TTC after pregnancy loss - thread 27 - BFPs are coming!

[Yukka]

New Thread as we're at 988 messages on thread 26. we'll do a quick roll call:
Age 39
TTC x1
MC x 3 = Sept + Dec 2017 + May 2018
Currently pregnant again 5w4ds
Diagnosed with APS/Hughes Syndrome. On Asprin since October and start Heparin tomorrow. First scan Monday.

xx

Lambaman81 thank you, I am sorry you had to go through it too. I'll probbaly just be dropped off and picked up by my Dad, cant imagine he will wait there with me. DH will be looking after DS.

Btw, I've just started bleeding? 4 days until my surgery... Does this mean I am now going to have to wait it out naturally?

@KnitKitty let me know how you get on.
I think the ultrasound is just to check the uterus and that it's not a weird shape and that's causing my miscarriages. I have obviously had lots of scans with the miscarriages but they said they like a good detailed look when you aren't pregnant.
Today I have a high vaginal swab at the gp (I know what fun 😬) which the hospital review just to eliminate infection. I then have LOTS of blood tests after my next period. They have told me the results take up to 10 weeks and they will only see me once they have all results. Hence my April timeline, managing my own expectation
I am having a similar range of tests at the research centre in Jan. I also want to look at the endometrial biopsy for research. Figuring in for a penny...
interested to hear how you get on. It seems lots of hospitals have different processes. X

@TinselBee - this was one of my concerns also. I had a MMC and wasn't sure how to best manage the miscarriage. I queried with the EPAU staff member that if whilst I was waiting for the surgery (only two day wait for me) that I started the MC naturally, could I still go ahead with the surgery as I wanted to make sure nothing was retained. They said yes, but would depend on how much had passed. Every hospital is different though and have their own procedures.

Just got back from the doctors and it went OK. I asked to be referred but that's a no go but he did do some tests (took what remaining blood I have left) and is going to test for anything that might cause problems. I asked about aspirin and he says go for it. But has advised with all the trouble I've had to wait at least one month before trying again. He also proscribed iron due to my blood loss so that will be fun. Now I just have to wait and see xx

I really wish I thought to ask all this Lambaman81 I did just phone EPU, although not feeling too confident in what they said as she asked me if I was just having a period and not a miscarriage even though I opened with the scan on Friday confirming MMC! Anyway she told me to collect every thing I pass into a pot for the testing. How am I meant to store that!?

Sorry you didn't get referred Lilimum5 but glad at least more blood was taken from you. Hope you get some solutions soon x

@Lilimum5 why is GP saying no to testing, you've had 5 MC's in total? I don't think this is right surely? x

@fnej01 I had the same scan and bloods. The Scan does a good check of your ovaries etc check there is no PCOS or Endometriosis, check for any nodules or Fibroids in the uterus etc. He gave me the all clear from the scan on the day, but I didn't get anything from the hopsital until the bloods were in weeks later x

@tinselbee - its not nice, but even anything on sanity towels etc, stick it in a tupperware. I used to keep one by the loo as I tended to pass more when I went to the loo, or if I could feel something coming . . .its really not pleasant, but again will help them rule anything out xx

@Lilimum5 What was the reason for not referring you? I'm glad tests are being done at least.

@TinselBee You might MC naturally hun. If at all concerned or worried about anything ring your EPU. Hugs xxx

Thanks @fnej01. Is the research centre the Tommy's one?

So the appointment went well. No dismissiveness or anything, don't know why I got my knickers in a twist beforehand.

The doctor said it's possible my weird womb is causing the issues; although it's more normal for it to cause issues after 12 weeks.
He's sending me for an MRI of my womb so see how that is.
Also my partner and I both have to have checks for chromosomal abnormalities and I have blood test for the following too;
Lupus, Anti cardiolipin antibodies, thrombophilia investigation, prolactin, theyroid function tests and LH & FSH.
Need to Google what some of those are.

Only just realising that progesterone isn't being checked, which I would have thought was almost routine... Bit worried about that now.

One reassuring thing is that I was worried the surgical management of my first miscarriage could have had an affect on the lining of the womb and he said my periods wouldn't seem normal if that were the case, so that's good.

He wouldn't refer me as I don't have a problem getting pregnant just staying pregnant so wants to try these tests first.

But at least we are getting somewhere

@ Knitkitty glad it went well today. Those bloods are the same I had done they are faily standard checks. the first 3 are all about aut-immune conditions that could 'attack' an Embryo or, like in my case, give you tiny blood clots ( anti-cardiolipin antibodies (APS)) Lupus is very similar too. The others are all conditions that can also contribute to MC but they don't always know why, they just know there is a link for example between Thyroid issues and MC. I would recommend the book by Lesley Reagan (Miscarriage: what every woman needs to know) it has everything in there that you can think of, whats been trialled, proven, what is known but unproven etc)

@lilimum5 ok so he is going to do some blood tests - is he going to any of the ones Knitkitty mentioned ie refer to you hospital/consultant but won't refer you to private RMC is that what you mean? I don't understand his statement, as women who get pregnant but can't stay pregnant tends to lean towards a problem repeating itself rather than bad luck. Sorry I don't want to put you on a downer but he at least needs to send you to local hospital for proper bloods. Full tests need about 8-10 vials of blood xx

@knitkitty progesterone would only be on the cards if you think you have a short luteal phase ie the time between ovulation and period? This should usually be 14 days ish, if you were regularly 10 days or less they would probably test as the tiny egg might not have enough time to implant properly before AF starts. It can be treated with a well timed injection each month xx

Sorry. Queen of tests in the corner over here.

Hey guys, bit of an update, i after 3 weeks of being in the dark have finally had a methotrexate injection to stop any cells duplicating, I only had a small something or other left but my hcg levels weren't dropping below 100.
I'll find out on Sunday whether it has worked, so fingers crossed.
I can't get pregnant again for 3 months, so gonna use the time to get my head in a better place.
Anyone here had any success after a similar experience?
I really don't know how I'm going to get to a good place where I'm not terrified it's going to happen again

@Yukka thanks for reply. That's good they told you what they saw on the day. I think I ovulated today so will be interested to see what they see.

@KnitKitty the list of tests sounds the same as what I have forms for. Some of mine need to be done between days 2-6 of cycle so am trying to predict that now. Tommy's is the research centre. Glad today went well. Not sure why it is so intimidating but feel like I have to explain to people why I want to be tested.

Fingers crossed they get us sorted soon x

@KnitKitty glad to hear the RMC went well

@Tiniestsky sorry that you have needed to have methotrexate, I hope things go as smoothly as possible for you now and that the time off is recuperating for you

@Lilimum5 thats very odd that he won't refer you - surely by definition a lot of women referred to RMC don't have "problems" getting pregnant but do staying pregnant? I would see another GP for a second opinion if I were you

Feeling I was doing pretty well today until I got home to a letter about my referral, clinic appointment isn't until late February which is 12 weeks since original referral, and just says its general gynae clinic not recurrent miscarriage?? Was really hoping we'd be seen a bit sooner than that.

Oh and @Yukka glad to hear things are progressing nicely with your pregnancy

@Lilimum5 I find it really odd that they won't refer you to the recurrent miscarriage clinic. Could you see another doctor?

@Yukka Thanks for the info hun. Makes sense. And thank you for the book recommendation.

Tiniestsky sorry for what you're going through chicken. An enforced break from trying should be restful and let you heal both mentally and physically; although I know how frustrating it feels to have to wait. As for being scared it'll happen again; this is what we all feel like and why we're all in this together. There's no magic want to take away those fears, but there is support and understanding. You just have to take each day at a time; each moment as it comes and you have to allow yourself to hope. Stay strong. Hope the medication works. xxx

@fenj01 Interesting. I wasn't told mine needs to be a certain CD? I wondered about being referred to Tommy's but I can't be bothered with the hassle of it to be honest. They'd probably love me with my odd anatomy though. Yes, I understand that feeling of wanting to justify yourself... Can't quite put my finger on why that is. I'll be having my next appointment to discuss results in about 10 weeks too, so looks like December, January and most of February are not for baby making. I'm just going to try and focus on other things and not let the wait for the results drive me nuts!

@strawberrye EEeeesh!!! That's a long wait!! I would ring them tomorrow to confirm you've been referred for recurrent miscarriage It's usually a branch of the gynae ward, but my letter did specify recurrent miscarriage, so it's worth queering. I would also ask if it's possible to be put on a cancellation list. My referral was sent on the 11th October and received a letter saying they knew I was waiting for an appointment but they couldn't offer me an appointment just yet and would be contacted again as soon as possible, BUT I was rung by the hospital last week offering me a cancellation appointment for today.

Well I've digested today a little bit more now and I'm not feeling very optimistic truth be told. He gave the impression that he expects my womb itself to be the cause of the problem; and did mention problems after 12 weeks being common. I'm just not sure TTC is the right thing for me. I'll have some answers in February I guess, but I'm not expecting great things. Just feeling a bit down.

first post-mc pregnancy announcement today, they'd only been trying since August 🙈😫 also one of those people who has been handed everything in life on a plate and everything seems to fall into place for them, life is unfair sometimes. 😬

@hayleyfx oh love I'm so sorry you're going through this again. It's so unfair. Sending huge hugs and I think a break for your body and soul is a good idea. I hope you get some answers and your rainbow next year.
@Holly5633 welcome and so sorry for your losses. Hope RMC can give you some answers.
@KnitKitty Thanks hun. Glad your appointment went well. I had all those tests too. Yukka has already answered in excellent detail but I agree that progesterone doesn't seem that important for you as you are clearly ovulating as you're getting pregnant. Hope you get some answers! Keep hope hun, I have everything crossed for you.
@Justincase87 I'm sorry for all the unknowing. Fingers crossed for you it's all ok.
@Tinselbee I was actually told by the doc after my ERPC that there was no medical need to wait. Your body is apparently primed for pregnancy after loss. Of course doesn't happen for everyone but lots do get pregnant very quickly again so I'd take MIL advice with a pinch of salt. The surgery was quick and not too bad. My EPU offered to scan before if you were bleeding so maybe they'll see if the surgery is still needed. Sounds like your body might be starting the process naturally though.
@fnej01 good luck for your investigations.
@Yukka great news that all is well!
@Lilimum5 I second the others. Can you ask for another GP? Surely the fact you are getting but not staying pregnant is the exact reason you should be referred to the RMC? Also did he just take blood himself? The tests mentioned above need to be done at certain times in your cycle so you should be referred to a hospital so they can adhere to this. I do hope you get the right support and answers soon hun.
@Tiniestsky sorry you've had to have the methoextorate but hopefully this helps close this chapter. I've experienced the 3 month wait too after an ectopic rupture which is hard but good to give your body a rest.
@strawberrye sorry its such a long wait. I second what KnitKitty said.

Ahh there's more but this has taken so long to write! Sending hugs to everyone feeling sad, low or who's been hit with the baby bump news. I've got two friends about to pop and another announcement today too. Still makes me want to cry. Big penguin squishes.

Thanks everyone I think I need to make another appointment to ask the question. We don't have a certain doctor at my surgery we get who ever is available.

@hayleyfx so sorry to hear your news

@strawberrye I think long waiting times are unfortunately the norm. My last mc was in August and my rmc appointment isn’t until the end of jan!

@knitkitty what is the ‘problem’ with your uterus? I have a bicornuate uterus and I’m pretty sure that’s what’s causing my mcs. Although I know people do have healthy pregnancies when the baby is in the ‘horn’, my ds wasn’t in the horn but both mcs were.
But I do have ds so it is entirely possible to have a healthy pregnancy with a dodgy uterus!

@rdm10 I also have a bicornate uterus. I was told there's no reason to panic about this, is this not the case?

Thanks @Boboelephant. Are you in FW now? Hoping for a miracle for you this month. xxx

@rdm10 I have uterus didelphys. There's different ways this can present. For me I had two wombs and one of everything else. For complicated reasons I had surgery 10 years ago to have one of the wombs removed (I had also previously had to have the ovary on that same side removed due to a cyst). The womb which was removed was attached to the other one but had no outlet to my cervix.
This condition can cause problems later on in pregnancy as the womb(s) tends to be smaller and might not be able to expand fully to bring a baby to term, so premature birth and caesarean are far more likely. Looks like my doctor is wondering if the womb I've been left with isn't up to scratch. Could be scarring from my previous surgery or something causing issues.

Lilimum5 Woah, your GP has no clue. Pleased to see you're making a new appointment. Maybe print out some info on rmc to give them a prompt? What a pain in the arse for you.

boboelephant Baby bombs everywhere! Take cover!

strawberrye That's ages. It might be Christmas buggering it up Mine said gynae as I was seen by a (pretty unhelpful tbh) staff grade gynaecologist for bloods and an exam, and they said I'd see the big cheese for results. Perhaps it's the same plan, other people seem to have met the rmc consultant from the first go.

KnitKitty Glad to hear the appointment was helpful if a bit depressing. I'd try not to worry about anything until you get actual results, massively easier said than done though.

Yukka hooray for a good scan! The heparin sounds like something to be endured. Will it be for your whole pregnancy?

I'm ok. No scan for 10 days so I think I'm fixating on ridiculous little things to channel my worry. Currently it's that the christmas tree is drooping, which is causing disproportionate distress poor tree may be needlessly replaced due to miscarriage fear projection. stares at tree but it is drooping my poor dh

Speaking of ridiculous problems, has anyone got any January tips for a hot zika free holiday? Mauritus/seychelles are tempting but in the wet cyclonic season, and annoyingly 2-3 times the price of a week in Mexico. Zika has been pretty annoying, we haven't been able to go where we want to on holiday for 18 months now.

Opps KnitKitty didn't know you already had a uterus diagnosis. Ignore me, do what you need to x

Dimblebimble difficult isnt it hearing about other people's pregnancy successes! Makes me feel guilty about how easy we had it with DS.

KnitKitty oh i am sorry, that is tough I reallyhope that your womb is up to scratch or there are some solutions that are viable to help you

Boboelephant that is what I thought too from reading around it, plus reading the leaflet from the EPU on Miscarriage last night. Rang EPU again this morning and they said if bleeding gets any heavier they will move my surgery forward to ensure I have it.

SerenaOverjoyed no recommendations from me I am afraid, hope you can find somewhere nice.

strawberrye oh that is such a long wait. I believe MCs fall under gynae ? At least it appears that way in my NHS Trust.

oh Tiniestsky I am so sorry. I hope that the 3 months wait allows you to have some physical and mental healing and you strike lucky 1st try after

Yukka great news about the scan lovely

Lilimum5 hope you get somewhere with a different DR (my GP surgery is like yours too)

I am wishing everyone a good Tuesday, as good as it can be anyway! xx

I'm having a right moment lately - cue rant. My emotions are definitely getting the better of me and nothing being particularly clear its just frustrating me so much.

My Ovia app says to test this Friday after my positive OPK the other week, which I think I had OB. But then after what I think could also be a positive OPK this Saturday I'm now thinking I haven't even ovulated this month now. I don't know if to just test so that then my mind is put to ease and I can just wait for AF and hopefully have a more clear cycle next month. Or if to just hold out for AF anyway which could take ages yet as it's still my first proper cycle since MMC.

Feeling extremely all over the place today and yesterday!! What do I do....

@Lilimum5 Least you are having some test done but I think it would put your mind at ease if you was being referred.

@Dimblebimble It always seems like when you go through a loss everyone around you is having a baby....it does get easier I suppose

@fnej01 Hope the test go well and you get some answers hun
@Yukka least things are looking positive for you x
@strawberrye waiting around can be so cruel, so sorry x