Recurrent Miscarriage Thread

[Hope39]

Tickety - 2 mc can be 'bad luck' which is why they won't start testing till you've had 3. It's totally crap for us that have to suffer the mc but testing is expensive and you might be successful on your 3rd pregnancy z

 

[Tasha]

That article doesn't mention that the discovery has enabled further funding for research. One bit of research is the endo scratch to see if that triggers a reaction in the uterus that creates more stem cells and the other bit is a drug that's used to increase stem cells else where, they just need to see if it does in the uterus too. They said it is currently used for diabetics so I was left thinking mataformin? Any way these relatively small trials will be done over the next two years and then if they're successful wider over the following three years. Is that helpful?

I'm there in two months giving a talk to post grad health professionals, if you want any questions asked xx

 

[newlywedtzh]

Awesome thanks Tasha!

 

[loeylo]

I've read a lot about women taking baby aspirin during 1st tri after miscarriages. I've even read that some docs advise this before any tests to see if it'll help! Unfortunately it's not something I could try cos I've got a history of stomach ulcers so it's too dangerous for me 😞

Testing for clotting disorders is def something I'd like, along with some proper hormone, thyroid etc tests. Again tho, GP just said to try again and tests will be carried if if I have a 3rd MC. I can't bear the thought of another one tho, especially if I found out something was wrong after.

I'd speak to your GP about aspirin, its such a low dose you take for miscarriage prevention. A normal dose for a headache is 300-900mg up to four times a day. Miscarriage prevention is 75mg per day. The midwife at the early pregnancy unit told me off-the-record that it might help, but wasn't allowed to advise. It was very hint hint wink wink. She also told me that she took it when she was pregnant. It was lovely as she dealt with me for my second mmc, then my ectopic (which involved being at the hospital every week for two months) and then did most of my early scans with my rainbow. She also was the midwife who discharged me from hospital.

The only testing I had done, as strictly speaking I only had two losses, was clotting. I have since had my thyroid tested (during pregnancy and after) and my thyroid is fine. I haven't had hormone levels checked or structural abnormalities checked, and I haven't had any type of karyotyping or other genetic testing.

I'm planning on ttc #2 before the end of the year. I'm hoping that I wont need to worry about any of these things!

 

[petitpas]

Trying, that's great news that your hysteroscopy came back clear. No further surgeries needed!
As for trying again, I would suggest that you wait for the karyotyping test to come back. This was from your last pregnancy, right? If the results show something abnormal it was bad luck and you can try again. If the results come back as normal, well, I'd say there's still something wrong but your doctor hasn't identified it yet. You need to change something.

 

[ReadynWaiting]

To those that have had many miscarriages (I'm at 6 in 12 months), did you keep trying even if you didn't have a treatment plan?
I'm seeing a naturopath and have 2x/wk Accupuncture, taking a myriad of supplements and have cut out gluten and dairy. My naturopath wants me to wait for another couple of months but I just turned 38 and feel like every egg I release is one less that could be good. I would love stories or advice as I feel a little out of control.

 

[Hope39]

I always had a treatment plan in place from pregnancy no4 onwards. It was finding the right treatment plan to work which we did for pregnancy no7 , we lost him at 27w though. My treatment plan for pregnancy 8 made me get to 36w xx

 

[ReadynWaiting]

What was your diagnosis and treatment plan? Sorry if you have said it already.
I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

[petitpas]

Readynwaiting, I was a bit ahead of the game as I knew I had a miscarriage risk factor (I'm a clotter) so I had a treatment plan right from the start. We tweaked it with each pregnancy until we got it right with the sixth, my son. Then I stuck with the same plan for number seven (blighted ovum) and number eight, my daughter.

I have heard of women who were successful with a change of diet. I suppose it can help to calm the immune system down?

Did you have any of the usual testing?

 

[dairymomma]

To those that have had many miscarriages (I'm at 6 in 12 months), did you keep trying even if you didn't have a treatment plan?
I'm seeing a naturopath and have 2x/wk Accupuncture, taking a myriad of supplements and have cut out gluten and dairy. My naturopath wants me to wait for another couple of months but I just turned 38 and feel like every egg I release is one less that could be good. I would love stories or advice as I feel a little out of control.

I didn't have a treatment plan in place for my first three miscarriages but we figured it was just 'bad luck'. After the third loss though we started adding things and progesterone/baby aspirin was my lucky charm for three rainbow pregnancies. However, my clotting/bleeding issues have escalated with each pregnancy so we've long suspected a clotting disorder of unknown origin even though I've had testing come back negative. After my last m/c (my 10th and it was twins), I asked for the MTHFR testing and after it came back positive, a referral to a hematologist. Currently, I'm waiting to try because 1. I'm on some pretty strong herbs and supplements that are not safe for pregnancy (my naturopath has prescribed them and we always make sure they are pg safe before I start them. If they aren't, we wtt even if I'm itching to ttc.) 2. I may have more testing done but I won't know until I meet with the hematologist next month. and 3. As hard as it has been to wait for a year now, it's been so beneficial to my physical and mental health to focus on ME and not fearing a possible pregnancy. I will say though that if I did/do have an oopsie pregnancy happen before the doctors give me the a-okay, we do have a treatment plan in place-heparin injections, progesterone, high dose folate, and possibly baby aspirin. This will be tweaked depending on what the hematologist and possibly a genetic counselor say.

As for you trying right now, it's totally up to you. I know it's hard to think straight when you've got baby brain and you hear your clock ticking away but only you can weigh whether or not waiting those few months will make you feel any better about trying again. At first, I wanted to keep trying as soon as possible after a loss because I wanted to have another baby sooner rather than later but I've had a treatment plan in place since my 3rd loss so I had that to fall back on. But with each loss happening sooner and closer, I finally realized I needed a longer break than just 3 months. This was the best choice for ME. Only you will know if waiting or not waiting is the best choice for YOU. and I hope you come to a decision soon. It sounds like this is weighing on you. As for treatment plans, have you asked about basic treatment options like supplemental progesterone and/or daily baby aspirin? Maybe having those options on the table would help you feel more confident in trying?

 

[Tasha]

Dairy, I'd be on the folate as a precaution. You ideally need it for three months before conception so it would be better to be on it, than not

 

[ReadynWaiting]

Petipas-I have had very little testing up to this point. My karyotyping was done 12 weeks ago and still is not back while dh's was back 3 weeks ago. My LH, FSH and tsh all came back normal but now my ND wants me to have a full panel Thyroid test done. I have autoimmune testing still to come but it will cost money so I put it off. I will probably get it done next week though. I did have my AMH tested and it came back at .87 which is a tad low for 38. My ND isn't too concerned about it.
I saw a specialist who wanted to treat me with progesterone and clomid to pump out more follicles but I don't really connect with that. I would rather get my body balanced and as healthy as possible. If I'm meant to have more I will.
Thanks ladies for replying. I do feel a little stressed and consumed by it all as many on here are.

 

[Sweetkat]

Ladies, I was wondering whether any of you have dealt with male factor issues? My oh is on strong medication (immunosuppressant) for a medical condition. He gave it up for 11 months before we had our daughter. We have since had 2 losses at 8.2 weeks. He gave the medication up for 3 months before the first loss, but his condition was so bad he had to start it again and when we conceived he was on it. Went for a sperm test (7% good morphology, no dna fragmentation test done) and all the Drs saying if issue was with sperm I wouldn't get pregnant. But since then have had 2 loss. I have had no testing, as I am convinced it's the poor morphology caused by the medication that's the issue, but I don't even know how or where to check this. Every Dr has just said it can't be the sperm or they don't know what the effect of the medication is. Has anyone had tests for male sperm DNA fragmentation? Apparently it can cause miscarriages.

Thanks

 

[petitpas]

Petipas-I have had very little testing up to this point. My karyotyping was done 12 weeks ago and still is not back while dh's was back 3 weeks ago. My LH, FSH and tsh all came back normal but now my ND wants me to have a full panel Thyroid test done. I have autoimmune testing still to come but it will cost money so I put it off. I will probably get it done next week though. I did have my AMH tested and it came back at .87 which is a tad low for 38. My ND isn't too concerned about it.
I saw a specialist who wanted to treat me with progesterone and clomid to pump out more follicles but I don't really connect with that. I would rather get my body balanced and as healthy as possible. If I'm meant to have more I will.
Thanks ladies for replying. I do feel a little stressed and consumed by it all as many on here are.

Ready, have you been tested for clotting factors and antiphospholipid syndrome? If not, definitely get that done. One of the biggest reasons for recurrent miscarriages is clotting and getting a positive result means you'll be put onto a treatment plan straight away. Some people think that if you have had kids already then you can't have clotting factors but that isn't true. You might have just been lucky in the past and age makes you more likely to clot, too.

I know what you mean about this becoming all encompassing. This ttc and loss business can take over your whole life! As dairymomma mentioned, sometimes it's good to be able to (forced to) take a break for sanity reasons.

If it helps, I have been on here for quite a while and even though it sometimes feels like an impossible quest I have seen that we can all have our babies. It's just a question of finding the right treatment and that sometimes takes a while

 

[ReadynWaiting]

Petipas-I have had very little testing up to this point. My karyotyping was done 12 weeks ago and still is not back while dh's was back 3 weeks ago. My LH, FSH and tsh all came back normal but now my ND wants me to have a full panel Thyroid test done. I have autoimmune testing still to come but it will cost money so I put it off. I will probably get it done next week though. I did have my AMH tested and it came back at .87 which is a tad low for 38. My ND isn't too concerned about it.
I saw a specialist who wanted to treat me with progesterone and clomid to pump out more follicles but I don't really connect with that. I would rather get my body balanced and as healthy as possible. If I'm meant to have more I will.
Thanks ladies for replying. I do feel a little stressed and consumed by it all as many on here are.

Ready, have you been tested for clotting factors and antiphospholipid syndrome? If not, definitely get that done. One of the biggest reasons for recurrent miscarriages is clotting and getting a positive result means you'll be put onto a treatment plan straight away. Some people think that if you have had kids already then you can't have clotting factors but that isn't true. You might have just been lucky in the past and age makes you more likely to clot, too.

I know what you mean about this becoming all encompassing. This ttc and loss business can take over your whole life! As dairymomma mentioned, sometimes it's good to be able to (forced to) take a break for sanity reasons.

If it helps, I have been on here for quite a while and even though it sometimes feels like an impossible quest I have seen that we can all have our babies. It's just a question of finding the right treatment and that sometimes takes a while

Petipas-I needed to know that info. I have had a dr tell me that because I have kids a clotting disorder would have been detected. I have always wondered though as it seems to be such a common issue especially for people on here with recurrent miscarriages. I haven't been tested yet but will be going next week to have it done. Today I am going for the full panel thyroid testing. My ND wants me to space them out as we are trying to build my blood and too much blood taken could set me back.

 

[Tasha]

I had two children, a stillbirth at 36+6, another child (at this point I found out about one clotting disorder), seven first tri loses, a stillbirth at 24+3, a dvt, another first tri loss, this point I found out about another clotting disorder, eight more first tri loses and then my rainbow. So your doctor is very wrong.

 

[ReadynWaiting]

Tasha-I'm so sorry for all of your heartache. What testing should I be asking for then? I didn't realize there were so many different clotting disorder tests.
I haven't had the best care up until I met with my ND. The specialist told me all I needed to test was Dh sperm and my eggs. The other tests were irrelevant. Needless to say I haven't been back to see him. It's all so frustrating as I'm no spring chicken.

 

[dairymomma]

Dairy, I'd be on the folate as a precaution. You ideally need it for three months before conception so it would be better to be on it, than not

I guess I should have added that I am on high dose folate right now but the doctor said I may have to up the dosage when I get pregnant again. I believe my current dose is 1mg of methyl-folate per day and in pg, we may increase it up to 4mg per day. It's on my list of things to talk about with the hematologist but I've been on it for almost three months now so I should be covered in that respect anyway.

Ready-I will reiterate what Tasha said. Your doctor is very wrong about clotting disorders not being detected. I've had 10 losses overall with three rainbows in between and my MTHFR gene mutation (which can trigger clotting issues) wasn't found until about 6 months ago. And my doctor doesn't think it has any bearing on my RMC issues. However, I felt it did so I requested a referral to a genetic counselor. My dr referred me instead to a hematologist and I meet with him next month. So yes, it is entirely possible to have children successfully even though you have an unknown clotting disorder.

 

[LouOscar01]

Hello all,

My pregnancy tests have just started getting lighter which means miscarriage number 3.

Feeling incredibly broken and despondent. I can't imagine ever having a healthy baby.

So far my test results have been fine.

I do have PCOS but not the problems that are associated with miscarriage ( testosterone is fine, SHBG high (as opposed to low), no insulin resistance).

Can't believe I've just been unlucky though!!!

Can anyone recommend what tests to go for next?

And anyone in the UK able to recommend a recurrent miscarriage clinic in London?

Sorry for all your losses.

Thanks xx

 

[Sweetkat]

Hello all,

My pregnancy tests have just started getting lighter which means miscarriage number 3.

Feeling incredibly broken and despondent. I can't imagine ever having a healthy baby.

So far my test results have been fine.

I do have PCOS but not the problems that are associated with miscarriage ( testosterone is fine, SHBG high (as opposed to low), no insulin resistance).

Can't believe I've just been unlucky though!!!

Can anyone recommend what tests to go for next?

And anyone in the UK able to recommend a recurrent miscarriage clinic in London?

Sorry for all your losses.

Thanks xx

A few people on here recommend Dr Hassan Shehata in Epsom. What makes you think it's a miscarriage? How far along are you?

I have just had 2nd miscarriage. Can't decide whether to try again or see Dr Shehata first.

Has your OH been tested? Apparently roughly 50% of miscarriages are to do with the man. Poor morphology and DNA fragmentation in the sperm can lead to miscarriages. We are also going to see male fertility specialist.

Big hugs xxx