Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Starting TTC again after missed miscarriage part two

748 replies

SkyBlue20 · 07/07/2020 12:05

Following on for from this thread, for all of us battling TTC after a MMC:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/3910275-Starting-TTC-again-after-missed-miscarriage?pg=1

OP posts:
Thread gallery
40
PurplePansy05 · 15/07/2020 10:52

Hello all, sorry for being silent, I am snowed under with work and will be for the next fortnight by the looks of it 😣 Just popping in to check how everyone is doing?

Welcome to the new ladies, sorry to hear your stories & hope you all recover physically soon. Mentally we're here to cheer on each other.

I'm doing week 2 of C25K, it's going well, although I'm a bit annoyed with myself because I ended up eating some Ben & Jerry's yesterday, there was no real need for that apart from me feeling sorry for myself because of work being so busy and quite stressful. Anyway!!! Moving on from that...

I had some spotting yesterday which is unusual, it must be the case my cycle is still not quite right after the MVA.

DH and I have actually booked to go away next month and visit my family living abroad. Because we'll be flying, I am postponing TTC till next cycle. I don't want to be pregnant and worry about all the risks, it's bad enough as it is! But having thought about it long and hard, I've concluded that I won't fly when I'm pregnant next (too worried about covid risks) and then not with a very young baby either which means it could well be over a year before I could see my family. I am concerned anyway, but I think it's the right thing to do and hoping that with all the precautions we'll be ok. Please wish us luck 🤞

PurplePansy05 · 15/07/2020 10:56

Forgot to say @Workingmama1 ditch the LH level calculator on Femometer (it is Femometer that you're using?), this is utter BS! You'll see when the line is genuinely dark with your own eyes, you can't miss it. This silly app that works out the levels doesn't work well at all - it depends on the light, using flash etc., it's not reliable or worth you thinking about what it's showing every day. I used it in the past too and after 3 cycles it drove me mad!

Firevie · 15/07/2020 10:58

@ShouldEyeShouldntEye - thanks for your response. I asked my doctor specifically about testing as I had read about so many ladies testing on here but he said no need to test. I might do one anyway I’m 2 weeks. It is my first day post op so I will just keep an eye on the bleeding. He said I should bleed for couple of days. He will do a follow up with me in 4 weeks. Have you been asked to go back in for a follow up?
@Poppy10121 - thank you! Glad you called counselling. I have also been given a counselling number so I think I may give them a call. Hope you’re well. The way I am trying to do things is take each day at a time. Obv OH and I want to start TTC again ASAP but I think I might wait for my first period and try not to stress over pg tests and ovulation sticks although it is so much easier said than done but I am trying to turn over a new leaf and a new perspective. Best of luck xxx

PurplePansy05 · 15/07/2020 11:23

@Firevie It's rare (and lucky) to be offered a follow up after the MC, I suspect this is why you were told no need to test at home. It might be that you will be tested at your follow up, but in any event it is useful to test after 3 weeks because if it comes back positive it might indicate retained products in which case you should be scanned and it would be best to hold off TTC till it's clear why the tests are still coming back positive. If they are very faintly positive then they might be picking up on residual hcg depending on their sensitivity and this shouldn't be an issue, but if they come back as clear positives then it indicates hcg is still high, which might mean retained products and should be checked.

Firevie · 15/07/2020 11:44

@PurplePansy05 - absolutely very lucky that I am getting a follow up. It is scheduled in 4 weeks so I guess I will find out then. My friend who went to the same doctor said she also wasn’t told to do a pg test. She only had a telephone follow up though as lockdown had started then but she’s since had her cycle back so must be all alright for her. Thanks.

PurplePansy05 · 15/07/2020 11:47

@Poppy10121 I was TTC whilst going to counselling. It is unusual to be given advice, I agree, they are there to listen.

I think you have to do what you feel is right for you. You are absolutely right that the new pregnancy will be completely separate and the grief of your first loss will not disappear. My second pregnancy didn't replace my first and neither did my third. After three losses I am just equipped to deal with grief a lot better - but it doesn't mean it just went away. I genuinely think looking back, time is a healer and talking about what you've been through is another healer. In time, you gain perspective, you learn to recognise your strength and to assess your position realistically instead of thinking everything is black and nothing will ever be ok. But this is not something that will happen overnight, and that's completely natural.

My counsellor explained that after trauma, our brain has a certain way of recovering which is gradual for a reason. Biologically and emotionally, we need time to regain the right balance and this time is not to be rushed. It is there for a reason, so that we can face future issues stronger, more empathetic, more compassionate not only to others but primarily to ourselves. In other words, this time of difficulty is there to allow us to pause and listen to ourselves, process and accept what we've been through. It's a very difficult time for a lot of us, but it's a good thing - I understood this in hindsight.

She also explained that grief is staged - emotionally its stages vary, but its intensity varies too. At first, you are entirely consumed by it and shocked, sometimes it's difficult to put this into words. You're then a "dark figure", consumed by it. In time, whilst you process it and learn to live with it and manage your emotions, you gradually move on and become a "lighter person" and finally a "light person". You might not be as light as you were before, there will always be the dark part somewhere there, but it will become small and you'll learn to recognise it doesn't have to be a sad part - it's a part that reminds you of your love for your baby/babies. It becomes a precious memory to treasure.

That's how I've explained it to myself. It's easy to speak about this now for me, but a year ago I was not in that place at all and really didn't think things would ever get better. They do. I promise. I had someone to hold my hand at the time who believed in me and she had 4 losses and showed me you can go through it. Now, after 3 losses myself, I'm passing on that handhold to you.

TTC is emotionally draining and I think you personally need to weigh up if it's too much to deal with at once right now. You also need to go for it with a healthy frame of mind which no one really has after the MC - I get that! I only accepted that I may have another loss and that it's a fact of life after about 4 months of counselling. I also then understood that my body and mind have been through a lot and I have only been TTC again for a few months, I should not be punishing myself. So as long as you are kind to yourself and accepting of the TTC journey, go for it. If you are seeking a cover up for your unprocessed grief then TTC will not help you and it might make it worse.

I am not a believer that our state of mind determines if we're successful in TTC or pregnancy though, I had friends and colleagues who got pregnant and had babies straight after loss and the grief was absolutely still raw. So things can definitely work out, it's just the question how you feel about this. My close friend chose to bury her grief, got pregnant quickly, had her little boy and also prenatal and postnatal depression which she spoke openly was caused by unresolved grief. But this doesn't mean everyone is affected the same at all.

Grief is a personal experience and it also depends on your prior exposure to trauma. For this reason some of us can move forward faster and some of us cannot and that's completely normal and "right". This is also why we can listen to others' advice, but we have to do what's right for us.

Starfish762 · 15/07/2020 12:08

@PurplePansy05 amazing words of wisdom as always 🧡 Agree about going abroad now while you can, I’m sure it’ll be just fine when taking all the precautions & it’ll make a world of difference seeing your family. No need for feel guilty, enjoy!

PurplePansy05 · 15/07/2020 13:21

Thank you @Starfish762 ❤️ How are you doing? Which CD for you now?

Starfish762 · 15/07/2020 13:49

@PurplePansy05 Okay thank you, just feeling a bit in limbo & wish AF would hurry up! CD34/10DPO today & no sign. Trying not to get my hopes up, especially with BPN yesterday, but it’s hard not to. I had spotting from 8-12 July so pretty sure AF will come, it’s just strange the past 3 days it stopped.

Threnody · 15/07/2020 21:54

@Workingmama1 yes, I generally got longer cycles with later ovulation, though since my luteal phase is a bit random, not always by much!

@Poppy10121- yeah tracking is just a habit now. Obviously I've had long gaps where I haven't tracked, but it feels odd to me not to know when I'm due on, or ovulating etc.
Glad you had your counselling session and found it helpful. I think the ttc or not issue is a very personal question that only you can decide. A new pregnancy isn't going to make all the pain go away, but it is something positive to embrace. I hope you arrive at a decision you are happy with.

@ShouldEyeShouldntEye hi, sorry for your loss. I didn't get told to test after my surgical management, so never did.

@Shinea - I don't know, perhaps it's worth talking to the dr about. Better to get checked just in case.

Hi @Smilingdonkey, hope all is well with you!

@Firevie - glad it all went smoothly for you. I am not entirely sure if what I had was an ERPC, it was always just referred to as SMM, but I bled for about 3 weeks, had a few days gap, then had my period.

@PurplePansy05 I think that is a very sensible decision for you, I hope you enjoy visiting your family. Well done on doing Week 2. I ate a chocolate hobnob today, and feel terrible about it. It's ridiculous really, isn't it! I'm going to just pretend it didn't happen - onwards and upwards (or downwards with weight hopefully!).

@Starfish762 - hope you get a bfp, or at least af shows up and stops you guessing! 10dpo is still early for testing.

Workingmama1 · 15/07/2020 22:29

@Poppy10121 glad your first session went well!

@PurplePansy05 your words are so wise, they really resonated with me

@starfish762 it's still early, you're not out yet

I've failed to run since Sunday as my knees are still sore and I've just eaten half a pack of jaffa cakes 🙈

Despite what my OPKs say I think I might be ovulating. CD13, EWCM, increased sex drive and stomach pain I think is ovulation pain. But my daughter is having a bad night and only just gone down so not sure we are in the right frame of mind or have the energy to dtd tonight!

Starfish762 · 16/07/2020 06:23

@Workingmama1 @Threnody def no need to feel guilty about the odd biscuit or some cakes. Having that will hit your craving & allow you to focus & be good again, everything in moderation. And running with sore knees is a mistake anyway, try to do some stretches each day (google dynamic stretches, great to sort knees out - I had a lot of issues when marathon training & my friend whose a running coach said not to run, just sort it out then get back on track).

Woke up at 5.30 & POAS, still BPN on 11DPO (CD35). My husband thinks Im insane, and I feel like Im losing the plot too! I’d accepted last weekend AF was coming & it wasn’t our month but every day that passes give a slight bit of hope. I look forward to a glass of wine on a Friday night so lets see what happens tomorrow.

Sakura54 · 16/07/2020 10:45

I went to A&E and they’ve booked me in for a scan tomorrow due to spotting. This is why I didn’t want to waste time and have my blood test and checks done so early, but it was done the other day. I don’t even know how to feel right now. Wish me luck, guys.

Starfish762 · 16/07/2020 10:50

@Sakura54 Oh what a worry! You done the right thing going to a&e though, glad they’re taking action quickly. Thinking of you & sending lots of positive vibes xxx

Threnody · 16/07/2020 11:28

@Sakura54 - oh no, how worrying. Glad you are getting a scan tomorrow. Keeping everything crossed for you. Big hugs.

Firevie · 16/07/2020 12:42

@Sakura54 try and not think about the scan today. Try and do something else. Fingers crossed for tmr! Xxx

Sakura54 · 16/07/2020 13:38

Thanks all.

Hi @Firevie That’s good your D&C went well. I mainly bled on the way home then only tiny amounts for a few days after. I wasn’t told to test and no follow up. AF returned a month after.

I agree @PurplePansy05 absolutely best not to fly when pregnant. Hopefully you will have a great holiday and you will be safe!

Firevie · 16/07/2020 13:58

@Sakura54 thank you!! It’s day 2 now and almost no blood. Yay! So next step AF :) sending you positive vibes xxx

Poppy10121 · 16/07/2020 16:28

@Sakura54 Sending positive thoughts, I really hope it's nothing - a lot of women do have spotting in early pregnancy but I know how alarming it is, and can only imagine after what you have been through. Thinking of you xx

Thank you @PurplePansy05, I agree with everything you said really and thank you for taking the time to put all those words down and share your experience, it really resonated with me. I don't think the therapist was saying that I would have no luck TTC right now, but more that she was surprised, given how much I was struggling, that I felt it was the right time. On reflection, I think that perhaps starting TTC when we did (6 weeks after MMC) was too soon and it was definitely an attempt to replace the loss. A couple of weeks ago I was in a dark place and spending way too much time on forums reading about how to improve chances of pregnancy, get healthier eggs, etc etc. I am actually now coming out of that and starting to feel better anyway, not sure if it is related to the counselling or just the feeling of having hit rock bottom and starting a climb back out again now. I managed to visit my friend and her newborn yesterday and I felt genuinely, completely, fine, not even a niggle of sadness for myself even on the way home. Two months ago I was avoiding her. So I do feel like I am slowly turning a corner.

@Starfish762 11DPO is still early for testing isn't it? But I think if you still get a negative tomorrow you can have a little glass of wine anyway? Pre-implantation you are not sharing a blood supply yet :-)

Workingmama1 · 16/07/2020 21:29

Oh @Sakura54 I was hoping for a lovely stress free pregnancy for you. Good news they are scanning you tomorrow, good luck xx

Starfish762 · 17/07/2020 06:28

Another BFN this morning using FR too, CD36/12DPO. Bring on the wine!!!

Thinking of you today @Sakura54 - lots of love xx

ShouldEyeShouldntEye · 17/07/2020 09:42

Thanks for all your kind words. I have a scan today to check for retained products. Please please don’t let it mean I have to have another op. I did test again today and the line was very slightly lighter so here is hoping.

@Starfish762 I am sorry about the BFN, you never know though. I only ever get approved on day 12 or after and only on first responses at first.

@Sakura54 I hope everything goes alright today and the spotting turns out to be just normal pregnancy spotting.

@Firevie brilliant that the bleeding already stopped.

I thought I should intrude myself a bit more. I am just turned 42 and have 3 kids who are 13, 10 and 7. I was DONE having kids but always retained a teeny tiny broody corner of my soul. But life was moving on, my career was going well, the kids are great and I had complicated spinal surgery which made pregnancy dangerous so I resigned the idea of babies to the distant past.

Then in lockdown I somehow got pregnant. It was a huge shock and we were terrified at first due to my spinal surgery and both DH and my age. But the specialists were all great and immediately reassured me that actually the risks to my back were less than I feared and I’d be OK. I got excited by the pregnancy and once we saw a heartbeat at 7 week scan I told the kids who were also over the moon. Then the baby died.

So here I am waiting to TTC again which seems surreal as an idea but we were just all so excited about the baby. It’s a long shot though due to my age and we will only try for six months then draw a line as we are too old to flog on and we are very lucky with what we have.

Workingmama1 · 17/07/2020 13:17

@starfish762 sorry it was a bfn, 12 dpo is still early so you're not out yet.

I think i missed my peak on opks, I got my max reading this morning and goong back down now. My stomach pain has intensified to the point I took a paracetamol this morning. It seems very intense for ovulation pain but the last three cycles its correlated with when I think i ovulated.

Thinking of you today @sakura54

@shouldeyeshouldnteye I hope there are no retained products. I totally get your approach. We were taking a see what happens approach with the pregnancy that ended in miscarriage, and if it didn't happen then we were thinking about going back on birth control. But after getting excited about being pregnant and allowing ourselves to dream of a future including a new baby we are now actively trying.

Sakura54 · 17/07/2020 15:29

Thank you all. Appreciate the kind words. False alarm! Everything is fine. As well as spotting, I was getting bad body aches and felt so weak, so was convinced I was going to have another MC, as the last baby stopped around now secretly. My symptoms are milder than usual and the nausea is non-existent. I also don’t have my usual hard belly. She confirmed I have a split uterus which previously some sonographers have seen and others haven’t. So I have a split and tilted uterus. This is the 3rd time I’ve had an internal scan and my goodness it was painful this time!

Threnody · 17/07/2020 16:10

@Sakura54 so glad it was a false alarm! Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly for you now. Sorry it was painful though, I've never had an internal scan.

@Starfish762 sorry it was another bfn. You're not out until af shows though. Implantation happens between 6-12dpo, and then it takes 2 or 3 days for hcg levels to rise to detectable levels - which also depends on your baseline hcg levels, which vary.

@ShouldEyeShouldntEye I hope your scan went ok. Thank you for sharing your story. I am also ttc #4, my children are 5, 3 and 1. I'm 40, so feel like we don't have a lot of time either.

@Workingmama1 gosh, sorry you've got such bad ovulation pain. Fx you just missed your peak, and have timed everything ok.

I have been putting pregnancy tests in my Amazon basket, even though I've got another 10 days to wait until I even ovulate! I really need to try to keep my mind off it all.

Swipe left for the next trending thread