Habitual Abortion, Identify the Causes and How to Prevent It
Habitual abortion is also called a recurrent miscarriage, which is 2 or more times in a row. Why can this be? Let's look at the explanation regarding the causes of habitual abortion, as well as how to prevent it.
Habitual abortion or consecutive miscarriage is a rare condition. The symptoms that occur are no different from a miscarriage in general. However, this condition needs to be evaluated more thoroughly because it can be caused by serious health conditions.
Habitual Abortion Causes
The following are some of the causes that can make a woman experience habitual abortion:
1. Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)
Antiphospholipid syndrome is also known as gore syndrome. This syndrome is an autoimmune disease that can make it more difficult to attach the fetus to the uterus, thus increasing the risk of miscarriage. Antiphospholipid syndrome is found in 15–20% of women who experience habitual abortion.
2. Thrombophilia
Thrombophilia is a condition that is present at birth. This disease is arguably similar to antiphospholipid syndrome because both make blood clot more easily. Therefore, thrombophilia is also thought to play a role in the occurrence of habitual abortion.
3. Infectious diseases
There are several infectious diseases associated with recurrent miscarriage, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and toxoplasmosis. Even so, researchers are still investigating what types of infectious diseases most increase the risk of recurrent miscarriage.
4. Chromosomal abnormalities
A study says that about 2–5 percent of couples can experience habitual abortion caused by chromosomal abnormalities. This abnormality may not present as a disease in the couple but occurs after being passed on to the fetus. This abnormality causes the fetus to be unable to develop and eventually, a miscarriage occurs.
5. Problems with the uterus
The uterus is the main support for pregnancy. Therefore, women who have uterine problems, whether in the form of myoma, uterine deformities, or weak cervix (uterine incompetence), are more prone to experiencing habitual abortion.
6. Problems with hormones
Hormonal problems, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, are believed to be associated with habitual abortion. Even so, the extent of the connection has not been confirmed and still needs further research.
The risk of habitual abortion also increases at the age of 35 years. In addition, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, drug abuse, and chronic diseases, such as heart disease, kidney failure, and diabetes, are also thought to have a role in the occurrence of habitual abortion.
Habitual Abortion Prevention
Although there are no specific steps to prevent habitual abortion, the following methods are considered to reduce the risk of miscarriage:
To prevent recurrent miscarriage or habitual abortion, the causative factors must be identified and addressed. Therefore, the obstetrician will perform several examinations, ranging from physical examinations, blood tests, to ultrasound examinations. Once it is known, then the doctor will handle it.
If you want to plan a pregnancy and have experienced 2 miscarriages in a row, you should first check with your obstetrician. This is important to ensure that future pregnancies can be healthy and go well.
Habitual abortion or consecutive miscarriage is a rare condition. The symptoms that occur are no different from a miscarriage in general. However, this condition needs to be evaluated more thoroughly because it can be caused by serious health conditions.
Habitual Abortion Causes
The following are some of the causes that can make a woman experience habitual abortion:
1. Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)
Antiphospholipid syndrome is also known as gore syndrome. This syndrome is an autoimmune disease that can make it more difficult to attach the fetus to the uterus, thus increasing the risk of miscarriage. Antiphospholipid syndrome is found in 15–20% of women who experience habitual abortion.
2. Thrombophilia
Thrombophilia is a condition that is present at birth. This disease is arguably similar to antiphospholipid syndrome because both make blood clot more easily. Therefore, thrombophilia is also thought to play a role in the occurrence of habitual abortion.
3. Infectious diseases
There are several infectious diseases associated with recurrent miscarriage, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and toxoplasmosis. Even so, researchers are still investigating what types of infectious diseases most increase the risk of recurrent miscarriage.
4. Chromosomal abnormalities
A study says that about 2–5 percent of couples can experience habitual abortion caused by chromosomal abnormalities. This abnormality may not present as a disease in the couple but occurs after being passed on to the fetus. This abnormality causes the fetus to be unable to develop and eventually, a miscarriage occurs.
5. Problems with the uterus
The uterus is the main support for pregnancy. Therefore, women who have uterine problems, whether in the form of myoma, uterine deformities, or weak cervix (uterine incompetence), are more prone to experiencing habitual abortion.
6. Problems with hormones
Hormonal problems, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, are believed to be associated with habitual abortion. Even so, the extent of the connection has not been confirmed and still needs further research.
The risk of habitual abortion also increases at the age of 35 years. In addition, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, drug abuse, and chronic diseases, such as heart disease, kidney failure, and diabetes, are also thought to have a role in the occurrence of habitual abortion.
Habitual Abortion Prevention
Although there are no specific steps to prevent habitual abortion, the following methods are considered to reduce the risk of miscarriage:
- Implementing a healthy diet with balanced nutrition
- Take 400 mg of folic acid every day, at least 2 months before planning a pregnancy
- Maintain an ideal weight
- Manage stress well
- Do not smoke or inhale cigarette smoke
- Do not consume alcoholic beverages or drugs
- Undergo vaccinations as directed by your doctor to prevent infectious diseases
- Avoid exposure to radiation and harmful toxins that may be present in food or everyday products, such as benzene, arsenic, and formaldehyde
- Avoid exposure to environmental pollution and infectious diseases
To prevent recurrent miscarriage or habitual abortion, the causative factors must be identified and addressed. Therefore, the obstetrician will perform several examinations, ranging from physical examinations, blood tests, to ultrasound examinations. Once it is known, then the doctor will handle it.
If you want to plan a pregnancy and have experienced 2 miscarriages in a row, you should first check with your obstetrician. This is important to ensure that future pregnancies can be healthy and go well.
