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Original poster

Recurrent Chemical Pregnancies, anyone seen a GP?

63 replies

Moominmiss · 11/06/2020 19:54

Hey everyone,

So I’m 37, ttc for 9 months now, about to start 10th cycle.

I had a mc at 9 weeks in January of this year, followed by a chemical in March, and have just experienced another chemical this month. So 3 early losses within the past 6 months.

It would seem getting pregnant isn’t so much of an issue as my body being able to keep hold of it.

I’ve got a telephone appointment with a dr next week but wondering if there are certain tests I need to be trying to push for?

I’m not going to be wanting to go down full on fertility treatment routes like ivf etc. Just wondering what they might suggest doing, or what I can suggest. Baring in mind they may not do anything as I already have children from a previous relationship.

So far my thinking is that it could be an egg quality issue, low progesterone, or perhaps a rubbish lining (I’ve had previous c sections so scar tissue could be a problem). What else could be causing the pregnancy not to stick other than just bad luck?

I want to have my appointment armed with as much knowledge as possible.

Thanks 😊

OP posts:
Livingmagicallyagain · 12/06/2020 07:10

I had this too and it was my thyroid. TSH measured 4.5. It should measure 2 but ideally closer to 1. I was prescribed levothyroxine and as soon as it started working I fell pregnant. Good luck!

Original poster
Moominmiss · 12/06/2020 07:00

@LisaSimpsonsbff thank you for sharing your experiences and I’m so sorry for your losses also. It’s true that the very early losses aren’t given as much thought as later ones, when to the person/couple ttc absolutely any loss is utterly heartbreaking.

So after your tests showed no obvious issues, they were still happy to prescribe you the progesterone and aspirin? Suggesting that taking the aspirin if you might not have needed it, wasn’t likely to cause any problems? If that’s the case it sounds like it’s something I could consider starting to take before having any tests done.

Sending you all the luck and sticky baby dust to you again. Congratulations on your pregnancy, I hope soon I can be where you are again 😊

@LosingtheTTCplot I’m so so sorry to hear you’re currently going through a loss and having to await treatment to manage it fully. I’m semi thankful that when I mc at 9 weeks everything passed naturally and I didn’t need any hospital intervention. I just cocooned myself at home and didn’t see anyone or go out for weeks.

I do wonder if because only my mc went through the EPU, and not either of my cp, whether they will refer me. After my first chemical I did try to ask for bloods etc, just so there was some official record of it, but the doctor said she’d spoken with the EPU who had agreed there was no need. So I guess only time will tell now with that.

I’m glad you’ve mentioned the ubiquinol though, I know it will take a while to build up in my system, but if that’s what will work for me then I’d be happy to wait a little longer for better quality eggs.

It sounds like at least they’re offering you the right sort of tests and are looking into things further for you, which can only be a good thing and will hopefully rule out any concerns.

I hope you look after yourself following your d&c, and I hope you go on to get your sticky bfp as soon as possible. Good luck with all your tests etc too.

@Semele5069 I’m hoping you’re right, and that the simple tests won’t be refused based on the fact I already have children. I’m not looking to go down the route of fertility treatment etc, so if it’s discovered that I cannot do this naturally then we will accept that. I would however hope they’d help with prescribing progesterone if it’s shown that that is an issue though. So fingers crossed.

I’ve not read any of the fertility, ttc books. Maybe I should though as I’ve heard lots of ladies on here talk about those books.

I do know which doctor I’m seeing, I specifically requested an appointment with her, hence having to wait until next week as she’s pretty popular. I believe she is the ‘women’s problems’ person to see. I think she specialises in gynaecology and family planning so I’m hoping she will be helpful. If she’s not then I’m not sure who else there would be willing to help so I’m sort of pinning all my hopes on her being understanding. I’ve seen her before for non pregnancy or fertility related issues and she’s always been very good and very thorough so I’m keeping fingers crossed!

@2020wish I’m sorry to hear you’ve also experienced the heartbreak of not one, but several losses.

I think I’m definitely going to ask about the blood clotting issue and thyroid function.
I just really hope the doctor is clued up on all of this. It sounds like your gp has been really helpful in sorting all those tests for you. I hope I can say the same about mine after next week!

Can I ask with the aspirin what is classed as a low dose? And do you take it every day of your cycle? Or just certain times, ie up to ovulation, or following it etc?

Thank you all again so much 😊

OP posts:
2020wish · 11/06/2020 23:04

Blood test not blows test

2020wish · 11/06/2020 23:04

Sorry to hear your going through this. I’ve had 3 losses this year also. All losses are counted regardless of how early, don’t call them chemicals just simply an early pregnancy loss. Request an anti-phospoliquid antibody screen blows test- this is a blood clotting disorder that is one of the main causes for early losses and usually aspirin does the trick. Also thyroid function test and other like ESR (inflammation) , coag screen, full blood picture, auto immune screen. My Gp also took my bone profile blood screen, liver function tests, U+E .
But the first few and the most important. I’m back in my tww window and have started low does aspirin of my own accord as I wait my test results. Fingers crossed

Semele5069 · 11/06/2020 21:01

@Moominmiss thanks for such a kind message when you're having a hard time yourself!

I don't have any children yet but I've never heard of previous children being a barrier to referral for more investigations. I know it is taken into account for funded IVF but I wouldn't have thought for access to a recurrent miscarriage service.

I've just started taking ubiquinol as well! Have you read It Starts with the Egg? I found that and Expecting Better the most helpful sources of information, much more so than the traditional big name books like What to Expect, which I felt glossed over miscarriage very quickly!

Do you know the GP you're going to see? On the practice website the GP I see says her special interest is in maternity and family planning, and she certainly did seem to know more and take more of an interest than another GP I had an appointment with when I was having the second miscarriage. I wonder if you could find out who in your practice specialises or has a special interest in fertility, if you're not happy with the GP you speak to?

LosingtheTTCplot · 11/06/2020 21:00

@Moominmiss your situation is a lot like mine.

I’m 35, TTC #3. Hubby’s first.

I had 4 early pregnancy losses and just in the middle of a mmc.

My doctor refused to refer us until we’d been trying 2 years!

I have only been referred to RMC now as my loss went through EPU. She was more than happy to refer. I have to have lots of bloods, thyroid, FT4, TSH, HbA1C etc and an internal ultrasound but can’t have that until 6 weeks after a negative test.

I’m having a D&C in a couple of days as have retained tissue.

One thing I do think helped get pregnant in the first place was Ubiquinol xx

LisaSimpsonsbff · 11/06/2020 20:35

I had three losses before my DS - as you've said, the NHS doesn't draw a distinction between 'chemical' and other early miscarriages (and the definition of chemical is never very clear anyway - two of mine were at just over 5 weeks and whether or not that's a chemical depends on who you ask).

I had tests at my local hospital, none of which showed any issues, and I also went to the Coventry recurrent miscarriage clinic run by Professor Quenby and had a uterine lining test (also showed no issues) - they prescribed me progesterone, my local hospital said aspirin, I took both and now DS is two. I will never have any idea whether any of it made any difference, though I'm in the very early stages of pregnancy again and taking aspirin; if this one fails I'm going to ask to be prescribed progesterone again).

The referral to my local hospital was pretty automatic after my third loss, though I did have to wait quite a while for both the tests and the results.

It's so hard and upsetting, particularly as the general societal attitude is that you shouldn't get worked up about early losses. The summer after my third was such an awful, awful time for me. Thinking of you and wishing you the absolute best - I hope that you, like me, are fourth time lucky Flowers

Original poster
Moominmiss · 11/06/2020 20:26

@Semele5069 thank you and I’m so sorry to hear you’ve also suffered heartbreaking losses.

It’s positive to hear that your doctor has offered to refer you, this was what my midwife talked about after my first mc. And then after my first cp the doctor talked about 3 or more being classed as recurrent, hence why I’ve now contacted them.

Do you have any children already? The only reason is that I’m worried because i already have had children they may be reluctant to send me for tests and further investigations. I’m hoping the lady I speak to will be understanding. I’m with a new partner but he has no children so would be heartbroken for him if we couldn’t have one.

I will definitely let you know what is said following my appointment. The only thing I have done is start taking ubiquinol to try and improve egg quality.

Please don’t think you’ll end up with another cp like me. I feel like I have other issues such as scar tissue that may be causing problems with implantation being successful.

I will keep my fingers crossed for you. But please be kind to yourself. Hugs xx

OP posts:
FourPlasticRings · 11/06/2020 20:24

Fair enough, Moomin, my mistake. Good luck with your onward journey.

Semele5069 · 11/06/2020 20:19

Hi @Moominmiss

Sorry to hear what's been happening. I'm 36 and have had a MC in January at 7 weeks and a CP in April at 5.5 weeks.

I talked to my GP after the last one about what the next steps would be if it happened again and she said she would refer me to the recurrent miscarriage service, but that there are some blood tests she could do in the meantime (eg thyroid function) to speed things along while I waited to be seen. I asked about progesterone and baby aspirin but she said they would be things the recurrent miscarriage service would advise on based on their tests.

She has told me to let her know as soon as I get pregnant again. She also referred me for an ultrasound to check for fibroids or structural issues (all clear) just to have got that out of the way as well, as that would be something the recurrent miscarriage service might check.

So I know it's not the same situation as I'm still trying to get pregnant a third time, but thought it might be useful.

I'm so sorry you're in this situation and would love to know how you get on, as I'm convinced I'll be in the same place if and when I ever get pregnant again!

Original poster
Moominmiss · 11/06/2020 20:18

@FourPlasticRings when I had my first chemical a gp I spoke to back then said that chemicals are classed as early losses and if I experienced anymore then I should log them for future reference.
My midwife when I had my mc in January also said to make sure I track any loss no matter how early. They don’t call them chemicals, they just call them early pregnancy losses.
I suppose all I can do is go with the info I have and see if they’re willing to help. I’m also hoping that seeing as I’ve been ttc for nearly 10 cycles and I’m over 35 they might be willing to help as they say once you’ve been ttc for 6 months or more over 35, but will see.

@ajehsnf I’ve heard of women taking baby aspirin but I don’t want to take anything like that unless a dr says as I’ve also read if you don’t have a clotting issue then it can actually be really bad for you and a baby to take it. But that is something I was planning on asking the dr about!

OP posts:
ajehsnf · 11/06/2020 20:04

Try baby aspirin. My friend had this until she took that and the next one stuck.

FourPlasticRings · 11/06/2020 20:03

Sorry you're having difficulties. I don't think chemical pregnancies tend to be counted as a pregnancy loss that triggers investigation- generally they're embryos that contain severe mutations or abnormalities and they're really common- some experts think that up to 70% of all conceptions result in chemical pregnancies. So chemicals don't really indicate anything wrong per se.

www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/chemical-pregnancy/