TTC after recurrent miscarriage thread 2 - we're not giving up

[UnicornsandRainbows1]

Shiny new thread! :)

O Miami - I’m so pleased for you. I read the thread last Friday in the acupuncture waiting room and started writing a reply about WHY do they make us wait 2 weeks for a follow up scan when things aren’t looking good? It really doesn’t help. I’m glad you got good news quickly!

Acupuncture was great, the Dr really put me at ease. She pointed out that I have a lot on my plate outside of RMC, which causes a lot of stress which I should try to resolve.

I have another appointment on Friday, so we’ll see how it goes. FW coming up, but I’m undecided whether to go for it!

Oh good luck with your scan tomorrow @labmum, I’m not surprised you’re terrified, I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you. Are you able to do anything nice today to take your mind off things?
I saw my gp this morning who said as I still have symptoms and have only had spotting so far he’s referring me to Epu for a scan for when I’m 6 weeks, unfortunately I think I’ll be cancelling that appointment as when I went to the toilet after there was more than just spotting. He said if I do end up miscarrying he’ll refer me to the reoccurrent miscarriage clinic, our closest is dr Shehata at st heliers who he said is well renowned in that field so that’s reassuring, although I hate hospitals and think I’ll find the process quite stressful

Had good scan, good for dates at 7+5, saw and heard heartbeat. He measured blood flow to the placenta and a bunch of other things so it was really comprehensive. He'll scan me again on the 15th.

Changed meds again, now double double cyclogest, so 2 400s a day, and two aspirin.

Hot my deadline! It's been a hell of a day. I was fine at the hospital but absolutely lost it on the way back to work, howled with relief on multiple fronts.

Nowhere near out of the woods pregnancy wise and it's the post 9 week scan we'll just expect to be bad but it's going okay so far.

@MissPMA I'm so sorry about the continued bleeding and worry that it entails. I've heard of Dr Shehata from a few threads on Mumsnet and hes very popular so if that's you're closest clinic you'll be in great hands! Unfortunately I'm at work today but at least I'm keeping busy. Doubt I'll sleep much tonight.

@AnneLovesGilbert I'm so glad today's scan went well. What are you by dates now? And well done on the deadline. Shame you can't have a stiff drink tonight after the days you've had! Maybe just sniff hubbys gin and have a nice soak in the bath!

Glad to hear your scan went well Anne. Sorry to hear about the bleeding missPMA. Good to hear acupuncture went well curly. It's unfortunate all these things are so expensive. I messaged someone about sessions that include both reflexology and acupuncture, she got back to me with price and said she can do Fridays but hasn't got back to me again with an appointment time!
I had my gynae appointment yesterday. Went much better than I expected. Erosion/ectopy on my cervix is about size of a 20p and should only cause bleeding after sex. The spotting I'm getting when ovulating and a couple of days after period are from endometrium, are hormonal and completely normal for some women. Only solution would be to go on pill which is obviously not something I want. At least I know it's not something sinister! While there she scanned me, all normal inside and the cyst I had on my right ovary has gone. I called rmc after this to chase appointment there and surprise surprise nothing had been arranged. Once I explained my situation I think the receptionist felt a bit sorry for me and offered appointments with 3 different specialists. I've gone for the one with the most experience but won't get to see him until 26th September. It is a while away but we don't plan on trying until we're on holiday in September so will be in tww around 26th.

Sorry to open old wounds but without scrolling back can you lovely ladies remind me of your history, what tests you've had when and what treatments have you been offered/ started? Thank you ❤

Wow that ended up being a long post!

@Hopefulforourrainbow
This current pregnancy is my fourth. After first two early miscarriages managed to get tests done at RMC, nothing found (they tested for clotting mainly). I went on to get pregnant with dd but she died in utero at 27 weeks due to 'some kind of placental issues', not my words the experts. Since dd birth I have hounded the doctors to understand my uterus shape (they thought it was bicornuate which isn't much associated with miscarriages), it turns out after months of waiting and misinformation that it's a septate uterus which means there is a whole wall in the middle of uterus that doesn't have blood flow. This causes early miscarriages.
My obstetrics consultant is adamant that this had nothing to do with dd dying and that there is actually something wrong with my blood, hence the placenta problems.
In this pregnancy I am on 5000iu Fragmin daily, 150mg aspirin, 5mg folic acid and 200mg progesterone suppositories. Only at 6+6 today but really hopeful that this one has implanted well away from pesky septum.

Thank you @Miami. I'm just worried they're going to fob me off and not do any further tests. Was in an ultrasound they diagnosed uterus problems with?

Pleased that things are on course @AnneLovesGilberts - hang in there and do everything you are doing. Things are progressing in the right direction! Hope you relax a bit now deadline is over!

Fingers crossed @TaylsN, it’s something you cannot help when you are ttcing! I always tell myself not to symptom spot, but I always do!

@Hopefulforarainbow - I’ve had 3 mmc in a row since January (1 missed at 12 week scan, 5 weeks in April , missed at 8 week private scan, which showed with slow development in May). I have not started any investigations, I’m here more for moral support! I am starting to consider investigations now. I’m not actively ttcing - I think my body needs to recover the last 7-8 months. I’ve only had 2 AF since January (1 of which was last week). My body a ‘rebalance’ and consider my options. Hence acupuncture and alternative teas!

I did start to opk (only used once before after mmc 2) which I’ve found difficult to get the hang of - what does a positive look like!?! I bought another set of IC for this month to get an idea of my cycle, but the acupuncturist told me to throw them away last week! She told that if I want to go down the opk, invest in a digital one to measure the luteinizing hormone to record it properly. I’ve never temped, I bought a thermometer for this month, and the last I saw it my DD was measuring her ted’s temp I’ve not seen it since! But maybe it’s for the best this month.

As I told the acupuncturist - I’ve been getting pregnant easily enough, it’s that the pregnancies have not developed past 8 weeks, they also seem to ‘cling on’, I have not miscarried naturally. I’ve had to had 2 lots of medical management since January. The 5 week mmc I’ve put down to a chem, no symptoms just a faint positive.

I luckily have a 3 year old DD who was conceived 1st time without any issues (I didn’t realise how was lucky that was 🤷‍♀️) but desperate for a second.

I really hope I’ve had ‘bad luck’ and that the next time will be okay. I might be burying my head in the sand, and read this in a few months and regret that I didn’t demand investigations sooner (GP unconcerned). Which I am already starting to wonder, especially taking part on this thread should I start testing. The truth is, I don’t have mental strength at the moment.

Sorry - also posted much longer than I expected!

The ladies on this thread are amazing, we all are. We carry on with work, raising families, difficult deadlines, early pregnancy symthoms - AND have to deal with stress RMC as well. I don’t know how we do it!

I don’t know what I have contributed this morning, I’m just rambling!

AnneLovesGilbert great news on scan! And deadline! Have a really busy month at work ahead which I hope will keep me from being too anxious as I count down to the magic 24 weeks.

MissPMA if it does come to it I believe Dr Shehata is one of the countries leading experts in RMC so you’ll be in good hands.

Miami this pregnancy seems to have implanted in a good part of my uterus, so it can happen.

Hopeful I had only started investigations but scarring had been suspected from ultrasound scans of my uterus and cervix. My cervix is visibly very damaged, scarred and shortened (or as my surgeon tactfully said, shredded!). There was a strong opinion that there was adhesions visible in my lower uterus and posterior areas- I had planned a hysteroscopy to look in detail when I conceived unexpectedly. It was also suspected because my periods had changed massively since DDs difficult birth- I’d gone from several days of heavy bleeding to light scanty periods.

I had also been in line to have clotting tests as my older sibling has been found to have a clotting disorder recently, but we all felt this was unlikely given I’ve had a previous normal pregnancy and had visible anatomical issues. I did have a coeliac screen, thyroid screen and vit d/folate/b12/iron. Vit D was very low so took a proper replacement course. Iron was very low after my 3rd miscarriage (unsurprisingly having bled for 6 weeks and having an infection) so I had an iron infusion- mainly as I found oral iron so hard to tolerate. Took high dose folic acid, and aspirin at positive test but that was stopped due to a bleeding subchorionic haematoma.

I’ve no idea what if anything made a difference. I suspect this time the pregnancy just implanted in a good place which is something I couldn’t do anything about. My cervix surgery has proven to be the right call though as the cervix below my stitch had all but disappeared by 16 weeks, so I definitely wouldn’t still be pregnant without it.

Sorry, that was an essay!!

Thanks ladies. I, like you curly have had 3 in a row in a short space of time and feel like we've put ourselves through too much both emotionally and physically. The thought of trying again really terrifies me 😭

@AnneLovesGilbert congratulations on your scan. That's great news. I know you are getting into the important time for your history so if you need to come on here and scream into the void for a bit, please do. We are here for you.
@Labmum is your scan today? Good luck.
@Paranormalbouquet good luck for tomorrow.

Hi ladies, had my scan this morning and all is thankfully ok. Still measuring ahead by the same amount. I'm now just sitting waiting for my booking appointment and booking/screening bloods to be taken. I think I'm in shock that we've made it to 12 weeks.

@Hopefulforourrainbow this is my 5th pregnancy. First was a MMC discovered at 12 week scan, second I got my DS who is now 2, then two more MMC since October last year at 10.5 and 11 weeks. In all MMCs baby had stopped developing at the 8-9 week stage. I was waiting for my referral to recurrent miscarriage clinic when I fell again. I took vit B6 prior to BFP, then high dose folic and 75mg aspirin since BFP and was given cyclogest to take twice a day from 6 weeks.

Thanks so much for all the hand holding ladies, you've been amazing.

That's fab news @labmum so happy for you

Congrats @Labmum! That's really fantastic news.

This is fab news @Labmum delighted for you.

Awww - lovely news @labmum, congratulations! So pleased that it went well.

Right - I'm onto the B6 .
Can I ask whether you were told to take the aspirin, or did you take it as 'might as well' precaution?

I am taking a regular wellwoman supplement (I can't face swallowing a 'trying for baby') which has everything in it for now.

Can I ask everyone - what is cyclogest? It's been mentioned a few times on this thread. Straightforward progesterone? I need to get clued up if RMC continues.

There are a lot of positive scans coming onto the thread, I hope it continues!

@Hopefulforarainbow yes - I think it's important to have a break at times. Even though I desperately want to get pregnant, my mind is shattered. (I know am raving about the acupuncturist) - an important point she made was to allow myself to grieve.

Keep enjoying those pregnancies, lovely news all round today!

That’s fab news @labmum 😊

Sorry for essay hahaha..

Hi all hope it's ok for me to join.
TTC #1
Natural miscarriage at 6/7 weeks in January
Mmc at 13/14 weeks in June baby measured 9
Whilst in hospital was informed I was rhesus negative which I had no idea about and had an anti d injection

Currently on my first period since mmc which is bizarre not heavy like i was warned very stop start and no pains... weird.. can't wait to get AF out of the way and try again. Going to try a more chilled out approach 🙈🤦🏼‍♀️ planning to cut down on caffeine, booze and eat abit better. Also going to take 75mg aspirin when I hopefully conceive again. Is there anything else I can do?

Congrats to BFP and ladies currently having healthy pregnancies. And to the rest of us how shit but we will carry on!! Xx

Really pleased for you @LabMum bet you feel drained from the anxiety scans cause us now.

I'm currently waiting for AF to turn up, I presume she's a little late as started the cyclogest again this month....first time since February. Plus I had spotting for the first time a week after my period so think my body is just a little confused x

@Hopefulforourrainbow
mmc at 12 weeks in May 2017 and had erpc
Mc at 6 weeks in July 2017 natural
Mc at 8 weeks in September natural
Mmc at 11 weeks in February erpc.
Heartbeat seen with all but the 6 week.
Known carrier or 14;21- 2 of the babies were tested and positive for the extra 21.
Take high dose folic acid for type 1 diabetes and was started on progesterone end of last year.

Fall pregnant quickly in the past however haven't fallen since my last miscarriage.
Wishing and hoping it won't be long. If not I'm being referred for ivf with PGD.

Please feel free to ask any questions hun x

Thanks @Munchies89 I'm shattered! When's AF due? Have you tested yet? Fingers crossed it's your month.

@CurlyTwirlyTwos I took aspirin off my own back just so I felt like I was doing something. Took it from BFP. Cyclogest is the progesterone pessary/suppository depending on your preferred delivery route.

Thanks for all your kind words ladies! I'll probably head over to the pregnancy thread now but will keep popping back in to see how you're getting on. Feel free to tag me if you want to ask me anything about the B6.

Thanks everyone. Had been wondering what kind of testing you have all had and if our stories were similar. A lot of it seems to be a postcode lottery in what they do. I'm in Scotland and they don't seem to give progesterone here.

Hopeful most places don’t give progesterone as there was a recent trial showing no evidence of benefit. However other units are happy to try it as there’s little evidence of benefit for much sadly.