. Closely related to a family of anti-phospholipid antibodies, especially anticardiolipin antibody. Also called the lupus inhibitor.

Repeated loss of pregnancies at different stages of development of the embryo or fetus, i.e. at different stages of pregnancy. Related to recurrent miscarriages.

A new term for the normal cessation of female fertility up to 10 years before the menopause, being apparent in some women after the age of 33 and most women by 45. Different from the perimenopause, which occurs as egg numbers fall far enough to cause shortening of the menstrual cycle, particularly the follicular phase, and accompanied by elevation of serum FSH when measured during menstruation. If pregnancies are attempted through the oopausal transition, a woman who has had no prior reproductive disturbance will typically experience recurrent miscarriages before developing otherwise unexplained infertility, manifesting in the IVF lab sequentially with unexplained implantation failure of apparently satisfactory embryos, then, in turn, a decreased rate of forming blastocysts, defective cleavage, and then failure of fertilisation. There is no known method of overcoming its effects short of egg donation, except for some hope that the procedure of cytoplasmic transfer might be helpful.

A measurement of sugar (glucose) in the blood plasma to detect diabetes, an occasional cause of recurrent miscarriages. Usually checked a few hours after a meal or, more formally, with a glucose tolerance test that involves a standard drink of glucose (after prior fasting) followed by serial measurements of plasma glucose over 3 hours.

One of a number of tests to detect previous or untreated syphilis, an important (though nowadays rare) cause of birth defects and recurrent miscarriages. The chance of detecting unsuspected syphilis might be very low, but the penalty for missing it is very high, so it's still a routine test in early pregnancy. Tests are done on serum and include the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test and the Wasserman reaction (WR) test. Often tested as part of a screen for infectious disease before assisted conception, although there is no evidence that syphilis is transmitted through eggs or sperm (it is caught from contact between the lining of the vagina and the surface of the penis).

A test done to investigate recurrent miscarriages.

Done to screen for Wilson's disease, in which there is abnormal retention of copper in the body -- a rare cause of recurrent miscarriages.

A test of kidney function. Sometimes measured when screening for a kidney (renal) cause of recurrent miscarriages.

A computer enhanced transvaginal ultrasound or a multi-probe abdominal ultrasound that produces a composite, constructed three-dimensional image of the uterus, which can then be viewed from any perspective. Excellent for displaying the form of the uterus in the investigation of uterine anomalies and recurrent miscarriages.

Abnormality of the shape of the uterus a woman is born with (it is congenital); some uterine anomalies tend to cause recurrent miscarriages, premature labor or breech births.

A septum or wall separating the cavity of the uterus into two halves; a cause of recurrent miscarriages.