TTC after pregnancy loss - thread 26 - BFPs are coming!

@Yukka I'm concerned about time too-is the anti mullarian one the AMH test? I'd like to know what sort of egg quality I have-if it's a high chance of majority of poor eggs at least we'd now and can decide if we can keep doing this on the off chance we get a decent one. Are you using the same company?

Age 39
TTC #1
MC - 6 weeks in Feb 18
MC - 11 weeks in May 18

I've just caught up on reading about 10 pages
Regarding the tests, I had a similar experience that GP wouldn't refer me to clinic after 2nd one but did agree to do some blood tests. At the EPU, doctor said GP might refer due to my age but GP didn't agree to this... I was thinking of going private as well, but didn't know where to start looking for this.

@laney79 I think it’s completley down to what you feel comfortable with and also whether you can afford the cost of private. I Personally am happy to have simple tests done via Medichecks for example that can lead to insight and help further my chances of successful pregnancy when all information is considered together. As you say a lot of the challenge can be in piecing information together to get to an outcome. I personally would also choose this route where time is of concern, as waiting times are shorter. I’m about to go private for the Anti mullarian test to ascertain my reserve and know whether time is an immediate concern or not. I can’t get this test on the nhs yet as it’s too expensive for them to offer. One day I’m sure it will be standard, and I’m sure waiting for 3 mcs will be eradicated, but sadly that’s not the situation I am in right now.

But we all have our own set of circumstances and experiences that create our opinions, through forums like this those experiences can be shared to help you form your own choices.

@strawberrye what you describe is not what I experienced and it’s a shame when it’s not helpful to others. I had a very positive experience that was helpful for me and my nhs care team.

@Laney79 in some areas in the UK you can be referred after 2 miscarriages, it's a bit of a lottery. Are you near any of the Tommy's miscarriage specialist centres? Even if not they might refer given your age and 2 MCs. I have a friend in her late 20s who has been referred after 2 so it can be very variable. I totally understand your need to do something to look into it having had two losses myself. I really hope you get the outcome you want from your GP then you won't have the added worry of going private. Good luck x

@strawberrye @Yukka this is an interesting one as I'm kinda in the middle of it now.

Because of this second MMC I need answers-even if it's ruling things out. I know that I don't fit the criteria for investigation, but at 39 and with my mental health the way it is I have to do something. I'm going to ask my GP to refer, but expect to get knocked back, if not by her then by the referral system (in my area if you don't fit criteria your referral will most likely be sent back to the GP).

So I've researched private consults/tests. A consult with the same specialist I'd see locally under NHS care is £240. I contacted the Nuffield private hospital about tests (aps/thrombophilia/hormone/genetic) to find out costs which range from £40-£375 per test. However if you want those blood tests, or the consultation they require a GP referral anyway. If you can't get it for the tests they have a dr referral service to do them at £25 a pop.

My GP did do thyroid tests when I asked after bean earlier in the year-however she just said they came back "normal" -I'm going to ask for the actual result because it seems from reading prof Reagans book and other research papers that there is often not one obvious cause, but could be multiple subtle ones that in isolation appear normal but together could be worth exploring.

@Yukka People ordering investigations without any trained input as to whether it is appropriate or not, then receiving results which are not interpreted in their own individual context is exactly the sort of extra work the NHS does not need. I am not saying not to go private, but to be wary of online companies which offer testing indiscriminately without proper healthcare professional support. I think we will have to agree to disagree.

@strawberrye I’m not suggesting she doesn’t ask her go I’m just sharing alternatives. I’m not sure you understand the medichecks company as it is done by qualified Drs and your blood can be taken at Partner private hospitals. It depends on the type of test you need. In my experience it was helpful to my nhs consultant as it showed the pregnancy was developing normally prior to mc and led to further testing with them. We all have own choices to make as to what is helpful or not. The nhs is under so much pressure, most women in here have resulted in private testing if some sort.

@Yukka that's not the point. As someone who works in healthcare I have seen several patients who have done these tests and they are simply inaccurate causing a lot of stress and anxiety. There is a reason doctors spend 5 years in medical school then many years in postgraduate training and part of that is to be able to accurately interpret investigation results. I would strongly caution against any home testing kits which don't have the input of a trained healthcare professional - plus what is the harm in asking the GP? I would be extremely surprised if they refused to do thyroid function tests.

I haven’t been posting very often but do keep reading.

Roll call-
Rdm
Ttc #2 ds is nearly 3
Mc @ 10 wks in feb
Mmc @ 11 wks in August
Currently on cd22. I have a feeling I ov’d very early this month (cd11) going off cm and ov pain- has anyone else had this? Seems very early. Although I’m already getting af cramps which I suppose would fit?

@RedRobin7 lovely words. Hopefully even though you won’t be putting them on fb yourself you’ve inspired other to. Plus, just writing those feelings down might make you feel a bit better.

Can I ask about b12? A couple of you have mentioned it recently and last week my mum mentioned that she has a b12 deficiency which apparently can be genetic. Is this something that can contribute to mc? Do I need to get this checked out?

@keebo I have heard of that before, like a cleanse to reset the blood flow. It’s also this that allows those with high natural killer cells to have successful pregnancies ie things build up then a cleanse happens.@strawberrye medichecks aren’t a kit as such they just facilitate access to the test labs. You can send pin prick samples or go to have bloods taken and get a gp write up of findings. I used them for hcg checks when nhs wouldn’t do it.

@doddlebobs I think I was lucky with GP, took OH with me expecting some resistance, and needing backup. GP was great, ordered all tests I asked, and even talked about referral to gynaecologist if nothing conclusive despite the fact I only had 2 MC. I thought he might just say that at 38 I was getting too old, but he said my age was fine and likely to have a clinical cause. It will be two weeks from seeing him to getting the results this Thursday. Good luck - from everything I've read B12, thyroid and vitamin d are all linked to MC and should be tests your GP can order. X

@jellykitty, welcome. I'm sorry you find yourself here but this is a great thread full of supportive ladies. Hopefully we can all help each other.

@doddlebobs and @yukka that's an interesting discussion from acupuncture. So you are too hot? I've had 2 sessions since mc2 and he also mentioned heat, though in my case I don't have enough. I have to have hot food for all meals now and asked about thyroid. Mine were tested 2 years ago, does anyone know if they change, should I get tested again? Last week he also used electricity through the needles which sent shooting feelings around various parts of my womb - it felt very odd - and brought on some discharge of very brown blood (af had just finished but this was quite different). Has anyone experienced anything similar?

@doddlebobs I'm sure your GP would do a thyroid test for you. It's a simple and relatively inexpensive test. I would advise caution against internet kits as these are unreliable and potentially misleading.

@Mistymeow no AF arrived today after a BFN on Saturday and a couple of days of spotting.

@doddlebobs that’s interesting and also that is an alternative practitioner saying something similar. She said that the spleen is the ‘chief’ of a lot if our functions and directs blood flow and energy so in my case through having warm blood then this would contribute to sticky blood (aps) and also ibs/celiac symptoms. She talked about the Cortisone hormone that is often linked to stress but in Chinese medicine is linked to female fertility and bodily function, so she suggested that cortisone being directed to the spleen to manage the warm blood (and potential aps) and not enough being sent to manage my uterine fertility to ensure ‘readiness’ for successful pregnancy. How to cool it down though?! She’s recommended diet changes (time of day I eat rather than what I eat) less running and more calming exercise. She assessed my pulse energy as only 3 or 4 out of 10 so I need to rest and relax rather than keep getting back on the horse. I mean you have to right, my main coping mechanism is to keep pushing forward, but my body and my head aren’t in tandem so I need to slow my mind down first. Lots to take in, could you do thyroid test privately? I’ve used medichecks online before, was simple and not too expensive x

@Yukka acupuncture sounds interesting! Can you share a bit about blood heat? My reflexologist is convinced thyroid problems are at the root of my miscarriages owing to the low basal temp I run at. I feel kind of similar about reflexology in not really knowing if it works or not but it makes me feel better so must be doing something positive.

@fnej01 did you have to work hard to convince the GP to do the tests? I'm worried they will refuse to test my thyroid function. How long did results take? Hope they come back with some positive news and that the reflexologist helps too.

@Mistymeow I hope your shadows turn out to be more and keep getting darker!

@RedRobin7 I think my husband will feel the same. You inspired me to start writing about it though. Had a bloody good cry last night and got a few things straighter in my head by doing so so thank you - you may not have reached the audience you intended but it helped me.

@KnitKitty definitely get on it!! Might even inject some excitement in to the old TTC regime (sorry I shouldn't assume...but anyone else just so so fed up with JKS after a while!!)

@Boboelephant So happy to hear your making progress with your private appointments and the things looks more positive again.

Hi,
Hope it’s ok to join been reading for a while trying to gather the courage
Age almost 33
TTC number 1 since April 2017
MC @ 6/7 weeks July 2018
Poss CP August 2018
In cycle2 after mc and loosing my mind about it all slowly especially the tww as keep seeing everything as signs and symptoms both ways

hey girls, minor panic when I went to catch up and saw the old thread had run out and no messages in over 24 hours . . . . it felt like the apocalypse . . . but phew, I found you :). Marking my place Age 39, MC x 3 Sept 17, Dec 17, May 18. Undergoing tests and have provisional diagnosis of Hughes Syndrome (APS/Sticky Blood). I'm also just back from my first acupuncture and what a great experience it was. Lots of information to take in, but based on other symptoms that Consultant's haven't correlated yet she seems confident that the APS will be confirmed (she's an ex GP turned Midwife come Acupuncturist - clever lady). She talked a lot about blood heat and how this can interfere with cycles, the placenta, the link to aps and celiacs which I've been tested for several times but never confirmed. She also firmly picked up on my 'practical and positive' vibe but that I'm over flowing energy to my brain and need to re-centre my energy flow to my core. I've got no preconceptions as to whether this works or not, but she made sense, and I feel better, calmer, less going on in my head. @boboelephant glad your appt went well, new information and new milestones are good. Hope everyone else is doing as ok as you can be, can see lots of support here and I echo all the positive vibes.

Hi All,

Marking my place - I still read this, but haven't commented for a while..

TTC 1
Age 38
MMC June 12 weeks 1 day although measured 6weeks 5days
MC August 5 weeks 5 days

Awaiting first AF since 2nd miscarriage, I expect it to appear early October. In the meantime have had some bloods at GP for B12, thyroid etc - getting results Thursday and then planning on negotiating referral to gynaecologist after that. First session reflexology booked for Saturday. Definitely feel I am on the way back up after the 2nd MC. Really helpful reading for me was the Rebecca Fett book - It starts with an egg. I tried to start some of the supplements and lifestyle changes she recommends.

Can't comment to everyone but a couple of special mentions

@boboelephant - glad you are getting the specialist help you deserve

@laney79 - so sorry for your loss to see you back on here, I think we joined the pregnancy board about the same time. It's so hard isn't it.

@hayleyfx - thanks for sharing your collage, you are so brave x

@redrobin I really struggle with wanting to talk about miscarriage more, but wanting to keep my personal journey personal. I don't think I could speak out about miscarriage at the moment, but in the future I definitely want to

Lovely to see the BFP's coming through it, really does give me hope. I don't comment much, but it is really lovely and supportive to hear other people going through the same thing, so thank you for being there ladies. x

@KnitKitty with both my pregnancies so far we appear to have dtd around day 11 and I've ov'd on day 14 (definately last time start of Aug, predicted as wasn't tracking at the start of the year) so I'd say on that basis you should be on with a good shout this month with your positive opk today.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you. X

@knitknitty I'm no good with the clearblues but it sounds like you may be in with a chance, hopefully the spermy can last the full five days. Thanks for your chirpy post on a monday morning :)

@boboelephant so glad you are having these tests done. It makes me feel so much better knowing there is a plan when we see the fertility doctor, and something can be done. It sounds like they are being super thorough. Worth going private to get some answers. I have a good feeling about this!

@strawberrye I'm just waiting for af, either today or tomorrow. How are you doing? Awaiting fertile week? I'm hoping next month's cycle won't be as long.

On that note...I took an ic yesterday and it was inconclusive- thought I saw a shadow in the time frame. Took another this morning this time on fmu. The same thing. Usually I would just get a stark white. I thought i'd crack open my final clear blue test but I didn't realise it was a digital (thought it was a rapid response) and it said not pregnant. I'm expecting af today or tomorrow. I hate those cheap tests! Not ordering them again.

@Boboelephant Had a dream last night that you got a BFP, so just thought I'd share that with you!
Also dreamt @RedRobin7 had been to Haiti and Bora Bora on holiday and was sharing pictures.

Your guys are in my head!!! Haha!

So OH's parents arrive this morning. Did my OPK this morning and got a smiley face!!! (See picture of positive OPH). It made me ridiculously happy.
I have a few questions though:
How long after a smiley would you expect to ovulate? I heard that some ladies get longer surges than others. Should I test again tomorrow to see if I still have a smiley? If it's not a smiley does that mean I should have already ovulated? i.e. would that help to pinpoint when O actually took place?
And finally, we can't DTD again this week, but we did get a JKS session in yesterday. Do you reckon I still have a chance? (Although TMI, it wasn't the optimum JKS position for conception which I'm now regretting slightly. haha!)

Feeling really good today. No work, sun is shining, positive OPK and OH in a really good mood. Holding on to this feeling as much as I can!
(And weirdly pleased my cycle seems to have synced up with the moon... it just seems cool... NERD!).