text: Thousands of miscarriages a year could be prevented after hormone drug approved | ITV News
  Thousands of miscarriages a year could be prevented after hormone drug approved
  Wednesday 24 November 2021, 10:06am
  Around 7,200 miscarriages a year could be prevented after a hormone drug was approved for higher-risk women in the UK.
  Pregnancy charity Tommy's said the move will "help save babies' lives and spare parents heartache".
  Nice estimates that around 7,200 women with prior miscarriage and bleeding in early pregnancy could be eligible for treatment with progesterone each year.
  The move could prevent 7,200 miscarriages a year
  Tommy's said the move could prevent as many as 8,450 miscarriages a year.
  Around one in five women will experience a miscarriage in their lifetimes. Women in this situation will be offered 400mg of micronised progesterone twice daily.
  Progesterone is a naturally released by the female body and is essential to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
  Once a pregnancy has started progesterone stimulates the growth of blood vessels that supply the lining of the womb and encourages nutrients in the body to nourish the early embryo.
  The hormone is also key to supporting the growth of the placenta.
  A Tommy funded study of 4,000 women who had bleeding in early pregnancy found giving them extra progesterone did reduce miscarriages but only in women who had already suffered one previously.
  The effect was greatest in women with a history of three or more miscarriages.
  Nice's independent guidelines committee said the hormone should not be offered to women with early pregnancy bleeding but no previous miscarriage, nor in women with previous miscarriage but no early pregnancy bleeding in the current pregnancy.
  It has called for more research in these two areas.
  'People should not be forced to take sick leave to process miscarriage grief'
  Where can women go for support if they have suffered a miscarriage?
  Tommy's has a detailed support page on their website for people who have suffered a miscarriage.
  The Miscarriage Association offers support to people who have lost a baby. They have a helpline on 01924 200 799.