To want the doctors to start actually testing me for things after 3 miscarriages in a year?

[NoIDontWatchLoveIsland]

I've had a crap year. I have one DS age 2. Fell pg quickly ttc number 2. Spotting from 6 weeks, saw heart beat at 7.5, finally lost it at 10wks (it stopped growing at 8.5w). Had this happen 3 times this yr. Have now been (at my insistence) been referred for recurrent mc clinic but no one seems to be DOING anything? AIBU to expect a consultant to talk me through what tests can be done, for this consultant to be proactive and suggest things rather than me asking for something I have desperately read about online? Tired of being told it's "just really really bad luck". I have paid twice to a private specialist in Harley st who was no better despite being recommended by a friend. I was expecting a doctor who would suggest a bit of a plan, a few tests etc or treatments (blood thinners progesterone & the like) and also talk about at what stage we run out of options and need to consider IVF. I'm 33 and don't have forever and I really, really don't want another mc :(

Have they tested your progesterone levels. I hope you find someone to help OP

There was a very interesting talk on woman’s hour about a new clinic that helps women with recurrent miscarriages.
It was on last week. I can’t remember when but I’m sure you could google it. It was very interesting and talked about the lack of help and everyone says it will all be ok, when in some cases it’s not. They do some very simple tests as far as I could see.

Anyway give it a google it might be useful.

I'm sorry you've had such a rubbish year. After three consecutive miscarriages you should be referred to and seen in a specialist clinic.

Be aware though, NHS hospitals can only follow guidance as set out by the RCOG in terms of the tests and treatments they can offer. I've had people ask about things like intralipid infusion etc. and these treatments do not have an evidence base, nor are they proved to be safe.

Sorry to hear that. I had a similar experience in 2013, was referred to RMC clinic after 4th (3rd consecutive) miscarriage and they were a bit crap. I'd already paid privately for scan and testing after 3rd MC which found nothing, then was on progesterone for 4th one which didn't work. They pretty much raised their hands and shrugged even though testing on "products" showed no genetic abnormalities. I went to see Prof Quenby in Coventry and she diagnosed high UNK cells from a uterine biopsy/scratch. I had a successful pregnancy first time on her protocol of progesterone, heparin, steroids. The reason I mention it is your story sounds similar - all my losses were around 9-10 weeks after seeing early HB. When the NHS serially scanned me it was apparent things were very gradually going wrong over those early weeks. I'm so sorry for what you've been through, it is really soul destroying, but don't give up.

warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/med/research/biomedical/tem/bru/

I've been referred to mc clinic (after asking). It took me longer than expected to conceive DS, at which point I demanded "fertility" tests, my GP insisted the results were normal. However I have recently been told that an FSH level of 10.1 should not have been considered great for a 31 yr old? I did then have DS after this and its not been tested since. The doctors seem very dismissive with me, it feels like as far as they are concerned, I've had DS and I'm not in a state of urgent illness so I can be ignored :(

What’s the protocol in your area? In my part of the UK you’ll only get investigated after 5 mc’s which is absolutely heartbreaking.

I myself had to pay privately for bloods and scans because even then the NHS wouldn’t investigate. My fertility clinic invested any profit made back into the reasons for miscarriages but I don’t actually know if they got far with it. I will contact the nurse and ask if you like.

Sorry for your pain, OP. It’s so unfair.

Patchwork thanks. Other people have mentioned Dr Quenby but I wasn't sure how to get an appt and assumed it could takes ages to get one.... is it possible I have the UNK cells tho if I had DS?

This leaflet explains what testing you can expect www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Recurrent-Miscarriage.pdf

Fottfsoftfusm - they investigate after 3 but they just don't seem proactive? A typical appointment seems to be me repeating my background, the Dr telling me it sounds like bad luck, there being a lot of silence and me desperately saying "well what about [insert thing I've read online can cause mc]?" Dr reluctantly agreeing to a test (often a limited one, not one covering a fuller range of possibilities) and that being it. Shouldn't the DR be the one driving it, suggesting things, trying to work out what is wrong?! Or AIBU :(

Really sorry to drip feed but also they did test foetus after 3rd mc, no abnormalities.

Yes, it's essentially your immune system going a bit haywire. I had DS1 no problems, a 10 wk MC, then a dodgy pregnancy with DS2 where I bled on and off and he was small (probably dodgy implantation looking back) then 3 MC within a year of each other.
To see Prof Q you need to stop TTC and track ovulation, then you phone for an appt 7-10 days post on and go for the consultation and biopsy, and results take about a month. So you have to take a break from trying for a couple of months but that was quite therapeutic. I couldn't have tried again without having a new plan.

Sounds very similar. I was so frustrated when they tested the 4th MC as genetically normal then still had nothing to offer but the 'bad luck' bollocks.

Thanks patchwork. On a break from ttc and already monitoring cycle so will see if I can give them a call.

Hi OP, sorry for your losses, and sorry you're not getting any answers. Have you read It Starts With The Egg? Your problem may not be egg quality, but it definitely can't hurt to try and boost this as you get into your 30s and there are some good tips in there. (you're still pretty young by the way!)

Who did you see in a Harley Street? I saw Dr Shehata there and was given a plan on the second visit. Very happy with result. Can’t remotely diagnose you but it is certainly possible for an immune issue to develop after one successful pg, it did for me.

Like Iggi999 I too saw Dr Shehata (but in Epsom at the New Life Clinic) after 3 mc and was found to have NK cells and got pregnant second cycle after diagnosis. I now have a 7 year old daughter. NHS tests all came back negative and was told it was bad luck.

Also BUPA paid for the diagnosis but not for treatment or medication, which was actually not very expensive just private scripts for steroids for me and progesterone.

Good luck I hope you get some answers.

I listened to the same woman’s hour episode. It was St Thomas Hospital in London as I recall

I was tested after three mc (but it came to nothing).

Progesterone helped me carry pregnancies to term.

Hugs to you x

Sorry about your pain. I had a healthy Normal pregnancy with DS and then went on to have 4 m/cs. I called my obgyn after the second and she advised that some chemical change must have taken place. I paid for a private apt with a recurrent m/c specialist and then was referred to his NHS list. Progesterone suppositories plus daily injections of clearance got me over my tricky period when I miscarried each time and I now have a healthy DD.
Go privately for an appt, if nothing else it is worth it psychologically to regain the feeling of control over your body and to get reassurance that you will get your take home baby.
My consultant gave my gp a list of tests to do and these were done on the NHS by my gp.
Good luck, I know at the moment you probably feel frustrated but you will get there! Big hugs.xo

YANBU.
I was referred and had blood tests for balanced translocations etc.
I would look st going privately if you can.
Sorry for your losses.

Thanks all for the advice. I saw Dr O Brien at Harley st clinic on a friends recommendation. He recommended a couple of tests, but it just felt like me leading the discussion not him which didn't feel like it was worth the money :( Im just hoping it's not a prob with eggs etc, surely I wouldn't keep getting preg easily if egg quality was the issue.