Recurrent chemical pregnancies and doctors have no answers - please help me

[outpatient]

Posting here as no one replies to other forums in my experience

Has anyone has recurrent chemical pregnancies? Has anyone had this that also has a know thyroid condition?

I have now have four positive pregnancy tests that end in no bleeding.

I have had surgery to treat endometriosis and scarring and was told my issues were hopefully now resolved but there's been another chemical loss so I am feeling doubtful.

Anyone had recurrent pregnancies and IVF has resolved as my GP is recommending this but I'm not sure I trust as I would be paying him privately a lot of money.

The NHS I am finding impossible literally to deal with right now so just want to know if any success from IVF after recurrent chemicals that's all I need answers for right now?

Has anyone done this and it worked? Thanks

I've had 7 chemicals over the past 4 years and one mmc. I was told by a consultant that testing early means that you will pick up lots of chemicals as they are fairly common. I was advised to wait until after my period was late to test (I also need medication in early pregnancy, but they won't give it until you are late anyway).

As it happens, I never needed a test to tell me I was pregnant as for some reason I seem to react really strongly to low levels of pregnancy hormones and so already knew I'd get a positive before I did.

However since my consultant told me not to test until I was late for my period, even though I am pretty sure I have had at least 4 more chemicals, I haven't tested so can't 100% say I have had 4 more chemicals. Somehow, it actually feels easier to deal with not to know with a test confirmation that I was pregnant, so it actually feels like less a loss.

I hope you get your bfp, but I think you'll find it easier to just wait a few days to test.

OP please get a test for NK cells. It could be auto immune issues you're having. If you have elevated NK cells the treatment is steroids (prednisolone) to lower them. Recurrent chemicals are shit and they do point to a potential issue that could be solved. The advice to just not test early is ridiculous and you will risk wasting your fertile years being none the wiser on what issues you're having.

True that we test earlier so know more that we would have done years ago, and also true that it's not uncommon to detect a chemical pregnancy or two with the sensitivity of modern tests. BUT knowledge is power, and I think that 4 chemical losses gives you reason to investigate. I'd book a consultation with a private clinic and go from there. I hope that you get positive news soon.everything crossed for you!

I was advised to test early and often when I was going through infertility, because it was useful for the doctors to know if I was actually conceiving or not. Therefore I think it's bad advice to tell OP not to test.

I dunno I met lots of women who stopped testing early after about a year of trying. All a bit like me resenting the waste of money.

If you've had all the tests and they are suggesting ivf are you having this done on the nhs?

I definitely did, and I had an implantation bleed, which meant I was 7.5 weeks when I tested positive after being unable to eat (or even look at) a poached egg.

I hope this post is taken the correct way and is useful, it’s not intended to support or comment on previous posts- just share my experience as it may be of interest.

I’ve had 5 successful pregnancies, no later miscarriages-only what could be termed as chemical ones. I tested some, but many I simply recognise the pattern. I had around 4-5 in the year before my first child, then none before my second 2 years later, or before my third. After my third I had a big run of them, a pause for many years then more before my 4th child. I then had what I believe to be 2 more years apart.

They are always at the same point after missing a period, then I have the clots and bleeding. I can’t easily identify any pattern, the only thing I could note is that it when I’m heavier- though my weight has always been hormone driven. I’m not sure that my weight is linked as such, but is simply a symptom. Or not even relevant.

Hi,

I also had several chemical /early losses and i chose to go down the IVF route with multiple tests which identified high NK cells. I needed to take progesterone, blood thinners and prednisilone until 12 weeks in order to maintain the pregnancy. I had to do this privately as it was not an option for me on the NHS.

The specialist explained to me that my body was attacking the early pregnancy, perceiving it more like a tumor, not recognising the embryo. Also the more times I got pregnant, the more effective my body was at terminating the pregnancy as my immune system got more efficient and my NK cells increased. I would strongly recommend investigating this. I went to the Zita West clinic, but there are others. There is also a very long running thread on mumsnet for women with immune issues seeking to have a child. I can't provide a link but it is called: Immune/NK cells - pred thread 30

I wish you all the best.

When I was TTC I used the super cheap basic tests bought on line that give you a positive before period is due.
I found them very reliable.

I had very long and variable cycles.

TBF I usually started feeling unwell before my period was due.

It sounds like you are are having an awful time TTC

3 chemicals in 3 years is not unusual or indicative of a problem. 1/3 of pregnancies are chemicals! So you’d expect more than 3 if you were TTC for 3 years

* I'm in no way giving medical advice here and this was a long time ago *

I had a daughter I lost neonatally, a mmc, a straight mc and multiple times a positive test (albeit feint) turned to my period. I was in the process of being referred to St Mary's recurrent miscarriage clinic when a doctor said it couldn't hurt to take 75 mg Asprin. I was pregnant again within a couple of weeks with my son and had another boy 4 years later. When you are so so longing for a baby not testing is so difficult. I don't know what the advice is now, as it was nearly 15 years ago, but worth talking to your doctor? It may have been a total coincidence, but I wish I had been advised to take it sooner. Please take current medical advice though - this could be a total no no now.

This.

I had 1 MMC, 2 chemicals and 1 early loss. Tested for NK cells with Prof Quenby at Coventry. Found elevated levels. Treatment was an endometrial scratch, prednisone, clexane and progesterone pessaries. Successful pregnancy with my son. This was 7 years ago so treatments may have moved on but it appeared to work for me.

after my son I had another early loss (no treatment), then another successful pregnancy where GP agreed to put me back on previous treatment regime (minus scratch).

good luck

Have you tried going in progesterone suppositories?

@beonmywaythen just been given them but my bleeds happen literally two days after positive tests so I just am doubtful they'll work?

Also, I think after reading these threads I need to reach out to professor quenby. Just done some googling and sounds promising.

The private consultant I'm seeing doesn't care about his patients. I've paid him 7k to date and just have a feeling he's taking my money making general suggestions and hoping For the best. I refuse to see him again,

Does anyone else have any other suggestions? Of good private consultants?

@Wistfulthinking thank you so much very helpful x

Also does anyone know anything about karyotype testing? The doctor advised this as the next step.

Thanks

I found the zita west fertility clinic in london to be really good. Also Jeannie Yoon in london xx

Well done for taking control!! You'll get there xxx

@beonmywaythen yes I know thank you. I've just sent a demanding email to my GP copying in my private consultant and also the hospital miscarriage clinic.

See what comes of it.

Your age is important. The answers will be very different according to how old you are.

What age are you?
It could be low progesterone. This can cause chemical pregnancies. I've had a few.

I lost a baby at 21 weeks after 3 successful pregnancies. I was 34 at the time.
I saw professor Quenby privately and she said most woman of my age have low progesterone and prescribed me cyclogest twice daily from positive ovulation test to 36 weeks.
She also found out I have a blood clotting disorder.
I had 2 more successful pregnancies taking cyclogest and blood thinners x

I'm 36

I would make an appointment to see Professor Quenby.
I saw her privately at Coventry in 2015. She only charged me £100 and did all my blood nhs. She didn't think I would have a problem with nk cells as I'd had no problem in the past 3 healthy pregnancy but followed by 2 chemicals then a 21 week loss then 2 chemicals.
She wrote to my GP and they prescribed the cyclogest, asprin and clexane

I had recurrent chemicals and a couple of early miscarriages after 3 years ttk. All my blood tests were normal and it was classed as unexplained, however offered to try me on progesterone pessaries if I fell pregnant again. I had to start them from the day of my missed period so important I tested. The result is now a bositerous 5 year old. Had I not been testing at home and pushed for testing, I would never have been given the treatment.

I also took clexane.