Patient: Dr. Malpani, I’ve had more than one miscarriage, and it’s emotionally devastating. Every time it happens, I keep wondering—is something wrong with my uterus? Is my body failing to hold the pregnancy?
Dr. Malpani: First, let me say this clearly and gently — I’m really sorry you’re going through this. Recurrent miscarriage is one of the most emotionally painful experiences a couple can face. And the worst part is the uncertainty. Not knowing why it happened makes people blame themselves.
Let me reassure you right away:
In most cases, your body is not the problem.
🌱 The Seed and the Soil Analogy
Patient: That’s comforting to hear, but I don’t fully understand. Can you explain?
Dr. Malpani: Of course. I often explain miscarriages using a simple analogy — the seed and the soil.
The soil represents the uterus.
The seed represents the embryo.
If implantation has occurred, it tells us something very important:
👉 The soil is usually healthy.
Your uterus allowed the embryo to implant. That means it did its job.
When a pregnancy is lost after implantation, the problem is far more likely to lie with the seed, not the soil.
🌱 “But I’ve Had Multiple Miscarriages… Doesn’t That Mean My Uterus Is the Problem?”
Patient: That’s exactly my worry. If this keeps happening, surely something must be wrong with me?
Dr. Malpani: That’s a very natural thought — but medically, it’s often incorrect.
Even recurrent miscarriages are most commonly due to genetic defects in the embryo, not uterine problems.
Here’s why:
- Human reproduction is inefficient by nature
- A large percentage of embryos have chromosomal abnormalities
- Most of these abnormalities are random and unavoidable
When the embryo is genetically abnormal, it simply cannot continue to grow
So the body does what it is biologically programmed to do — it lets go.
This is heartbreaking, but it’s also nature’s quality control.
🧬 So the Problem Is Usually the Embryo?
Patient: Are you saying the embryo itself is usually the issue?
Dr. Malpani: Yes. In the vast majority of early miscarriages, the cause is a genetic defect in the embryo.
These defects occur: During egg formation or during early cell division after fertilisation
They are nobody’s fault.
And here’s an important truth many patients don’t realize:
👉 Even a healthy woman with a normal uterus can miscarry if the embryo is genetically abnormal.
🔬 What About PGT? Doesn’t That Prevent Miscarriages?
Patient: But doctor, what about PGT testing? If an embryo is “PGT normal,” shouldn’t it grow?
Dr. Malpani: That’s a very good question — and one that’s often misunderstood.
PGT (Preimplantation Genetic Testing) can detect some chromosomal abnormalities, but:
- It does not test for all genetic defects
- It cannot detect microscopic or functional genetic problems
- It cannot predict whether an embryo has the “energy” to keep developing
So yes, even PGT-normal embryos can miscarry.
This is not a failure of the test — it’s a limitation of current medical science.
We simply don’t yet have the technology to determine, with 100% certainty, whether an embryo will result in a healthy baby.
🧠 Why This Misunderstanding Causes So Much Emotional Harm
Patient: Then why do so many women blame their uterus or their lifestyle?
Dr. Malpani: Because human beings want explanations. And when medicine doesn’t give clear answers, guilt fills the gap.
Women are often told:
- “Your uterus is weak”
- “Your hormones are imbalanced”
- “You should rest more”
- “You should try another test or treatment”
This leads to:
- Unnecessary procedures
- Expensive investigations
- Emotional exhaustion
- False hope or unnecessary guilt
In reality, most miscarriages are not preventable.
And that’s a hard truth — but also a freeing one.
🌼 What Should Patients Focus On Instead?
Patient: So what should I do next?
Dr. Malpani: Here’s what I advise my patients:
✔ Understand that miscarriage is common
✔ Don’t blame your body
✔ Avoid unnecessary tests and treatments
✔ Focus on overall health and emotional well-being
✔ Make informed, calm decisions
✔ Avoid clinics that promise guarantees
Most importantly — don’t lose hope.
Many couples who experience miscarriages eventually go on to have healthy babies, often without doing anything dramatically different.
💬 A Final Word from Dr. Malpani
Miscarriages are tragic, but they are not failures.
They are usually nature’s way of saying that the embryo was not viable — not that you are incapable of becoming a parent.
Medicine still has limitations. We must accept that with honesty, not fear.
And remember:
A miscarriage does not mean your body has failed. It means biology did what it had to do.
✅ Need Clarity? Get Your Doubts Answered — Free
Please get your doubts resolved free using our chatbot which is powered by AI based on Dr Malpani’s 40 years of clinical expertise and experience at:
👉 https://www.drmalpani.com/chat-w-chatbot/index.html
This will help you make informed decisions, avoid unnecessary treatments, and potentially save significant costs in the long run.