Recurrent early BFPs then chemical

[Bluesky2021]

hi all, I am becoming increasingly aware that my TTC journey is not typical.

I have conceived 5 times this year (most recent bfp was this morning, with the same faint lines I see every time - trying to hold onto hope for this one). Is it in any way typical to conceive 5 times in a year?

I also get the positive test around a week (or over a week) before my AF is due. Again, this just seems too early and every time the lines stay fairly faint then fade and AF arrives.

All tests normal so far.
Has anyone else had a pattern like this?

Sorry you're going through this. I have had two over a period of 4 months. I am 42 so I suspect my age has something to do with it. I was concerned I might be ovulating too early and the egg wasn't mature enough to develop.

Do you know when you ovulate? Fingers crossed this one will stick for you but if not, then it would be worth contacting your GP for some tests.

I don't have a pattern like this, but a friend of mine did. She was diagnosed with 'hyper fertility' as she conceived pretty much every month or every other month but had an early loss each time. Her GP prescribed her progesterone and aspirin and she is 20 weeks now with a healthy baby.

I would get yourself along to the doctors as the amount of losses you are having they will look into and take seriously-I'm sorry you're going through this-Hopefully this one sticks for you and you don't need extra help but definitely get checked out if it doesnt. Sending lots of love xxxxxx

@unicornpower @kirinm thank you so much, both of you. It sometimes just helps to say it all on here then feel you can move on a bit.

I am under a consultant for recurrent miscarriage testing but it is all so slow and I do believe my age is a factor. All tests so far have been normal so I feel a bit in limbo. Currently waiting for a date for my next test.

I have read about hyperfertility and I definitely feel it could be me. It hasn't been mentioned by my gp or consultant but perhaps I should take it to them. I think I will.

@kirinm I am so sorry for your losses too. Hope you are feeling ok

Thanks. I was seen in the recurrent miscarriage clinic back in 2014 - I had several miscarriages - around the 6 week mark and a later one at 12 weeks. All tests and scans came back normal with no explanation. I stopped trying for a few years as the 12 week miscarriage really knocked me for six, but got pregnant in 2017 and had my daughter in 2018. I'm obviously a lot older than I was then but I was 39 when I got pregnant with my daughter and 40 when I had her.

It is hard to believe when you're having so many losses that there is nothing wrong but it does appear that sometimes, that is the case.

Sorry to hear about this, I know how gutting it can be - you allow yourself a tiny glimmer of excitement and then it is taken away.

I'm on another parenting forum and there is a poster in the US in a similar situation. She literally seems to get a faint BFP every single month and then it turns into AF. She eventually sought help for her 'recurrent chemicals' and her doctor advised her that she was testing too close to ovulation and was getting false positives from that. I don't really understand the science behind it, or if it's even possible but wanted to share.

Best of luck x

Yes. I had 4/5 on the run. Literally bfp every cycle and then I'd get my period a day- three days late. Went private for tests and in the meantime started myself on aspirin. By the time I got my first appointment I was pregnant with my dd. Try some low dose aspirin. Could help or you might just be super fertile. Sometimes women who are very fertile allow non viable eggs to get a bit further than they should. Don't lose hope

@PrimeraVez @batteriesgoing @unicornpower @kirinm thank you all for your messages- you propped me up yesterday on a difficult day and I will re-read today for some strength to get me through today!

I have another line today on frer. They are always the same - a proper, pink line which is relatively faint but in no way a squinter or debatable. But get no stronger. I don't have another consultant appointment for months and my GP is nice but not a fertility expert so I am desperate to just speak to a doctor and get quicker answers but seems impossible. I have booked a private appointment as I need to speak to someone. It's also months away though.

That's an interesting thought about the ovulation. I don't think that's what happening, but equally I have no idea so I'm interested to hear that. My cycles vary slightly so AF could be here in 4 days.

I've had previous surgery for MMC so I keep telling myself they'd have seen something (cyst, polp, etc) during this and on the scans. Am I correct in thinking that?

Again- thank you. This is a difficult time and with it being the 5th time round of the same story I feel I don't have many people I want to burden with this. Thanks for the support.

@batteriesgoing I have read and read about the low dose aspirin and I am definitely tempted to start myself but feel I shouldn't without dr saying so. Also wondering why they haven't done that for me with my history. I've read the NHS info and I am not in a risk category so it seems I could be on it. Frustrated!

@bluesky2021 you shouldn't have to see a specialist for some aspirin/progesterone, its a fairly common 'try' i think from GPs but they probably want to make sure there are no underlying issues for you. It wont hurt for you to just try some low dose aspirin, it may really help! Also, if you havent already, get in touch with tommy's- the baby charity, they have people you can talk to if you need to, baby loss is an emotionally jarring thing to go through and they really helped me when I lost my baby in June xxxx

@Bluesky2021 it won't harm you to take it but I understand where you're coming from. I self medicated with it for dd and my current pregnancy (34 weeks). I've told my consultant ( different issue) and my midwife and they said it was fine. They probably haven't prescribed it because you haven't been diagnosed with anything ( I haven't either).

Hi @Bluesky2021 you can get faint positives a week or so before AF if you have a corpus luteum cyst after ovulation. This can happen quite frequently and these usually resolve by themselves, the faint positives then just fade. Have you had bloods done to confirm that you are actually having chemical pregnancies?

Here is some info in case it assists -
www.nchmd.org/education/mayo-health-library/details/CON-20314568

@waiting4another I have never heard of this but is interesting as it makes a lot of sense. A doctor has never checked bloods for me or scanned except for my MMC so I have no evidence except the tests. This type of cyst would certainly fit the narrative. Thank you

Well the lines haven't changed - they aren't any lighter or darker. I am cd23 and am normally 27 days. Totally puzzled. This has gone on for more than 3 months which is the normal lifespan of the corpus luteum cyst. And I think im around 11dpo so think the positive due to ovulation can be ruled out. Very odd.

So possibly it is indeed a pregnancy and may go on to be another chemical - 5 this year if so. Quite shocking really!

@batteriesgoing I am keeping your story in my mind as I take hope from it!

I’ve had 2 chemicals this year, I got positive tests for a week or so before bleeding, which happened when af would normally arrive. So yeah very disappointing and really rocked me as I don’t understand what’s going wrong. My doc ran some routine bloods and said everything is fine but didn’t check progesterone. She has referred me to gynaecology which could take months. Until then I’ve decided to start low dose aspirin if I get a bfp in future x