Recurrent miscarriage is defined as three or more miscarriages in a row. About 1 to 2 percent of women suffer recurrent miscarriage.

Secondary recurrent miscarriage is the loss of at least three pregnancies to miscarriage following one successful pregnancy.

At least one in six clinical pregnancies ends in clinical miscarriage. Many more miscarriages may occur before a woman even knows she is pregnant. Most of these preclinical miscarriages are due to a random chromosome error.

A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy before 24 weeks, with most miscarriages actually occurring during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Unfortunately, miscarriage is very common, affecting one in five pregnancies. There are different types of miscarriages:- silent (missed) miscarriage' - Some women have no symptoms at all and the miscarriage is only diagnosed by the absence of the fetal heart when they are given an ultrasound scan.

When the kneecap comes out of joint the first time, ligaments that were holding the kneecap in position are torn. The most commonly torn structure is called the medial patellofemoral ligament, or MPFL. This ligament secures the patella to the inside (medial) of the knee. When a kneecap dislocation occurs, something must fail to allow the kneecap out of the groove, and usually it is the MPFL.

RPL is the loss of two or more pregnancies at any gestational age. About 5 percent of women suffer RPL. For example, a couple may have a history of a six week miscarriage, successful pregnancy, and then another miscarriage at eight weeks of gestation.

Recurrent tumors grow back after being removed or stabilized. Recurrence commonly occurs in the same area as the original tumor, but may develop in another part of the brain or spinal cord. Both benign and malignant brain tumors can recur after initial treatment. A brain tumor that has been treated with radiation or chemotherapy may disappear or remain in remission, a state in which the tumor cells stop multiplying. Remission can be temporary or permanent.

Recurrent colorectal cancer is cancer that has come back, or recurred, months or years after treatment. Sometimes it returns to the same area. Sometimes it shows up in other parts of the body, most often the liver.

The miscarriage rate is about the same for ART as the general population. Many times older females undergo ART and their miscarriage rates are naturally higher. Pregnancy testing is done two weeks after embryo transfer, so we often know about spontaneous miscarriages in the very early stages of pregnancy. These miscarriages would probably go unnoticed in the general population

If a woman has two or three miscarriages in a row, this is known as a recurrent spontaneous miscarriage. If all of our thorough investigations into your physiology, hormones and immune system are negative, then the chances of your next pregnancy being successful are 70%. If however, we diagnose a problem, then it is more than likely that your next pregnancy will miscarry unless you are treated.

When a baby is created, it takes half of its genes from the mother's egg (that ovulated that month) and the other half from the father's sperm. At the exact moment of conception, all of the genes mix and come together. Sometimes errors occur when the genes combine and important information is lost. This is a common cause of miscarriage, and about 50% of the time there is no explanation. For more detailed information see the causes of miscarriage page.

Recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring and mapping using EMG (electromyography) is the latest in technological innovation in thyroid and parathyroid surgery.  A special endotracheal tube with right and left electrodes is placed near the muscles of the vocal cords which are innervated by the recurrent laryngeal nerve.

Most likely there was nothing you could have done to prevent a miscarriage. Most miscarriages are the result of random genetic defects, which could not be prevented. However, if you have had more than one miscarriage your doctor may run tests for other possible causes such as immune disorders, hormone disorders, or illness.

A miscarriage can be heartbreaking. The good news is that the majority of women who miscarry go on to have successful pregnancies. Generally doctors recommend waiting a cycle or two before trying again, but it really depends on your individual circumstances. For more information, see our miscarriage articles and expert questions. You'll also find support on our Pregnancy and Infant Loss bulletin board.

O Rounds, newsletter from PCOStrategies Inc., Vol. 1 No. 1, Aug. 2003, topics include: What's Your Beef, Journal Line, Fertile Thoughts, Learning to "Chill", Summertime Activities, Ask the Experts (.pdf format - get your free Adobe Reader online)

If you are concerned that you might be miscarrying, see your health professional. If your symptoms and a pelvic exam do not show whether you are having a miscarriage, your health professional can test your blood for changes in your pregnancy hormone levels, perform an ultrasound test, or both.