Recurrent Chemical Pregnancies

[charlzz]

I have cross posted this so apologies!

TW: Recurrent chemicals

Hi everyone. I was looking for some advice really, and maybe some friendly people I can stay in touch with who have been through a similar situation.

TLDR: Trying to conceive my second child for 8 months. 3 consecutive early losses/chemical pregnancies. Looking for answers.

In April, May, and June I had 3 consecutive chemical pregnancies. For all three I've had darkening tests, followed by them getting lighter then I bleed. The first one was around 5 weeks, the following 2 were just a day or two after my period was due.

I went to my GP after the second, who was pretty dismissive but agreed to do some basic blood tests (iron, thyroid, vitamin levels) but nothing hormonal. The only relevant thing these showed were low vitamin D, which I'm now supplementing. They also showed low white blood cells and neutrophils (but I always have this so don't think it's relevant) and a slightly raised ALT (liver enzyme) which they are rechecking.

Now I've had a third chemical, they have reluctantly agreed to refer me to the recurrent miscarriage clinic but the wait is likely to be at least a year.

This cycle I took a break from trying and checked my progesterone privately. It was 45.5nmol/L at day 21 which looks pretty strong, and indicates I'm ovulating well. My luteal phase is anywhere from 11 to 14 days, although during my third chemical I started spotting at 9dpo. ChatGPT did say I could potentially still look at progesterone suppositories as my levels may not be staying high enough to sustain a pregnancy, but obviously I've got no way of knowing if that is good advice or not, and no way of getting progesterone anyway as I doubt my doctor would agree to prescribe it.

Up until this month I was still breastfeeding my 17 month old. I've now stopped as I convinced myself it may be affecting my hormones. So we will see if that helps at all.

Does anyone have any other advice or ideas of what I could do to try to have a healthy pregnancy?

@Panda34 thank you lovely! It’s so strange as back to thinking it will never happen but we caught last month. Just got to keep positive ❤️ how’re you doing?

@EmPeEf omgggggggggg!!!!!!!! Please let this be it for you!!!!

Has anyone done any testing, even if private not nhs, around infertility/miscarriages? Nhs fertility consultant put me on letrozole but no other testing - I guess that makes sense as “only” had two chemicals but j can’t help but want to check other things!
I know you can get a blood test for things like Antiphospholipid syndrome but it’s costly and maybe not necessary, but I feel impatient just trying letrozole for 6 months without checking all bases. NHS seem to be “bit by bit” rather than a thorough assessment. Not checking tubes either which I thought was common - apparently the nhs wait list here is really long for that.

edited to add: I’ve had normal fertility bloods, progesterone bloods (borderline low), recent ultrasound, privately did vaginal Microbiome with Daye as I know that can be linked to infertility and miscarriages.

Negative for me today 10dpo! Like I say, not hopeful for this month because of timings due to a UTI so not too disappointed. I hope testing goes well @Panda34!

And how are you feeling today @EmPeEf ?

@charlzz me too at 9dpo, annoying about your UTI, still time though 🙏🏻 fingers crossed for tomorrow!

@Panda34 are you going to squeeze a test in before your trip? Or just try not to think about it and enjoy your holiday?

@Muddysocks1 I've only done the basics so far, vitamin levels progesterone etc. But I'm definitely considering paying privately for some more in depth testing. Like you said, it's just so expensive! There's a woman on tiktok called Emily Abbott who talks about private investigations for recurrent miscarriage, I found it really interesting x

@Iris2024 it's the hardest thing to stay positive, I'm so glad we have this little community of us going through similar things! And I'm so hopeful we'll all get what we're hoping for soon. 💛

Ugh, UTIs are awful. I really sympathise.

I’m okay. I think we’re both in shock. Because the whole process hasn’t been in my mind I keep suddenly remembering. And then getting scared it’ll be another loss.
I think I have some slight line progression today though 🥹 I never had that with my other bfp. Only lines fading.

Oh my goodness that's definitely darker!! I am honestly so excited and hopeful for you!!!

I stupidly looked at the test I took this morning. It was fully negative for at least an hour so I know it's an evap line now, but there's something there. I rechecked my boots test i also took and there's 100% nothing on there (and I got positives on those with super low HCG in my chemicals) so it's definitely not a true positive. Don't know why I do it to myself!!!

I think you should only take a test if your period is late. I’d say almost every woman has had a chemical pregnancy. Loads of women don’t test early so they’d never know. Not saying this is you, but many women think they have a positive test when they don’t and assume they’re having a chemical pregnancy. Testing early really messes with women’s heads.

Oh you think? I wasn’t sure and didn’t want to imagine it 🙈

@EmPeEf 100%!! We need a little line progression pic with them all side by side after the weekend 🥰

I totally see what you mean, and early testing isn't for everyone. For me, knowing about chemicals is important, just because they're common doesn't mean it's necessarily normal. Multiple early losses can signal something worth investigating. I'd say most people in this situation confirm on several brands, so it’s usually clear when it’s a true positive that sadly doesn’t stick. But I understand where you're coming from, and how important it is to protect your peace when TTC in a way that's best for you💛

Ooh thanks I’ll have a look at her videos

Friday evenings test was, dare I say, maybe a bit darker still?? I’ve ordered some FR that arrive Sunday. I’m having a hard time believing it. My boobs don’t hurt or anything. And to make peace with taking a break from trying without getting super upset, I had to properly come out of the zone, and now I’m struggling to get back in! I feel so silly.

I totally agree with this but also get for others testing after period is late is better.

also I would find the build up and disappointment of getting a BFN after waiting much harder than the gradual let down/disappointment of testing daily from earlier. I’m tempted to try and wait longer this cycle but I just don’t think it’s for me. I’d rather start 9dpo and see what happens. That said, I haven’t bought any cheap tests (just have one digital!) and I’m 5dpo so might need to order some - can’t decide!

Such a headfuck isn’t it! This is looking good though 🤞🏻

For the sake of your sanity please stop taking early tests. Multiple very early losses (chemicals) are very common and not necessarily a sign that something is wrong. How long have you been trying and how old are you? The older you are, the longer it takes.

edit - just seen that you have only been ttc for 8 months whilst also breastfeeding. I’d wait a year without breastfeeding before seeing the GP. You recently had a baby so there probably isn’t anything wrong with you.

Personally I’d rather know I have a chemical than think just nothing is happening month after month (we’ve been TTC 18 months +), and also knowing we had chemicals helped inform treatment plan at fertility clinic. It is relevant, we aren’t all the same and need to make our own minds up about testing ☺️

This is also not very kind advice about time taken TTC - it’s minimising and invalidating. You don’t know there’s nothing wrong (although hopefully there isn’t!)

A couple without any issues conceive within 12 months which is why I said 8 months isn’t a long time. NHS fertility clinics also only offer their services to couples without children after ttc for at least 12 months. I suffered infertility but thankfully have my dd so I understand how ttc can mess with a woman’s head. If OP has very recently had a baby then she probably doesn’t have any fertility issues.

I’m not being funny, but this is a thread for people to support each other going through chemical pregnancies.
Seeing as the vast majority of chemical pregnancies will be discovered before the period is due, it seems pointless to come in and share the opinion nobody should be testing before that date.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with testing a few days before your expected period, and that’s only the “expected” date. My cycle looks to be 3-4 days shorter this time round based off my charting.

So I feel that, almost having a go at the people here for taking pregnancy tests, isn’t containing much support within those words. Just criticism.

Slightly more positive note: I took my first FR today 🥹 five days before my period is supposedly due, which is obv incorrect at this stage.

I’m starting to think this one has a good chance!

This looks great!!

My little boy is now 19 months old so I wouldn't say I've had a baby THAT recently. 😂 a lot can happen to your body in that time, plus I had a c-section so I'm obviously concerned about complications from that impacting my fertility. This is my 10th (unsuccessful) cycle TTC, with 3 chemicals. Knowing you've had a chemical can actually be really beneficial as some very "easy" fixes could be causing them, like vitamin insufficiency or infections. But like I said, TTC is very much each to their own and it's whatever works for you! But like @Muddysocks1 said, this is a board for those of us who have had multiple chemicals, so I'd imagine we will all be testing before our period is due!!!

This is a great line!!! Are you going to do a blood test at all to check HCG levels? I'm so excited for you @EmPeEf 💗

I said to myself if things were still going well by Monday, I’d sent an email to my GP surgery as I’ve been referred to the recurrent loss department. So they should probably be informed, and then maybe there might be a bit of reassurance via a blood test? I’m not sure. I know I won’t bother booking an early scan till close to 8 weeks, as things are more reliable then. So I’ll see what they say.

I just wanted to add regarding chemical pregnancies: you know that the sperm is meeting the egg. That’s valuable information for the parents and medical professionals. You know the woman is ovulating, and you know the man has the number and motility to fertilise it. So I think it’s useful information, a good starting point, and might even save some time and money with regards to fertility help.