Recurrent MC--Testing and beyond--Part 5 continues here

[LAF77]

Here is the list of us on the thread and where we are in our journey through RMC. Nearly 4,000 posts in a year, so mark your place for the next thread.

Part one Part one

Part two Part two

Part three Part three

Part four Part four

STARTING TESTING
LOLA78: mc1 Dec 07 (6wks), DD Oct 08 (problem free pregnancy and natural birth), mmc2 Nov 10 6wks ERPC at 10wks, mc3 Feb 11 at 7wks - suspected ectopic but mc naturally, mc4 mar 11 at 5wks (started 75mg aspirin from a week before bfp) - hospitalised for excessive bleeding and clots. Now referred for testing at local fertility clinic, we have started having blood tests and am on 5mg folic acid.
SCOOTERCHASTER: DS Oct 08 (managed for SVT heart from 35wks), mc1 Sept 10 (7wks), mc2 Dec 10 (9 wks - hb @ 8wks), mc3 April 11 (7.5 wks, hb day b4 mc).
HAIRYLIGHTS, age 42, MC1 (Jun 10, very low HCG, suspected ectopic, methotrexate), MC 2 (Nov 22 2010, MMC,ERPC, no heart beat at ten weeks, fetus 8 week size), MC3 (MMC - Medical Management, Feb 13 2011, MMC at 7 week scan). Waiting to 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 28 - 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. High dose folic acid prescribed.
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. All tests have come back clear. Going to take Aspirin and Progesterone in next pregnancy (will be on Promise trial) currently ttc.
IGGI999 - Age 40, 3 year old DS. 3 MC last year, at 6, 8 and 8 weeks. Last two had hb detected. NHS blood tests came back clear, except for presence of antinuclear antibodies. To take aspirin for this. Going to see Shehata in May as think steroids are needed.
CONFU3ED - Age 35 1st MC 1998 14 weeks. DD age 11. 2nd MC July 2009 5.5 weeks. ERPC Twice. No tests. 6 months Clomid 3rd MC January 2010. The foetus sent for testing - came back fine. Been referred to recurrent MC clinic at the hospital for tests, waiting for appointment. Was told I have PCOS through a scan but never diagnosed.

UNDERGOING TREATMENT
HAVINGKITTENS Age 41 - MMC1 Nov 07 8wks (discovered due to bleeding at 10.5wks) ERPC, TOP1 for TS21 Aug 08, TOP2 for TS21 Feb 09, TOP incomplete, ERPC performed, Genetic Counselling & tests confirmed no chromosome problems with us, "just bad luck ", MMC2 Feb 10 5.5wks (seen at 8wk scan, no bleeding), MMC3 May 10 (as MMC2), RMC testing at UCH, no cause found - empirical 75mg asprin & vit D + early & regular scans for next pregnancy, MMC4 No fetal pole seen at 6.5 wks, follow up scan 10 days later, told of MMC, then "Something" spotted so instructed to wait another week before they would allow ERPC, ERPC a week later, waiting for NK Cell test results from Mr S on NHS, taking 75mg Asprin, Vit D, Pregnacare Plus (w/Omega 3), 5mg Folic Acid (been taking since 1st TOP to try & prevent TS21 or similar issues), NK Cells levels almost double what they should be. 25mg Prednisone from ovulation - CD1 or if BFP then 'til 12 wks and then weaned off 'til 14wks plus Progesterone pessaries from BFP - 16wks, Folic Acid, Omega3, Vit D - 12wks, Asprin - 20wks.
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
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. MC4 MMC @ 8.1 wks (discovered @ 11 wk scan) following hb seen at 6+6 wks. Consultant suggests aspirin + clexane to start at 4 weeks, plus progesterone pessaries. Management of MC tbc.
DIGITALGIRL Age 32 - DS 2.8 - 4MCs since ttc#2. MC1 Nov2009 @5wks. MC2 Apr2010 @6-7wks. MC3 Oct2010 @7-8wks. MC4 Mar2011 @8wks. All natural, except MC4 managed with ERPC for karyotyping. Clotting tests normal. DH & I genetically normal. On Metformin for mild PCOS, plus 75mg aspirin, Pregnacare Plus & 25mcg VitD3. Diagnosed with high NK Cells (1.25) after MC4. Starting TTC in May with prednisolone from ovulation and will add cyclogest once pg. Under care of Mr S.
PUREEQUEEN Age 34, MC1 (7 weeks Jan 08) MC2 (6 weeks March 08), DS born (prem) 2009, MC3 (9 weeks Oct 10). MC4 Jan 2011. First 2 natural mcs latter 2 mmc/ERPCs. Chromosome test MC4 showed she had a genetic abnormality (cri du chat). Karotyping for me and DH fine but with "increase in length on satellite of short arm 13 and 15" (??) . Also have endo &septate uterus. Now TTC and will take aspirin and progesterone.
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 . No children, First appointment with St. Mary's in April, second round of bloods in May, with results in June.

PREGNANT
MATTSMAMA Aged 41. 1st MMC November 2004. My DS (who I love with all my heart) born 2006. 2nd MMC July 2010. 2 chemical pregnancies September and October 2010. Under Dr Shehata and got BFP on first round of treatment for high thyroid antibodies and high killer cells.
BANANA87 Age 30- 1mmc@7 weeks, DD (2), 1 mmc 6 weeks, 1 mc 7 weeks, Going to try aspirin and progesterone as per consultant. Clotting bloods normal.
MUMMYABROAD Age 36, 1DS (2.9), 1MMC Mar 2010 (@14weeks) Ashermans diagnosis and treatment Nov 2010, Started TTC Jan 2011 BFP on Cycle 2 EDD 4/11/11. Heartbeat seen at 10 weeks.
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
LOVELYBUNCHOFCOCONUTS Age 23, 1 MC (13 weeks), 1 MMC (10 weeks - growth stopped at 7), 1DD born 2008, PCOS diagnosis, bi-cornuate uterus. EDD 03/10/11
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 - aspirin, progesterone, steroids, omezaprole and one intralipid infusion completed.

GRADUATES WITH BABIES!!
LUNATIC dd1(4) 2 mmc (8 wks) dd2 stillborn (32+5). Seen at St Mary's. clotting problem, pg #5 aspirin 150g daily. Ds1 born 9/2/11 c/s @ 35 wks
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 but currently home and doing well.
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.

Hi,

Thanks for the warm welcome and advice.

I figure if its 3 weeks before I find out results that means I can eat and drink what I want. Plus its the weekend. have a good one everyone.

I sit around the house in leeezure wear being that I work from home, then have a bit of a panic every time I have to dress myself.

I've been heavier than you actually and you are definitely still a healthy weight. When I first developed a thyroid problem when I was 21. I went up to almost 12 stone. Very depressing. If it was this time six months ago I would be merrily giving you tips to get if off as I managed really well with that, but the tips don't seem to be working for me now. Essentially they were: low carb, lift heavy weights and take various supplements that we can't take now anyway as they are not recommended when ttc.

That dress sounds gorgeous! I wonder if you could ask a dress maker to make it with the idea in mind that it might need to be taken in. My mum makes me the occasional dress and over the years she has got used to taking them in. Of course the style might not work well with pregnancy and hopefully that will be your next concern - what to wear when six months pregnant :)

Oh and Georgie is right. It's the weekend, we can eat and drink what we want and just need to stop beating ourselves up about it. We are still in the healthy range, have had recurrent miscarriages for goodness sake and are (of course!) wonderful people who need to give ourselves a break.

Thanks for the advice freelance.

havingkittens I don't know whether to take your previous post as a prophecy! I haven't actually miscarried (yet), but I am absolutely mentalling about my next scan on Monday as I've been getting sharp pains in my lower abdomen on the sides and nausea and weeing symptoms seem to be dying off. I don't know if that is due to getting close to 12 weeks or because I've had another MMC. I have my fingers X'd for Monday, and really wish I'm wrong about this!

lucky how was your scan this week? Hope everything went well.

Hope everyone has a nice weekend planned.

Oh no, sorry Milkyways I must've misread your post, or confused it with someone elses. I really do apologise! I'd read that you didn't give yourself time off at all previously but more recently you'd taken a good few days off. I think I must've totally misunderstood. Please don't take it as a prophecy! Sorry Sorry Sorry!!!!

It's okay!

STARTING TESTING
LOLA78: mc1 Dec 07 (6wks), DD Oct 08 (problem free pregnancy and natural birth), mmc2 Nov 10 6wks ERPC at 10wks, mc3 Feb 11 at 7wks - suspected ectopic but mc naturally, mc4 mar 11 at 5wks (started 75mg aspirin from a week before bfp) - hospitalised for excessive bleeding and clots. Now referred for testing at local fertility clinic, we have started having blood tests and am on 5mg folic acid.
SCOOTERCHASTER: DS Oct 08 (managed for SVT heart from 35wks), mc1 Sept 10 (7wks), mc2 Dec 10 (9 wks - hb @ 8wks), mc3 April 11 (7.5 wks, hb day b4 mc).
HAIRYLIGHTS, age 42, MC1 (Jun 10, very low HCG, suspected ectopic, methotrexate), MC 2 (Nov 22 2010, MMC,ERPC, no heart beat at ten weeks, fetus 8 week size), MC3 (MMC - Medical Management, Feb 13 2011, MMC at 7 week scan). Waiting to 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 28 - 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. High dose folic acid prescribed.
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. All tests have come back clear. Going to take Aspirin and Progesterone in next pregnancy (will be on Promise trial) currently ttc.
IGGI999 - Age 40, 3 year old DS. 3 MC last year, at 6, 8 and 8 weeks. Last two had hb detected. NHS blood tests came back clear, except for presence of antinuclear antibodies. To take aspirin for this. Tests with Mr Shehata confirmed high natural killer cells - to take progesteron and steroids for this. 4th MC in May, at around 5 1/2 weeks.
CONFU3ED - Age 35 1st MC 1998 14 weeks. DD age 11. 2nd MC July 2009 5.5 weeks. ERPC Twice. No tests. 6 months Clomid 3rd MC January 2010. The foetus sent for testing - came back fine. Been referred to recurrent MC clinic at the hospital for tests, waiting for appointment. Was told I have PCOS through a scan but never diagnosed.
KNITTERNOTTWITTER - Age 34 (DH age 41) DS1 born Aug 2008 (natural conception, easy, happy pregnancy, natural birth 10lb 6oz!) Loss 1: MC1 19 March 2010 - ruptured ectopic and left tube removed. Loss 2: MC2 22 July 2010 - Foetus seen at 5 weeks and HB at 7 weeks, no HB on spotting at 12 weeks, 8 weeks sized foetus found... ERPC 26 July 2010. Loss 3: April 2011 TOP - HB seen at 6 weeks and 9 weeks, large Nuchal measurement and bad bloods at 12 week scan - CVS - confirmed T21 and hydrops, no chromozonal translocation - removed by ERPC 15 April 2011 . Currently TTC and because of the three losses have been referred to St Georges, Tooting, Repeat Miscarriage Clinic - my first appointment is on the 9th of June...

UNDERGOING TREATMENT
HAVINGKITTENS Age 41 - MMC1 Nov 07 8wks (discovered due to bleeding at 10.5wks) ERPC, TOP1 for TS21 Aug 08, TOP2 for TS21 Feb 09, TOP incomplete, ERPC performed, Genetic Counselling & tests confirmed no chromosome problems with us, "just bad luck ", MMC2 Feb 10 5.5wks (seen at 8wk scan, no bleeding), MMC3 May 10 (as MMC2), RMC testing at UCH, no cause found - empirical 75mg asprin & vit D + early & regular scans for next pregnancy, MMC4 No fetal pole seen at 6.5 wks, follow up scan 10 days later, told of MMC, then "Something" spotted so instructed to wait another week before they would allow ERPC, ERPC a week later, waiting for NK Cell test results from Mr S on NHS, taking 75mg Asprin, Vit D, Pregnacare Plus (w/Omega 3), 5mg Folic Acid (been taking since 1st TOP to try & prevent TS21 or similar issues), NK Cells levels almost double what they should be. 25mg Prednisone from ovulation - CD1 or if BFP then 'til 12 wks and then weaned off 'til 14wks plus Progesterone pessaries from BFP - 16wks, Folic Acid, Omega3, Vit D - 12wks, Asprin - 20wks.
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
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. MC4 MMC @ 8.1 wks (discovered @ 11 wk scan) following hb seen at 6+6 wks. Consultant suggests aspirin + clexane to start at 4 weeks, plus progesterone pessaries. Management of MC tbc.
DIGITALGIRL Age 32 - DS 2.8 - 4MCs since ttc#2. MC1 Nov2009 @5wks. MC2 Apr2010 @6-7wks. MC3 Oct2010 @7-8wks. MC4 Mar2011 @8wks. All natural, except MC4 managed with ERPC for karyotyping. Clotting tests normal. DH & I genetically normal. On Metformin for mild PCOS, plus 75mg aspirin, Pregnacare Plus & 25mcg VitD3. Diagnosed with high NK Cells (1.25) after MC4. Starting TTC in May with prednisolone from ovulation and will add cyclogest once pg. Under care of Mr S.
PUREEQUEEN Age 34, MC1 (7 weeks Jan 08) MC2 (6 weeks March 08), DS born (prem) 2009, MC3 (9 weeks Oct 10). MC4 Jan 2011. First 2 natural mcs latter 2 mmc/ERPCs. Chromosome test MC4 showed she had a genetic abnormality (cri du chat). Karotyping for me and DH fine but with "increase in length on satellite of short arm 13 and 15" (??) . Also have endo &septate uterus. Now TTC and will take aspirin and progesterone.
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 . No children, First appointment with St. Mary's in April, second round of bloods in May, with results in June.

PREGNANT
MATTSMAMA Aged 41. 1st MMC November 2004. My DS (who I love with all my heart) born 2006. 2nd MMC July 2010. 2 chemical pregnancies September and October 2010. Under Dr Shehata and got BFP on first round of treatment for high thyroid antibodies and high killer cells.
BANANA87 Age 30- 1mmc@7 weeks, DD (2), 1 mmc 6 weeks, 1 mc 7 weeks, Going to try aspirin and progesterone as per consultant. Clotting bloods normal.
MUMMYABROAD Age 36, 1DS (2.9), 1MMC Mar 2010 (@14weeks) Ashermans diagnosis and treatment Nov 2010, Started TTC Jan 2011 BFP on Cycle 2 EDD 4/11/11. Heartbeat seen at 10 weeks.
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 EDD 24/09/11
LOVELYBUNCHOFCOCONUTS Age 23, 1 MC (13 weeks), 1 MMC (10 weeks - growth stopped at 7), 1DD born 2008, PCOS diagnosis, bi-cornuate uterus. EDD 01/10/11
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 - aspirin, progesterone, steroids, omezaprole and one intralipid infusion completed.

GRADUATES WITH BABIES!!
LUNATIC dd1(4) 2 mmc (8 wks) dd2 stillborn (32+5). Seen at St Mary's. clotting problem, pg #5 aspirin 150g daily. Ds1 born 9/2/11 c/s @ 35 wks
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 but currently home and doing well.
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.

Hello, sorry haven't been on much have been trying to forget everything baby related for a wee while! It is lovely to log on and see my name mentioned by so many "strangers" who have been such a help to me.
Milkyway I will be thinking of you on Monday, hope you have a very happy scan. The pains can so easily mean good things as well as bad, though I know you must be worrying.
Havingkittens you are so right about the limbo. One thing that is helping me a bit this time round is that I didn't cancel anything in anticipation, holiday still booked etc. It's hard to keep living normally when you know next month, the following month you might be pregnant. Hope your attempts this month have been successful!
Freelance just thinking of you starting temping, first month I temped I got a bfp, hope it works for you too! Remember you don't have to actually get UP earlier, just half-wake up, stick a thermometer somewhere, and fall asleep again.
Purequeen and laf are you both waiting for results? Hope you get an action plan soon.
SuffolkSteph I really hope it is still going well for you.
Welcome Georgipie, sorry you find yourself here.
Big waves to Digitalgirl, Luckyfor2, Iloveblue and Knitternottwitter (and anyone I've missed, sorry). One day we will all get good news.

Good to hear from you Iggi. I was thinking about you today and wondering how you are. Completely understand you taking a break from the thread and associated baby stuff.

Hi..AF has come for a visit and I wonder if this will be my last one for 9 months. I dare to dream in the odd moment. I will have my results back soon, in less than 48 hours. Tomorrow will be 6 months since my third miscarriage. I still have weepy days, even this week, wondering if our spare room will ever be a nursery and when I will look into my baby's eyes. I'm scared of getting on the TTC and pg roller coaster again, but if I want a baby, it's where I have to go.

kittens and freelance I too have been terrible with my diet and exercise since December. I would never be a tiny person, perhaps a 10/12 when eating properly and working out hard. However, I'm a 14/16 right now and I hate having to peer into the wardrobe and try to find something to wear. I had thought that I'd go at it hard with exercise after the third mc, but I have such a mental block. I can't push myself physically. I miss running, but I just can't do it. I saw people from my running club a few days ago and went out of my way to avoid speaking to them. I can't take the embarrassment of having been absent for 18 months and them asking concerned questions and feeling like I should explain myself. I haven't taken any time out from work, but 3 miscarriages in 8 months takes its toll somewhere and that somewhere is my waist line. I suppose I carry the extra pounds like Joan from Mad Men which prompted one of my co-workers to joke that he loved me this week. I miss being me though. However, in the grand scheme of things, I wouldn't care about losing the extra pounds now if I got to have a baby.

I think DH is taking Father's Day pretty hard. He won't sit down and just relax at all today....

Thinking of you all...

Hi everyone. Can I ask how long it took you all to be refered to a recurrent miscarriage clinic? My GP won't send a letter until my DH and my bloods for karyotyping come back. It's been a month since I lost my third baby and still no blood tests yet thanks to a rubbish surgery who said I had to have the blood taken there and then decided actually they didn't do that one and I had to go to the hospital...who won't see me until the surgery give me the paperwork to take along to the hospital (phew). It's all waiting and waiting. Which is fine for them and a month here or there sounds like nothing unless of course you've lost three babies and have been trying for the best part of 4 years. If I sound like I'm losing the plot it's because I am.

And I totally understand what you're saying LAF77. I've not drank a drop of alcohol since 2008 and was careful about everything I ate until this last miscarriage. Now I just can't stop eating and I'm tired all the time. I don't want to see people (especially the billions of pregnant people who seem to surround me). I carried on working through the miscarriages but luckily work from home so don't have to explain anything to anyone. It does mean I can't get away from the house I lost two of them in though. Moving next month and can't wait. I know you can't escape the painful memories but I still want to get away.
My DH found last fathers day very hard to deal with. He hasn't said anything about this one but I know him well enough to not have to ask. Last year his dad had a go at him for forgetting to send a card (which he didn't, it just arrived late). He was so angry that his dad didn't even ask once how he was coping. He is a dad after all. Our babies died but we still made them, they were alive for a short time and they were real. These days seem to just compound the feelings of loss.

Amuminwaiting my EPU filled in the referral form to the RMC on the same day as they arranged my ERPC. Do you have an early pregnancy unit where you leave?
Laf I'm trying hard to lose weight at the moment (and I'm much bigger than you) but the depression surrounding all this does make it hard not to eat. I hope you won't be seeing AF for a while either!
I managed to go to two baptisms this weekend, found the second one really hard as I kept thinking how much I'd like to be doing that myself.

I have an EPAC but have to be refered there by my GP! The last thing I need right now is having to shout at people down the phone. I'm also waiting for the results to come back from the 'product of conception' as they so delicately put it.
I don't know how you had the strength for two baptisms iggitwotimes. I couldn't have done that.

Hi all,

LAF I can completely relate to that peering into the wardrobe to find something to wear. None of my clothes look right at all. Last year I finally chucked out anything that was a little bit bigger thinking I would never go back there again and now some of my smaller clothes don't look right at all. So frustrating and Iggi I can relate to you too, it's hard not to want to comfort eat. Why can't I be one of these people who forgets to eat when they are miserable!

Amuminwaiting sorry your DH found father's day difficult. Mine has been ok I think, I am not sure if it has crossed his mind that he would have almost been a father and I probably would have been buying him a father-to-be card. In terms of how long I waited for the referral, it was really frustrating. My referrals were sent to St Marys and Mr Shehata on April the 5th. I kept calling up Mr S' office as that was the one I really wanted (I was sure, rightly it turned out, that NK cells would be my problem). They hadn't received the referral by the end of April so I got it faxed over. Then I waited weeks, phoning up every week, and there was nothing. I got frustrated and cobbled together the cash to go privately. My NHS appointment finally came through for the 22nd (this week) but in that time I have already seen him, had blood tests, been diagnosed and basically shaved off a good 6-8 weeks of time. I am really glad I did but I realise that getting the money together might be hard. As I already asked for a lot of blood tests to be done on the NHS the only test he had to do with me was NK cells. So far it has cost us around £600. Hopefully some of my appointments can now be on the NHS but I know they all won't be and some treatment is not available on the NHS anyway, such as the intralipid infusions I will have once (hopefully!) pregnant again.

LAF, yep, I'm the same with the peering into the wardrobe thing too. And also wishing I was one of those who lost their appetite when going through rough times. Sadly not! I wish I could claim Christina Hendricks' proportions. I am more of your apple shape and currently wearing a generously padded bra in the vain hope that will make my waist look smaller! Oh well. It's all about the, much maligned on Mumsnet Style & Beauty board, jersey wrap dresses these days! Optimistically they are also perfect for the intermediate pre maternity wear phase. Kind of "Holding Zone" wear, if you like. Don't know if you remember my analogy of moving onto a "Holding Zone" after BFP, waiting to qualify for the next level.

I have had a rather mopey, sad and grumpy weeked. I think it's the steroids. I'm hoping that's not going to continue for the next week too. I have been feeling anxious about being pregnant again, and at the same time, anxious that I may not be pregnant anytime before I have to take my break from the treatment as I am now halfway through the allowed time before you have to take a break.

I don't think the Fathers' Day thing has even occurred to my OH, which I'm pleased about. It has been a poignant day though as my poor dad is going through such a sad time at the moment. I didn't sent him a card as I just felt it was so irreverent and inappropriate to wish him a Happy Fathers' Day, when he couldn't be further from happy at the moment, but I did call him to let him know that I was thinking of him and that I love him. It's his birthday in a couple of days and I had a similar quandary with a birthday card so just ended up with a blank one. I have decided to hold off and play it by ear with regards to visiting. I explained my reasons to my Stepsister and she was really understanding. I'm just so scared that if I did fall pregnant and then it all went wrong whilst travelling to, or being in, Costa Rica I would regret it bitterly. I may change my mind, or I may go later in the year when I have to take my break from the steroids.

Amuminwaiting I can't believe you're having such a battle getting referred to RMC, that stinks! Like Iggi I was referred straight after my ERPC. I thought that would be standard practice. Do you think it may be worth speaking to the consultant or team at the EPU rather than your GP?

I would but my consultant retired just before I got pregnant the third time. And as I've now lost the baby they have never asigned me a new one. I feel like no one wants to know, the surgery and hospital seem to be passing me from one to the other like I've got some infectious disease. My Aunt's a midwife in another part of the country and has been for over 30yrs. She;s so upset by the way I've been treated throughout my miscarriages that she says she wonders why she's in the profession at all. If it wasn't for her being with me through the last one my baby would have been shoved in a freezer and any chance of being tested would have been destroyed. She had to tell the doctor what to do because she'd said she never had to deal with someone who wanted their baby tested before... I was under the impression women were going through this ordeal all the time so why isn't there proper guidelines out there for doctors to follow?!

What tough decision to make havingkittens. I know that any time I've been pregnant I have not wanted to travel. In the first week of my first pregnancy my dad had a stroke in Chester so I had to drive all the way there to bring him home (not as far as Costa Rica I know) but there was nowhere for me to stop to pee and by the time I did go the pain was so intense I couldn't walk. I started bleeding small amounts after that and although that baby was a serious fighter and stayed until almost 22 weeks I'm sure I did some damage that day that contributed to losing him. You have to take care of yourself first and hope everyone else understands. You're lucky that your family sound very supportive.

aMuminwaiting that's really unfair that you are getting such a lack of care. Really unbelievable! Mumsnet were campaigning to have a "Code of Practice" put in place for people suffering miscarriages but I've not heard about any progress yet. It's all gone a bit quiet. It's definitely something that needs to be put in place across the board. I hope you get some answers soon. Is there perhaps another doctor in your surgery that would be more helpful? Sometimes the Locum's are good as they are new and keen rather than the lazy jaded older doctors. When we were referred to the RMC the Karyotyping blood tests were part of the whole set of tests rather than something we had to have before being allowed to be referred.

Amuminwaiting you don?t live in Suffolk do you? I had similar problems with my hospital... We have an EPU where the staff are amazing... But I only got referred to St Marys after my 4th Loss and that was only after I requested it.. The RMC at the hospital advised that I would have to get the referral from the GP... so off to the GP I went.. he sent a letter... which I then got a reply to advise that the consultant at the hospital had to refer me.... so I chased them.. they sent a letter and then I got my appointment.. all in all it was nearly four months before I was seen....

My hospital RMC/gyn are RUBBISH! they have no idea what they are doing or how to help.... They took bloods from me on the day my 3rd MC was confirmed.. so i was still officially PG... So the bloods they took were no good..but as I was so distressed I had no idea.. it was only after joining forums like this one did I twig that they were clueless... I went for MM on the 3rd MC as they said they could send it for testing.... I "delivered" the MC in the toilet on the ward after going back the same day for massive blood loss..(I don?t react well to MM... Its almost instant for me) when I left the ward I noticed that my MC was still in the brown pot sat on the side... I've since found out that unless it is dealt with correctly it can be no good for testing... sadly it wasn?t... we got the result "failed to grow" .. which means that they were unable to grow it in the lab to asses the results... so no answer there... However when we went back to the consultants to get the results from the incorrect bloods and the Baby we were told that all was normal and to take 75mg of Aspirin and call when I get PG again.. if I don?t fall in a year call them back and they can take another look... (!?!?!?!?!?)

No to mention that all this was happening while I was planning my Wedding... (we moved the date when we found I was PG.... my 3rd MC was 4 weeks before the wedding).... So I was trying so hard to concentrate on the positives and get through it all without breaking down....

We happily got PG again on honeymoon.... thinking that we were in with a chance this time... they organised an early scan for me and asked if I was taking the Aspirin and 5mg of Folic Acid as my Consultant had advised...? Sorry what... Folic acid.. he never mentioned that.... after finding out that we had to have it on prescription and getting said prescription I finally got it at about 6 weeks.... (Bit late).... so after the 4th MC.... I didn?t want to talk to any one form my local hospital... I no longer trusted them.... I had an ERPC form the 4th loss... never had one of these before I was petrified.... OH wasn?t allowed to stay with me.. I put on a ward with 6 other ladies in tears.. scared of the unknown and shaking uncontrollable... I have to admit it was one of the lowest points in all this... the nurses left me well alone as they had no idea what to say to me.. so for 8 hours I was pretty much on my own.... feeling stupid for crying as the other ladies had no idea why I was there... (two of the ladies were having coils removed to start TTC... so I felt that I had to keep my tears silent as I didn?t want to scare them) the curtains were around all the beds all day.. but like curtains can stop noise from travelling...

When my consultant came around afterwards... he said that it went well... Baby went off for testing again... and said better luck next time!!!!!

This consultant.. if I ever see him again I don?t know what I will do.. as he is also the man who gave us false results from the testing on the the 3rd MC....

When the results came through on the testing of the 4th loss I was happy to see it was with a different consultant... I had never seen this lady before... but when I got the appointment (after working myself up) she just looked at me started going on about my history.... at which point I asked her if she knew why I was there... she replied she didn?t have a clue...... after breaking down and leaving the room.... she got the results which again came back as "failed to grow"... so again no answers from what we thought might give us some closure.... I have to say though that once she had worked out why we were there.. she re ran all my blood test (correctly this time as I WAS pg) and organised for the Chromosomes bloods on both me and OH... and suggested a few things that she would have done in my last PG.. like Hormones and treatments... although it was too late for us...

Bottom line is my local hospital have not got a clue on how to deal with RMC... either technically or emotionally...

so I was really looking forward to being dealt with by St Marys..... they have done every thing right as to bloods and tests and answering all my questions... I've been seen by Mr Horner and he is lovely... As long as you dont mind waiting around alot in a crampt and hot waiting area with screamming kids running about (Which I find unbelivable that people bring them in, I love seeing the small babies as these are the positves storys from the clinic... but the children running about it just too much in such a small space, Sorry if anyone here takes their children.. its just my opinion)

Sorry... just realised that I've writen a lot... so sorry, but I dont think I've ever said any of theis to any one beofre....... but I just wanted to say they local Hopsitals seem to get it oh so wrong at a time when we NEED them to get it right.... Waiting for us is tourture and they dont seem to make it easier.... I'm guessing its beacuse for RMC we are still only a small number.. which is good but when we need action and help its still in its infancy for many Local hospitals....

Hi everyone
Its interesting reading through your experiences with your local EPU's.

I had another scan on Friday - which showed just a sac. Although the sac had grown (8mm in a week, which they said was not enough) the yolk sac seen the week before had disappeared.
They have told me that I will miscarry and have booked me in for a rescan in 3 weeks. I wasn't offered an ERPC as they said the sac was too small and may be missed during surgery, and I turned down the pessaries. So just waiting now.
The thing is, DH and I have just been in this morning for RMC bloods.
I asked the nurse last week if it was okay to have them when still technically pregnant and she said yes. But reading your post steph it seems that this will be a problem.
The tests they did today were:
Chromosomal analysis (me and DH)
Syphiliis (me)
Lupus screen (me)
Anticardiolipin antibodies (me)
Autoimmune antibodies (me)

Does this sound about right?
I can't see how there will be any chromosomal issues with Dh and I if we've already had 2 healthy children.

I'm like you steph - in that although they are lovely, I really don't think they have a clue, and I have very little confidence in them. They've already told me that in 85-90% of couples there is no diagnosis, and I just cannot continue to accept that this is down to bad luck.

amuminwaiting it sounds like you are having an even crappier time. I hope you manage to get someone to start listening to you.

Sorry for the moan - hope everyone else is okay xx

Iloveblue, I'm so sorry. It's just not fair. It's always heartbreaking to read of people having miscarriages but even more so when it's the ladies on this thread. We really do deserve a bit of good fortune for a bloody change!

I had my tests a few weeks after a miscarriage and ended up having one of them repeated as the hematologist thought the pregnancy hormones would have altered the results. They did come out differently the second time too. The one that did show up was the Antithrombin III which is a clotting disorder but the second time it was fine so I didn't get any diagnosis at all from the NHS RMC apart from "No, it's not just bad luck. You've had too many looses to put down to bad luck. We just don't know what the reason is."

I really can't help think that the reason why, according to the NHS, such a high percentage of miscarriages have no diagnosable cause is because the NHS won't test for NK Cells. The consultant who I saw at the RMC at UCH said that the NK Cell test costs £500 and therefore they can't justify testing for it on the offchance that's the problem. Hmmmm, I wonder how much it costs to perform an ERPC? How many staff they have to pay to do the surgery, valuable time in the operating theatre that could be avoided and used for other reasons. It's just so shortsighted, I'm dumfounded by it really.

Thanks kittens. It would make sense for them to test for NK cells wouldn't it. They wouldn't need to test everyone - just those who have had RCM and had no other causes found.
I'm still not sure if my late loss could have been caused by NK cells though.

The problem is, is that my MC's have all been so different. Its so confusing - I think I just need to switch my head off from it for a while.

Mine have all been different too. The first stopped at 8.5 wks, 2nd and 3rd pregnancies were TOP not miscarriage due to chromosome abnormalities, then the next three were all different stages of development. 4th, was scanned at 8 weeks, no heartbeat. 5th scanned at 6wks, slow heartbeat, 8wks, no heartbeat or growth. 6th no fetal pole seen at 6wks, checked again at 8wks, no change. I don't necessarily think there is a particular pattern that determines whether NK Cells are the problem or not. I had the standard RMC tests and then my 6th pregnancy loss which lead my GP to agree to refer me to Mr S at Epsom & St Helier. Fingers crossed the steroids will be the answer now but I am trying not to hang all my hopes on it.

Good to hear from you iggi hope you are doing okay.

It's crap how some of you have been treated - suffolk I can't believe they took bloods from you for testing when you still obviously had pregnancy hormones in your body - how incompetent of them and distressing for you.

With me, I had all the normal NHS tests after my third miscarriage, but no one mentioned anything to me about aspirin or high dose folic acid if I got pregnant again, because according to the test results it was scientifically proven that it was just "bad luck" (). So we waited 3 months and then tried again, didn't have any kind of medical intervention and that's when I had my fourth mc. After finding out about the mc at the scan, a nurse just casually mentioned I could try aspirin with my next pregnancy. I was so angry, because they could have told me to start it when I found out I was pregnant, but they didn't.

Anyway, after my fourth I went to the GP and specifically asked to be prescribed high dose folic acid, and I have been taking it since February this year. I then made an appointment with a pre-pregnancy counsellor myself (no one offered this to me, or even mentioned it, I just happened to come across the clinic whilst googling the EPU). It's really crap that no one offers help unless you ask for it.

kittens Every consultant I have met in my hospital writes off NK cell testing from the moment the word "N" leaves my lips. My last consultant even said that what Dr Shehata is doing is the same treatment they might give someone for a blood clotting disorder and not even he knows how his treatment works so that's why he doesn't believe in NK cells . It's like they all have a vendetta against NK cells causing recurrent miscarriages. The fact that so many women have been treated for this and have ended up with a baby doesn't seem to ring any alarm bells for the NHS. It's sad.

iloveblue I'm sorry that you are going through this again. It's just crap. With regards to your blood tests, have they told you to come back in 3 months for any other tests? I'm not sure, but others might know better, but any tests done for blood clotting disorders must be done at least 3 months after the miscarriage. So the Lupus anticoagulant test may be a bit unreliable right now. You can always go and ask you GP about this. I recommend asking your GP for a Vitamin D test aswell, as I was deficient in this and had to have a high dose course for 6 days. There have been trials done to show that vitamin D deficiency can also cause recurrent miscarriages.

I hope everyone else is okay: lucky hope your scan went well last week.

I had my 11 week scan today and again things are looking okay. Although today I feel slightly happy and positive, deep down there is that niggling feeling that things can go wrong at any time. I asked my consultant about having a cervix test because now I feel like I might lose the baby due to an open cervix. I know the chances are very slim, but then only 2-3% of women suffer from recurrent miscarriages, and I am in that 2-3%. I am not a very lucky person. Just taking one day at a time.

Okay, I have written alot - sorry for rambling!

That's utter rubbish that Mr S's treatment is the same given for blood clotting disorders. Granted, some of his treatment includes the blood clotting disorder protocol if it is relevant, as he tests for both if you've not already had the blood clotting tests on the NHS. But the Steroid treatment is not the same as the blood clotting treatment which is Clexane or similar.

Just goes to show how much the doctors at my hospital know about it -They are all very anti-NK cells, as every conversation I've had about NK cells with them ends with "it is not widely accepted that they are a cause for mc and there is no substantial evidence" blah blah blah. I would just like to quickly say: that wasn't my view in the post above! - it was my doctors at the JR hospital - quite strange seeing as one of their lead fertility specialists is doing a trial on NK cells at the moment, so obviously some work is being done in that area.

Dr Shehata is an amazing person. I've read so many articles about him online and have met other women on different forums who have been treated by him and have had a successful pregnancy. I've even taken his information from his miscarriage clinic website and self prescribed myself magnesium and selenium and coEnzyme Q during this pregnancy.

Sorry if I've upset anyone with the above post - I was just trying to share how my hospital is very against the NK cell theory. They weren't my views. Sorry!