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?

WOW that is a strong line, I’m so so happy for you as I know the hard journey you’ve been on too! ❤️

Yay that is great!

I'm going all out this month and decided to try the SMEP. It's a LOT of BDing but I did it two out of the three months I got pregnant with my chemicals so it obviously works!!! I'm CD6 today so going to start in 2 days time. I'm also taking baby aspirin again this cycle and being diligent with my vitamins. I usually ovulate CD15. Going in with a positive mindset for this month as I've been letting it really get me down.

How are you doing today lovely? Any darkening of your lines?

No hun 😩 literally only a shadow this morning if that, nothing there. I’ve still not come on AF and I’m on CD31! Just want to bleed now as haven’t since the chemical. I need clear tests, normal LH tests and start afresh. I was wondering if this was even a second chemical but AF not being here yet could be a sign?You okay?

Hi everyone. I’m 14dpo today and have had nice clear positives for a few days now. I’m absolutely terrified of having another chemical and I can’t shake the feeling that it’s going to end the same way. I also had a 6 week miscarriage a couple of years ago so I even had 2-3 weeks on a CB digital, so I won’t feel relieved even when I get to that point with this pregnancy 😢

How do I deal with this anxiety?? I can’t stop worrying 😞

@JupiterDaze try some mindfulness. See what works for you. Being firm and telling my brain off works for me. “No, shut up, it’s different this time, I’m pregnant today” etc. Just repeating mantras in your head when the negative thoughts slip in. Sitting with the fears for a while is a different tactic. Allow yourself to think the worst things possible, know you’re safe, and then let them float away. As well as some radical acceptance. Whatever will be will be etc.

I know it sounds a bit airy fairy, but I’ve done so many courses and classes etc to help with this sort of thing, and it really can work. Meditation would be the next step.

@EmPeEf thank you, that will help 🥺 I keep telling myself I am pregnant right now and to stop worrying. My local EPU have agreed to scan me in 2 weeks so fingers crossed all is well until then 🤞🏼

@JupiterDaze that's such lovely news! I know you've not had an easy journey so I'm so so happy for you!! Keep us updated with how you're getting on.

@Iris2024 oh I'm so sorry that's so rubbish. I hope your cycle restarts soon so you can have a bit of closure. 😔

@EmPeEf I hope everything is progressing beautifully for you!!

I'm getting high readings on my Clear Blue ovulation tests now so hopefully I'll be ovulating in the next day or two!! ✌

@charlzz thank you, ticking over nicely I think. Mostly tired with heartburn and a good amount of bloat lol. No 3+ on a digi I did at the end of last week but I’m not too concerned. I got a dye stealer on the rapid Clearblue in the pack.

I have a scan at the EPU this Wednesday! Will be around 6+1 but who knows. Just hoping to at least see a gestational sac 🤞🏻 my partner is so nervous as he’s never done any of this before, so I walked him through what will happen and what we may or may not see, and realised I’m nervous myself 😅

Crossing my fingers you catch your peak in the next few days!!

I think this pregnancy is going to end in another loss 😞 I had beta hcg bloods done yesterday at 17 dpo and the result was 151. I feel that’s so low 😞 my GP didn’t give me another blood test form to retest in 48 hours and it’s too late to get another one in time now.

I feel so defeated. This will be loss number 5 if I lose this baby 😢

Hi ladies! Would love to join here...I had 3 recurrent chemical pregnancies in early 2024 (having been trying for a year at that point...) and have absolutley nothing since.

I'm now on my third cycle of letrozole and like you @charlzz have now thrown everything at this cycle and done SMEP! Bloody knackered 😂

Other stuff I've added this cycle...

• Walks every day
• Gentle yoga flow every morning
• Upped folic acid (I have a high BMI...)
• Added vitamin D and omega 3
• Beetroot and kale pretty much every day in my luteal phase! I have an allotment so am just finishing off what's left in my beds, actually super delicious airfrying the stalks with garlic!
• Reiki and womb massage booked for 6dpo
• Asprin and progesterone from tomorrow (5dpo)

I'm just so bored of the tediousness of it now. They're done every test under the sun at the clinic and all has come back 'normal'. I've got nothing to lose throwing everything I can now.

Sucks thinking that even seeing those two little lines won't be the end of it :( I'm going to be a wreck even when I see it!

That is 1000% within the normal range and nothing to suggest the pregnancy won’t progress normally at this stage. Try not to do this to yourself because you deserve to be happy.

Oh @JupiterDaze I am so sorry you are feeling so down and defeated. Like @EmPeEf says, right now you are pregnant. 💕a repeat test is definitely needed, try to get one on Monday and then you can use an online calculator to work out your 48 hour doubling time. I'm crossing everything for you and will be thinking of you x

Hi! Lovely to have you on board, although so sorry you've been through so much and trying for so long. Love that you're throwing the kitchen sink at it this month!! Would love to hear more about the womb massage, that sounds interesting!!

I had my peak yesterday at 15dpo, I'm not sure we'll manage the SMEP in full because we are moving house tomorrow! So will be pretty busy haha. But if we manage tonight I will feel happy we've given it a good go at least.

@charlzz thank you ❤️ I’ve actually booked a private blood test for tomorrow and Monday, but if the results are better than expected from the test tomorrow then I’ll probably cancel the Monday one. Fingers crossed the result is good 🤞🏼

Hi ladies,

@charlzz That feeling when you get peak and DTD and feel like you have everything covered 🤞🏽Hope the house move goes well ❤️
@JupiterDaze I know nothing anybody says can make you feel any better but like the others have said, right now you’re pregnant! 🤍
@GoldDustWoman90 Welcome to the group and sorry to hear of your hard journey!

So still no period for me and I’m CD38. It’s been over 5 weeks since I bled from my chemical. Had enough now as no idea where I am!!

@JupiterDaze I'm so glad you've booked to have them done!! Keep us updated with how you get on x

😂😂 yep feel like I've done everything I can this month so feeling happy! Ready to not so much as have to look at my husband for a good few days now after SMEP!!

Sorry you've still not come on, I think it means you must have had a chemical surely, with the faint lines you were getting and a delayed cycle? Is it worth asking your doctor for a blood test?

Awwww glad you've booked a test, keep us posted - it's such an awful waiting game isn't it. I hate how its almost like the joy of seeing those two little lines has basically been ripped from us, it's just not exciting any more! I remember by the time I'd had my third positive test I couldn't even find joy that the line was super dark at 11dpo.

I agree with the mindfulness recomendation....today you are pregnant - and so you shall be until your body tells you otherwise!

Oooooh it's simply divine! It's a bit 'woo' haha but basically I've got two local pracitioners I see whenever I can find the funds. One is literally a womb witch....she does a 1hr session of reiki and energy healing as well as use fertility friendly oil for a womb massage...she does a whole shamanic ritual too which is amazing! Love being cornish with so much witchy woo stuff on my doorstep 😍

The other one is slightly less alternative haha, and she'll do a 1hr session of fertility reflexology, reiki and deep tissue massage to help with blood flow specifcally to the uterus. I have no idea if it's actually helping but I've been going a couple months now and it's definitely reducing stress levels!

A huge part of my job is looking after employee health and wellbeing, and as part of it my team has managed to introduce a company wellness stipend....£80 a year to spend on 'alternative treatments'. Been an absolute godsend and have used it to book these things two months on the trot. Gonna be gutted when I have to actually start using my own money again 😂

How frustrating. Any information to be gathered from LH tests or BBT?

Thanks for the well wishes ladies ❤️

Just had my results back and hcg is at 880 🥳 here’s the doubling time calculations.

I hope I can relax a bit now. The anxiety is crippling 😩

Exactly the same happened to me. I had three chemicals and I was breastfeeding. I weaned completely and the next month I got pregnant and now am feeding my second little boy to sleep.

it’s awful and worrying but I’m sure it will be ok - I think some people have to stop feeding completely

Fantastic news. Congrats 🥰