Recurrent early chemicals - advice?

[CycleGirl20]

It's happened to me 3 times in the 10 months we've been actively trying that ~11dpo I get a faint positive test (sometimes more than one), then 1 or 2 days later it goes negative. I has surgery for fibroids earlier in the year. One was taking up a lot of the internal space in my womb. I thought that was the cause. However, yesterday at 11dpo I got 2 positives, one on a one-step cheapie and confirmed on a frer. This am at 12dpo I retested and got barely anything on the frer- maybe the slightest smudge of a line but less than yesterday. So now I'm waiting for AF to arrive today or tomorrow.

Has anyone had experience with recurrent chemicals? What could the cause be and is there anything I can do? Has anyone got pregnant after recurrent chemicals?

I'm sorry for your losses 💕
I've had 6 in 7 months :( been referred to the recurrent miscarriage clinic so only thing I can advise is to speak to your dr x

Hi @CycleGirl20 I'm sorry for your losses. We've been trying for our first for 11 months now and I've had about 5 chemicals during this time. After my 3rd I was referred for fertility testing and had my first intro appointment after 5 months waiting - have you considered asking to be referred by your GP? You should be eligible for investigations after 3 losses.

Unfortunately chemicals are extremely common, probably more common than we think or know and all my GP has said so far is to keep trying.

Have you had any basic bloods / scans done via your GP? I had basic bloods a couple of times and ultrasound which detected a bicornuate uterus (shouldn't be a reason for the early losses). I'd recommend you insist on getting basic tests, whatever they can do.

I'll be getting more bloods done in my next cycle, partner is getting a semen analysis and I'll be having a HyCoSy soon too (although still hoping I'll get pregnant successfully before all this!). I've also started doing acupuncture to help me mentally and physically, I've had about 4 sessions and can already see a change in my cycles so for me it's 100% worth it.

Cause wise I don't know, I haven't gotten an answer yet. They say it's chromosomal issues or it could be that our wombs allow any and all eggs to implant but they're not actually viable and so they start implanting but don't succeed. Apparently its all bad luck and the only reason we know is because we're able to test so early using at home pregnancy tests. I'm not sure how much I believe is bad luck but I've gotten through the other side mentally after being in a really bad place and I do feel so much hope and a bit of excitement that the right time WILL come for us.

Make sure you take care of yourself mentally as it is difficult to go through. I'm happy to chat more if you've got any questions or want company. Know you're not alone and you WILL get through this.

GP can refer you for recurrent miscarriage checks. There are various things that could be causing it that they can check through a blood test. Most GPs seem not to prescribe progesterone but specialists can if that's thought to be a possible cause.

Thanks @choccrumpet & @firsttimemummy321. Sorry both of you are experiencing the same. It sucks doesn't it. @choccrumpet that's really kind of you - I'd love to know how you've managed to get to see a little light at the end of the tunnel. I'm trying to get myself into that headspace but not found a way to do that yet. I read that being able to get pregnant is a positive sign and that it gives us a good chance if we keep trying.

I had scans in the past, which showed 3 fibroids. They were only small but had taken up most of the space in my womb. I've had those out and was really hoping that this positive would be the one. I guess there's still hope until AF arrives but it seems unlikely following a negative frer this am. Maybe I just need more time to heal.

My doctor is in the process of referring me generally to the fertility clinic but from your advice it sounds like I should ask specifically about the recurrent miscarriage clinic. I'm never 100% sure with these fainter lines if it is positive or if you do just sometimes get a line on a frer and should just ignore it if it's not very bright. The one yesterday was pretty clear though so I think it is multiple chemicals.

@bitheby thank you. I wondered about the progesterone. My luteal phase is usually only 12-13 days. I have had the negative test this am on 12dpo though before my AF started. Wondered if my progesterone was dropping too soon before implantation had properly taken hold if AF would start right away or if it would be delayed.

@CycleGirl20 my losses combined with the pandemic, not being able to see my family who live abroad I was in a bad head space. I ended up taking a week off work to just do nothing and do things that make me happy. I eventually started running (doing couch to 5k) to see if it helped me mentally and it has, this sounds silly but I picked out a couple of positive affirmations (from google) about ttcing and have been saying them to myself daily and I feel like they have helped me become more positive. I have accepted that this isn't where I wanted to be, that pregnancy isn't coming so easily but that's okay and it'll take however much time it needs but it will happen. Acupuncture became my happy space, I go to a lady I really like, it makes me feel like I'm actually doing something to help me and that makes me feel so much better. I reached out to a therapist (NHS has free referrals you can try) and they suggested some of these things for me to do. That's not to say I still don't feel low or sad or frustrated at times, I do, but I feel like I'm handling everything so much better than I was before. These things might not work for you so think of something that might help you. Try thinking of it in this way: to get through a pregnancy you want to be in a good mental health space. See if that helps motivates YOU to look after YOU before you become pregnant. Still continue trying and doing whatever it is you do during your cycles but put more emphasis on taking care of your mind. If that means to stop tracking certain things then try it out.

In terms of referrals, tbh I'm not exactly sure what my clinic is called. I know I'm speaking to a gyno, a fertility specialist might be the same a recurrent miscarriage clinic, but if you're unsure double check with your doctor. And it's great that you're in the process of being referred! I wasn't expecting to get my appointment so soon and I felt such a sense of relief when it did come, I wasn't expecting to feel so relieved. Even though the testing hasn't started yet it's just nice knowing you're being taken seriously and someone is helping you.

I also know what you mean about not being sure if it's a real line. I sometimes doubt if my chemicals even happened. But remembering how I felt reassured me that they did happen and it's highly unlikely to see false positives on so many different brands.

A luteal phase of 12-13 days is great! Anything above 10 is good. Mine is 11 just about scraping by. If you're concerned about progesterone and can't get a prescription easily you could try progesterone cream or what I'm trying this cycle is progessence which is essential oils with a bit of progesterone. All of this and acupuncture and soy is certainly helping me. I'm 4DPO and so eager to start testing 😅

@choccrumpet thanks that's really good advice. I'm glad you've been able to get yourself into a better space too. I can speak to someone through my work's private health cover on the counselling side. I think I'll give that a go.

AF just came. My first positive test was yesterday am and a positive cheapie last night. I do wonder if that's the cause. Just too little time. The line I got was positive, but not very strong so maybe my HGC just isn't building up enough to stop AF coming with an 11 day luteal phase. I guess it depends when implantation happens too. They do say 10 days is long enough but at this point any of these things are worth a try!

@CycleGirl20 I'm sorry ☹️ hope you're okay. Be upset and allow yourself to grieve if that's what you feel like doing.

I spoke to a CBT person through my work as well, they ask you to download an app, mine was called Thrive, and do some exercises on it. It's work a try to get an appointment, even if you end up not liking it it might still help.

I don't really know tbh, most of my periods ended up showing up literally on time, a few were late. Make sure you're taking the right vitamins and you can always try other things to see if they help like the cream, acupuncture, progessence or soy isoflavones etc. Tbh there's so many things that I've seen different women try, different things helped different people. I'd say you've got a good length luteal phase so maybe it's more about making sure your progesterone is good enough but then I'm not a doctor so don't know for sure. Get your bloods done to check different hormones are all okay if you can to rule those things out. It's hard to know what to do when you want something so desperately. Just don't forget to look after yourself mentally whilst you're doing all these things to help you physically.

Hi there, sorry also that you are going through this. I was referred after 3 mcs, 2 at 5 weeks and one at 10 weeks. A little later than yours but, they diagnosed a blood disorder called Antiphospolid Syndrome which is a blood clotting issue which can both prevent successful
Implantation, or in later losses where the placenta fails. My 4th pregnancy we had a treatment plan of aspirin and heparin to maintain the right blood efficacy and I'm currently sitting next to my 2 year old dd.

There's a good few things they can test for to rule out initially but you just don't know what can be found - this APS syndrome is the most common disorder that is a cause for recurrent losses but if you've never had a 'standard' blood clot before (like me) you would never know you have it.

Of course there are sometimes no reasons and time is needed, but the reason they wait to refer till after 3 is because there is often something underlying at that stage.

Good luck. There are some really good boards on here where you can join with other women going through the same thing, I found it really helpful.

Oh and I can also recommend the book by Professor Lesley Regan she runs the specialist clinic in London and is the leading lab on research. It's called 'miscarriage what every women needs to know' it contains all information about different gynaecology conditions and how they do or don't affect or cause miscarriage. It dispelled a lot of myths for me and also provided lots of useful information in general about different conditions, percentages and what is or isn't known on outcomes etc

@CycleGirl20 I know it's hard but stop testing early. It avoids the heartache of seeing lines fade away. Hold out until you're a week + late then any positives you get that point are more likely to stick.

@toadstool32 I know. I should. I've kind of being doing it as a diagnostic thing. If we know we can get to the point of implantation then it rules out certain issues and might help to narrow in on a treatment that works. The first few times I wasn't sure if it was positive or an evap hence keeping testing, but I think this line is obviously pink and was quick to show.

@toadstool32 generally I agree but it is hard not to test when you're so eager and the tests are so sensitive you know you could have an answer.
Also for me I have now had 6 early losses in 7 months so although it's heartbreaking I'm glad I know so I can get checked (been referred) otherwise I might just assume it's just not happened yet and carry on not knowing that's happening and if it needs some sort of treatment it wouldn't get sorted if I didn't know I was having the early losses (I hope that makes sense)

@firsttimemummy321 completely agree with you. I'd rather know and seek appropriate treatment if necessary. If I hadn't have known about my losses I wouldn't be about to start testing to see if anything else is at fault. That's not to say I won't get pregnant naturally at some point soon without help and it sticks. But I can't predict the future and I'd rather know and get the help I need instead of potentially wasting loads of time.

I've had two early losses and I'm having investigations as a result so I do get it. That said I've promised myself I'll never test early again. I don't need additional upset.

@toadstool32 I think everyone handles things differently, there's no right or wrong. I'm at a point where testing isn't upsetting and I'm just too impatient to wait until my period. But this might change the longer this goes on. I do understand what you mean though

Fingers crossed for you @choccrumpet after my chemical in March consultant told me to give my body three cycles before trying again which I've now done so can start again now. Previous mmc was in December. We're ttc our 3rd but I feel like this is my body's way of saying no more. I've had bloods done for APS, lupus, thyroid etc so waiting for those results now.

I'm sorry for your losses and that it's been a struggle for you @toadstool32 it must be quite difficult especially after already having 2 children. That's interesting that your consultant advised to do that. My GP hasn't said anything but to keep trying but I am in the process of beginning all the fertility testing so will be getting those things checked soon as well and they might say something different if it does happen again. I hope it happens for you this time or you get more info from the testing 🤞🏼 it's a crap time for anyone to go through but like I mentioned earlier I'm coping better at the moment and am hopeful it's only a matter of time now. Hopefully it'll be the case for all of us!