Suggested investigations

Miscarriage Management

Tonic natural health fertility consultations and programs

Have you experienced a miscarriage?

It is wise to see your doctor or fertility specialist
“Do not blame yourself for the loss of your baby
You are not responsible for the miscarriage”

Once the fetus starts to miscarry, no one can really do anything to stop it. Miscarriages occur because of chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus which have been there since the time of conception or due to hormonal imbalances or other factors. You had nothing to do with the chromosomal abnormality in your baby.

If you have experienced a miscarriage, you may have been told that this is very common and that there is nothing you can do thus when you are ready, to try again. As there are many causes to a miscarriage you may never know why this occurred but there are blood tests that you can have done to check for risk factors.

It is wise to see your doctor or fertility specialist to request thorough investigations. Suggested investigations may include:

Hormonal

FSH, LH, progesterone, prolactin, TSH, T3, T4, reverse T3 and thyroid antibodies, Beta HCG and whether it is elevating well and perhaps an endometrial biopsy.

A common cause of miscarriage that is treated effectively with natural medicine is low progesterone levels. In this case herbal remedies Vitex and Paeonia would be used along with B6, these remedies would be prescribed throughout the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.

Age Related / Chromosomal

Female: FSH, LH, oestrogen, AMH (anti-mullerian hormone)

Male: Semen analysis with SCSA

PGD (preimplantation genetic diagnosis): this would only be tested if you were undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technology.
Whilst natural medicine cannot help all genetic causes of miscarriage, after you change your diet to a healthier, nutrient dense diet and follow the recommended lifestyle changes including specific supplements it is common to see improvement in the health of the sperm and eggs.

Lifestyle

Investigations into presence of heavy metals (Cd, Hg, Pb)

A complete heavy metal detoxification program will eradicate these heavy metals. Mercury is known to cause neurological problems in the developing baby, as well as other developmental problems. Recent research has shown mercury levels in the umbilical cord are twice that found in the mother’s blood stream. To see how to reduce your exposure to heavy metals and chemicals see the chemical toxicity handout produced by Biomedica.

Nutritional

Red cell folate, B12, vitamin D, urinary iodine, homocysteine, zinc status

Nutritional deficiencies can be corrected with a whole food diet and supplementation. It is important to remember that not all supplements are created equal. There is a very big difference in taking off the shelf vitamins and minerals as compared to taking quality professionally prescribed supplements. The difference lies in the quality of the herbs/nutrients, there bioavailability and the correct prescription of dose specific to your individual health situation.

Infections

High cervical swab for presence of Strep B, ureaplasma and mycoplasma (especially with 2nd trimester losses)

Blood tests for presence or history of Parvovirus, Rubella, Listeria and Varicella.

Pelvic Ultrasound

Fibroids, polyps or uterine abnormalities

HSG, Hysteroscopy or Laparoscopy

Anatomical or structural problems

Autoimmune Mechanisms

Anticardiolipin antibodies

Lupus anticoagulant

Antinuclear antibodies

Anti DNA antibodies, Anti ENA antibodies

Anti-beta 2 glycoprotein antibodies

Anti-ovarian antibodies

Coeliac antibodies

Anti-thyroid antibodies

Immune mechanisms account for 50% of cases of miscarriage. The foetus contains foreign genetic material coming from the father, but in normal circumstances it does not get rejected, due to blocking antibodies. However, in some women the immune system may reject the foetus and cause a miscarriage either by being high in numbers or by abnormal hostile immune activity.

If blood tests confirm that you do in fact have some autoimmune anomalies Kylie will work with you using diet and herbal remedies to modulate the immune system, dampen down the production of autoantibodies and reduce allergic response. Increasing antioxidant support along with reducing inflammation through good nutrition is also addressed.

If both partners follow a preconception care plan for four months prior to conception we know that this will reduce your risk of experiencing a miscarriage. A study was performed in Karolinska, Stockholm which showed that miscarriage rates are without doubt linked to the health/morphology of sperm. In fact half of the miscarriages in the study were due to male factors.

The results of the study showed that 14% sperm abnormality resulted in 14% miscarriage, whilst 43% abnormal sperm resulted in 83/83% miscarriage.

In the first Foresight study which was performed 38% of couples who participated in the study had a history of previous miscarriage. After following a preconception program 83% of these couples had given birth to healthy babies. In fact there were no miscarriages at all (average population – 70 would have been expected from this population sample).

First Steps

Get started today on reducing your miscarriage risk by:

  • Cutting out cigarette smoking, alcohol and caffeine
  • reduce your chemical and heavy metal exposure
  • exercise and maintain your ideal weight
  • Eat a wholefood organic diet, free of additives and preservatives
  • Complete Kylie’s comprehensive Fertility Questionnaire (female OR male) and book an appointment with Kylie as soon as possible