Referred to recurrent miscarriage clinic - what to expect?

[SeaSaltMill]

As above really. I've suffered 3 miscarriages in the past 12 months, one Blighted Ovum discovered at 12 weeks scan and 2 early natural mc at 6 weeks and 5 weeks. The most recent was this weekend.

I've been referred to the recurrent mc clinic, takes about 8-10 weeks to get the appt and the nurse at EPU advised not to fall pregnant in that time.

I'm not sure what to expect from the clinic and feel quite down about not trying for a few months.

Can anyone offer any advice/experience?

[healthyhippo]

I have my appointment tomorrow. They haven't given advice not to get pregnant? I'm expecting a full history to be taken of everything, lots of questions and blood tests for the basic stuff. I imagine they will decide on whether any scans or anything are required based on elimination of the most common things first.
Will report back tomorrow...

[chestut]

Hi seasaltmill sorry for your losses. I have also been referred to RMC. Was given a leaflet as what to expect. Have not been told not to get pregnant but am currently dealing with a mmc

After my 1st mc I had already persuaded my GP to do antiphospholipid antibody blood tests which came back positive and on treatment for. This is one test that would be done at RMC. So we now start with is a blood test for chromosome analysis to make sure that DP and myself are compatible - to be done asap as takes 8 weeks for results to come through.

Then FSH and LH tests with blood test taken during period.

Next I have to have pelvic u/s.

All these tests are being done before our 1st appt which is already booked for a couple of months time when the results will be discussed.

Hope this helps - Good Luck

[healthyhippo]

Just saw the midwife at my appointment. She took 6 tubes of blood from me and 1 from OH to check chromosomes and clotting. No other information other than the consultant would look at the results and be in touch?

[bakingtins]

Hi all. Seasalt I have replied to your post on the RMC thread. hippo and chestut you are more than welcome to join too.

You are normally advised not to get pregnant whilst the RMC investigations are happening, some of the tests can't be done if you are pregnant. It's often left up to you if you want to TTC whilst awaiting results, my take on it is if there is something they could/should be doing in early pregnancy I want to know about it in advance of a BFP. On the flip side, they only find a reason in 50% of cases on the standard NHS tests so you could wait and be no further forward. Try to look on the enforced break as a positive thing and a chance to recover emotionally and physically, get healthy, and formulate a firm plan for 'next time'.
Most of the tests are blood samples (for full blood count, rule out diabetes or thyroid disease, raft of tests for APS/clotting/autoantibodies, blood from both partners for karyotyping) then there are timed hormone tests (FSH/LH on day 2, progesterone on day 21) a mid-cycle scan to check ovaries/uterus/cervix, and potentially further tests for anatomical abnormalities if you have never had a successful pregnancy.
If any of you have the opportunity to get tissue from a miscarriage genetically tested I suggest you leap at the chance, it makes a big difference if you are losing embryos due to chromosome problems (random or because one partner carries a defect) or if you are losing normal embryos due to some problem with the woman.

Tea, sympathy and hand-holding all available on the RMC thread whilst you go through testing and then gather your courage to try again.

[SeaSaltMill]

Thank you for this.

I hate not knowing what to expect. I'm struggling with the idea of not TTC after so long actively TTC.