TTC after pregnancy loss - thread 26 - BFPs are coming!

[RedRobin7]

🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧

Another new thread! This is a lovely supportive thread for anyone who has suffered the loss of a much wanted baby. Affectionately known as the penguin huddle - this is the place to survive the ups and downs of this crazy journey.

Kicking off with a roll call:

RedRobin7
Age 30
TTC #1
MMC at 12 weeks in March 18
NMC at 7 weeks in July 18

Currently under a private gynaecologist and waiting for tests results. Hoping to join the TTC bus again in October.

@doddlebobs that’s interesting and also that is an alternative practitioner saying something similar. She said that the spleen is the ‘chief’ of a lot if our functions and directs blood flow and energy so in my case through having warm blood then this would contribute to sticky blood (aps) and also ibs/celiac symptoms. She talked about the Cortisone hormone that is often linked to stress but in Chinese medicine is linked to female fertility and bodily function, so she suggested that cortisone being directed to the spleen to manage the warm blood (and potential aps) and not enough being sent to manage my uterine fertility to ensure ‘readiness’ for successful pregnancy. How to cool it down though?! She’s recommended diet changes (time of day I eat rather than what I eat) less running and more calming exercise. She assessed my pulse energy as only 3 or 4 out of 10 so I need to rest and relax rather than keep getting back on the horse. I mean you have to right, my main coping mechanism is to keep pushing forward, but my body and my head aren’t in tandem so I need to slow my mind down first. Lots to take in, could you do thyroid test privately? I’ve used medichecks online before, was simple and not too expensive x

@Mistymeow no AF arrived today after a BFN on Saturday and a couple of days of spotting.

@doddlebobs I'm sure your GP would do a thyroid test for you. It's a simple and relatively inexpensive test. I would advise caution against internet kits as these are unreliable and potentially misleading.

@doddlebobs and @yukka that's an interesting discussion from acupuncture. So you are too hot? I've had 2 sessions since mc2 and he also mentioned heat, though in my case I don't have enough. I have to have hot food for all meals now and asked about thyroid. Mine were tested 2 years ago, does anyone know if they change, should I get tested again? Last week he also used electricity through the needles which sent shooting feelings around various parts of my womb - it felt very odd - and brought on some discharge of very brown blood (af had just finished but this was quite different). Has anyone experienced anything similar?

@jellykitty, welcome. I'm sorry you find yourself here but this is a great thread full of supportive ladies. Hopefully we can all help each other.

@doddlebobs I think I was lucky with GP, took OH with me expecting some resistance, and needing backup. GP was great, ordered all tests I asked, and even talked about referral to gynaecologist if nothing conclusive despite the fact I only had 2 MC. I thought he might just say that at 38 I was getting too old, but he said my age was fine and likely to have a clinical cause. It will be two weeks from seeing him to getting the results this Thursday. Good luck - from everything I've read B12, thyroid and vitamin d are all linked to MC and should be tests your GP can order. X

@keebo I have heard of that before, like a cleanse to reset the blood flow. It’s also this that allows those with high natural killer cells to have successful pregnancies ie things build up then a cleanse happens.@strawberrye medichecks aren’t a kit as such they just facilitate access to the test labs. You can send pin prick samples or go to have bloods taken and get a gp write up of findings. I used them for hcg checks when nhs wouldn’t do it.

I haven’t been posting very often but do keep reading.

Roll call-
Rdm
Ttc #2 ds is nearly 3
Mc @ 10 wks in feb
Mmc @ 11 wks in August
Currently on cd22. I have a feeling I ov’d very early this month (cd11) going off cm and ov pain- has anyone else had this? Seems very early. Although I’m already getting af cramps which I suppose would fit?

@RedRobin7 lovely words. Hopefully even though you won’t be putting them on fb yourself you’ve inspired other to. Plus, just writing those feelings down might make you feel a bit better.

Can I ask about b12? A couple of you have mentioned it recently and last week my mum mentioned that she has a b12 deficiency which apparently can be genetic. Is this something that can contribute to mc? Do I need to get this checked out?

@Yukka that's not the point. As someone who works in healthcare I have seen several patients who have done these tests and they are simply inaccurate causing a lot of stress and anxiety. There is a reason doctors spend 5 years in medical school then many years in postgraduate training and part of that is to be able to accurately interpret investigation results. I would strongly caution against any home testing kits which don't have the input of a trained healthcare professional - plus what is the harm in asking the GP? I would be extremely surprised if they refused to do thyroid function tests.

@strawberrye I’m not suggesting she doesn’t ask her go I’m just sharing alternatives. I’m not sure you understand the medichecks company as it is done by qualified Drs and your blood can be taken at Partner private hospitals. It depends on the type of test you need. In my experience it was helpful to my nhs consultant as it showed the pregnancy was developing normally prior to mc and led to further testing with them. We all have own choices to make as to what is helpful or not. The nhs is under so much pressure, most women in here have resulted in private testing if some sort.

@Yukka People ordering investigations without any trained input as to whether it is appropriate or not, then receiving results which are not interpreted in their own individual context is exactly the sort of extra work the NHS does not need. I am not saying not to go private, but to be wary of online companies which offer testing indiscriminately without proper healthcare professional support. I think we will have to agree to disagree.

@strawberrye @Yukka this is an interesting one as I'm kinda in the middle of it now.

Because of this second MMC I need answers-even if it's ruling things out. I know that I don't fit the criteria for investigation, but at 39 and with my mental health the way it is I have to do something. I'm going to ask my GP to refer, but expect to get knocked back, if not by her then by the referral system (in my area if you don't fit criteria your referral will most likely be sent back to the GP).

So I've researched private consults/tests. A consult with the same specialist I'd see locally under NHS care is £240. I contacted the Nuffield private hospital about tests (aps/thrombophilia/hormone/genetic) to find out costs which range from £40-£375 per test. However if you want those blood tests, or the consultation they require a GP referral anyway. If you can't get it for the tests they have a dr referral service to do them at £25 a pop.

My GP did do thyroid tests when I asked after bean earlier in the year-however she just said they came back "normal" -I'm going to ask for the actual result because it seems from reading prof Reagans book and other research papers that there is often not one obvious cause, but could be multiple subtle ones that in isolation appear normal but together could be worth exploring.

@Laney79 in some areas in the UK you can be referred after 2 miscarriages, it's a bit of a lottery. Are you near any of the Tommy's miscarriage specialist centres? Even if not they might refer given your age and 2 MCs. I have a friend in her late 20s who has been referred after 2 so it can be very variable. I totally understand your need to do something to look into it having had two losses myself. I really hope you get the outcome you want from your GP then you won't have the added worry of going private. Good luck x

@laney79 I think it’s completley down to what you feel comfortable with and also whether you can afford the cost of private. I Personally am happy to have simple tests done via Medichecks for example that can lead to insight and help further my chances of successful pregnancy when all information is considered together. As you say a lot of the challenge can be in piecing information together to get to an outcome. I personally would also choose this route where time is of concern, as waiting times are shorter. I’m about to go private for the Anti mullarian test to ascertain my reserve and know whether time is an immediate concern or not. I can’t get this test on the nhs yet as it’s too expensive for them to offer. One day I’m sure it will be standard, and I’m sure waiting for 3 mcs will be eradicated, but sadly that’s not the situation I am in right now.

But we all have our own set of circumstances and experiences that create our opinions, through forums like this those experiences can be shared to help you form your own choices.

@strawberrye what you describe is not what I experienced and it’s a shame when it’s not helpful to others. I had a very positive experience that was helpful for me and my nhs care team.

Age 39
TTC #1
MC - 6 weeks in Feb 18
MC - 11 weeks in May 18

I've just caught up on reading about 10 pages
Regarding the tests, I had a similar experience that GP wouldn't refer me to clinic after 2nd one but did agree to do some blood tests. At the EPU, doctor said GP might refer due to my age but GP didn't agree to this... I was thinking of going private as well, but didn't know where to start looking for this.

@Yukka I'm concerned about time too-is the anti mullarian one the AMH test? I'd like to know what sort of egg quality I have-if it's a high chance of majority of poor eggs at least we'd now and can decide if we can keep doing this on the off chance we get a decent one. Are you using the same company?

Welcome to the new joiners. So sorry to see you here but we will look after you.

Thanks @doddlebobs but I'm cd2 now. Those ic are terrible for evap lines. Glad I only have one left. Not bothering having pregnancy tests in the house, too much temptation! How are you doing?

@strawberrye I'm cd2 so we are going to be close together this month! I'm hoping I won't have yet another long cycle. They used to be 24 days and the last two have been 35. How tedious!

@Clumsykitten sorry to hear of your miscarriages. It sounds like you are doing all the right things with your bmi and looking after yourself generally. No harm asking your GP to clarify a few things with your asthma medication to put your mind at rest. I'm soon to be turning 35 so I know how you feel but honestly you have time on your hands. Some of the ladies here find acupuncture helps and reflexology. For me, I've been focusing on doing things that make me smile and am spending more time with good friends. I still drink alcohol and coffee (in moderation) and pig out, because I may be on this journey for a while and have put my mental health as my top priority.

@laney79 there is a local private clinic that I will check first otherwise I’ll use medichecks. Yes it’s the Amh test looks around £180. It’s worth research what tests as fairly standard versus what would be more specific to you but the amh test is standard it’s a hormone blood count.

@coffeist the 3mc rule is just awful, you Laney79 and I are all 39. My third mc was in may so nhs have tested, allbeig limited tests compared to what is available privately. Some new some not. Pending final results.

@Laney79 I have gone privately but I've been extremely lucky because my work are paying (added to my health insurance as it wasn't originally covered)... initial consultation, internal scan & blood tests (hormone profile, blood clotting tests (can't remember the fancy word) and AMH)... all of that was £1000. Just to give you an idea. Getting my results tomorrow. Eek. I didn't want to wait for a third miscarriage due to my mental health! I think it's cruel to make us go through three losses before getting help.

@weasledee how are you??
@KnitKitty great opk!! What a line! Usually ovulation is 12-48 hours after a positive opk but a safe bet is to count the next day as ovulation. Opks can only predict a surge and can't confirm ovulation so without temping too, next day is a good guesstimate. And as the few days before ovulation are the most fertile you are defi still in with a chance. 😀 I also totally get the syncing with the moon thing! Feels like it's all aligned as all women used to be fertile with the full moon. Ooh great dream!! I hope it's a prophecy! 🤞🤞
@Mistymeow thanks hun. Sorry it wasnt your month but hopeful for the next few months for you.
@fnej01 glad to hear you are feeling a bit more positive.
@Yukka your acupuncturist sounds fab! I love the yoga yin fertility vids on YouTube and tonight I did one focusing on thyroid. She showed several 'cooling' poses so might be helpful for you? And anyone else who has thyroid issues!
@Jellykitty welcome and I'm so sorry for your loss.
@strawberrye also sorry it wasn't your month hun. Let's hope October is lucky for us all!
@keebo sounds like it brought about a good cleanse and flush out of old stagnant blood! Here's to new beginnings!

Hope everyone is well. Hugs to all. Sorry for those I missed. I struggle to remember everyone's posts when I have a few days to go through but good luck for everyone seeking additional tests. Can't hurt to give it a try!

Fingers crossed for results tomorrow @redrobin7 how are you feeling?

@RedRobin7 sorry I missed you! Good luck for tomorrow. Hope you get some answers 🤞

@RedRobin7 good luck for today.

@RedRobin7 I feel the same. Hope all goes ok today-do let us know?

@Yukka thanks-I'm keen to start with AMH and thrombophilia/Aps tests - personally think I have a blood issue looking at family history. If not I know it's most likely to be old eggs/chromosome issues which I can't do much about.

Good luck to all those testing, baby dust to you all xxx