What to ask the DR post MC?

[freelancegirl]

Am seeing the doctor tomorrow after a missed MC and there are a few things I want to know about testing to see if there are any problems.

I have a feeling this might actually be my 3rd miscarriage. After a termination age 19 I was told what had been retrieved was 'a bit small'. Yesterday it suddenly occurred to me this could have been a missed miscarriage.

Age 20 I had a definite miscarriage after not knowing I was pregnant, was taking the pill and had quite a serious thyroid illness (that can bring on miscarriage).

Now 36, thyroid under control and actively TTC'd, found out about missed MC yesterday.

I realise that the '3 miscarriage = investigations' rule might only apply when they are consecutive and with the same person, but anyone got any advice about what I should ask my doctor regarding possible tests tomorrow? If possible I would like to start a few now rather than if I had another two after this. I guess I should be more optimistic than that but hey. What tests are usually available and is there anything I can be doing myself?

We had genetic testing after 3 miscarriages
Make sure to push the 3 word as they probably wont do anything without 3 miscarriages.
We had blood tests to see if it was advisable to take 75mg aspirin and altho indications were that it wasnt necessary our consultant prescribed them anyhow.
One year later we have our lo.
Good luck

Ok, genetic testing and aspirin? I will write that down. Anything else I should be asking do let me know! I know it's three miscarriages over a long period of time and different people but I will definitely push the fact it's probably three. There's no harm in doing some investigating now.

Thanks KKPJ

Hi Freelancegirl,

Just want to warn you that a friend of mine has had 5 mc's, but because only one was recorded on her medical history (as 4 happened very early on in pg she didn't go to the doctor) they wouldn't do any tests. Don't know if all your mc's are recorded - but my advice would be to push for tests - and be adamant that you've had 3 don't say 'I think I may have'.

I had an ERPC last week for a first (known) mmc and before the surgery I asked it they would test the products and they said they don't for a first mc, they only do it after 3 - however after the surgery they came to say they had sent my 'products' (not a great word) off to histology for testing. Not sure why or what they saw that changed their minds (I was too out of it ask questions).

Good luck tomorrow.

Thanks creamcracker. Sorry to hear about your loss. It's surreal isn't it. I am waiting for mine to come out naturally at the moment but might have to go down the ERPC route if nothing happens by next week.

I WILL indeed stress it being the third one. I just want to try again and would rather do as much investigating as pos early on.

Are you going to try again? If so how long are you planning to leave it?

Hi freelancegirl, I went for an ERPC 2 weeks after finding out about the mmc. I found out about the mmc at my 12 week scan which showed I'd mc'd at 5-6 weeks - so it was about 8-9 weeks post mc before I had the ERPC as nothing was happening, just some slight spotting. The one advantage of an ERPC is that they can then do tests on what they remove.

I understand your need to find answers, I was intially concerned as to why they were now doing testing with me - but now I think at least it could give me some answers. Although I'm told in many cases test are inconclusive.

I am planning on trying again, I had always been led to believe I'd have problems conceiving so I try to look at it as a positive that I fell pregnant in the first place. For dating purposes I feel I want to wait until I've had one menstrual cycle. I know some people fall pg before this but I don't know if that gives me enough seperation between the last pg and the next one - if that makes sense.

What about you?

I'm sorry also that you are going through this. You never truly understand what people go through when they mc until it happens to you. Such a rollercoaster!

Sorry you are having to face this :(

www.obstetrics-gynaecology.co.uk/

This [points up] is the website for the consultant which I have been referred to and it has lots of information about what the problems could be and what they test for. It's a bit overwhelming but might help.

Thanks for the link Chestnut. It was really helpful and I did a lot of other research last night.

I went to the doc this morning and she was surprisingly receptive. I asked for thyroid level testing (mine is a controlled underactive), thyroid antibodies (I found out last night you can have raised levels even if your thyroid seems normal and these can cause miscarriage - I know I have had raised antibodies in the past), tests for selenium levels as supplementing with selenium might help address the antibodies issue) and Hughes Syndrome.

The doctor also suggested referring me to St Mary's, which I only even heard of yesterday, as this might actually be my third MC. I had a termination when I was 19 that was said to be very small (it only just dawned on me that it was prob a missed MC) and also a proper MC at age 20 (am now 36). I was really surprised as my research last night (Dr Google am afraid) led me to believe it was really difficult to get a referral there. And also that a consultant would have to refer you there not a GP. Will see what happens.

In the meantime (TMI pre-warning...) I think today I passed the gestational sac - so hopefully that means this episode is coming to an end.

Creamcracker Did you get back your 'product' test results yet? As for when to retry - am not sure really. I guess it will be soon but am in two minds whether to wait for next period. My cycles have always been long - around 33-35 days - which is annoying.

Also I don't want to turn into one of those people who are always trying! Or if I do I don't want anyone in the real world to know about it... I've seen friends' attempts to conceive become almost public property with everyone always asking had it happened yet. I don't think I could handle that!

Realistically I think I will just jump straight back on the bandwagon (once am sure this is all gone) and get on with it! Before the miscarriage I didn't really have any 'baby hunger' but as I was just getting used to the idea and now with the hormones kicking in I am afraid I am going to get it with a vengeance.

To wait until first period after MC or not though - that is now the question? And also hope some tests reveal something.

What are you going to do?? (sorry for long post...) xx

Hi freelancegirl, Your doctors appointment sounds positive. What's the bet that before you even get any test results back nature will have taken it's own course! In a good way I mean!

I'm very much like you with my cycles - on average I go 35-42 days! Although the cycle before this pg I went 49 days - but looking back the symptoms I had then now lead me to believe it may have also been a mc. If that's the case it means I fell pg with this last pg straight after without having a menstrual cycle. It took a year for that pg to happen though - so I also worry about leaving it too long this time.

I generally 'try' not to live my life by planning things (easier said than done sometimes) and like you I don't want my whole focus to be about 'trying', so I may do the same and just see what happens - when. There is that niggle in my mind that if I do wait I may regret it if I then find it difficult to conceive. Like you I didn't have strong 'baby hunger' before this - but after a girl at my work announced her pg the other day i realised that it may well be kicking in now!! Hormones are a funny thing.

I've not had any test results back yet. After the op I called up the hospital to find out what they were testing for and was told it was usually to test for molar pregnancy (although the person didn't know any facts about me personally). I was told they take about 2 weeks to come back. I had the ERPC 9 days ago - so may hear something next week.

Hope your feeling ok - emotionally and physically x