Recurrent Buns - MC Testing and Beyond... Part 4...!!!

[Julezboo]

Gosh we can chat ladies!!!

Part one HERE

Part two HERE

Part three HERE

List

STARTING TESTING

LAF77 , Age 33, MC1 (7 weeks Apr 10) MC2 (5 weeks Sept 10) MC3 (9 weeks Dec 10). All have been natural mcs and number 1 and 3 were embryonic for sure. No children, no RMC appt, no diagnosis and not TTC.
PANDA 3MMC, no.1 (embryonic loss - empty sac) 7weeks, no.2 at 12 weeks, no.3 at 8 weeks. Awaiting raft of tests for recurrent MC
CLAIREDELOON Age 38 1st mmc, development stopped approx 5 weeks (2007), 2nd mmc development stopped at approx 6 weeks (2009), 3rd mc development stopped at 9 weeks after seeing hb at 8+3 (2010). Bicornate uterus, starting testing Feb 2011.
NOTSOBARRENBROOK Age 35. 1st mmc @ 6 weeks (Jan 2009), 2nd mmc @ 6 weeks (Jan 2010), 3rd mmc @ 11 weeks, development stopped at 6 weeks 3 days (March 2010), 4th mmc @ 5 weeks (August 2010). Possible adenomyosis, awaiting hsg and results of testing from St Mary's.
MILKYWAY2007 Age 27 - DD age 3. 1st MC Oct
2009, 6 weeks. 2nd MMC March 2010, 11 weeks (baby passed away at 7 weeks). 3rd MC July 2010, 6 weeks. 4th MMC 24 Jan 2011, 9 weeks - no amniotic sac, baby measured 7weeks 4 days, no HB, had seen a healthy HB at 7 weeks. Blood clotting, hormone, genetic karyotype and shape and health of uterus checked and all clear - although high prolactin level found. Waiting for appointment at RMC with consultant, and wanting to be referred to St Mary's.
LUCKYFOR2 Age 32 - DD age 5. DD age 3. 1st MC May 2010 found at 12 week scan passed away at 9 weeks. 2nd MC September 2010 natural at 8 weeks. 3nd MC January 2011 at 16 weeks, saw hb at 13 but no hb at 15.5. Bloods taken from me and DH at hospital at last MC and awaiting results on baby from PM.
IGGI2011 - Age 40, 3 year old DS. 3 MC last year, at 6, 8 and 8 weeks. Last two had hb detected. Having bloods taken by obs soon.

UNDERGOING TREATMENT

CRYSTAL5 Age 38 - DS age 4. 6 m/c 1 at 11 weeks, 5 at 5/6 weeks. Ok blood tests, under Endocrinologist for Hypothyroid
BANANA87 Age 30- 1mmc@7 weeks, DD (2), 1 mmc 6 weeks, 1 mc 7 weeks, currently waiting one more cycle before TTC. Going to try aspirin and progesterone as per consultant. Clotting bloods normal.

TTC

MUMMYABROAD Age 35, 1DS (2.9), 1MMC Mar 2010 (@14weeks) Ashermans diagnosis and treatment Nov 2010, Started TTC Jan 2011 Cycle 1
DIGITALGIRL Age 32 - DS 2.4 - 3MCs since ttc#2. MC1 5wks. MC2 6-7wks. MC3 7-8wks. Awaiting clotting & karyotyping results, under consultant care for rmc. Mild pcos. Currently TTC.
LOVEMYSLEEP Age 39, 1 mmc, dd born(now 5), 2nd mc (9wks, 2days), 3rd mc (9wks, 3days) and 4th mc at 5 wks. All tests on NHS came back clear. Currently undergoing treatment with Dr.Shehata for very high natural killer cells

PREGNANT

LUNATIC dd1(4) 2 mmc (8 wks) dd2 stillborn (32+5), clotting problem, pg #5 section booked for 9th Feb @ 35wks. On 150mg aspirin daily.
GLITTERYBITS 1 anembryonic MC (12 weeks), unexplained infertility, 1 round of clomid, currently pg and terrified!
JUSTMEE Age 21, MC1 (7 weeks), MC2 (6weeks), MC3 (5weeks) currently pregnant with 4th pregnancy using clexane injecting 20mg a day
LADYBEE 37, MC1 (5wks), DS (2), MC2 blighted ovum discovered @ 8 wk scan, MC3 natural @ 9 wks following hb seen at 7 1/2 wk. PCOS previously diagnosed, Factor V Leiden heterozygote discovered in recent testing. Treatment with aspirin (from BFP) + clexane started at 6 weeks.
LOVELYBUNCHOFCOCONUTS Age 23, 1 MC (13 weeks), 1 MMC (10 weeks - growth stopped at 7), 1DD born 2008, PCOS diagnosis, bi-cornuate uterus.
HAIRYFAIRYLIGHTS
HAIRYCLAREYFAIRY

GRADUATES WITH BABIES!!

STILLFRAZZLED Age 35, DS1 (3.6yo), 1 mc @ 5 weeks Jan 09, 2nd mc @ 9 weeks March 09, DS2 born @ 35+3 on 04/01/11 with Intra Uterine Growth Restriction and currently in Special Care Baby Unit.
MUMATRON Age 28 2 dc then 4mc, 3 @9weeks 1@5weeks, tests showed possible free protein s ishoo. dd2 born 06/01/2011, aspirin, claxane and high dose folic acid through pg.
JULEZBOO Age 29 1 mc @ 14 wks, DS1 (8yo) 4 mc @ 5/6 wks, DS2 (3) 2 mc @7 wks... DS3 (14/01/11 @35 wks) Dx with Factor V Leiden and Septate Uterus. Clexane and Aspirin throughout pregnancy and progesterone with DS3.

Will do a catch up post now...

LAF I hope you get your appointment through soon. I can totally understand everything you say - obsessing over the letter etc. of course because that's the first step and you need to take that step. I hope the anniversary isn't too hard to bear.

I'm trying the make myself heard approach, last week I had to go in for Day 1-3 blood tests and my pre-op assessment for the hysteroscopy and while I was there I spoke to the receptionist and explained it all - she was lovely but checked and there are just no earlier appointments. I was so stressed out about I promptly burst into tears (when trying to explain that it'll be over a year since my last miscarriage if they make me wait that long), was ushered into side room (they were lovely to me to be fair) and the admin manager summoned. I have her bleep number but have given her a few days to sort it out but will ring today. Hysteroscopy is booked for 5th April will hopefully be able to ask about blood test results when I see the consultant that day.

digitalgirl I didn't mean to come across as smug about the regular cycles and easy conception. I really do appreciate how incredibly frustrating it must be having to be so fastidious and patient with your charting and unpredictable cycles. I'm definitely not smug that's for sure! When people say to me "Oh but you're lucky you can conceive so quickly" I get a bit frustrated because all it means to me is that this gives me the opportunity to suffer more losses in a shorter space of time. I have gone beyond being hartened by the "the more mud you throw at a wall, the more chance there is of it sticking" theory as I know that's not necessarily going to be the case for me. Even if I get to 12 weeks without miscarrying there is a higher than average chance for me of then discovering fetal abnormalities, and having to make a choice again about whether continuing with the pregnancy is in the best interest of the baby.

Havingkittens wanting a baby and not being able to have one is shit no matter whether it is infertility or rmc. Yes there is the more mud analogy but who needs the heartbreak of a loss or being placed in a situation as you describe?

Exactly. Obviously everyone on this thread, and another one I am on in antenatal results and choices have a much more balanced opinion about these things. It's usually in RL that I have to listen to people who have taken a while to conceive telling me how lucky I am to be able to conceive so easily, whilst they telling me how long it took them to fall pregnant with the baby they now have!

Oh havingkittens I didn't think you came across as smug at all! O genuinely do think you are lucky for having regular cycles - in the 'at least that's one less thing to worry about' sense. Sorry if my post read as sarcastic (prob should have put a smiley emoticon afterwards ). I think the mud sticks analogy is a good one though, and one that you can hold onto. It doesn't lessen the pain of each miscarriage but knowing you can conceive easily at least lessens the stress of having to wait another 6-12 months to potentially miscarry again. Oh dear, am not sure if I'm actually digging myself out of this hole. Just wanted to say i don't think you're smug .

In other news - my hpt was negative this morning. So body is officially reset 13 days post ERPC. Which is good.

Don't worry digitalgirl. I started off worrying if I'd offended you, or been insensitive in saying that I conceive at the drop of a hat and then ended up expressing my frustration, not at you but at others who call me "lucky" who haven't walked in our shoes.

I think we all understand each other pretty well on here. Ultimately we all want the same thing, we're just all having our various different struggles in achieving that goal! I do understand that it is even more frustrating to loose a pregnancy when it has been such a long struggle to get that +ve test in the first place. What I meant was that we can only really feel lucky if we end up with a baby at the end of it. Recurrent miscarriage can leave you feeling completely helpless and despondent whichever way.

I think I just struggle with that "you're lucky to conceive easily" from those who haven't suffered even one loss, let alone several. There are those I know who have taken a year or two to conceive started TTC after I did and are now expecting their second baby so in the end "luck" is all relative. I did used to believe that mud throwing theory but if factors like my age are against me, I can't help thinking it's not really going to get any better year by year. I guess we'll see what this next round of tests shows up anyway before writing it all off.

Hello ladies.

I got my LH/FSH test results, which are also good :)

Day 3 test results showed:

LH 3.7 (within normal range)
FSh 8.6 (within 'good' range)

I'm booking in to the GP asap to get her to talk me through it all, and roll on Tuesday when I will hope to get my referral to the recurrent MC clinic.

My take on the issues around infertility/miscarriage is the net effect is basically the same. :(

My sister could not get pregnant at all. And each of us believes that the pain and suffering each of us has had is equitable.

I do feel lucky that 1. I have a womb 2. sperm is meeting egg and 3. an embryo is forming. 4. tests seem to be showing that I'm not doing too badly and I'm not perimenopausal at (nearly) forty three years old. I really do feel blessed in the knowledge that my body can make an embryo. So many people's bodies can't do that. Yes, so far the outcome has been that I've lost the three embryos I've made, but with faith, I honestly believe one day I will hold my healthy, happy, long-lived child in my arms, not just my heart.

PS: my sister could not get pregnant at all, but with low AMH she had IVF (at forty, first time lucky) and now has a twelve week old son. Miracles happen!

That is a nice story to read, glad she has had a happy ending! And many more of us will too, I do believe. At the end of the day getting pregnant quickly/slowly is all the same unless you get a baby at the end of it - you don't get a second prize for being able to conceive quickly, you still come last.
I have taken the plunge and booked an appointment with Dr Shehata, at the start of May. Really freaked out as it's in Harley Street, and in my head people like me just don't go to Harley Street! The secretary did say it wasn't a different price to go there
Next step is to get a copy of all my NHS results, which hopefully my GP can give me. (even if she doesn't approve).

iggi if you speak to your surgery - they should be prepared to give you a print out of all your results. You also have the right to look at your medical records and have copies if you want.

Good luck - I hope you get some answers!!!

MN are running this campaign. I think we could definitely help here, experts that we are, unfortunately. here

Hi ladies!

been away a while waiting for my referal to rmc, finally spoke to the doctor turns out it's not a proper rmc rather an epu but they will do some tests. She said they will send out a bunch of forms first and as some tests go to Oxford the whole process will take around 6 months. Now I have a dilemma do we wait or risk another mc? It took a year of fertility appointments and meds to get a bfp this time only fir it to go wrong in a few weeks. The doc said we are unlucky felt like saying you think????!!!!!!

Now I am thinking I should go back to my gp and get a referral to a proper rmc but that could mean waiting even longer couldn't it? Any advice would be most appreciated.

confu3ed I would advise you that if you can go private, do so. I'm 3 months on after my 3rd miscarriage and I still don't have a date for my appt with the RMC clinic. The wait is soul destroying.

Thanks laff would love to but just can't afford it. Are you waiting for an Nhs clinic appointment?
The wait is frustrating as I just don't know whether to try again or write off this year pretty much and wait till next!
Makes you want to scream sometimes eh?!!!

I'm waiting for my appt date at St Marys. Relatively speaking, it has been a straightforward process, but I still don't know when I will actually be seen there. My GP couldn't refer me directly as I'm not in London although he did try. He's a great doctor, but he asked me what I wanted him to do after the third mc. Because of MN, I knew about ST Marys. If not, I wouldn't have known what I needed either.

The local hospital gynaecology department had to meet with me and agreed to send me to ST Marys.

I've also thought about TTC again whilst I'm waiting, but DH is against the idea.

Screaming was what I did last week, literally.

Good luck in deciding what to do next.

Hi ladies, I haven't posted on here before, but am after some advice/info please.

I'm currently going through my 3rd mc, so a bit of background:

I'm 40 and have 3 dc's, 21 and 19 with xh, and 4.5 dh. I had mc before I met dh, then had my youngest with him. I had a mmc in Jan, I should have been 10+1 but baby had stopped growing at 7 weeks, so had an erpc. I was ecstatic to get a bfp last week, but yesterday started mc'ing at 5+1. Scan and bloods confirmed mc.

When the hospital phoned with my blood results they said that they wouldn't do any further tests until I have 3 mc's with dh as we already have had a healthy full term pregnancy.

Not one be fobbed off I'm off to the docs later to see what he says and to at least get some initial bloods done. Is there anything in particular I should be asking or asking for?? I've been doing a bit of research and come up with: progesterone monitoring, antinuclear and antiphospholid antibodies, lupus anticoagulent, under/over active thyroid and exposure to rubella, toxoplasmosis & GBS.

Thank you.

Welcome harrassed and sorry for your losses.

The rule for NHS testing seems to be they will test after 3 consecutive miscarriages (I begged and pleaded after two but no, I had to have a third).

I'm being referred, and the NHS will test for

chromosomal issues (both of us)
Me: blood clotting issues (thrombophilia, Lupus)

My GP has tested me for Lupus and thyroid function (but I'm told if thyroid was the issue, it would be very obvious in other ways)

Antinuclear stuff I think they only do privately (as far as I'm aware)

Worth talking to your GP - if you have a good one - however, you are unlikely to get recurrent miscarriage testing on the NHS until you've had three (I have heard of cases where a fuss was made after two and testing was commenced. but I am pretty sure they are tightening on this due to funding cuts).

You also need to know that of all women who suffer three consecutive losses, a cause is only found in about 40%. The other 60% never find a reason.

I've been told it could be rotten luck :(

oh and they said they would scan my ovaries and womb to see if they look 'ok'. However I have had my reproductive organs scanned a total of seven times in the last nine months, and they've never found anything alarming.

In the car on the way back from my appt with the brilliant Dr Shehata.

I've had my bloods taken for nk cells, anti-thyroid antibodies and I think anti nuclear antibodies. Was told the amh test was unnecessary at my age and given there's no history of perimenopause in my family.

I've been given a prescription for metformin for my pcos, which I'm really happy about. Have always thought I shouldn't have to put up with long irregular cycles. He said that even though my hormones have come up as normal that it doesn't mean I don't have pcos.

He also listed pregnacare with omega 3, 25micgvit d3 and 75mg aspirin as supplements I should start taking now.

I'm to wait to have a period before ttc as miscarrying straight after a miscarriage can have it's risks.

He said it was interesting that the nhs will karyotype dh and I which is a really expensive test, yet wont look at nk cells. He also said that in all the recurrent miscarries he sees that those who've had a child already are much more likely to test positive for high nk cells. And it's very rare to find it in anyone who has no children and can't get pregnant (unless they've had a previous pregnancy). So I was pleased that he seemed it was quite likely to be the case.

My follow up is 18th April. Can't wait. Might dig out the list later and amend my details as lots has changed.

hairy that is such a heartwarming story about your sister . incidentally I've been given a leaflet from Dr S which says that only 15% of recurrent miscarriers are undiagnosable - I guess because he takes immunological causes into account.

harassed very sorry for your losses. You seem to have thought of most of the tests there. You could also ask for your hormone levels to be tested - specifically fsh and lh. Some women on here are having their vit d and b levels checked too. There are also other thrombophilias you could be tested for but may have to get these done privately if you don't want to wait to have a third miscarriage ( it's awful how the nhs make us go through that).

digi I'm so pleased that the appt with Dr Shehata went well. It sounds like you are making progress already. It seems like he has given you more information than you have had before. I'm glad to read a good news story today! X

DIGI so pleased the appointment with Mr Shehata went well. Those results will be very interesting! Can't wait myself to see what they throw up for you. Keep us posted

Hello, really pleased to see you had a good appointment Digi (and not just because I'm seeing him soon too!) You sound like you have some hope back, which is great.
Harassed, sorry for what you're going through. My GP agreed to refer me to a consultant ostetrician after 2 mc (I am 40) - though as it turned out I had another mc before I saw her anyway. Now this wasn't the miscarriage clinic, but she has been able to perform the same tests, and without the ridiculous wait. I think I have had all the tests you mentioned on the NHS, I know you can get antinuclear ones with them as that is what they found with me - not the Natural killer cells though.

Morning,

Thank you for the posts yesterday, and I'm sorry I didn't get back. It was quite a struggle yesterday to keep a brave face on for dd. My dad took her to the park whilst I was at the docs, and she's picked up that I'm bleeding, and asked Dad if I was going to die . So we had lots of chats and cuddles last night.

Doc was ok, but said the 3 consecutive mc's line too. He's referred me for some bloods but just basic ones including a diabetes test. Felt like it was just something to keep me quiet tbh, although he is lovely. I'll make sure I discuss the actual results with my gp though, she might be more sympathetic.

I'm back at work today and already wondering if it was such a good idea. Still bleeding and cramping, and it's so busy here. At least it's only until 3pm.

digi I remember you from another thread and am so pleased that you've had a good appointment.

iggi glad they agreed to see you, but so sorry for your losses.

digi so pleased it went well and thanks for giving so much info. What are the anti-nuclear tests btw? Also very intersting about NK cells unlikely if you don't have children - I have no DC's but 3 m/c's and not great fertility levels (eg it took us two years to conceive second pregnancy) and have been pondering seeing Dr S pricately.

harassed welcome and so sorry for your losses. I was going to suggest they may refer you after two together because of your age but see your GP won't. At least the standard tests the GP is doing are something. Hopefully when the results come back you can talk about the onward referral some more.

I seem to be getting somewhere with the RM clinic at the Royal Free, they are trying to organise an additional clinic apparently, just assessing nurse availability. Will keep on at them!

It's a good Friday for me too. A weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I actually spoke to St Mary's and I find that I have my appointment now. It will be on the 15th April. I can start to feel a bit of hope again that I'm not stuck in limbo. It is a long journey ahead, but at least I can take my first real steps now. I think I might actually start to feel happy now.

Thank you all for being so supportive of me.

I'm glad that things are looking good for you too Clare

Harrassed so sorry for your losses and I hope you are OK and can get away a bit earlier from work. It is terrible to be in the office when you are miscarrying. I know it from experience too.

hairy glad that your results seem normal, but it would be nice to have an answer, and something that could be fixed. Good luck on Tuesday and let us know how you get on.