Why Do I Keep Miscarrying?

Dr. Malpani March 21, 2026

If you have found yourself asking, “Why do I keep miscarrying?”, you are not alone. Many women and couples walk into our clinic, hearts heavy, after two or even three miscarriages. They are confused, angry, and exhausted from carrying hope and then grief, over and over. You worry every time you see a spot of blood. You wonder if you did something wrong, or if you will ever be able to hold your baby. The silence and shame around miscarriage can make it feel even more isolating, but the truth is, this struggle is more common than you think.

What Happens During a Miscarriage?

A miscarriage, sometimes called a spontaneous abortion by doctors, is when a pregnancy ends on its own before 20 weeks. For most women, the first sign is unexpected vaginal bleeding. At first, it may be just a little, and you might not even feel pain. This is called a “threatened abortion.” The bleeding is from your own body, not the baby’s, and sometimes it settles down on its own.

If you have bleeding during early pregnancy, the single most useful test is an ultrasound scan. If your doctor can see the fetal heartbeat, there is a very high chance—about 95 percent—that your pregnancy will continue normally. But sometimes, the scan shows that the fetus has not developed as it should—maybe there is no visible embryo (“blighted ovum”), or the baby’s heart is not beating. When this happens, sadly, nothing can be done to save the pregnancy.

The bleeding may get heavier, and painful cramps begin as your uterus tries to empty itself. If the cervix (the mouth of the uterus) opens, it is called an “inevitable abortion”—something that cannot be stopped. If some tissue has already passed out, it is called an “incomplete abortion.”

Miscarriages in the first 12 weeks are called first trimester miscarriages, while those between 13 and 20 weeks are second trimester miscarriages.

How Common Is Miscarriage—And Why Does It Happen?

It may surprise you to know that 20 to 30 percent of all women have some bleeding or pain in early pregnancy, and about 10 percent will miscarry. Many miscarriages happen before a woman even knows she is pregnant—she might just think her period arrived late or heavier than usual.

10-20%

of known pregnancies end in miscarriage, often due to random genetic mistakes in the embryo.

Most first trimester miscarriages happen because the embryo has a genetic problem. These genetic errors are usually not inherited from the parents, but are chance events—like a typo in copying a recipe. The body recognises that the embryo would not develop normally and ends the pregnancy as a kind of natural protection.

This is not your fault. You did not cause this by something you did or did not do. Most women who miscarry once go on to have a healthy baby in the future, and doctors generally don’t recommend expensive or complicated tests after a single early miscarriage, because these rarely change what we do next.

What If It Keeps Happening? Understanding Recurrent Miscarriages

If you have had two or more miscarriages in a row, doctors call this Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL). This can feel devastating, and it is easy to lose hope. The risk of miscarriage does rise after each loss, but it is not as high as most people fear. Even after two miscarriages, you still have a 65 percent chance of having a healthy pregnancy next time.

Most women who miscarry only do so once. Their future risk is still around 15 percent, like everyone else.
Women over 35 have a higher chance of miscarriage, mainly because eggs age and genetic mistakes become more common.
Things like travel, lifting, or sex do not cause miscarriage—if the pregnancy is healthy, you cannot “shake it off.”
Bed rest has not been shown to prevent miscarriage either.
It is normal to feel anxious in a new pregnancy after previous loss, but working, exercising, and everyday life are safe.

The pain after miscarriage is real, but so is your strength. Most women with repeated miscarriages still go on to have a healthy baby.

Key Takeaway: Even after three miscarriages, your chances of carrying your next pregnancy to term are still more than 50 percent—most couples eventually succeed, even if we never find a clear reason.

What Causes Recurrent Miscarriages?

Repeated miscarriages can have many possible reasons. Sometimes, we find a cause with careful testing, but often, no clear answer appears. Here are some of the main causes:

Chromosomal abnormalities: Sometimes, either parent has a balanced translocation (pieces of chromosomes swapped), which can increase risk of miscarriage. Testing both partners’ chromosomes (karyotype) can reveal this rare cause.
Hormone imbalances: Problems like thyroid disorders or diabetes can affect pregnancy. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) can also increase risk.
Immune problems: Some women develop antibodies (like antiphospholipid antibodies) that cause tiny blood clots, which can affect the placenta. Simple blood tests can check for these.
Structural issues: Problems with the shape of the uterus, such as a septum, fibroids, or scarring, can make it harder for the embryo to implant or grow.
Other factors: Severe or uncontrolled medical illnesses, unhealthy lifestyle choices (like smoking, heavy drinking), and sometimes, just getting older (menopause or “oopause”) can play a role.

Sperm problems, surprisingly, are not a proven cause for recurrent miscarriage—even though sperm provide half the genes, studies show that abnormal sperm do not directly lead to miscarriages or failed IVF.

Take the Miscarriage Quiz to see what you know.

The Emotional Weight of Recurrent Miscarriage

Society tends to brush off miscarriage, as if it were just a blip. But for would-be parents, that tiny heartbeat you saw on the ultrasound was your baby, full of dreams and hope. Losing a pregnancy, especially after infertility or after seeing your baby on a screen, is real grief. You might feel sadness, anger, guilt, or even shame. Often, it feels like nobody else understands.

It is entirely normal to grieve after a miscarriage. Lean on each other. Finding support—whether from a partner, family, friends, or others who have walked this road—can help. Healing does happen, even if it feels slow or incomplete.

At Malpani Infertility Clinic, we see the heartbreak behind every test report. We know the courage it takes to try again. And we are here to support you, not just medically, but emotionally too.

What Tests Should Be Done After Recurrent Miscarriages?

If you have had two or more miscarriages, some basic tests can help us look for correctable problems:

Hysterosalpingogram or hysteroscopy: Imaging to check for problems inside the uterus.
Blood tests for antiphospholipid antibodies: To check for immune-related blood clotting issues.
Karyotype (chromosome analysis) for both partners: To look for balanced translocations or other rare genetic issues.

Sometimes, a doctor suggests testing the tissue from a miscarriage for chromosomal issues. This can give peace of mind by showing a random genetic problem, but it does not change the treatment for next time.

Many doctors still order a “TORCH” blood test (for infections), but this is rarely useful after miscarriage and is often a waste of money. Beware of clinics that suggest a long list of expensive blood tests without a clear reason. You can read more about these unnecessary tests at this resource.

When should you start testing? Most experts agree there’s no need for a big work-up after only one miscarriage, because the chance of a normal pregnancy next time is still so high. After two or more, it is reasonable to look for a fixable cause. Yet, it’s always your choice—some couples want answers sooner for peace of mind.

Key Takeaway: Not all tests are useful. Focus on those that are evidence-based and can actually change your next steps.

Moving Forward: Your Next Pregnancy and Beyond

After miscarriage, the thought of trying again can be scary. Deciding when to try is something only you and your partner can decide. If there is a clear, treatable cause, we can help address it. But even with no definite answers, most couples will succeed with time and gentle support.

During your next pregnancy, insist on careful monitoring. It is natural to feel anxious at every twinge or scan. Some days, you might feel more fear than joy. That is normal. You might even find the birth of a healthy baby bittersweet, as memories of your losses linger. Allow yourself to grieve and celebrate at the same time—both are part of your story.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How common are recurrent miscarriages?

A: About 1 in 100 couples will experience three or more miscarriages in a row. Most women who have one miscarriage will go on to have a healthy pregnancy next time.

Q: What are the most common causes of miscarriage?

A: Most early miscarriages are caused by random genetic mistakes in the embryo. Other causes can include uterine abnormalities, immune system problems, hormonal imbalances, and very rarely, genetic issues in the parents.

Q: Can stress, travel, or lifting heavy objects cause miscarriage?

A: Everyday activities like working, exercise, travel, or sex do not cause miscarriage if the pregnancy is healthy.

Q: Should I have tests after one miscarriage?

A: Usually, no. Most doctors recommend tests only after two or more miscarriages, since the chance of a normal pregnancy remains very high after a single loss.

Q: What tests are actually useful after multiple miscarriages?

A: Tests that look for uterine shape problems, immune issues (like antiphospholipid antibodies), and chromosome issues in both parents are most helpful.

Q: Will I ever have a healthy baby?

A: The majority of women with recurrent miscarriages still go on to have a healthy baby, even if no clear cause is found.