For many women, miscarriage is a silent heartbreak—a traumatic experience often dismissed as mere bad luck. The emotional toll of pregnancy loss can be devastating, especially when it happens repeatedly. Traditionally, women who experience miscarriage are told it’s a matter of “bad luck,” and many never receive a clear reason for their loss. But new research is changing that narrative, offering hope to women who long for answers—and for a healthy pregnancy.A recent study published in Science Advances has revealed that an experimental test can predict a woman’s risk of miscarriage by identifying problems in the womb lining before pregnancy even begins. This innovation not only promises to transform how we understand miscarriage but also opens the door to targeted treatments that could help prevent it.How Does The Test Work?The process of preparing the womb lining (endometrium) for implantation is called the "decidual reaction." This process enables the endometrium to morph into a receptive environment for embryo implantation. When this transformation doesn’t progress adequately, it can lead to pregnancy loss.Researchers analyzed over 1,500 biopsies from more than 1,300 women to study the decidual reaction during menstrual cycles. They found that a stalled or abnormal reaction reduced the likelihood of a live birth by 48% to 58%. More importantly, this problem recurred in some women across multiple cycles, suggesting a consistent, underlying cause rather than random chance.Researchers found that abnormalities in this process can increase miscarriage risk, and that a prior miscarriage significantly raises the odds of such abnormalities in future menstrual cycles. These findings suggest that recurrent miscarriages are not necessarily random or purely genetic but could be linked to persistent issues with the womb lining.The test is designed to detect whether the endometrium is ready for pregnancy by evaluating specific biological markers. If the reaction is abnormal, targeted treatments can be offered before conception, increasing the chances of a successful pregnancy.Dr. Joanne Muter, lead investigator of the study, states, “Many women are told they’ve just had 'bad luck', but our findings show that the womb itself may be setting the stage for pregnancy loss, even before conception takes place.”Link Between Previous Miscarriages and Future RiskOne of the study’s most significant findings is that a prior miscarriage can increase the odds of abnormal womb lining responses in future menstrual cycles. This explains why some women experience multiple miscarriages: the underlying issue may persist from one cycle to the next, making each new pregnancy vulnerable to the same fate.Senior researcher Professor Jan Brosens explains, “This study shows that each miscarriage increases the risk of an embryo implantation in an abnormal womb lining, regardless of age.” Chromosomal errors in embryos remain a factor, but the health of the womb lining is now recognized as a critical, and potentially preventable, contributor to pregnancy loss.Holly Milikouris and her husband Chris were nearly resigned to a future without children after five unexplained miscarriages. "Being given the opportunity to take part in this trial was life changing," she says. The test identified that her womb was not adequately preparing for pregnancy. After targeted treatment, Holly now has a three-year-old son George and a 17-month-old daughter Heidi.Dr. Tajinin Islam, a psychiatrist from Chester, also participated in the trial after several failed pregnancies. Today, she is the proud mother of a 16-month-old son, Mivaan. “If I can have a baby over 40, then other women with my condition can too,” she affirms.Until now, miscarriage has often been attributed to genetic abnormalities in the embryo. While chromosomal errors do account for some cases, this research emphasizes the role of the maternal environment. According to Brosens, “The frequency of one of two events — abnormal embryo or abnormal decidual reaction — determines miscarriage likelihood. We now have the tools to screen for risk and improve womb conditions before pregnancy.”How It Aligns With Early Fetal Development Monitoring?The earliest stages of fetal development are delicate and require a stable, supportive environment. From the moment of conception, the embryo relies on the womb lining for nutrients and protection. If the endometrium is not properly prepared, the risk of bleeding and pregnancy loss increases—even if the embryo implants successfully.Doctors use a combination of blood tests (to monitor hCG and progesterone levels) and ultrasounds to track early fetal development. These tests help confirm that the pregnancy is progressing as expected, but until now, there was no way to assess the womb’s readiness before conception.The diagnostic test based on this research is already being used in clinical care, with over 1,000 patients benefiting from its insights. By identifying women at risk before pregnancy, doctors can offer targeted therapies—such as hormonal treatments or interventions to improve the endometrial environment—potentially preventing miscarriage before it happens.Lead investigator Dr. Joanne Muter emphasizes, “This is about identifying preventable miscarriages. Many women are told they’ve just had ‘bad luck’, but our findings show that the womb itself may be setting the stage for pregnancy loss, even before conception takes place.”Miscarriage will always be a complex and deeply personal experience, but advances like this new test are bringing us closer to understanding—and preventing—many cases of pregnancy loss.