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.

LAF all my warmest, warmest wishes for the safe arrival of the one doing all the kicking :)

I need to start thinking there is hope. How did you/do you keep calm during the first parts of pg? Or do you just accept the fear as part of it all. Are those of you who are currently pregnant at any time relaxed or happy? It's meant to be a wonderful time (or so everyone keeps telling me) and I feel sad that I won't be able to experience it in that way (if at all....)

escape I was definitely not calm in the early weeks of pg. We have a thread going called, "freak out room for those pg after mc" on the conception board. I offloaded there nearly every day.

I was under the care of St. Mary's RMC clinic and was scanned every 2 weeks from 6 weeks which did help a lot, until the 12 week scan at my local hospital. They believe that reassurance scans help the outcome. I'd feel great after the scan. When I woke up the following morning, I was panicking that it would all go wrong. Every time I go to the loo, I check for blood. It is just a reflex for me.

I was relieved to get a diagnosis because it gave me an explanation as to why they happened. With treatment for the condition, your odds go up dramatically.

I bought a doppler which I still use at home to monitor the baby twice a day, when I wake up and when I go to sleep. It helps calm me down. As I can feel him move in quite a strong way, it helps me feel better. DH doesn't know how much I use it, but anything that reduces my stress levels has to be good for the baby.

I think that you will always have some fears, but it is managing them, so you don't turn into a complete basket case and drive everyone else crazy and have them run away from you!

When do you think you can TTC again?

LAF I too had a doppler (the angel sounds one) and as far as DH knew I only used it every two to three days but really it was every day up until about 26-28 weeks. Then the kicks got really strong and I needed it less and less and at the end I barely used it at all. You will get more confident and comfortable with things as time goes on.

Oh dopplers, I have been holding out but depending how much freakery I feel may need one. I'd say I get about 4 days of reassurance after a scan, then it's gone! Really hoping my midwife would offer to see me more regularly, there seem to be long gaps when nothing happens.

How far along are you iggi? I can't fault the doppler. Many say it makes you more paranoid if you can't find the HB but it was never an issue for me and I picked up the HB from 12 weeks. Hope your MW is forthcoming and sees you more often but ine wouldn't see me more often. Well, she wouldn't make me more regular appointments but she always said drop in if i wanted a listen. That's why I bought my own, else I'd have been there everyday

iggi I think you would be hard pressed to use it pre-14 weeks. I know that they say you can use it from 11 weeks, but I think it is a lot harder to find the heartbeat when the baby is so small. It could cause unnecessary stress. The appointments do seem so far apart, especially between 12 and 20 weeks. I really feel for women who just get the standard NHS appointments and nothing else. I'm bad enough with extra appointments. Time has really whizzed by since the 20 week scan though. Having a week's holiday probably made a difference.

coconuts I have the angel sounds too. I paid £25 and it is the best £25 I've spent. I'm smiling at the thought of your convo with your DH, it was probably the same one I had with my DH. My DH is working away from home, so he doesn't know that during the week, the box is sitting next to my bed, and it goes in the closet on Friday AM before he gets home!

Thanks guys. 13 weeks today, so maybe I'll wait a week and then visit Amazon .

LAF I got mine for £8 from ebay and I sold it back on ebay for £15!

The standard NHS appointments are very far apart for nervous mothers. 12weeks then 16 and 20 and then nothing til 28.

the worst part about the 20week scan is that that is the last time (unless you have complications and have more scans) you see the baby before it is born, such a long time, over half the pregnancy.

The nearest private place to me that does scans costs £75 - I will be saving up for more than one I suspect!

Great idea for the doppler (should I ever get that far)
iggi it sounds like you need to invest in one! :) You might even make some profit like "coconuts*

I guess in a way I am lucky because here I can get a scan anytime I want, if I am willing to go and wait in line at the local maternity hospital. During my last pregnancy I had 3 scan by 7 weeks! It was August though, so things were pretty quiet.

LAF I have been given the green light to start trying after I get my period (fingers crossed it comes, my last menstrual period was back in June....) 3 weeks... Eeeek.

I ordered a doppler last night

escape I wish you all the courage in the build up to TTC again. I will never forget the sleepless night before DTD for this pg. Feel free to vent, we understand. That's great that you could have all of the scans you want if you are prepared to wait. I would have been a daily visitor which would have got me into trouble with DH!

iggi nothing to be ashamed of with your doppler, it's not a dirty word! Let us know how you get on. Off to dopple away....

Hello Ladies

Thanks for your suport hubby's calmed down now (feel like he just doen't listen sometimes) I know men don't completley understand it's near enough all us women think about is having our own babies (that's how I am anyway!)

Well I've had my consulatant appointment through today for 8 December which seems quite quick! I've also looked into a trial at Warwick University for testing of nk cells and don't know if anybody's had experience of this or can give any advice?

Feeling more positive and hopeful of getting some answers were still trying af due next Thurs hopefully she doesn't turn up and all will be fine:)

Having a real good day today, but i'm not always so positive (i'm sure like many of us) but i'm now having councelling to help me get through all of this, and look to the future with hope.

Sorry my spelling awful:)

Just wanted to say hello again. Jules I am not an expert am awaiting to be seen. But if you look at Mr Shehata he does lots of work with NK cells. So the study at Warwick may be similar to the work he is doing. Good luck on the 8th my first appointment is around then to.

Hello, Jules I am on treatment for nk cells and it seems to be helping.
Just got my doppler in the post, the instructions with it are in terrible English which does not inspire confidence! Doesn't tell me where to use it either - I can see me posting again in an hour saying I'm off to a&e!

iggi with the doppler, start quite low down near your hairline. Use plenty of gel, to help pick up the heartbeat. It helps to have a full bladder too! Good luck!

Thank you Laf, that helped!
Well I heard what sounded to me like a 'normal' heartbeat, which I guess was mine (why can I hear my hb in my stomach?). I also heard something that sounded like a whoosh-whoosh-whoosh, or galloping hooves - is that it? Worried it's my intestines or something! Would be so great if it's the hb. Ages till my next midwife appointment.

Never used a doppler iggi but I would be worried if your intestines were sounding like gallopping hooves :) I think that might have been your little baby! How exciting. I am sure someone who knows more about doppler will come on soon. Congrats! New toy, and if keeps you sane, then all for it!

The whoosh whoosh is your placenta and the blood flow to and from it. The gallopping sounds promising though, that is how i would describe a baby hb :) its surprising how low down you need to be though isn't it? and i think it stays pretty much that low until about 18 weeks.

Thanks guys
I feel a bit sore now so worrying I've done something bad - was going to try it again now dh is home but think I'll wait at least a day. It won't have hurt the baby, will it? [Paranoid emoticon]
If I can get the obs I'm seeing next week to listen for hb, then I'd feel I know more what I'm listening for.

It won't hurt the baby at all, its no different to the sonicaid a MW uses at the antenatal check ups. I listened in on DS sometimes more than once a day and he came out ok :)

The more you listen the more confident you'll feel that you're in the right place and hearing the right thing but dont panic if you dont find it one time, they are buried very deeply in your pelvis at this stage.

Many thanks for that, am a nervous wreck today (as I am every other day for some reason or another!). I've been telling a few friends this week and the negative of that is that I'm thinking this must be when it goes wrong, just when I feel happy! This is nothing like my "innocent" first pg with my ds!

Arghh, wanted to let dh hear the hb this morning so got the doppler out again - been trying for ages and I simply can't find one. Option A is - I can't find the hb, but I prefer to go with Option B - the hb has stopped . I am such an idiot.

iggi don't stress, LO has prob just moved away from you. It is more likely to be option A, and your logical brain knows that. Your illogical paranoid side is unfortunately just winding you up. Have a nice bath, relax, and try again later or tomorrow morning. I have spent hours trying to find it before, please don't worry yourself unnecessarily.