Could Your Immune System Be the Reason for Recurrent Miscarriages?
Recurrent miscarriage—a loss of two or more successive pregnancies—is a very distressing and emotionally debilitating experience. Although many underlying causes such as chromosomal defects, hormonal imbalances, uterine abnormalities, or lifestyle choices are well-known, a less frequently described but more and more studied underlying factor is the immune system.
Understanding the Immune System's Role in Pregnancy
The immune system is set up to defend your body against outside invaders like bacteria and viruses. Pregnancy is the one exception. A baby carries genetic material from both mother and father, which makes it technically a "foreign body" in the view of the mother's immune system.
Understanding the Immune System's Role in Pregnancy
The immune system is set up to defend your body against outside invaders like bacteria and viruses. Pregnancy is the one exception. A baby carries genetic material from both mother and father, which makes it technically a "foreign body" in the view of the mother's immune system.
When pregnancy is healthy, the immune system adjusts to welcome the fetus. This is a complex process that needs the immune cells and hormones to be in balance so that the mother's body will not reject the embryo. In a few women, it does not go as smoothly as it should, and this could lead to an immune response that leads to miscarriage.
About half of all miscarriages result from chromosomal problems in the fetus. These are genetic problems that occur at random and are not determined by parental choices or lifestyle. All preventive strategies are either genetic testing for both parents or going on IVF with preimplantation genetic testing of the embryos.
Another major reason for miscarriage includes dysfunction of the immune system. In these instances, the immune system mistakenly views the fetus as a foreign invader and starts to respond that results in loss of pregnancy. If you have had recurrent miscarriages, it can be a sign of an underlying condition related to the immune system that prevents you from having a normal pregnancy.
Manage Your Current Immune Disorder
Having an immune disorder can greatly increase the risk of miscarriage. A hyperactive immune system may attack healthy tissue—such as a developing fetus—by mistake, causing pregnancy loss.
Conditions that are linked with an increased risk of miscarriage include:
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
• Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS)
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Scleroderma
• Sjögren's Syndrome
Autoimmune diseases not only raise the risk of miscarriage but can also cause pregnancy complications and, in some instances, birth defects. If you have an autoimmune disease, it is important to keep the disease under control.
Diagnosing Immune Causes of Miscarriage
These might involve:
•Antiphospholipid antibody testing
•Thyroid function and antibody titers
•ANA (antinuclear antibodies) screening
•uNK (Uterine natural killer)cell testing
Remember, immune testing is generally considered after less likely causes are eliminated.
Treatment Options and Hope for the Future
For women with immune-related pregnancy loss, there is hope. Depending on the cause, treatments are available:
• Blood thinners (such as aspirin or heparin) are usually prescribed for women with APS.
• Immunomodulatory therapies, including corticosteroids or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), can be considered in carefully selected cases.
• Medications for thyroid disease can treat autoimmune thyroid disease.
• Dietary changes, such as a gluten-free diet for celiac disease, may also be beneficial.
While some treatments remain controversial, many women who receive the appropriate intervention go on to have healthy pregnancies.
Conclusion
Recurrent miscarriages are a painful experience, but they are not always without explanation. The immune system, often overlooked, can be a silent factor working against a successful pregnancy. If you've faced repeated losses, speaking with a fertility specialist or reproductive immunologist may uncover answers and offer a new path forward.
