A miscarriage is devastating. It can be traumatic and leave you wondering why. But not everything needs to remain a mystery. About half of first-trimester miscarriages are caused by chromosomal abnormalities. This occurs by changes in the number and structure of the chromosomes in the embryo. While a chance of recurrence is low, there are some that can significantly increase the risk of recurrence. The POC test helps determine if the miscarriage was due to a chromosomal abnormality. This information is beneficial to you and your health care provider going forward and can assist in treatment and planning options for the next pregnancy.
Product of Conception (POC) is placental and/or foetal tissue that remains in the uterus after a spontaneous pregnancy loss (miscarriage), planned pregnancy termination, or preterm/term delivery.
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Who's it for?
Any woman who has had numerous miscarriages, where the cause has not been identified.
When is it done?
POC testing is performed at the time of miscarriage. A healthcare provider will collect a sample of the tissue from the uterus to be sent to the laboratory for testing. The laboratory will check for any chromosomal abnormality that may have led to the pregnancy loss. A detailed report will be given to the healthcare provider and any information pertaining to the cause of the loss, the risk of recurrence, follow-up care, and reproductive options will be discussed. Genetic counselling and support may be recommended based on the findings.