3rd miscarriage - what now?

[Lucinda15]

I have just found out I am most likely having my 3rd miscarriage in a row. I have no idea what to do now and looking for a bit of advice.

Bit of background, I have one DS (4yo), a very happy unplanned pregnancy. Been TTC a year, 1st mc jul 15 (11.5 wks), 2nd mc Nov 15 (4.5 wks). Currently 8 weeks pregnant but reassurance scan today showed pregnancy stopped developing at 5 wks. They are rescanning in 2 weeks but nurse prepares us to expect mc.

I understand I am entitled to tests now to find out cause but not sure if/when I go about doing this. Do I go to gp myself? And what sort of things are done? And wld we be given any extra support/treatment now if I were to fall pregnant again? If anyone could tell me their experience it would help stop my mind whirring until I see the GP.

Thank you x

[PhyllisDietrichson]

Have you looked into a course of injected steroids, it worked for my friend in a very similar situation to yours, now has her much longed for second child after years of miscarrying her?

[BipBippadotta]

So sorry you're going through this. After your 3rd miscarriage your GP should refer you to a recurrent miscarriage clinic, or at least test you for blood clotting disorders and autoimmune issues. If you have had ERPCs or a c section in the past, you may also want to be referred for a hysteroscopy to check for scarring in your uterus that might be interfering with your pregnancies.

It is worth pushing for these things. GPs vary widely in their understanding of fertility issues and what you should be offered after 3 losses.

When you have had your miscarriages, have any tests been performed on the embryos? If you end up having an ERPC for this pregnancy, and if you feel OK doing this, you might ask if they will send the tissue for genetic testing. Chromosomal abnormalities are the most common cause of miscarriage, and I found it helpful (if sad) to know that that is what has caused my miscarriages; it was not something going wrong with my body, it was the cells not dividing properly so that the embryo would never have turned into a person.

If genetic issues aren't the problem, then there is more of a chance you might be able to do something to prevent future miscarriages by, for example, taking progesterone, steroids or blood thinners in a future pregnancy. I wish you the best of luck, and at such a sad time.

[Lucinda15]

Thank you both.

bip thanks for the info, it's really helpful to know what to expect and what to ask for. I had an emergency erpc without anaesthetic on the gynae ward when I was admitted during first mc at 11.5 weeks. They found the baby and it was sent off for tests but no abnormalities detected. I got pregnant 3 months later but had a v early mc. I just felt something wasn't right and something was making me wonder if the emergency erpc could have caused damage somehow. so GP sent me for an ultrasound scan which showed uterus was normal but I have mild PCOS. But I was pregnant again within a month of that diagnosis, and now I've miscarried again.

However - I'm interested in what you say about a hysterosocopy. Perhaps I could request this for more detailed look at things following the erpc during the first mc.

I will hopefully get to see the GP next week so will make sure I discuss all this and push for what I need. Thanks so much