Why Doctors Call Miscarriage “Bad Luck”
If you’ve ever experienced miscarriage and left your doctor’s office feeling dismissed with words like “It’s just bad luck” or “It happens to one in four women,” or even "it's common" you’re not alone. For many women—especially those over 35—this explanation feels hollow. It’s not just about statistics; it’s about your life, your future, and your hope for a family. Your Baby.
The truth is, while miscarriage is common, it isn’t always random. Many women labeled with “unexplained miscarriage” later discover root causes that were never investigated. Doctors often don’t run deeper miscarriage tests until multiple losses occur (which leaves you even MORE heartbroken), leaving women grieving in silence and wondering what went wrong.
But the narrative of “bad luck” isn’t the full story—and knowing what to look for can change everything.
The Emotional Toll of “Bad Luck” Miscarriages
Hearing that your loss was just chance can compound feelings of grief, shame, and betrayal. It suggests there’s nothing you can do, nothing to uncover, and nothing to change for the future.
But here’s the hopeful truth: your body isn’t broken.
Miscarriage can be a symptom of an underlying issue—one that can often be identified, addressed, and supported.
Miscarriage can be a symptom of an underlying issue—one that can often be identified, addressed, and supported.
This is where looking for root causes matters.
Miscarriage Root Causes: What’s Often Overlooked
Doctors are trained to rule out acute emergencies, but they rarely explore functional or subtle imbalances that can impact fertility. Some of the most overlooked miscarriage root causes include:
- Hormonal Imbalances
- Low progesterone (the hormone that sustains pregnancy) (especially true for women over 35 when progesterone plummets)
- Thyroid dysfunction (often “normal” on basic labs but out of range for fertility)
- Genetic and Clotting Disorders
- MTHFR mutations or other clotting factors that affect blood flow to the placenta
- Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), which increases risk of recurrent miscarriage
- Immune and Inflammatory Factors
- Autoimmune conditions that cause the body to attack the embryo
- Elevated natural killer cells or chronic inflammation
- Nutrient Deficiencies
- Low vitamin D, B12, folate, or iron
- Suboptimal levels that don’t show up as “deficient” on basic bloodwork but matter for conception
- Environmental & Lifestyle Triggers
- Exposure to toxins, mold, heavy metals
- Chronic stress impacting cortisol and reproductive hormones
Miscarriage Tests Your Doctor May Not Order (But Should)
If you’ve been told your miscarriage was unexplained—or worse, brushed off with “try again”—it’s worth asking for deeper miscarriage tests that can uncover real answers.
Here are some to consider discussing with your provider (or running privately through functional lab options):
- Comprehensive Thyroid Panel (TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, and antibodies like TPO and TgAb)
- Progesterone Monitoring during the luteal phase (not just a single day-21 test)
- Clotting and Genetic Factors (Factor V Leiden, MTHFR, Prothrombin gene mutations, antiphospholipid antibodies)
- Autoimmune Screening (ANA, lupus anticoagulant, natural killer cell testing)
- Nutrient & Inflammation Markers (homocysteine, vitamin D, ferritin, hs-CRP)
- Toxin and Gut Health Panels (heavy metals, mold, microbiome balance)
These tests are rarely offered after a first miscarriage, but they can make all the difference in preventing another.
Why Age Gets Blamed (But Isn’t the Only Factor)
If you’re over 35, chances are your doctor has pointed to your age as the main risk factor. While egg quality naturally shifts with age, it isn’t the only piece of the puzzle.
Many women in their late 30s and early 40s go on to have healthy pregnancies once underlying root causes are addressed. Optimizing your health, reducing inflammation, and supporting hormone balance can significantly improve outcomes—even if IVF is part of your plan.
Shifting the Story: From “Bad Luck” to Empowerment
Here’s what I want you to know:
- A miscarriage isn’t always random.
- There may be unseen factors contributing to your loss.
- You do have the power to investigate, optimize, and support your body for a future pregnancy.
The medical system is designed for acute care—not for connecting dots between subtle imbalances. That’s why so many women are left with the blanket answer of “bad luck.” But with the right questions, the right tests, and a root-cause approach, you can uncover why miscarriage happened and reduce the risk of it happening again.
Steps You Can Take Now
- Request Deeper Testing – Don’t settle for “normal.” Ask for a full thyroid panel, progesterone monitoring, clotting factors, and immune testing.
- Track Your Symptoms – Note cycle changes, fatigue, digestive issues, or autoimmune flares. These can provide valuable clues.
- Optimize Nutrition – Prioritize whole foods, gut health, and fertility-supportive supplements (like methylated folate, vitamin D, and omega-3s).
- Reduce Toxins & Stressors – Filter water, minimize plastics, and support your body’s detox pathways. Incorporate stress-reducing practices like yoga or meditation.
- Work with a Fertility Coach – Having guidance ensures you’re not navigating labs, lifestyle changes, and emotions alone.
The Bottom Line
If you’ve been told your miscarriage was just “bad luck,” it’s not the whole story. Root causes of miscarriage are often overlooked, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there. By exploring deeper miscarriage tests and addressing underlying imbalances, you can take back control of your fertility journey.
You deserve more than dismissal. You deserve answers—and hope.
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