TTC after MC (#7) - fx for better times ahead

[CarrotVan]

Support, shoulders to cry on, virtual gin and the best cheer leaders MN can offer you. We've been there and it's awful but we'll help each other through to better times.

Yes, I'm definitely up for trying again. Just counting the days to start again! I'm feeling OK physically, have been quite tired and drained all week. I'm still bleeding but it's not as horrendous. How about you?

That's good! You sound really positive...yay! My bleeding is minimal now, don't need an adult nappy now haha (tenna lady night pants) mc godsend btw!
You're brave to try again hun, I commend you for that, I'm too scared as don't have any dc's yet, and would rather know if there was a problem before ttc again, just in case I risk my future chances. But am I right in thinking you already have a child/children? If I had one already I would probably just start ttc again straight away too. Glad you're feeling better anyway, I'm feeling drained today, feels like flu, I ache all over, inside and out. Zero energy! X x

paws locums always agree more tests or refer on as they aren't held accountable for their spending. Glad you got one.

Hmm, not doing loads of tests/immediately referring often is a thought through clinical decision rather than financial one though! & then it's doing the right tests/referrals that counts...

If you do want to go down test route early it might be worth looking at which ones are recommended or done by the recurrent miscarriage clinics?

Is it anything other than ANA, ferritin & FBC being done? I don't think the latter two will tell you much about a cause of miscarriages more just whether you're anaemic now? & thyroid function tests might be more helpful as a first step than ANA unless there's a family history of autoimmune/lupus? I'd also ask for some thrombophilia bloods tests as those are probably the biggest group of recurrent miscarriage causes.
I also wanted to do a urine sample and vaginal swab ASAP to exclude urine or vaginal infection (bacterial vaginosis mostly).

The recurrent miscarriage thread over in body & soul then miscarriage sub forum is a great resource!

I think you underestimate how much strain is currently on gps to reduce spending.

That's right, paws, I have a wonderful son, aged 5. I am very lucky.

I think it's easier for me because I know my body is capable of carrying and producing a healthy child and it is for this reason that I will not be asking for any testing or referrals from my doctor. Resources should be directed towards those who are struggling to have their first child.

Hard when DS regularly asks me for a sibling, though!

Thinking of you paws. I can't imagine how painful it must be to have a second miscarriage in a row. The first nearly broke me. You are doing amazing, so glad you can get some tests started.

Hello horsey. Sorry for your loss. I am also in the wtf cycle, day 34 now.

Although I am very confused. I started getting brown stains in my knickers on Thursday and thought AF was on her way but nothing more than a few brown wipes so far (sorry if that's tmi). Usually once I see spotting it all kicks off in the next 12-24 hrs but I'm not bleeding yet. I can't help wondering if it's a bit of an implantation bleed but I had a -ve test yesterday morning. So confused! Just want to know one way or the other. And stupidly I forgot to pack pg tests and I'm on holiday now. In the UK though so might have to find a boots if AF doesn't get going by Monday.

My lines aren't getting darker. I'm thinking maybe chemical. I'm going to stop testing for a few days and see what happens. MrVan is very pleased that his sperm are doing a good job. I may have to kill him...

Mummyofonesofar I think I have a pretty realistic idea about strain GPs are under! More tests & referrals is not always the right thing to be doing clinically although then you're locumming so don't have the safet

(Toddler hitting send!)

... Don't have the safety net of being able to follow people up & see how things are progressing it's probably tempting to have a lower threshold for them. Or if doctors are feeling overwhelmed some tests/referral can be an easy way of getting people out of the room with something but doesn't necessarily move things on much! If anyone's particularly interested there's been quite a lot in the medical press recently e.g. BMJ / LMC conference speeches on "too much medicine" and harms of over investigation/treatment.

But anyway, if you're getting tests done make sure they're the right ones? It might be helpful to look at RCOG or miscarriage association or NICE or the recurrent miscarriage thread, Paws for info about which blood tests are recommended for recurrent miscarriage or what the specialist clinics are doing if you want to go down that route now & see if they can add on some more tests if it's just FBC/ferritin/ANA so far?

Tftpoo & CarrotVan Sorry to hear you're both in limbo at the moment...

Tftpoo - there is no such thing as TMI on this thread. Sorry you are in limbo. You are me last weekend. It's so hard.

Yup. It is what it is. Nothing I can do to influence anything at this stage so I'm trying not to worry

carrotV really sorry about the lines. Try a different brand?

morgan I completely agree that clinicians should and do make decisions based on clinical evidence and nice guidance. However I was stating that locums are more relaxed about what tests & referrals they authorise. Ccgs have had their costs cut by 10% nationally and I would be surprised to hear of any part of the country that isn't cracking down on unnecessary costs from the GP practices. However locums do not have the same vested interest in a practice sticking to budget as a salaried or partner GP does.

Well, I'm very confused now
I will ask my doctor to add on tests for PCOS APS THROMBOPHILIA ...i thought the ANA was to test for 'sticky blood/clotting'? I had a urine test which was negative. I was feeling hopeful about testing, now I'm not feeling all that confident.
The reason the doc suggested the tests I stated that are being done, is because I mentioned that whenever I became pg, I would become very ill and feel like my body can't cope, so was wondering if my immune system has a part to play with the recurrent mc's (hence why he suggested ANA)
To all who have posted asking after me and wishing me well, thankyou so much. X
tft fc the brown discharge was ib...only time will tell, best of luck hun. X
carrot I hope you get some stronger lines soon, fc for you too! My Mr.paws is chuffed his swimmers are supersonic also...wish it were that simple though. X
mama I hope you're feeling better now. X
mummy are you currently ttc? X
horsey I hope your wtf cycle is as stress free as possible, it will pass before you know it. X

paws we are ttc, CD13 now so waiting for ov. 5 days of flashy smileys on the digi tests. Don't feel disheartened about the tests. I think it is great some are being done. And we don't know- maybe the tests they have chosen to do will be one that shows a very easy fixable cause for your mcs. Maybe nothing will show up and your next pregnancy will go by without a hiccup. We just don't know Hun. But we are here to help you d

Darker line on a Superdrug test today but not very dark. Today is the latest that AF could be due.

Ff thought it was last Wednesday (26 day cycle, 12 luteal based on WTF cycle)
I thought it was last Friday (28 day cycle, 14 luteal, my normal cycle basically)
Based on my WTF cycle it could be today (30 day cycle like the WTF, but 16 day luteal which is weirdly long)

So pregnant for now but feeling more AFish with a banging headache

Fingers crossed for you, CarrotVan.

Stay hopeful carrot...I didn't get a darker line until 12-13 dpo, and remember that each pg is different, and may raise hcg at different paces...have you got the cheapie ones from Amazon? I would invest in a pack of 15 of them...only £2.80 called 'one step ultra early pregnancy tests'. That way you can afford to do one every day to check progress of lines? But if you would find that too stressful then just hold out and test again in 2-3 days, and fc AF doesn't show. I wish you the best of luck hunny xxx

mummy those flashy smiles sound great! I wish you all the luck in the world dtd'ing, and fc you get a sticky bean for your efforts.
We both decided to have a break while they are testing us..for a few reasons which I sure I've mentioned before? I bought 'pregnacare conception his and hers' the other day, but should we hold off on taking them until we've had our tests done? I'm worried we may 'Cover-up' any deficiencys we may have, I would rather they say "yes mrs/mr Paws, one of you is low on such-an-such, and the other needs to take this supplement" before we go ahead and start them, as we may never know what a possible tiny deficiency issue may have been! Do you get what I mean? Xx

I've got a load of ICs paws so I'll be testing daily until I get AF or a decent line. I'm 16dpo now

I don't think there's a clear answer on taking supplements or not. If you're planning on starting again in the next three months you should continue with folic acid yourself though.

Yeah I'm still taking that until we switch to the others x
CONGRATULATIONS on your BFP btw!!!
Let us know how you get on! X

Still v faint lines though. I'm not getting excited. I'm trying to decide if my niggly cramps are pregnancy, AF, or starting the 30 day squat challenge

Found you guys [waving]!!! paws great you are having some tests done. Personally I'd stick with folic acid and change after tests not that I would have anything scientific to backup this reason... carot like you said today you're pg congrats . I'm on cd 18 so in the 2ww.

Good luck carrotvan fx you get a dark line soon and can stop worrying.
paws sounds like a good plan to hold off the pregnacare for now, so you will know if you had any deficiencies during your pregnancy. When will you get the tests? You're doing so well to stay strong.
sakura did you get your peak OPK? Sorry, I've lost track of the messages from the previous thread. I got 3 days of flashing smileys and then a solid smiley on Thursday. I lied to DH when I got it and told him I'd missed the peak because he was feeling the pressure of having to perform on demand all week. Turns out he figured it out a day after though, I'm a terrible liar! Weirdly I've had some symptoms of OV 2-3 days after my CB peak, although I thought I felt OV that day.