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AIBU?

3 MCs, no known cause. What next?

34 replies

Churchill20 · 01/05/2019 09:31

Hi There, I'm 35 yo and fit and healthy. Husband is 40 yo and also fit and healthy. we have no children between us. In the last 2 years we have had 3 early missed miscarriages. With the last miscarriage, it took us a year to conceive- so a long wait. All found with no heartbeat at 7 weeks.
I have been referred to the Recurrent Miscarriage Clinic at kings College Hospital and all blood results (clotting issues, APS, thyroid), karyotyping and 3D scan have come back as normal. So nothing they can do.
Has anybody else been in this situation? What did they do?

  • is it worth trying to get referred to St Mary's Recurrent miscarriage clinic- do they do other tests?
  • should I try taking low dose aspirin with the next pregnancy, even through I don't have a blood issue?
  • should I try to get a referral to the Infertility Clinic to try to get pregnant faster (as it took a year last time)


I'm exasperated!!
Thank you!x
OP posts:
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NewAccount270219 · 01/05/2019 09:40

Flowers for you. This is such a shit place to be, and I'm so sorry for your losses.

So, this was almost exactly me: three MCs, all early (similar gestation to you), no successful pregnancies, all tests came back normal. I would strongly recommend the NK cells testing at Coventry - I actually came back negative for that too, but I found them tremendously helpful. It does cost around £500.

They prescribed me progesterone (worth nothing though that there is no evidence this actually works, and some that it doesn't - they still felt worth a go, though), and I also took low dose aspirin from positive test, on advice of my local RMC. The test Coventry does is also considered a treatment in itself (endometrial scratch). My next pregnancy was successful, and I now have a healthy nearly 10 month old.

Did any of this stuff help? I will never know. Statistically, the odds of having a successful pregnancy remain high even after multiple miscarriages and even if you do nothing (if no identifiable issues). I personally feel that it did make the difference, but that is a feeling, not fact. I just had this unshakeable feeling that something specific was going wrong as all my pregnancies ended at the same point, as if they were hitting a wall there. Again, though, the statistics are clear: many, many such multiple miscarriages are 'just bad luck' (I fucking hated that phrase) and rolling the dice again will be enough. Unexplained MC is statistically the best place to be, in terms of having a good outcome. That doesn't really acknowledge just how emotionally (and physically) tough it is to go through MC after MC without knowing why.

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Mamabear12 · 01/05/2019 09:41

Have you checked for killer cells? My friend had this and its something that attacks each pregnancy you have. Once she is pregnant she needs to either take medication or get shots...forgot which one it was. But now she has 4 dc, so once you find the reason it can help!

Also, in case you and your partner are not doing this - take prenatal vitamins, add some extra vitamin C as well. Reduce drinking both and caffeine. Make sure your diet is relatively healthy w some fruits and veggies, w enough fat and protein as well.

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BishopofBathandWells · 01/05/2019 09:43

I had three miscarriages in a row, no known cause. I was 33 when I had my first. For me personally, there were three factors I changed and I suspect they had an impact. I cut down drastically on my drinking (as in, going from a bottle or two of wine a week to nothing). I lost a stone in weight. And I massively decreased my stress levels.

During my miscarriages I was working in an intense research environment and teaching part time. I was the sort that would always volunteer for extra hours and take on more work, but I didn't realise quite how stressed I was until I stopped. Within a few weeks of finishing my teaching I was pregnant.

Obviously I don't know for certain if those were the issues, and doing those things might not work for you. I just thought I'd share my experience. Really thinking of you, it was such a horrible time for me.

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Fiveredbricks · 01/05/2019 09:47

You say thyroid tests, but have they tested you for anti thyroid antibodies? Make sure they have and that your tsh is below 2. No matter if your thyroid is functioning 'normally' or not.

Also read 'It starts with the egg'. Switch to eco household stuff and zero % bath and shower stuff and paraben free makeup. Stainless steel pans and cast iron to replace non-stick stuff.glass tupperware to replace plastic. Make sure your kettle is stainless steel.

Also have them check for coeliac disease.

Take a no stone unturned approach.

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NewAccount270219 · 01/05/2019 09:54

During my miscarriages I was working in an intense research environment and teaching part time. I was the sort that would always volunteer for extra hours and take on more work, but I didn't realise quite how stressed I was until I stopped. Within a few weeks of finishing my teaching I was pregnant.

So, this is interesting (though would have made me furious when I was going through my miscarriages). I spent two years trying to write my first book (I'm also an academic) while dealing with a massive teaching load - I was up until 2am and then up again at 6 v regularly. Through the 18 months of this I had trouble conceiving then 3 MC. DS was conceived literally the night I finally submitted the manuscript to the publisher, and I was having the first break in that time for the first few weeks of that pregnancy. I have (in a very black humour way) joked that the sodding book was like some sort of curse that I had to lift before I could have DS, but looking back I wonder if there's some truth to that joke.

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LisaSimpsonsbff · 01/05/2019 10:01

(This is newaccount - I use different accounts on different devices due to a bout of technological incompetence and have just switched to following from this one!)

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LittleAndOften · 01/05/2019 10:06

I have had 3 mcs since having ds 4 years ago. No investigations offered. However I am currently 12 weeks pg and keeping everything crossed for my scan on friday. I dont know if its the thing that made the difference, but in January I started a course of fertility acupuncture. It was really highly recommended to me. Expensive, but if all goes well then worth every penny.

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CheeseIsEverything · 01/05/2019 10:13

Sorry to hear this OP Flowers

I had lots of miscarriages too. I ended up seeing a geneticist when all other tests came back negative and we found out it was due to a chromosomal problem called balanced translocation. It's not impossible to have a successful pregnancy but I have a much higher risk of miscarriage.

I don't think this is something that is routinely offered, I had to ask as I knew there was talk of it being in my family so maybe see if this is something they can refer you for?

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WeepingWillowWeepingWino · 01/05/2019 10:16

I was also at Kings and tbh they were a bit useless. I had the checks after 3 early MCs, nothing wrong, I then went on the have another 2 early MCs, the guys in the Early Pregnancy Unit (who were research scientists and didn't have much in the way of a bedside manner) just said 'no reason why you shouldn't be successful next time!' Hmm.

So I got my GP to refer me as a private patient to St Mary's.

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LisaSimpsonsbff · 01/05/2019 10:17

I don't think this is something that is routinely offered, I had to ask as I knew there was talk of it being in my family so maybe see if this is something they can refer you for?

In my local area they will do this only if testing on the products of miscarriage show it might be an issue - I had a fairly horrible conversation about keeping MC no 4 in a tupperware to go for testing, and the logistics of this. I was very lucky that there was no MC no 4, but it was an option.

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juneau · 01/05/2019 10:22

How is your weight and your general lifestyle OP? The poster above who overhauled her health is right - if you're overweight, stressed, tired or drinking/smoking/taking drugs then you should address all of those factors and so should your DP. Being a healthy weight and getting rid of toxins from your system can really help. I know lots of people get pregnant who are overweight or who do drink or whatever, but if you're struggling this is something that is within your power to change. Join WW or something if you need help/support.

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juneau · 01/05/2019 10:28

Similarly, if you are underweight, it's worth gaining so that you're a healthy weight for your height. I'm not making any assumptions btw about your health or lifestyle!

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CheeseIsEverything · 01/05/2019 10:30

In my local area they will do this only if testing on the products of miscarriage show it might be an issue

Ahh, I didn't have to do this but then my mother had similar problems so perhaps they took this as evidence enough in my case to refer without the need. I still think (despite how awful the above sounds) it may be worth OP looking into if all else fails. If it is anything like this, there is lots of specific support available which I found completely invaluable.

Really glad to hear you never had to do this in the end Lisa

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Caucasianchalkcircles · 01/05/2019 10:48

Sorry to hear of your losses Churchill. It really is shit isn’t it. I had 2 miscarriages, 1 conceived naturally, the other with clomid, then a live birth with ivf then a further miscarriage.
It took me 7 years to have healthy ds1 with all this. Had another ds2 again with ivf following 3rd miscarriage supported with progesterone and s/c heparin.
Not read the whole thread but I have 1 polycystic ovary according to scan (other seemingly normal). I was having regular periods but this scan showed I was ovulating early on in cycle at day 10 so hormonally a bit up the shoot. I’m presuming you’ve had bloods and us to exclude pcos.
This can seriously impact on the womb lining and so prevent healthy implantation.

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Biffsboys · 01/05/2019 10:51

I had 4 mc - during my 5th pregnancy I took half an aspirin and injected heparin every day . It was just as a trial as tests came back with no reason . I had a baby boy at the end of that one x

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NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 01/05/2019 11:30

Hugs. I have been there. All i can say is keep trying - after 3 mcs last yr (pre 12wk), I'm now pregnant & nearly half way & crossing everything.

The only differences:
I'm taking low dose aspirin (altho I was for mc number 3).
I'm not taking any supplement containing folic acid, I'm taking a 1000mcg dose methylfolate instead. Google MTHFR gene.
I'm having accupuncture.
I've had very regular checks and scans since 6wks (part of Lesley Regans approach is regular monitoring).

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NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 01/05/2019 11:32

Ps if it took you a while to get preg at all, get your egg quality/reserves checked. If they aren't great (not that rare at 35, sorry) you may get on better with IVF.

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BertieBotts · 01/05/2019 11:42

The test for balanced translocation is karyotyping, which the OP has already had. Otherwise I'd suggest that too as DH has one and it's the cause of 3-5% of recurrent miscarriage cases apparently.

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CheeseIsEverything · 01/05/2019 11:45

You're right BertieBotts, I missed that in the OP apologies OP!

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NoHolidaysforyou · 01/05/2019 11:50

I would definitely take low dose aspirin in your position. I would take it now before I even conceive because it's about thinning your blood so that a pregnancy can happen/survive.

Other things I would do:

  1. Do not take any NSAIDs anymore, so no nurofen or ibuprofen. Conception depends on inflammation. NSAIDs are non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs. Basically the ovary becomes inflamed in order to release an egg and if you take NSAIDs this could be stopped or could jeopardize your pregnancy.
  2. I would start pursuing fertility clinics (UK or abroad). They usually want 2 years of trying and you have had 3 miscarriages in 2 years. You also don't want to waste time because the success rates for women over 36 are very different to those who are under. Its just an unfortunate thing that egg count could already be very low or you could be producing eggs with chromosomal issues which gets more likely with age.
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Churchill20 · 01/05/2019 12:26

WOW!! I'm blown away by all your message of support and advice! Thank you so much- I hadn't expected this and so quickly too :) What a community.

NewAccount270219 & Mamabear12 thank you I will look into NK cells.

LittleAndOften & NoIDontWatchLoveIsland - I was having fertility acupuncture at Zita West but stopped when I miscarried. Not sure whether to start it again as it is very expensive.

WeepingWillowWeepingWino - interesting- did St Marys offer any different testing to Kings?

CheeseIsEverything & LisaSimpsonsbff- ive been tested for genetic abnormalities- they did karyotyping on the products of conception and the result was normal.

Caucasianchalkcircles- the 3d scan ruled out PCOS

juneau I think my weight is fine- BMI of 22

Thank you everyone!!
I'm going to look at Coeliac disease, anti thyroid antibodies, NK cells and see what happens. I might even see if I can try Clomid to try to get pregnant faster- i have irregular periods, which doesn't help.

Thank you for all of your support! xx

OP posts:
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WeepingWillowWeepingWino · 01/05/2019 12:34

Hi, yes, they did (including an x-ray of my womb which was a special treat). None of which came back with anything really so I was given progesterone to take for the first 3 months - and I was successful (DD now 9!) but not with 2 subsequent pregnancies (I couldn't afford to go back again).

I really can't remember much about it now!

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AnneLovesGilbert · 01/05/2019 12:49

I’m so sorry for your losses Flowers

I had 5 mcs and all my tests through the RMC came back negative but my consultant has his own regime and was happy to throw increasing numbers of things at me till it worked and my sixth pregnancy is now my DD. With this one I had aspirin, 2 fragmin injections a day, steroids, progesterone suppositories and a dose of antibiotics from bfp. Can’t remember why the ABs and I’d had everything but the steroids in previous pregnancies which then failed. I did ask as it this last one progressed what he thought it was that was making the difference and he said honestly we’ll never know. But his theory is that people with recurrent losses possibly have a blood issue but that current testing can’t pick it up and he’s had huge success with blood thinning injections even where’s there’s no diagnosis of sticky blood. I’m pretty sure if we’d lived anywhere else I wouldn’t have been put on all those things but after so many mcs I was happy he was happy to take the kitchen sink approach and throw everything at it.

It’s absolutely true as others have said that there’s no reason why your next pregnancy will end badly and every reason it was the shitty “bad luck” but I well understand how the prospect of just keeping going hoping things will be better next time when there seems to be nothing to fix is terrifying. We had some very dark days and testing on my two mmc ones showed perfect babies so I knew it was me and that was a particular kind of awful.

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Lauriestory · 01/05/2019 14:03

I was in a similar situation - 3 missed miscarriages, all around 8/9 weeks.

I then had two successful pregnancies in a row to have my children - in those pregnancies I took an aspirin every day from BFP and used progesterone pessaries every day from BFP (these things on the advice of the recurrent miscarriage clinic).

Testing was done on tissue from the baby after my third miscarriage and they found no genetic issues or obvious reason why.

Wishing you lots of luck in the future. I didn’t believe I would ever have children, I genuinely didn’t. Don’t lose faith, they can do so much these days. Fingers crossed for you.

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BertieBotts · 01/05/2019 15:31

Anne and Lisa

It might be worth asking if you and DH can be karyotyped directly if they have not done this, as genetic issues may not necessarily show up in all miscarriages if for example you had one which had miscarried anyway. But it's quite a low chance, as chances are if one of you had a genetic issue it would be the cause of most of your miscarriages. You'd have a stronger case for this if one of you has family history of miscarriage, birth defects, stillbirth or infertility. Interestingly DH's was picked up by amniocentesis before he was born as his parents were older with high risk for Down's Syndrome.

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