What can I expect now? Recurrent miscarriage.

[jacquejacque]

I'm just in the process of recovering from my third miscarriage and was told at my scan that we'd now be referred for testing. The nurse was somewhat detailed in her advice and gave us a couple of Miscarriage Association leaflets, but we were in such shock at having just discovered our mmc that we didn't take it all in.

So I'm just wondering what now? She took some blood while I was there, and I signed a form to consent to testing of the embryo - which was collected during my surgery this week. I've also booked a GP appointment for 20/12 to discuss.

What tests would usually be next? I'm guessing 'sticky blood' and chromosomal abnormalities? Is there a routine process? How long did it take for you to get results, if any, of the various tests? I know what if it's all conclusive we will be referred to St Mary's too.

I will contact somebody and try and get these answers but would be interested to hear others' experiences, as this is a new and pretty scary work for us and I'd like to know what the road ahead might be like.

[jacquejacque]

Oh, and I don't know if it changes things, but our mcs were all early (under 7 weeks, two natural and one surgical when discovered at 12 weeks)

[jacquejacque]

Hopeful bump?

[HerculesMulligan]

I was referred to St Mary's after my third m/c this time last year. The appointment came through fairly quickly; requested in January and I think I first saw the consultant in March. The clinic experience has been positive for me - it's a shabby old NHS building but everything seems to run smoothly, I've never waited more than 10/15 mins beyond my appt time, and often not even that. I've seen three different consultants but all have been a good combination of welcoming, positive and frank.

They found some uterine scarring, a septum and a clotting problem, so I had surgery in August (performed by Professor Regan, who is impressive beyond words), and will take a low dose of aspirin in any future pregnancy. We are about to start ttc again, with a bit more hope than we've previously had.

I hope that's useful. Happy to call back in later tonight/tomorrow if you've any other questions I can answer.

[jacquesjacques]

Thank you both for replying. It's a lonely old world, this recurrent miscarriage business, isn't it? I'm so sorry for your losses and that you've found yourselves in this god awful situation too.

Anyone else never see themselves being the 'poor miscarriage girl'? I didn't think I was interesting enough! I just mean that it's surreal to now find myself with a label of sorts (even if it's just in people's minds), as the subject of the sad looks and stilted conversations. I've not even gone back to work (or the outside world) yet and I already know that people will react differently to me.

In terms of how I'm recovering, I'm now day 7 post surgery and I'm still very weak, struggling to do something as simple as cleaning the bathroom. I was actually fine for the first four days and then I had a hemmoraging incident on Friday which has knocked me for six. The bleeding is calming a tiny bit, so hopefully I'll start to bounce back.

I've got my first GP appointment next week; I held out because the EPAU told me about a lively doctor at my surgery who trained with them and recommended him as the best person to get the ball rolling. I'm assuming he will just refer me to the RMC for now? I won't be referred to St Mary's unless all of our tests are inconclusive.

When do you plan to try again? Are you going to wait until all testing is done (that feels like it could take forever) or until certain results come back? For me, I think I'll wait until the embryo has been tested and had chromosomal analysis and I've had sticky blood results. I suppose then there's no getting away from the fact we will have to TTC at some point, even if we face more misery along the way.

Can I recommend a book by the way? I've just finished skimming Miscarriage: What Every Woman Needs to Know by Lesley Regan - she's from St Mary's and it's a really comprehensive guide. I've already found lots of causes that won't apply to us for various reasons and I feel a little less overwhelmed by the thought of what lies ahead.

Sending you both lots of love, thanks again for replying