Description

Specialist Miscarriage Consultation

Experiencing a miscarriage can leave you with many unanswered questions — particularly about why it happened, whether it could happen again, whether investigations are appropriate and what can be done differently in a future pregnancy.

Our recurrent miscarriage consultation in Cardiff provides specialist, consultant-led assessment for women and couples seeking expert advice after miscarriage or recurrent pregnancy loss.

Your individual circumstances will be reviewed in detail with Dr Bryan Beattie, Consultant in Fetal Medicine, with a personalised plan for investigation, treatment and care in a future pregnancy.

The consultation is suitable whether you have experienced one miscarriage and have particular concerns, or recurrent pregnancy loss requiring more detailed assessment.

What is included?

During your consultation, Dr Beattie will review your pregnancy, medical and family history, including previous pregnancies and any investigations or treatments you have already had.

Depending on your individual circumstances, the consultation may include discussion of:

• possible causes and risk factors for miscarriage
• whether further investigations are appropriate
• antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and appropriate blood testing
• thyroid investigations where indicated, including thyroid function testing and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody testing
• parental chromosome testing where appropriate
• genetic testing of pregnancy tissue following miscarriage, where available
• ultrasound assessment and investigation of the uterus where clinically indicated
• treatment options based on your history and investigation results
• planning for your next pregnancy
• early pregnancy monitoring, treatment and reassurance

We do not believe that every patient requires the same panel of investigations. Testing should be clinically appropriate and tailored to your individual history, with the potential benefits and limitations of each investigation explained before you decide whether to proceed.

If you would like to understand the causes, investigations and treatment of pregnancy loss in greater detail, read our comprehensive guide to Understanding Recurrent Miscarriage.

A personalised plan for your next pregnancy

The purpose of the consultation is not simply to arrange tests.

Our aim is to bring together your previous pregnancy history, any existing results and appropriate further investigations to develop a clear, evidence-based plan for your next pregnancy.

Where appropriate, this may include treatment or optimisation before conception, a plan for medication in a future pregnancy, early ultrasound surveillance and additional support during the first trimester.

One important treatable cause of recurrent pregnancy loss is antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). When clinically indicated, appropriate testing can be arranged and the significance of the results discussed with you.

One-stop specialist miscarriage assessment in Cardiff

For patients travelling from further afield, we can arrange a one-stop specialist assessment at our Cardiff clinic wherever practical.

Where appropriate, this can allow your consultant assessment, ultrasound examination and relevant blood tests or other investigations to be coordinated during the same visit.

Our clinic at Cardiff Gate is conveniently located close to the M4, making specialist miscarriage care accessible to patients travelling from across South Wales, Bristol, the South West and further afield.

Travelling from outside Cardiff?

You do not necessarily need to travel to Cardiff for every stage of your care.

Following your initial assessment, follow-up consultations and results discussions can often be undertaken by secure video consultation. Where clinically appropriate, some blood tests may also be arranged closer to home.

Certain specialist investigations require specific sample collection, processing or laboratory handling and may therefore need to be performed at our Cardiff clinic or another suitable laboratory. We will advise you about this before arranging your investigations.

This combination of specialist assessment, targeted investigation and remote follow-up enables us to provide continuity of care even if you do not live locally.

Your follow-up consultation is included

Your consultation includes a follow-up appointment to review the results of investigations arranged following your assessment.

Rather than simply receiving a collection of laboratory results, you will have the opportunity to discuss what they mean, whether anything significant has been identified and how the findings affect your individual plan for a future pregnancy.

Support when you become pregnant again

For many patients, our support does not end once investigations have been completed.

When you become pregnant again, Innermost can provide consultant-led early pregnancy care, including ultrasound assessment and additional monitoring and reassurance during the first trimester.

The aim is to provide continuity: from understanding what may have happened previously, through appropriate investigation and treatment planning, to support during your next pregnancy.

Independent information and support

Miscarriage can have a significant emotional as well as physical impact. In addition to specialist medical care, you may find the following independent organisations helpful:

• Tommy’s provides evidence-based information about miscarriage, recurrent miscarriage, investigations and pregnancy after loss.
• The Miscarriage Association provides information and support for people affected by miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy and molar pregnancy.
• Sands provides bereavement information and support for people affected by miscarriage and other forms of pregnancy and baby loss.

Book your Specialist Miscarriage Consultation

If you would like specialist advice following miscarriage or recurrent pregnancy loss, book a consultation with Dr Bryan Beattie, Consultant in Fetal Medicine, to review your individual history and develop a personalised plan for investigation, treatment and care in a future pregnancy.

Your consultation includes a follow-up appointment to discuss the results of investigations arranged following your assessment.