Ryu Yi-seo miscarries at 7 weeks after IVF success, vows to try again

Ryu Yi-seo, 42, wife of Shinhwa member Junjin, said she became pregnant through in vitro fertilization but suffered a miscarriage at seven weeks. She also said she plans to undergo egg retrieval again.

On Sunday, Ryu shared the experience on her YouTube channel — from confirming the pregnancy after her first embryo transfer to going through the miscarriage.

After seeing a positive result on a home pregnancy test following the embryo transfer, Ryu confirmed the gestational sac at five weeks and one day during a gynecological checkup. At her seven-week visit, doctors told her the fetus had grown more slowly than expected.

Her medical team cited chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo as the primary cause. Ryu said the miscarriage occurred three days later.

"This time it ended so sadly in a miscarriage," she said, "but I'm truly grateful to the baby who came to me, even if only briefly." She also announced plans to attempt egg retrieval and IVF again.

Early miscarriage is relatively common. The leading cause is chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo, and the likelihood increases as the mother's age rises.

More than half of early miscarriages — those occurring before 12 to 13 weeks — are closely linked to chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus.

Chromosomes carry the genetic information inherited from both parents. Normal human somatic cells contain 46 chromosomes, with 23 contributed by each parent when the egg and sperm combine during fertilization.

When errors occur in the number or structure of chromosomes during that process, the embryo may fail to develop normally. Even after a fertilized egg implants in the uterus, growth can stop during early development.

According to guidelines published by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in 2026, roughly 50 to 60 percent of early miscarriages are linked to chromosomal number abnormalities in the embryo.

The most common form is trisomy, in which a particular chromosome is present in three copies instead of two. Cases where certain chromosomes are missing or the total chromosome count is abnormally elevated also occur.

Chromosomal abnormalities in embryos can arise by chance during fertilization and cell division, and may appear even when both parents have normal chromosomes.

Fetal development is monitored through ultrasound. In early pregnancy, doctors observe the gestational sac, yolk sac, fetal size and heartbeat. If growth has stopped or a heartbeat cannot be detected compared with a previous scan, further tests are conducted to determine whether a miscarriage has occurred.

However, confirming fetal growth by ultrasound is distinct from directly testing for chromosomal abnormalities. When necessary, chromosomal status can be confirmed through genetic testing of miscarriage tissue.

Ryu, who is 42 this year, falls into the category of advanced maternal age under medical definitions.

Pregnancies are generally classified as advanced maternal age when the mother is 35 or older at the expected delivery date. As a woman ages, both the quantity and quality of her eggs change, and the likelihood of chromosomal abnormalities increases.

Eggs are present in the ovaries from birth and diminish in number over time. From the late 30s onward in particular, the risk of errors during chromosomal separation in eggs rises.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists notes that the risk of miscarriage reaches approximately 51 percent in pregnancies among women aged 40 to 44 — higher than for women under 35. This age-related difference is primarily linked to egg aging and an increased rate of chromosomal abnormalities.

Embryo quality is also a critical factor in IVF. The procedure involves fertilizing eggs retrieved from the ovaries with sperm, culturing the resulting embryos, and transferring them into the uterus. Pregnancy begins when an embryo implants in the uterine lining.

Even after a successful transfer, the embryo must continue to develop normally. Its chromosomal status and developmental capacity affect whether the pregnancy is sustained. For women in their 40s and beyond, treatment plans take into account the age at which eggs were retrieved and the developmental condition of the embryos.

In fertility treatment, doctors comprehensively evaluate ovarian function, egg retrieval outcomes, embryo quality and the condition of the uterine lining. Advances in IVF technology have expanded treatment options for older women seeking to conceive.

Many women go on to achieve healthy pregnancies and deliveries after an early miscarriage.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says most early miscarriages are isolated events, and that a significant number of women who experience one go on to have normal pregnancies and deliveries.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists similarly advises that women who have had one or two early miscarriages have a good chance of a healthy pregnancy in the future.

Women who conceived through IVF can also prepare for a subsequent pregnancy. Treatment decisions are based on the condition of previously used embryos, whether frozen embryos remain, and ovarian function.

For those planning to undergo egg retrieval again, as Ryu intends, a treatment schedule can be set after assessing recovery and ovarian function.

After a miscarriage, doctors check uterine condition and hormonal changes. Once bleeding has stopped and the body has recovered, patients consult with their medical team to determine the timing of the next pregnancy attempt.

Ovulation can resume relatively quickly after an early miscarriage. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, ovulation may restart as soon as two weeks after a miscarriage.

When miscarriages recur, additional testing is considered. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine defines recurrent pregnancy loss as two or more consecutive pregnancy losses.

Depending on the patient's medical history, testing may cover embryo chromosomal status, uterine structure, thyroid function and blood sugar regulation.

Basic health management is also important when preparing for the next pregnancy — including folic acid intake, a balanced diet and appropriate physical activity. Women planning to conceive are advised to take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily to help prevent neural tube defects in the fetus. Those with chronic conditions are encouraged to manage blood pressure and blood sugar levels before becoming pregnant.

In advanced maternal age pregnancies, the likelihood of conception varies with age, ovarian function and embryo condition, making individualized treatment plans essential.

Drawing on her experience of confirming a pregnancy after her first embryo transfer, Ryu said she is determined to try egg retrieval again.

Early miscarriage is a medical event that can occur during pregnancy. Even after experiencing one, the possibility of a healthy pregnancy and delivery remains. With adequate recovery and a personalized fertility treatment plan, the next attempt can be made.