Recurrent miscarraige ? What tests are available before giving up?

Rahrah your amazing for surviving all that, that's really hard to read, I'm crying now. just can't imagine anything worse.

I really don't think you could have another pg like that, nature couldn't possibily mimic that one. It seems like all the clots were the main problem to me, so I hope thay can advice what might reduce this.

I know I probably shouldn't bring this up, but why didn't they give the baby steriods to help lung development as soon as you were admitted. I was in hospital with pre-eclampsia with a a woman who had ruptureed membranes at 30 weeks. she kept losing fluid eveyday and stayed in hospital for 6 weeks, until delivery. I could barely comprehed how bad that waiting was, we became friends.

You are only 32 so i think you have age in your favour.
Sorry for being here, as i know I am on the other side right now (hopefully)

I only want to support you both.

Oh Oinker,
I had no idea you had suffered so many losses. I'm really sorry you have to go through all this.

I have only had 3 but not in row, and went to recurrent m/c in sydney anyway. I made the appointment with the prof, but only saw his associate, who then told my case to the prof. in the other room. All he said was you'll get preg again, well yes I have no problem with that part I hope prof R, has more to say than that, I'm sure she has seen probably seen even worse than you, so ask her about other hopeful stories.

I think that because you can get pg, they think you are better off than if you can't, but it's just a different heartbreak for us.

I think Rahrah has great advice in her 2nd last post, keep up the strength and keep trying it will all be worth it, it's just very hard. There was one story in the news where a woman had 11 m/c and then had steriods for a successful pg, so there seems to be alot more treatments and trials than ever before.

In the meantime just really try and do things for yourself. Things you may always have wanted to do go skydiving, go out to nice dinners, movies, or doing something creative will really help.

My pregnancy was so weird.

• Was trying for a year and half

• Got pregnant, but had my tubes tested without them detecting my pregnancy first, as was being investigated for infertility.

• Started having sharp pains in my sides from week 6 approx.

• Week 10, felt really tired and unwell. Went to see a midwife, she thought I was being silly, but tested me internal for infection and when I left the doc's, 5 min's afterwards I had a massive bleed and big liver like clots and big water loss. Was taken to hospital and cervix was closed and scan showed baby was still there. Sent home, no follow up offered.

• week 11, telephoned the hospital as I was still bleeding, they said to come in for a scan. Scan showed baby was still there but showed big bleed in uterus. Told to go home for two weeks and rest and then come back for scan

• Week 13, bleed up to week 13 and then went for a scan and all was clear... pregnancy carried on as normal

• Week 18, started bleeding again, but slighter bleed than previously, but started bleeding on and off. Was scanned, baby still ok and sent home for rest. Was in and out with more fresh bleeds during this period

• Week 20, woke up at 6am and had very heavy bleeding, told to try and maintain it at home by EPU. But then started losing large clots, so called back and ambulance was called.

• Baby still ok, but they could not stop the bleeding and were concerned. Therefore was put on gynie ward for observations.

• Week 21, I was moved to ante natal unit, and was keep under observations. Various different levels of bleeding, but baby still ok.

• Week 22, had two big bleeds, leading to contractions and being taken to the labour ward. I was scan whilst there and a large clot was detected over about 1/3 of my placenta. Consultant advised that he thought I would M/C any day.

• Week 23, things had calmed down, but started getting a water loss, but they said my waters had not broken. Sent for a scan and everything was great, the blood had gone and no blood clots were spotted.

• 1hr after the scan my membranes ruptured. Told that I would likely go into labour before 72hrs were up.

• 24 weeks, had lasted there 72 hrs of warning about labour, was sent for a scan to measure the level of fluid around the baby.

• Scan results showed there was nothing left at all, consultant also advised that bloods and swap were showing infection that were taken at 23 weeks.

• Consultant advised that due to heavy bleeding, infection and no waters they were going to induce the baby before he died in my womb. Therefore I was induced.

• I was in labour for 16 hrs, they did everything really slowly. When he was born it was only my husband and me present, as the midwife had left the room and had not detected signs of delivery.

• Baby was taken to neo-natal dept. He was doing well, but his lungs had not developed enough, as he needed fluid to practise on. They sedated him and took him off the ventilator.

• All routine tests have come back negative

• Scan tests have shown PCO and slow ovulation

• Not got pregnant after trying for 2 cycles since loss baby.

• Been referred back to fertility clinic for fertility evaluation and recommendation for clomid.

Sorry so long... but these kind of things just don't happen for no reason... but we are being asked to accept this explanation to move on.. it is so confusing...

I got the following letter from my consultant Obstetrician, that I saw in my last pregnancy :

I am delighted to say that all your blood tests were normal for:
Activated Protein C resistance, Protein C, Free Protein S, Antithrombin 3, Cariolipin IgG and Cardiolipin IgM.

It remains a possibility that you have one of the types of clotting tendency for which you are not able to do routine tests, but most of the serious clotting deficiency would have been screened out by these tests. This means therefore that you do not need to start aspirin before pregnancy but I would like to see you very early on in the next pregnancy, and would very likely give you aspirin supplementation probably until about 32-34 weeks., just to make sure the placenta is fully bedded in right up to the time when the baby could be safely born.

How old are you? I'm nearly 32, but totally know how you feel. I got so upset today in the car on the way home, I just could not stop crying. The whole experience causes so much frustration, emotional up's and down's, distress, despair, confidence issues and isolation. Neither of us really know if in time we can become pregnant and have a baby, all we know at the moment is it's not happening...but so many people say... stop all of this 'you will have a baby' - but none of them have the insecurity and heartache that we are going through.
I think it is tough on hubbies, but in a different way. My husband hates seeing me upset and I'm his number one priority. I know it sounds really bad, but my child was my number one priority.
I have said for a while that things are not right prior to getting pregnant. People were full of their reassurances then and look what happened. Basically I think we know our own bodies and need to listen to them. If you know something is wrong keep telling those doctors..
No one else lives this nightmare except for the person that is living it. People can say all the reassuring things they want but they turn around and get on with their normal life.
I have heard many stories where people have M/C after M/C, doctors don't know what's wrong and then they conceive and carry full term... I think it is just hard excepting to face more time waiting for the one thing you want most in your life and more possible loss. But you sound like a fighter and really looking at every chance, if there is nothing apparently wrong then the odds must work out in the end.

Why don't you write down everything that has happened so far for your appointment, so you have everything to hand and also outline your expectations of what you want from her?

I know it is no comfort, but you are doing your very hardest and in time when you can look back, least you never gave up. My aunty had fertility problems due to cancer and did not face up to it and take charge of the situation. She never ended up having children and I think it is the biggest regret of her life (she does not speak about it).. So although it is incredible hard now it will be worth all the agony.

From what I have read a majority is about early miscarriage. She has put about late miscarriage that careful investigations need to be carried out to find the cause.(classes late M/C as 13-24 weeks, 1% chance of this happening) Indicating due to the baby being ok and of viability, there should be a reason. She does not class mine as a M/C but threaten M/C that continued into viability.(thats how I read it) It scares me that my doctors have just brushed it off as a freak pregnancy... Due to other issues I don't get pregnant at a drop of a hat, so do not want to leave things to chance, which seems to be their preferred way. But at the same time if I don't accept what they are saying, do I cause the sitaution to esculate. Its realy strange because my consultant was saying prior to the tests that I had lots of indicators: bleeding, clotting, 2 lost pregnancies, periods of infertility... he said this really concerned him, but then when the tests came back negative for everything he just sent me a letter saying it was a one of and will see me in my next pregnancy and give me an asprin supplement, as I could have a clotting disorder that they do not routinely test for, but the ones they do have come back fine.

It's all very confusing.

I will continue to reah her book, and see if I understand more.

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Thanks for the info oinker.

I have just started reading her book, and it reads really well. (only got it yesterday morning, so not read it all yet).

When I went for my consultants appointment I completed lots of preparation. My hospital notes are a real mess, so had a summary of my history and dates. I also had a list of questions and possible tests that could be conducted, so I understood what could be ruled out. Although I have not got the answers for the loss of the pregnancy it did help with my nerves for the appointment and I was able to walk out having all my questions answered at that point and an action plan, that I am now working through. Might not be your bag, but just a thought...

I think it is so important to remember aswell that you are seeing a real expert in the field, so if there is something that they can find, she will be able to help you. From her book her treatment/appointments really are about listening to what you are saying. I think we are all too aware of many doctors not listening or being referred to lots of different doctors for different things. She does not believe in that. For example I have been referred by my orginal consultant to different doctors for different things, I think it would be much more valuable for the management to be under one roof. I now will only see my orginal consultant once pregnant again... What a bloody nightmare... Please update me on how your appointment goes and what you think... I might book in a private appointment on your recommendation

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Thanks for that Castle, when I had a hysteroscopy last month, he said that the left horn was larger and more healthy looking (unfortunately I know that my last pregnancy was on the LSH) and so that is why I have decided to TTC from next month as assuming I am ovulating alternatley then it should be my LHS in Feb - but then I have heard of the eggs/embryo's migrating to the otherside anyway. I think it is just going to be a hope for the best and keep my fingers crossed. It is nice to know of people in the same situation with children though - it gives that extra little bit of hope.
Thanks again xxx

heresfor2007, I'm very sorry that you've been told having a bicornuate uterus gives you a later m/c risk - IMO it is just another worry you don't need. I couldn't pass this by without saying something, I hope you don't mind. I too have a bicornuate uterus & have had 4 m/c all around the 8 week mark. I was told by Prof Nicolaides (fetal medicine expert) that the reason for them is probably because there is a good and bad side to my uterus and pg's just don't take on (in my case) the LHS. I was told that IUI might have prevented them occuring, however, I never got to this stage so I have no experience. I do have 3 DCs now who interestingly all implanted on the RHS of my uterus. Good luck, I wish you all a positive 2007.

My brother & SIL have just had a baby girl a week ago. Same kind of situation - I was pregnant twice before she got pregnant - when they weren't even trying very hard!!
My lucky numbers are also 2 & 7 so I'm hoping that means something!

Blimey... Least it explains why they failed. My sentiments exactly on the bad luck...how can it all happen to one person and nothing to others - it should be distributed evenly!! (my bother and SIL are expecting their first child in a couple of weeks, he dropped his pants, she was pregnant after one go, and perfect pregnancy really, and know lots of others like that.) So unfair.. Stamp my feet!!

All the best and really hope it is both our year... 7 is my lucky number! Take Care XXX

Goodluck - same here - apparently no reason so just bad luck and surely there is only so much bad luck someone can have!! Hope both our 2007's have a happy ending!!
(they only tend to refer you after 3mc's, I was referred after 2 as ended up with 2 failed erpc and an injection of methotrexate to get rid of everything and was quite stressed about the situation - now it is understandable why the erpc's failed as they were obviously scraping the wrong 'horn')

I have the same issue with my medical cover. They will pay for M/C investigations but no fertility investigations or procedures.

We saw Mr Kennedy prior to our last pregnancy at the CRM dept at Walsgrave, so going to go back to him.

We have come to the decision to accept what they have said (last pregnancy was a one off, and the first bleed at 10 weeks triggered a chain of events off that ended with my membranes rupturing at 23 weeks) and try again. Therefore our main focus is to get pregnant. However if I have another pregnancy that ends in a loss, I will go and pay privately to see someone if needs be. (along with a psychiatrist, as I will need one if it happens again.!!)

They don't seem to have a recurrent m/c clinic at Walsgrave, which is strange as it is massive. I'll ask next time i'm there, perhaps I have not been referred due to not having very many.

I have just ordered 3 books from Amazon, one being the Prof. Regan book. So although I have not read it yet, it only cost me £4.00... so defo worth a purchase.

Wishing you lots of luck at your appointment, defo the best person to be going to see under the circumstances.

Thanks for that Rahrah, I am under Mr. MacKenzie at solihull recurrant miscarriage clinic. He was going to do my hysteroscopy but there was a 8 week waiting list on the NHS, so decided to go private and saw Mr. Anyanwu at MRI Meridan (The private wing at Walsgrave). It was all a bit of a mess up though as my xray results weren't sent to him so he didn't really know what he was looking for and consequently didn't find anything (which is good I suppose). It now seems that I have got Mr. MacKenzies back up a bit as he was wanting to do it - which I would have preferred but if he tells me I have a couple of masses and then expects me to wait 8 weeks over xmas and new year - well he'd have a manic depressive on his hands. Unfortunately I know that my medical insurance only covers 'medical things' and not fertility issues and definately can't afford to pay myself for private treatment unfortunately. I've got an appointment in 3 weeks with mr. MacKenzie again so I'll see what he says then. xxx

I can second Lesley Reagans book - I bought it after having just had my 2nd miscarriage. Would be more than willing to post it to you. Have you children already or are you trying for your 1st?

I think the Chase is the old name for the hospital in Leamington Spa, I think it is the Nuffield.

I had all the tests at Walsgrave Hospital, Coventry and the Chase in Leamington Spa.

So we are near each other..

The consultant today found some slight defect with my uterus, he described it like two horns, but said that it would not be accountable for my loss, as it was too late on. He said it was nothing too concerning.

I went to see a consultant today, who specialises in scans at the Chase in Leamington and he seemed spot on. My mum works in local GP environment and the guy I saw was highly recommended by local doctors.

He also gave me a disc with everything on to take away to show the other consultant at Walsgrave.

I am seeing Mr Kennedy at CRM, Walgrave (reproductive medicine)

and Mr Woods - Walsgrave, Gynie dept..He is my consultant for when I was pregnant and for when I'm pregnant again.

I know Kennedy does private work and in clinical director at the NHS Walgrave hospital for the maternity depts and head of reproductive medicine