Health Reporter
Charlie Beattie
UK researchers have created a test designed to identify women with an abnormal womb lining that may heighten their risk of miscarriage.
Their findings could lead to new treatments for those dealing with repeated pregnancy loss.
The team at Warwick University discovered that in certain women with a history of miscarriage, the womb lining fails to react as it should, preventing the embryo from properly implanting.
Charities indicate that these insights could illuminate the trauma experienced by many facing recurrent miscarriages.
Approximately one in six pregnancies end in loss, primarily before twelve weeks, with each miscarriage increasing the likelihood of subsequent ones.
Historically, most studies have concentrated on the embryo’s quality, while understanding of the womb lining’s function remains limited.
Dr. Jo Muter, a researcher from Warwick Medical School, stated, “Many women are told they’ve only experienced ‘bad luck’, but our results indicate that the womb itself may be setting up conditions for pregnancy loss, even before conception.”
The role of the womb lining is to prepare for the embryo’s arrival and support its growth during pregnancy, aided by a process that modifies cells into a more nurturing state.
However, if this process is disrupted and incomplete, it elevates the risk of early pregnancy complications.
Once a woman experiences one faulty reaction, she becomes more susceptible to subsequent ones, according to the researchers.
They have devised a new test to evaluate signs of a healthy versus defective reaction in the womb lining, currently being piloted with over 1,000 patients at Tommy’s National Centre for Miscarriage Research at University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire (UHCW).
‘A Tiny Miracle’
Charlie Beattie, 37, endured numerous early miscarriages over four years, leading her to feel that a “positive pregnancy test no longer brought excitement.”
Charlie and her husband Sam, residing in Leamington Spa, felt heartbroken and resigned to exploring alternative family options.
Then they discovered a trial being conducted at the research center.
After having a womb sample taken, the new test indicated it was not “suitable for pregnancy”.
Following three months of treatment with sitagliptin, she achieved a pregnancy that lasted, resulting in her nine-week-old daughter, June.
“She’s a tiny miracle. It feels surreal,” Charlie expressed.
She admitted to feeling anxious throughout her pregnancy until June was safely in her arms.
Every scan was a new experience.
“We had never seen anything moving on a scan before,” she recalled. “When they confirmed ‘I see it, it’s in the right place,’ we both cried.”
Individuals can refer themselves to the clinic, but there is a lengthy waiting list, and due to funding issues, patients must contribute to the test’s costs.
Dr. Jyotsna Vohra, director of research at Tommy’s, emphasized that the quality of care for pregnancy and baby loss varies significantly across the UK.
“No one should face barriers when seeking tests or treatments shown to make a positive difference.”
Dr. Vohra hopes NHS decision-makers will closely analyze the outcomes from the Coventry pilot and consider implementing this test nationally for those in need.
Dr. Muter noted that the next phase involves using the test to evaluate potential drug treatments. While sitagliptin is typically prescribed for diabetes, other existing drugs may also be relevant, she explained.
With 80% of medications not tested on pregnant individuals, the effectiveness of various drugs remains uncertain.