Can one miscarriage be due to genetics, or does it only happen after multiple losses?

Genetic reasons may cause a single miscarriage, but your doctor may recommend testing only after two or more losses. Most of the first-time miscarriages are due to random reasons and are not repeatable.

Is there any treatment available if my miscarriage was due to genetic causes?

Genetic issues cannot be treated, but your doctor may suggest some options depending on your situation. These options are IVF with genetic testing or using donor eggs/sperm for a successful pregnancy.

Can Genetic Changes Cause Pregnancy Loss?

You may feel dejected when you are doing everything right, but still have to go through pregnancy loss. You may even think about whether there is something that you did wrong. However, when genetics are involved, you cannot control pregnancy loss despite everything being okay.

What Are Genes and How Do They Affect Pregnancy?

Genes are the building blocks of your life and carry crucial information about your body. They also decide every little aspect of your body, like your eye colour or the functioning of your organs. They are made of DNA and passed on from parents to children.

The same happens when you get pregnant. You and your partner pass down genes to your developing baby. They help in guiding your baby’s growth and development. However, an error may occur during this process in some cases. This leads to your baby receiving an uneven number of chromosomes or a structural defect in DNA.

The genetic changes do not allow your baby to grow and develop normally, resulting in pregnancy loss in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

How Do Genetic Changes Cause Miscarriage?

Most pregnancy losses due to genetic issues are not the result of something you did. They happen because of errors or mistakes in chromosomes during the formation of the embryo, also known as chromosomal abnormalities.

A healthy person usually has 46 chromosomes, 23 from the mother and another 23 from the father.
An embryo receives too many or too less chromosomes, resulting in miscarriage.
The most common example is trisomy, where there are 3 copies of a chromosome instead of 2.
These abnormalities prevent the baby from growing normally, leading to pregnancy loss.

Most of these genetic issues happen on their own and are not inherited from the parents.

Types of Genetic Problems Linked to Pregnancy Loss

You may hear different terms related to genetic causes, but the following are some of the common ones.

Aneuploidy: Embryo has the wrong number of chromosomes. It is the leading cause of pregnancy loss in most women.
Translocations: When a piece of one chromosome breaks off and attaches to another. Parents who carry this may not have any symptoms but can pass it to their baby, increasing the risk of miscarriage.
Single gene mutations: A change in a single gene can affect a baby’s development and lead to pregnancy loss in rare cases.
Inherited genetic conditions: Your baby may inherit the faulty gene if both you and your partner carry the same gene.

When Should You Consider Genetic Testing?

Your doctor may recommend doing genetic testing if you have experienced more than one miscarriage or if they suspect a genetic issue. This testing finds out whether chromosomal abnormalities were responsible for your pregnancy loss.

Types of genetic tests are mentioned below to give you a general idea.

Karyotyping: Checks the number and structure of chromosomes in both parents.
Products of conception testing: Checks for genetic issues in the tissue if it is available from a miscarriage.
Carrier screening: Checks whether you or your partner carries any inherited conditions.

Does Age Affect Genetic Risk?

The age of the mother plays a significant role in preventing the chances of genetic problems in the embryo.

The risk of miscarriage due to genetic causes is lower if you are under 30.
The risk starts to increase by the time you reach 35 years of age.
The risk becomes significantly higher when you are 40 or older.

The reason is the decline in the quality of the eggs in women, making them susceptible to chromosomal abnormalities at the time of conception.

Can Genetic Causes of Pregnancy Loss Be Prevented?

Most genetic changes cannot be prevented as they happen on their own. So, do not blame yourself for the loss, as there is no way to control them.

However, you can take the following steps in case of multiple losses due to genetic changes.

Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT): In the case of IVF, embryos can be tested for chromosomal abnormalities before they are implanted into your uterus.
Genetic counselling: A counsellor can explain your test results, so that you can understand the risks and provide several suitable options for your case.

You may want to adopt healthy habits by avoiding smoking and alcohol, and managing any chronic illnesses like diabetes or thyroid issues. These small adjustments may reduce genetic issues in your future pregnancies.

What Should You Do If You've Had a Miscarriage?

Please remember that this is not the end of your pregnancy journey. Allow yourself to grieve and heal after the pregnancy loss. You may also go through a range of emotions. You may find it encouraging that many women go on to have successful pregnancies despite facing early losses.

Inform your doctor if you have had more than two pregnancy losses. You may need further testing to rule out several other issues, such as hormonal, anatomical, or immune-related causes, apart from genetic.

Whether you’re trying to conceive or navigating IVF, you’re not alone. Join our supportive communities to connect, share, and find strength with others on the same journey.

FAQs on Can Changes in Genes Lead to Pregnancy Loss?

Can one miscarriage be due to genetics, or does it only happen after multiple losses?
Genetic reasons may cause a single miscarriage, but your doctor may recommend testing only after two or more losses. Most of the first-time miscarriages are due to random reasons and are not repeatable.
Is there any treatment available if my miscarriage was due to genetic causes?
Genetic issues cannot be treated, but your doctor may suggest some options depending on your situation. These options are IVF with genetic testing or using donor eggs/sperm for a successful pregnancy.