IVIG for therapy?

[expert@preeclampsia.org]

I am in my late thirties with a long history of unexplained infertility. Two years ago I finally became pregnant for the first time, but the child was stillborn at 26 weeks due to severe preeclampsia/HELLP. Since then I have had three miscarriages at between 6-8 weeks. I have not tested positive for any known risk factors for preeclampsia/miscarriage (or infertility, for that matter). New doctor is inclined to think this is autoimmune related, despite lack of positive tests, and has recommended considering prednisone and/or IVIG for the miscarriages. (I have a medical history of several apparently unrelated autoimmune disorders, such as ulcerative colitis.) Reading research abstracts has brought very little clarity for me as IVIG would relate to either preeclampsia or secondary recurrent miscarriage.

Do you have any thoughts as to IVIG and preeclampsia? Does it increase or decrease risk?

Prednisone and preeclampsia?

Can a tendency to preeclampsia be linked to either recurrent miscarriages or unexplained infertility?

Thank you.

[expert@preeclampsia.org]

I am unaware of any evidence that intravenous high dose IgG, like we use rarely for mothers forming antibody against their fetus' platelets, has been shown to benefit mothers with or at risk for preeclampsia. Years ago we considered using the stuff for HELLP syndrome, but steroids at low cost worked so well we never attempted the exorbantly expensive IVIgG approach. I am aware that some subspecialists in infertility proposed such therapy for multiple losses, but I do not think it was mainstream then or now (not evidence-based and/or generally accepted by the OBGYN profession).

I could be wrong but doubt it. Recommend getting a second opinion.