After a Miscarriage: Tests for Both Partners

Medically reviewed by Dr. William Aung, DocDocDash’s partner doctor network.
Last reviewed: October 2026.

The short answer: It’s natural to fear it will happen again, and it’s hard to know your own chances without answers. Most miscarriages are a one-off, but some couples have a cause that can be found and treated. If you have had two or more losses, or one loss and you are 35 or over, recurrent pregnancy loss testing checks both partners for the most common causes before you try again.

Losing a pregnancy is a real loss, whether it happened at 6 weeks or 16. Alongside the grief, many women carry a quiet worry about the next pregnancy. This guide explains why miscarriages happen, when testing makes sense, and which checks doctors use for both of you, so you can plan your next step with more confidence.

Recurrent pregnancy loss testing: the checks for both partners before trying again

What is it? A set of blood tests and scans that look for treatable reasons behind repeated miscarriages, for both partners.

Who should get it? Couples who have had two or more losses, or one loss if you are 35 or over, the loss happened after 12 weeks, or you have a known health condition.

What does it check? Blood-clotting antibodies, thyroid, blood sugar and hormones in the woman; the shape of the womb by ultrasound; chromosomes in both partners; and sperm quality in the man.

How long does it take? Most tests can be done in one or two visits. Some blood tests are repeated after 12 weeks to confirm the result.

What if a cause is found? Many causes can be treated before or during the next pregnancy, for example with blood-thinning medicine, a minor womb procedure or thyroid treatment.

What if nothing is found? About half of couples have normal results, and many of them still go on to have a healthy pregnancy.

Why do miscarriages happen?

Miscarriage, the loss of a pregnancy before 20 to 24 weeks (depending on the country), is more common than many people realise. Around 1 in 8 known pregnancies ends in miscarriage, most in the first 12 weeks.

The most common cause is a chromosome problem in the developing baby. Chromosomes carry our genetic instructions. When an egg and sperm combine, a random error can mean the pregnancy cannot develop normally. This happens by chance and is not caused by anything you did.

Things that do not cause miscarriage include normal exercise, working, lifting everyday items, having normal sex, mild stress, flying, or eating spicy food. Many women blame themselves. The evidence is clear that these everyday things are not the reason.

When losses happen more than once, though, doctors look for other causes in the mother, the father, or both, which is where testing helps.

Am I more likely to miscarry again?

After one miscarriage, your chance of a healthy next pregnancy stays high, and the risk of another loss is only slightly higher than for women who have never miscarried. The picture changes with a few factors:

Number of previous losses. The risk rises with each loss, which is why two or more losses is the usual point for testing.
Your age. Egg quality changes with age, so miscarriage becomes more common after 35 and especially after 40.
Your partner’s age and health. Sperm quality also matters, and it changes with age, smoking and other factors.
Underlying health conditions. Some conditions, such as thyroid disease, diabetes or certain blood-clotting problems, raise the risk and can be checked.

What is recurrent pregnancy loss? Doctors use this term when a couple has had two or more pregnancy losses. It affects about 1 to 2 in every 100 couples trying to have a baby.

When should we get tested after a miscarriage?

Talk to a doctor about recurrent pregnancy loss testing if any of these apply to you:

You have had two or more miscarriages, even if you have also had a healthy pregnancy
You have had one miscarriage and you are 35 or over, or have been trying for a long time
You had a later miscarriage, after 12 weeks
You have a known condition such as thyroid disease, diabetes, PCOS or lupus
There is a family history of miscarriage, blood clots or genetic conditions

It’s also completely reasonable to ask for a check after one loss if the worry is affecting your plans. Testing is usually done before your next pregnancy, ideally a few weeks after the miscarriage once your body has settled.

When to get urgent help: if you are pregnant now and have heavy bleeding, severe tummy or shoulder pain, dizziness or fever, go to an emergency department straight away.

What tests check for recurrent pregnancy loss?

A recurrent pregnancy loss work-up looks for causes that can be found and, in many cases, treated. Your doctor will choose the tests that fit your history.

Test	Who	What it looks for
Antiphospholipid antibody blood tests	Woman	An immune condition that makes blood more likely to clot in the placenta. Repeated 12 weeks apart to confirm
Pelvic ultrasound	Woman	The shape of the womb, fibroids, polyps or scar tissue that can affect a pregnancy
Thyroid tests (TSH, thyroid antibodies)	Woman	An underactive or overactive thyroid
Blood sugar test (HbA1c)	Woman	Undiagnosed or poorly controlled diabetes
Hormone tests	Woman	Signs of PCOS or high prolactin
Semen analysis (sometimes with sperm DNA testing)	Man	Sperm quality and damage to sperm DNA
Genetic testing of pregnancy tissue	The pregnancy	Whether the loss was due to a chance chromosome error, if tissue is available

Why should my partner be tested too? Half of a baby’s genetic material comes from the father. A chromosome rearrangement or sperm DNA damage can play a role, and it is often missed when only the woman is checked. Testing together gives you a complete picture and shares the load. You can also read about “Why starting a family deserves a baseline screening, not a guess”.

When is it safe to try again, and how do we look after ourselves?

Physically, many doctors say it is fine to try again once you feel ready, often after your next normal period. If you are waiting for test results or treatment, your doctor may suggest holding off a little longer. Ask what fits your situation.

Emotionally, there is no right timeline. Grief after miscarriage can come in waves, and partners often grieve differently. Talking to each other, to family or friends, or to a counsellor can help.

While you plan your next pregnancy, these steps support a healthy start for both of you:

Start folic acid at least a month before trying
Stop smoking and cut down on alcohol, for both partners
Aim for a healthy weight and keep caffeine moderate
Bring any long-term conditions under control with your doctor

Frequently asked questions

Did I cause my miscarriage? Almost certainly not. Most miscarriages are caused by a chance chromosome error that no one could have prevented. Normal activities, work, exercise and mild stress do not cause miscarriage.

Should we get tested after just one miscarriage? Testing is usually recommended after two or more losses. After one, it can still make sense if you are 35 or over, had a later loss, or have a known health condition. Talk it through with a doctor.

Does my partner really need testing? Yes. Chromosome tests and sperm checks for the male partner can reveal causes that a woman’s tests alone would miss.

What if no cause is found? That happens for about half of couples, and many still go on to have a healthy pregnancy. Your doctor may suggest closer monitoring and early scans next time.

Can we do the tests while living abroad? Yes. Many women’s health and fertility centres offer couple packages, often completed in one or two visits.

Get answers with DocDocDash.

You don’t have to face the next step alone. DocDocDash can help you book consultations and recurrent pregnancy loss testing at trusted hospitals, so you can plan your next pregnancy with clearer answers and more confidence.

Sources:

NHS: Miscarriage
European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE): Recurrent pregnancy loss guideline (2022 update)
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG): Recurrent miscarriage Green-top Guideline
American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM): evaluation and treatment of recurrent pregnancy loss
NICE: Ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage guideline (NG126), including progesterone advice
Tommy’s (UK pregnancy charity): miscarriage support information