According to the definition followed by the RCOG and conventional Indian teaching, recurrent miscarriage refers to:

• A Two or more pregnancy losses of any kind, consecutive or not
• B Three or more consecutive pregnancy losses ending before the period of viability ✓
• C Any three pregnancy losses in a lifetime, even with intervening live births
• D Two consecutive first-trimester losses following one ectopic pregnancy

Explanation

The RCOG and standard Indian texts define recurrent miscarriage as three or more consecutive pregnancy losses before viability, conventionally before 24 weeks. The defining elements are consecutiveness and losses occurring before the age of viability, not the cumulative number lost across a reproductive lifetime. Newer ESHRE guidance accepts two or more losses, which explains why option A tempts students familiar with European literature, but the classical examination answer remains three consecutive losses. Intervening live births break consecutiveness, and an ectopic pregnancy is not counted within this definition.

Reference: RCOG Green-top Guideline No. 17: Recurrent Miscarriage, 2011 ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.