Intended for healthcare professionals

Research Article

Prognosis of subsequent pregnancies after recurrent spontaneous abortion in first trimester.

Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1987; 295 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.295.6590.92 (Published 11 July 1987) Cite this as: Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1987;295:92
  1. W Vlaanderen,
  2. P E Treffers

    Abstract

    The outcome of subsequent pregnancies was studied in 24 women with a history of three or more consecutive spontaneous abortions in the first trimester. Twenty one of the women agreed to forgo active treatment during the study period and three received progestogens or surgical intervention. As the outcome of their first pregnancy after recurrent abortion 18 of the 24 women delivered a liveborn infant after 28 weeks or more. Of all 49 pregnancies in the untreated group during the study, 10 ended in abortion. Only one woman in the study failed to achieve a live birth. Except in exceptional cases encouraging women with recurrent abortion to keep trying for a successful outcome is just as effective as currently recommended treatments.