Facebook Founder Uses Pregnancy Announcement to Share Struggles with Recurrent Miscarriage

Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan announced to the Facebook community that they are expecting a baby girl. At the same time, his 33,523,872 followers learned that the couple experienced recurrent miscarriage three times before the happy news. The Texas Fertility Center physicians and staff understand how devastating and isolating pregnancy loss can feel; some of us have first-hand knowledge.

Like us, the men and women who have undergone fertility treatment, cautiously celebrated positive results—only to learn that the pregnancy hasn’t progressed—can relate to Zuckerberg’s online reflection.

He says that when you learn you are pregnant, “You start making plans, and then they’re gone. It’s a lonely experience.”

The Hidden Pain of Recurrent Miscarriage

Early miscarriage is quite common and occurs in more than 25 percent of all pregnancies.  Recurrent miscarriage, however, is the loss of two or more pregnancies before the 28th week of pregnancy.

• Only 5 percent of women experience two or more pregnancy losses.
• Less than 1 percent of women experience three or more pregnancy losses.

Zuckerberg says that he hopes that by sharing his experience, he will encourage others to do the same. You may not feel comfortable telling the world about your miscarriage, but patients tell us that it is helpful to speak with a close friend or family member or to see a licensed counselor.

No doubt: You should talk with a fertility specialist about recurrent miscarriage.

Approximately 22 percent of pregnancy loss is caused by anatomic issues—problems that a skilled reproductive surgeon can correct! For example, women born with a septate uterus, a uterus that fails to forge into one, are extremely likely to miscarry. With surgery to correct the problem, studies showed that 88 percent of women reported a healthy birth.

Other treatable causes of recurrent miscarriage include hematologic, immunologic or hormonal problems. A fertility specialist will order a blood test to confirm or rule out these barriers to pregnancy and implantation.

Find Hope after Pregnancy Loss

The majority of people who have achieved a pregnancy, only to miscarry, will carry a baby to term. To hasten the process and help determine underlying causes of recurrent miscarriage, seek help. Talk with a fertility specialist to make a plan for getting pregnant: Contact us at Texas Fertility Center.

You may not wish to tell the world about your struggles, but you can send a Facebook message to the Zuckerberg-Chans.