Chemical Pregnancies - Doctors Appointment

[LosingtheTTCplot]

Hi Ladies,

Currently going through my 2nd chemical in 3 cycles. Not sure if the one in the middle was a chemical or just was unlucky with the tests I used.

I have a doctors appointment later today, not sure what they will ask or do. What should I say to them or ask them to do?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I’m a bit of a wreck at the moment and I want to be able to know why the little eggies aren’t sticking. I appreciate that we haven’t been trying for long but it’s so mentally and emotionally draining and if it’s something simple that can be fixed I’d rather know so I don’t have to have the pain of yet another chemical.

Thanks x

I’m so sorry to hear this. It’s a horrible experience and let yourself grieve.

I’ve been through similar recently and turns out my thyroid is under-active (hypothyroidism). Ask your doctor for full blood tests including TSH (should be as close to 0 as possible but certainly no higher than 2.5). This seems to be the cause of many recurrent early miscarriages.

I hope you find answers soon

Hi,

I am so sorry you are going through this. When I was having my MMC, the doctors and midwives all explained to me that they do not recognise the therm "chemical pregnancy" (it appears to be a weird MN thing that we all get hooked into it seems?!) and that I should have classed the "CP" I had prior my MMC as a MC because that is what it is, a CP is a MC and have recorded it with my EPU so that then my MMC would have been classed as my 3rd MC and so been eligible for the testing.

Hope that makes sense? Anyway, certainly do mention your MCs to your Dr when you see them, as you are getting pregnant - you have seen the positive tests (its almost impossible to get a false positive) - but sadly they are not sticking.

Hope all goes well

Thank you both @thankgoodnessforeurope and @twittlebee.

@twittlebee interesting what you have said. I chose my words carefully speaking to the doctor this morning on the phone. I didn’t use the term chemical pregnancy or miscarriage. I didn’t know if a chemical was a term doctors used or believed. I didn’t want to use the term miscarriage either as there’s so many women out there who have been much further along than a couple of days after missed periods or have had MMCs.

I’m seeing a different doctor than who I spoke to this morning, hopefully one who is new to the surgery and will listen and help.

Really don’t want another bad cycle again.

I think that is why the term CP gets banded about on MN a lot - people feel that because it is such an early loss that it cannot be comparable to a "actual" MC but it is a MC - you were pregnant still regardless of how far you were.

Also, speaking as someone who has had CPs, MC, MMC and death of a baby at 5 days old, I can confirm that all losses are painful and I still mourn for all of them. Those 2 lines give you hope and plans for the future and so losing those 2 lines can be painful no matter when.

I agree a loss is a loss. When I had my first cp in May I grieved for it, but felt bad about it as I felt guilty as other people have miscarriages later on. But it's true. You see those two lines and within minutes you have a whole future planned out. Then it is gone. I have had 3 CPs since May, and my GP has been useless.

Oops posted too early. I hope you had better luck than I did?

Doctor was useless, basically couldn’t grasp that I’d had a positive test each of my 3 cycles and then ended with bleeding. Just said what is the issue?! Then said it must be OH as I’ve had 2 children previously. I’ve not been trying long enough, can’t refer until 12 months. Won’t do progesterone level tests.

I burst into tears and I finally got a “well woman” blood test out of her.

What a 🐮

I have to test in the morning to confirm a negative test. Bleeding has been much lighter today as is tapering off which is very unusual as I bleed for 5-7 days normally.

Hey ho

Ps thank you loads for all your kind and encouraging words

@LosingtheTTCplot that's how my GP was. Literally couldn't seem to understand what I was saying.

I think you need to spell it out to them that you have had a MC. They will refer you to EPU.

I'm sorry your Dr was useless. Can you rearrange with another?

I was so lucky that my Drs grasped it. You were pregnant and then MCd, hence the negative test.

After 3 losses you're eligible in some cases for extra tests or a referral to a fertility clinic.

I reckon it's worth going with your OH as then he can be referred if it is his issue. At end of the day, it is 50:50 chance that it's either of your issue.

I did the test this morning like the doc said and still showing a faint positive.

Bleeding has slowed down a lot.

How long does it normally take for the hormones to disappear?

Can you phone your EPU direct? You should be offered a scan!

I am so sorry, you really have been treated like shit by your Dr. Please explain that you have a positive test but are bleeding. You need a scan and be offered the chance to have help to remove any retained product x

My GP was quite brutal about it. I’d gone in after multiple positives followed by bleeding. She did a test which was negative and just said ‘well you’re not pregnant’ when I asked if there was any other reason for having positive tests. Maybe I was just extra sensitive. However, she did agree to send me to the epu and the staff there were much more friendly and understanding, and classed it as early pregnancy failure/ early miscarriage.

Sorry it’s happening to you :(

Sorry you’re going through this As others have suggested, please erase the term ‘chemical pregnancy’ from your vocabulary; you have had three early miscarriages. The twelve-month ‘rule’ your doctor is citing is for couples who have failed to conceive at all over that period; it doesn’t apply in your case. Three consecutive miscarriages warrant referral and further investigations. Try to see a different GP if you can and explain it like that, and ask for referral. Good luck.

I think my bleeding has stopped now. I’ll do another test to confirm a negative later today before my “well woman” blood tests, whatever they are!