Tests to understand losses

[crazyrae]

Hi all, I haven't been here for a long time so hoping this all makes sense!

I'm 34 (33 when I had the losses) and DH is 39 (38 with first loss). Been ttc #2 after having no problem with DS, conceiving on second cycle (5 years ago). This time I conceived first month of trying and then had a mc in sept at about 9 weeks - the fetal pole hadn't developed. Had what I think was a chemical pregnancy in Nov and then fell pregnant again the next month only to mc early at 5-6 weeks. So I seem to be able to conceive quite easily but I just can't stay pregnant.

I started temping again in Nov to check I was ovulating ok and my temp is rising each time after ovulation and last month it stayed high until after my mc.

I know I need to have another mc before they'll do any tests (U.K. NHS) but is there anything anyone would recommend I could get tested privately in the meantime to start ruling things out? Like I know there's the progesterone tests 7 days after ovulation - if my temps are rising and staying high, does that mean that's unlikely to be the issue? I feel like it's something that is preventing the growth of the embryo rather than stunting it once it grows - guess chromosomal might be the issue but is that likely when I've had one before with no issues?

Any help would be great. Thanks for reading xx

 

[Dolphinleigh]

So sorry for the losses, i have no idea, but i am suffering second miscarriage both stopped at 8 weeks, i have 2 girls already so know i can carry but now i am 38 so following to check what i should be asking the dr to test for...... drf getting progestrone done but would like to know more also

 

[crazyrae]

So sorry for the losses, i have no idea, but i am suffering second miscarriage both stopped at 8 weeks, i have 2 girls already so know i can carry but now i am 38 so following to check what i should be asking the dr to test for...... drf getting progestrone done but would like to know more also

So sorry for your losses too not sure if anyone can help here, it's been a bit quiet xx

 

[Ltweety]

Well, my friend had her husband's sperm morphology checked after two losses (at the time she was living in UK) to see what percentage of viable sperm he has. You can also get checked for blood clot disorders...some people need to take aspirin after ovulation to ensure a proper blood supply to the embryo...I've heard people only discover they have this when they are trying to get pregnant. i'm considering it myself. My Dr. has told me to take one baby aspirin a day after ovulation anyway because it won't hurt and can only help. The same friend that was living in UK had two losses at 6-7 weeks where there was no heart beat but the embryo was in place. She took baby aspirin with her 3rd and had a successful pregnancy, and she is currently pregnant now, taking it and is about 9 weeks. Hope that gives a little inspiration...

 

[bubbles82]

Sorry for your losses, I'm in a similar situation as I started TTC #2 this year and conceived first try in July which ended in a natural miscarriage in September, conceived again straight away but ended in a missed miscarriage found at a private scan in November. I had medical management but 7 weeks later I'm still not ovulating or getting a period.

I've had three losses altogether now as I also had one just before I conceived my daughter in 2012, but because they weren't three in a row I'm just told it's bad luck and I'm not entitled to any help or testing. I contacted a private clinic to see what help I could get if I paid, which wasn't that helpful as they wouldn't do anything without a GP referral and follow up, but my GP isn't interested until I've had another loss, so stuck in a vicious circle.

Anyway, the private clinic gave me the following info about some useful tests to get and price if it helps at all, I think these are blood clotting disorder tests:

Prothromblin £43.00

Partial Thromboplastin £43.00

Antiphospholipid Antibodies £84.00

Total guide £170.00

Total guide price with phlebotomy £192.00

 

[crazyrae]

Thanks both and sorry for everyone's losses

bubbles82 that's really rough that the GP won't refer you so you can get those tests privately - I assumed you could just get them without their involvement. It feels so frustrating that if there is something wrong that can be fixed quite easily that nobody will just get on and help with a few blood tests - even if we pay for them ourselves! Think of the money they waste with all the extra scanning and d&cs because they won't just look for the underlying cause

Good luck all, really hope we all get good news soon xx

 

[bubbles82]

Thanks both and sorry for everyone's losses

bubbles82 that's really rough that the GP won't refer you so you can get those tests privately - I assumed you could just get them without their involvement. It feels so frustrating that if there is something wrong that can be fixed quite easily that nobody will just get on and help with a few blood tests - even if we pay for them ourselves! Think of the money they waste with all the extra scanning and d&cs because they won't just look for the underlying cause

Good luck all, really hope we all get good news soon xx

That's exactly what I keep saying, but then it seems quite common for people to have two losses and then go on to have a healthy pregnancy so it could end up costing a lot in time and money to test everyone after one or two losses, even just blood tests. Apparently there's less than 1% chance of a third loss in a row but I don't fancy my chances with my luck recently. It's frustrating I can't just go and pay to get them done, it shouldn't be anything to do with my GP, the whole point of going private was because I can't get help on the NHS

 

[Wishing_well]

I'm having a similar problem.
We've been TTC #3 for over 18m but have had 8 miscarriages. I seem to get pregnant quite easily but have had 3 early mc (4/5weeks) in a row and 2 at 7 weeks.
I eventually got referred by the gp and am waiting for an appointment in February.

We already have 2 girls, the first of which was conceived with no problems and the second took 9m (15m of unprotected) and 3 early mc.

 

[Ltweety]

I'm having a similar problem.
We've been TTC #3 for over 18m but have had 8 miscarriages. I seem to get pregnant quite easily but have had 3 early mc (4/5weeks) in a row and 2 at 7 weeks.
I eventually got referred by the gp and am waiting for an appointment in February.

We already have 2 girls, the first of which was conceived with no problems and the second took 9m (15m of unprotected) and 3 early mc.

Oh my Gosh, I don't know how you got through all that! You have more stamina than me for sure. I found myself laying in bed last night, hoping to be pg at 5dpo but thinking to myself, I'm so terrified of another loss! I know it does not good to be afraid, and my two losses were completely unrelated, one being ectopic and one an early mc but still...you are one brave cookie!

Question, do you temp? I was going to post a question today but it's directed at people who've been pregnant and temp regularly.
Thanks,

 

[Wishing_well]

No I don't temp. I've thought about it but I don't think I'd be able to get accurate results as I get very disturbed sleep with 2 kids.
I use opks to be 100% sure of ovulation day but I don't need them because my body makes it so obvious what's happening!

I totally get what you mean about being afraid - for the last 3 months I've gone from desperately wanting to be pregnant up until about 11dpo when I suddenly don't think I can go through with it again! It's ridiculous! I'm currently at 9dpo and feeling the same thing!

 

[ThiaC]

Wishing well! I'm so happy to read of someone with similar experiences. I've had 2 mc at 7 weeks, 4 chemicals at 4+ weeks. That's six... And now I'm on 14 dpo of my seventh.

I try to stay positive, my guy really believes we can do it, I believe in my fertility too, just have to fix whatever is wrong. I google solutions and add life changes every cycle, have been to doctors but haven't found a helpful one yet.

I fall pregnant ridiculously easily, most have been unplanned. After this one, I guess we need another two month pause of bd... Even condoms don't always work, though I read every article available on proper use.

Even though I'm hopeful every time, I still schedule my MC cramps, making sure I'm not having mini contractions at a meeting or on moving day

So, tomorrow or the day after, will be crucial. Sometimes I name them with words (Giggle, Grey..), if I see them in a dream and feel their personality, but this one hasn't shown itself yet. Crazy, or just a coping technique?

 

[ThiaC]

About tests that can be done, I did a set of basic fertility tests for about 150 USD.

For other tests, I've been considering those mentioned in an article on recurrent miscarriages on www.natural-fertility-info.com
They write very holistically, also including modern medicine.