Statistical chance of having a second miscarriage

katempar

According to the deputy medical director for March of Dimes, the odds of having a second miscarriage are less than 3 percent. (https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/complications/health-and-safety-issues/top-pregnancy-fears/)

I'm struggling to figure out why/how this is true. Wouldn't the odds be roughly 1 in 4 every single time you get pregnant? Why would having one miscarriage make you less likely to have another?

JessicaC0203

I do not trust this article. According to multiple studies, the risk of miscarriage after one MC is the same as the first (~20%). After 2 or more MCs, the rate increases with every MC. I do not know where they are getting the information they cited in this article. Seems pretty inaccurate IMO.

adrimolina

I read a lot of different articles regarding repeat miscarriages after suffering my first one as I was terrified.. Read some that the chance of having a second one was 2% and then others said that there was a higher chance (than normal) after already having had one.. I asked my Dr last week if he thought the more mc you have the more likely you are to have them and he said No but I don't know if I believe him as he might've said that to ease my mind and not scare me even more for when I am able to try again..

kickassi78

My fertility specialist told me that your rates increase after each miscarriage. I think this statistic is saying that usually 1 miscarriage is a fluke, and if there are really no real complications healthwise, then your chances are greater that the second one will be fine. But if medical issues are causing the miscarriages, then your rates will actually increase with each one. I have had 4 and my doctor said we are going to do everything possible to hopefully make the next one stick due to that statistic! 

adrimolina

That is really scary..Good luck to everyone here! XO We have to stay positive.

Newlywed_Amanda

I also have been reading statistics about mc. I imagine it would be roughly 1 in 4 each time. The cause of your mc would be a factor and in some circumstances it would not necessarily increase your odds of another mc. This is something I plan on asking my doctor at my follow up next week. I agree with previous poster ^ we have to stay positive.

catherinemccarrell

Kickassi is mostly right. The key information is why did that miscarriage occur. In healthy, normal women, most miscarriages are due to chromosomal abnormalities or other major defects that would not allow the baby to grow (like blighted ovum). Those losses are not any easier, but they are "flukes" and do not increase or decrease your future chance of miscarrying. If the woman has an underlying condition that hasn't been diagnosed yet (like chronic low progesterone or autoimmune disease) then the risks are certainly always higher for miscarriage. The perceived risk of miscarriage increases after several losses because the statistical chance of having so many "flukes" goes way down and the chance of having an underlying condition increases.

There are tests that can be run on the fetal tissue after miscarriage to identify chromosomal problems, but they are generally not offered for first or second losses unless requested and are probably not covered by insurance (at least in the US).

My biggest advice if you have experienced a loss or are scared and want well-researched information is to read this book: https://www.amazon.com/Coming-Term-Uncovering-Truth-Miscarriage/dp/0813540534 It helped me cope with my missed miscarriage and while it doesn't make the loss go away, it made me more confident and knowledgeable to speak up at the doctor's office and know what to discuss and what to ask for.

lilp2015

I've had 2 now. Dr said Hopefully after the tests she is running I can go from 80% chance of another mc to 20%. In my situation we know something is wrong. No fluke. I mc'd both times at 7weeks 5days.