Recurrent miscarriages – visit to Austria

Tyrol Clinics, University Clinics Innsbruck 2 – 3.11.2023

It’s always good to look outside the box and see how things can be done differently. We visited the Reproductive Medicine and Endocrinology Clinic at the University Hospital in Innsbruck, Austria, where patients suffering from infertility and miscarriages are treated. The Clinic’s director, Professor Bettina Toth, is a leading expert in the field.  She has researched and developed treatments for the immunological challenges faced in the field of fertility. We were able to witness the warmth and professionalism with which Professor Toth, together with her multidisciplinary team, met and treated patients. The Clinic has put a huge amount of effort into the treatment of miscarriages. After only two miscarriages, everyone is offered a comprehensive range of tests, including blood tests, 3D ultrasound of the uterus and ovaries, including immunological tests. A POC sample (chromosome analysis of miscarriage material) is taken if a further miscarriage occurs. The psychological well-being of patients is also considered, with a psychologist on site with the possibility of consultation on short notice.

Once the pregnancy starts, blood tests are carried out to check the levels of pregnancy hormone (hCG) and progesterone. Both values are monitored further, if necessary. In addition, the pregnancy is  monitored by ultrasound scans weekly. The aim is to alleviate the fear and uncertainty of the new pregnancy. In addition, patients are advised to contact the clinic if there is any change in their condition or if, for example, there is any bleeding. In this case, the clinic can be contacted even at night. 

It was a pleasure to see how actively Austria is in promoting the well-being and health of women and  families. It is understood that in the case of recurrent miscarriages, the cause of the miscarriage can often be found. The common goal is for the next pregnancy to end in a birth of a child. A visit to Tirol Kliniken reinforced our own understanding that active caring, investigating and treating of recurrent miscarriages is worth all the effort. Here at Dextra Fertility Clinic, we are here for you, with the latest, internationally proven methods to identify and treat the causes of miscarriages.

Elina Lumioksa

Midwife, in charge of the Miscarriage Clinic