"First" mc

[ILoveGregoryHouse]

Well, my first mc may be my third, just didn't know. Just lost embryo today at 4+4 after several postive pg tests and then negative and then positive again. Beta hcg was 9.17 on Sunday which was way too low for 16dpo and 7 post implantation. Started bleeding today so this is a chemical pregnancy. Had a chemical pregnancy last two tries as well. Doc today was lovely and told me to wait two to three cycles before trying again and not to worry about my age (am 40) as I have had 3 healthy pregnancies and babies already.

My question here is about waiting. I feel bad about keeping on trying the last two times after the first chemical pregnancy - I didn't have it classed in my mind as a miscarriage. Doc said that I would be more likely to keep on miscarrying if I didn't take a break. Do most people wait for the 2-3 months as I was advised and why do docs recommend that?

Thanks for any advice anyone can give. Sorry if the post is a little disjointed - have had two glasses of wine.

[juuule]

I'm not sure why your doctor said you would be more likely to m/c if you didn't take a break. I thought the only reason they liked you to wait a cycle was to make dating the pg easier. Maybe your doc thinks you need a break emotionally?

I never waited after miscarrying. Sometimes I caught in the first month and sometimes I didn't. I went with the idea that the more mud you throw at a wall some of it should stick. I always tried to wait to 35days before testing to avoid knowing about v.v.early conceptions. I found it easier. If I tested early then I accepted that it would be highly likely it wouldn't stick as lots of conceptions are lost early. But I was reassured in that I could conceive - if you see what I mean.

Sorry to hear things are not straightforward for you and wish you good luck for when you try again.

[kissmummy]

the reason most "non specialist" doctors recommend leaving it a few months is primarily for ease of dating a pregnancy. MCs can mess up your cycles and so if you get pregnant again straight away it can be hard to know how many weeks you are etc. this could be all the more important if you have a history of miscarriage. the general consensus seems to be that there is no medical reason to wait a few months.
however, one consultant I saw said that there was some very minimal evidence that in patients with recurrent miscarriage, 'back to back" pregnancies were more likely to fail. I believe there are not many studies into this and he was probably only referring to one available piece of evidence.
he recommended we give it six months before trying again. We thought it was worth a try, so we followed the advice, but we miscarried again anyway. I wouldn't leave it this long again in future but it was worth a go!

[GoldenGreen]

Sorry to hear that it is another chemical pregnancy. Like juuule, I've heard that the only reason to wait before trying again is for dating purposes. I really hope that you're lucky next time.

[ILoveGregoryHouse]

Thanks for replies. Have another question - how long should I bleed for? This is third day, yesterday was horredous - 7 clots, 5 about the size of egg yolks and 2 much bigger - shudder - I had no idea it would be like this, I just thought heavy period after such a short gestation. Wrong.

Any thought of trying again this cycle has gone - no way can I risk this again next month.

This board really helps get things in perspective though, you ladies are lovely but going through some horrible horrible things. I'm so sorry.

[hohohojollster]

ILGH, am so sorry for your loss. I lurk on the 40+ board and had seen your good news.

I don't have any experience of the blood loss you are going through (have had one MMC and had a ERPC), and then had a Chem Pg in November but just a slightly heavier period type bleed.

Just wanted to say thinking of you. TOTALLY agree with the perspective that this board gives you. I only have one DC (so far ) but can't begin to imagine how hard it must be to have the multiple losses one reads about and still keep trying for your PFB.

May 2010 be a brighter year for us all.

[ILoveGregoryHouse]

Thank jollster. Getting through it. Just horrified with the clots. Once the bleeding stops, it'll be easier cos the visual reminder will be gone.

My lovely friend brought me flowers this morning, bless her.

It's a new day, year, decade tomorrow. A big bright year for us all I hope.

[2010jollster]

hi ILGH
how are things today?

[ILoveGregoryHouse]

Hi jollster, much better thanks. The bleeding is slowing right down. Keeping busy is helping and the kids go back to school on Monday so back in to a routine. Also, maniacally tidying the house helps. Boys don't know what's hit them.

[BiscuitStuffer]

I'm just going through the same thing myself - can I just ask how long you had pain for? I have had constant very mild low back pain +/- period pains for past 4 days and then it became much more intense last night and bleeding started this morning. The back pain today is very distracting so I would put it in the 'moderate' category. No clots and bleeding just like a normal period I would say. One pad this morning. The back pain is constant and paracetamol isn't really helping. Is this how it was for you and when did you start passing clots?

[ILoveGregoryHouse]

Hi Biscuit. I started clotting on the second day of bleeding - after I got the "heavy" feeling at the tops of legs. Lasted two days and I was changing pad every hour at some points. Had cramping rather than back pain but I don't normally get back pain with a period anyway. Ibuprofen helped.

Sorry for you .

[BiscuitStuffer]

Actually it was ok in the end - a day of back pain and then it just all went away and totally manageable level of bleeding. Thank you for your reply x