TTC after chemical pregnancies

[minnieot]

Hi all, I just wanted to make a thread as this is my third month trying to conceive. I fell pregnant first try in November and then again in December, both ended up being chemical pregnancies which has been a struggle mentally. I was going to have a break this month but had my full blood count, thyroid and vitamin D levels checked which all came back as normal so decided I have nothing to lose trying again. Next time I get pregnant it will either result in a baby which would be ideal or if it's another loss (I hope not), at least I'll be able to be referred to the recurrent miscarriage clinic and find out if there are any underlying issues. I've been tempted to take low dose aspirin but I'm still unsure so not going to this month and I'm currently 2DPO this cycle. Would be lovely if other people in a similar boat could share their experiences as it's a very lonely place to be, I feel like my body has failed me twice over. I'll keep updating this thread in case anybody in the future is going through the same thing as during all of this I've been desperately scouring the internet non stop hoping to read similar experiences to not feel so alone. Thank you xx

Hello lovely.
I had a chemical yesterday - so I suppose I am on CD2. I also had a miscarriage (blighted ovum) that was surgically managed at 11 weeks back in August.
I can’t believe we’ve had such bad luck two times in a row… It’s incredibly heartbreaking. I have a daughter, who’s 6, but we are desperate for another.. I’m 31 and feel like the clock is ticking! We will get back to trying again this month and track ovulation!
I will add we have been TTC for almost one year now… 🙁 Hope you see success soon xxxx

I had a chemical last February but went on to conceive my twin sons 9 weeks later. I won't go into detail but I lost my sons at 30 weeks a few days after birth, 8 weeks ago, [rare complication] but my point to you is , don't lose hope. I did get pregnant again with my twins and they were really healthy, we unfortunately got a rare twin condition but I was fine and told I can go again when I'm ready.

Definitely get tested, there's nothing to lose but as I said the chemical before my twin boys was my second loss. I really wish you lots of hope and love. I'm ttc again now , so much baby dust to you

Worth getting sperm analysis of you haven't already.

I am so sorry about your losses, I can't imagine how you must be feeling after such a year. It does just feel so unlucky to have more than one loss, doesn't it? It's so unfair, I can't help but feel angry about it sometimes. Time isn't ticking, you're still young and have plenty of time so try not to let that worry you. Sending you hugs and baby dust xx

Thank you so much and I'm so sorry for your losses ❤️ xx

I'm hoping that will be one of the things they test if it happens again and I'm referred to the recurrent miscarriage clinic. Hoping it doesn't come to that though x

Sorry for your losses OP and hope you're ok xx I had 2 chemicals back to back in Dec 22 and Jan 23 and I'm now 31 weeks pregnant with my first at 37 so don't lose hope.

I was referred to the fertility clinic due to recurrent miscarriages and my age but didn't require any treatment in the end - we conceived on holiday after a tough start to the year so I highly recommend a decent break to relax and take your mind off it if you can.

It's definitely a lonely place to be and I felt like my sadness going through them at the time didn't match up with with the physical effects - it felt like the end of the world for something so small.
If you have good friends tell them when you're ready, you'll be surprised how common they are unfortunately and how many people have experienced the same thing.

Be patient and kind with yourself - it's very good news you can get pregnant, they were just the practice runs xx

Just wanted to update this thread for anybody reading in the future. I've fallen pregnant again straight away for a third time but the dreaded cramps have started again and my symptoms are slowly fading away just like the last two times. Feeling very frustrated with my body, why can't it do the one thing it's supposed to do?

@minnieot so sorry to hear this, CPs are truly horrible to experience. I think you have every right to contact your GP for further investigation, potentially as others have said looking into your partners sperm quality or the use of aspirin for the next try. It might also be worth giving Tommys a call as a first step as they can advice what further support is available. Sending positive thoughts 🌈💓

Have you taken a test, I had cramps all through my pregnancy.

Another update... thank you for your comments ❤️ I haven't bled yet, I've just been having very mild cramping but my tests are getting darker and darker, which I know isn't always a good sign but I'm grabbing onto it as it's the only reassurance I can get for now lol. Had my first proper dye stealer today at 4w5d and I've booked a private scan for 7 weeks so I'm just really hoping it's going to work this time 🤞xxx

Hi... I know this is an older thread but I wondered how you were getting on? I've just started TTC and month 1 of trying got pregnant but ended in a chemical. Very nervous this will keep happening so would love to know how your journey is going x

@RosiePosie0812 hi lovely, I'm so so sorry for your loss and I hope you're okay. I'm almost 39 weeks now and actually currently in hospital to be induced today. It's been a very anxiety filled pregnancy because of the chemicals but I've been low risk the entire time and haven't had any issues. Sending you lots of love and baby dust and here if you need any advice or anything xx

So happy to read this! Good luck today! Exciting your little one is almost here.

I'm ok. The chemical was more of a "ohh... right ok" but it's more what does this mean for future pregnancies that's causing some worry. So much of the process must have gone right to "get pregnant" but you start to wonder what happened after implantation that went wrong. I guess no one can tell you definitively that it was just a one-off and unlucky or if it's an early warning sign. My hubby keeps saying I'll only get answers if I keep trying because otherwise I'm just speculating. But my mind is like "what if it happens again, or this time later on" aghhhh. I'm 30 and TTC first and panicking about fertility all of a sudden and wish I started younger!

But it's so good to hear you have had a positive outcome after 2 chemicals with minimal issues. Did you notice a difference in your pregnancy tests from your chemicals to this little one? My first alarm bell was I thought mine was too light. I waited until the day my period was due (so 14dpo) and it was 100% a positive but I just thought it would be much much darker. Compared to other people's pictures, I immediately thought it looked more like a 11dpo strength and then 3 days later bled and after was totally negative. I've read it's quite a trademark of chemicals that the tests are lighter than expected. I'm hoping next time I'll "know" by the strength of the line if it's a good one!

Thank you for updating and please don't rush to respond of course!

@RosiePosie0812 thank you so much ❤️

Since having my chemicals and speaking to a lot of people about them, I really realised just how common they are and you also have to think how many people not actively trying to conceive have chemicals without even realising and just thinking that it's a period.

To have more than one is just really bad luck the vast majority of the time rather than actually indicating any issue. I'd imagine the next time you fall pregnant it will be a completely viable pregnancy, it is for most people - but even if it does happen again, it doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you.

30 is still so young, I think most first time mums are 30 now so don't be worrying about your age impacting your fertility.

And yes, the biggest difference was the test lines. They're not always a complete indicator of whether or not a pregnancy is going to be viable obviously, and this time I obsessively tested for weeks and panicked a few times if the tests looked a smidge lighter than the day before, but with my chemicals the tests seemed too faint for how many DPO I was, whereas this time they were pretty solid from 13/14DPO and kept getting darker xx

This thread came back up after a while!
I am now almost 36 weeks pregnant with a very healthy boy after suffering a chemical in my above comment! I conceived the next month ❤️
There is hope!

Ahhh so pleased for you lovely ❤️ I'm also having a boy 😊 xx

Amazing!
Congratulations!!! X

Wonderful news both of you! I do genuinely feel better after reading this so thank you! I'll try not to stress and even if I have another chemical I know that there is still lots of hope I will go on to have a healthy bub one day! x

@minnieot @Ems1992 Congratulations to you both ladies!!

Reading your stories has restored some hope for me after having 2 back to back chemical pregnancies in July and August. I've just turned 35 and have an almost 12 year old son from a previous relationship. Currently TTC with my partner (nearly 30) who has no children and we are desperate for one together. I know that my age could be a factor for the chemicals but it's reassuring in a way that it could have just been bad luck on both occasions. I have some blood/thyroid tests booked next week to check for issues. Hoping it will be third time lucky for us! 🙏❤️

Best wishes, Caroline xXx

@CLM89 thank you lovely! I'm so sorry for your chemical pregnancies, I really do think it's a case of bad luck the vast majority of the time. I really hope your blood tests all come back normal and your third time gives you a nice sticky baby ❤️ lots of love xx