Hi ladies (and gentleman), have you got room for another?
My story: I'm 43, DP is 49, I have a beautiful DD who is 4 yrs 8 mos by my previous partner. Started TTC May 2010 after having had non-hormonal IUD for 9 months. BFP mid-Nov but emergency scan following spotting Dec 22nd at 9+4 showed babe hadn't made it past 6 weeks. MC bleeding all over Christmas & New Year followed by ERPC 13th Jan this year.
OVd 2 weeks after ERPC and shock BFP 2 weeks later, only to have early natural MC at 5+2.
3 months later another (very strong) BFP, 27th May, and this time thought everything was fine, strong pregnancy symptoms, no worries. Had a private reassurance scan the day before we went on holiday at 9+5 to be told the baby had died at 8+6. Total shock, as I thought all was well. ERPC on return from holiday 2 weeks ago now, 26th July.
This second ERPC has hit me much harder physically than the first did, it took me a week before I started feeling human again whereas it took about a day the first time, plus I bled for a lot longer this time too. I'm assuming that's because the pregnancy was further along, plus I hardly bled naturally at all before the ERPC this time. No clue!
I'm now back to using my trusty CBFM and waiting for first AF. The doctor who carried out my ERPC told me the RMC at the hospital (Frimley Park in Surrey, who are supposed to be good at maternity stuff!) most likely wouldn't see me as I have already had a baby. This surprised me - I did my research the two weeks I was on holiday and learned all about the things that can change (like blood clotting issues) even after a successful pregnancy. She told me that my GP could do the two blood tests needed to check for clotting issues, and packed me off. I did raise the fact that I have a different DP - perhaps he may have issues?
Anyway, before I saw my GP I'd decided I want to see Mr S for tests - I'm lucky enough that both DP and I have BUPA with work, and BUPA very surprisingly have been fantastic, they've agreed to whatever tests Mr S wants to do on both of us. So I then saw my GP, told her what the hospital doctor had said, and she was really quite cross - she said she doesn't do the testing on DP and myself, the RMC at the hospital has to! But since we're going to be seeing Mr S she said there was no point referring me to a different NHS RMC since she felt Mr S would take all the same tests anyway, as well as whatever additional ones he may do. She told me if Mr S didn't test DP or myself for something 'standard' that we wanted, to go back to her and she would start the NHS referral ball rolling.
Bearing in mind my age though (I'm actually 44 in Jan), I'm thinking I don't have time to wait the length of time it will no doubt take to get anywhere on the NHS, so I'm hoping Mr S will test for everything! I know it could well be my age that's a problem, although I'm choosing to believe that is not the issue, that there's something else wrong - and hope Mr S will find it! I certainly seem to be fertile enough to get pregnant relatively easily, but for some reason my babies are dying. And I want answers, if answers are there to be found!
Having fallen foul of Mr S's holiday in August, we're not due to see him until 12th Sept (and got follow-up appt for results on the 28th), so I'm reading and reading and reading in the meantime. I am halfway through Dr Beer's bible, and it makes for very interesting reading. I myself have mild psoriasis, eczema and psoriatic arthritis in my fingers, and a family history of chronic asthma, all of which I believe are autoimmune issues. That may not be the problem, but it's a possibility - I've always had mild psoriasis on my elbows and nails but it was only after my daughter was born that I developed the psoriatic arthritis, as well as psoriasis on my knees, which I thought was odd at the time but from reading Dr Beer's book I understand that increased autoimmune issues can result from a successful pregnancy if there are problems. shrug I just don't know, but I'm hoping Mr S can find out.
I'm also taking a whole ramp of vitamins including agnus castus, starflower oil, "super" B6, extra zinc, royal jelly, 5mg folic acid (GP wasn't keen but the hospital doc had recommended it), extra iron supplements which my acupuncturist suggested I should take, as well as a very comprehensive multivit/mineral. I rattle!! And I've started seeing an acupuncturist who specialises in fertility issues, who declared herself horrified I've had 3 miscarriages in 7 months and told me to take it easy. Right - with working full-time and a 4 year old. Nice thought! :)
Anyway, so very sorry for the huuuuuuge length of this post (brevity is sadly not a virtue of mine when emailing!), and it's been so interesting reading and following everyone's stories on here. You all give me hope that my wee lassie may get the little brother or sister that she so desperately wants.
Ari x