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.

forgot to answer- no havent had any other symptoms at all re. APS so quite unexpected really

School thanks for all that info! I have asked the consultant at the hospital to send me a break down of the tests they did which they called thrombophilia but not got it yet so might chase. I've also read they often do the tests wrong and get false negatives. Although I had a mmc then DD (at 30 if that's relevant at all!!!) then 1 mmc which had triploidy so incompatible with life etc, then a natural mc. So doesn't seem to fit much of a pattern other than 'unluckiness'. Just wish I had something I could treat.

But yes agree that wine over Xmas is definitely a positive...& tea and chocolate obviously! Actually having a break from ttc (last mc was July) has been a good thing for me and I do feel more calm and sane - despite being sad that the gap between DD and a possible sibling is growing. But when I think about ttc and getting another bfp I can feel the panic rising again. It's so hard really don't know how we get through it.

Let us know how the testing goes. Sounds like you're in really good hands though whatever happens. Must be a relief to be looked after. I feel a bit out on a limb as my local consultant doesn't seem too fussed and I went to see someone private in another city but didn't get any answers from him either! Everyone thinks I'm unlucky and it will just happen so hope they're right!!

Sorry I seem to have just written an essay about myself! Nice to get this board going again. Next question - how annoying is all the Willls & Kate baby chat going to be?!!!

Quick one from me as just off to bed but wanted to say that my super clever consultant said to me that even though we all want a diagnosis and then a magic pill to fix it the best thing to find is nothing wrong in the tests as those people have best success rate so at the moment you are in the best "pot" of them all (although know it doesn't feel like it)

And so so totally couldn't agree more about Kate and wills.. Damn them!

Night night

PS. My miscarriages didn't have pattern either. One blighted ovum. One heartbeat seen then stopped. One at 5 weeks. Another heartbeat seen and stopped. (Consultant said I'd had one of each possible except ectopic!)

Ahh your consultant sounds lovely! I know you're right & I'm glad there's nothing wrong with me as i know there can be other health implications. But being the paranoid person that I am I'm convinced there is something wrong with me, they've just not found what it is yet!! Just don't think it's 'normal' for 3 out of 4 pregnancies to fail.

But not sure what else I can do really so have to hope that the next one is a 'lucky' one!!

The Kate & Wills pregnancy is so annoying! And all I can think about it she's not even 12 weeks how can everyone talk about it like a done deal. Am I just completely jaded now?!

You have really been through the mill haven't you. Poor us with our collection of different mcs! So nice that people on here understand as think most people in RL are just horrified by it.

Ps I sounded really horrible in that post - the Kate & wills pregnancy isn't annoying, very nice for them. But annoying the amount of media coverage and constant pregnancy chat. However I do feel so sorry for them and cannot imagine how awful it must be to have the entire world involved in the early stages of pregnancy!

Hi school and teaandchoc
Thankyou for the kind, calming words both. I'm feeling much better today.

teaandchoc I was also convinced there was something wrong after my 2nd mc. I have two boys (aged 6 and 8) and had no problems with either, then a 20wk mc, two early mc and a 15 wk mc. But the consultants kept telling me the late and early mc's were unrelated and that there was nothing wrong as all the tests had come back normal. It can be incredibly frustrating.
Some doctors know so little about recurrent miscarriage.
It turned out my hospital don't do half the tests they are advised to do by the RCOG, including Factor V Leiden. And even when I asked they wouldn't do it. I had them done at Coventry in the end and they were also normal but how many women could go potentially misdiagnosed and go on to have more mc's when the testing is so rubbish.
RCOG guidelines here if you havn't read them. Quite useful to know.
I do feel quite passionately about this - as you can probably tell and when my journey is over I would like to try and help raise awareness of some of these issues somehow.

Anyway, I'm off to try and get warm. Its soooo cold today xx

Just a quick one to say I will be thinking of you tomorrow for your scan ilove. X

Thanks Iloveblue. I've chased again for the full break down of the tests I had so I can figure it out. Although that still won't tell me if they did them properly!!

Yes lots of luck with the scan. Let us know how you get on.

Scan went well.
Was external (so much more diginified) and he found the baby straight away which saved me going through those anxious first minutes.
Measuring 10+6 - so 11 weeks tomorrow.
Its the next few weeks I'm most worried about so going to keep busy and think nothing but positive thoughts.
Hope everyone else is okay x

Amazing news!

That's great!!! Such good news. And totally know what you mean about scans - hate them. Good idea to just try and keep busy so the weeks go faster. Will keep everything crossed for you!

Feel a bit sad tonight. My 3.10 yr old in the bath tonight says completely unprompted "mummy. When are you going to have a baby from your tummy for us to look after".

Did preg test today and was bfn but periods are scant since last MMC and erpc in July so random. Not feeling positive about getting a BFP this month anyway.. And when I do... Sigh that horrid first few weeks :(

Sorry, just needed to get that out. I'm normally little miss positive!

On the plus side just went in to see DS sleeping and he is gorgeous even if I do say so myself *tries to make self feel better

Hey ladies its a while since i posted it was when id just had bloods done for thrombophilia screen, i have nothing to report yet but just need a rant. It's been 8 weeks now and heard nothing i rang up last week to see what was happening apparantly they are back and the consultant is going to write to me the secretary said they were "way above what she could interperate". Just wondered how long other people waited, its stressing me out waiting for the post to come i feel like i need these results out of the way so i can move on and leave that as the past im just in limbo atm. My stress levels might just be higher as af due in a few days and cant help wondering if im pg or not..... Probably not! X

School sorry to hear you're having a rubbish day. Must be so hard that your DS is asking those questions now. I'm dreading it as DD already loves babies. I think some days are just really rubbish days. Whereas other days you feel ok and nothing really has changed. I often forget what's going on and then I remember and get a horrible knot in my stomach when I realise we have to start trying again soon and all that entails.

Sorry I don't have anything more productive to add but I do know how you feel and I guess we just need to be grateful that we have our DCs. Must be so horrendous for those going through this without them. A close friend is in that position now and speaking to her does make me feel so grateful for DD. although obviously doesn't take away all the losses we've suffered.

I'm visiting another friend next week who's just had their second and was telling me how amazing life is with 2 (she doesn't know about my mc). Not sure how I'll manage. Hoping it'll be a day when the baby's been up all night .

Butterfly hi! My tests took about 8 weeks to return. They were all normal apparently but I've been chasing for the last few weeks trying to get a breakdown of them as I'm not actually sure what I was tested for!! In a way I was a bit disappointed they didn't find anything to treat

Tea I know what you mean i know it would be best for them not to find anything but if they did at least id have a reason and there would be something they could do. Surely i shouldnt wait too much longer i might start stalking the postman if they dont hurry up!! :-)

hi ladies

nice to see this thread getting a bit more traffic.

i went to see mr farquharsson at liverpool earlier this year. he is lovely. he sorted me out with a hysteroscopy and found a lump of placenta left over from my late mc the year before. i think this may have contributed towards my third mc.

in my current pg i went to liverpool initially for the two weekly scans and heparin injections but i found it a bit of a pain to get to and i was seeing different people each time i went so i got back in touch with my local hospital and they have been amazing. scans at least fortnightly - sometimes weekly and they got me a special midwife who visits me at home and can come anytime i want her to. i can also ring her 24/7 if needed. since the 20 week scan i will be scanned every 3 weeks until the end.

i am coming up for 24 weeks now - can't believe it could finally happen!

started nct classes at weekend which was nice as i had to cancel the ones i booked last year.

it amazes me how many of you are having these recurrent mc problems after having children previously. i am still waiting for my first baby. i don't know whats worse sometimes. (not that any situation if worse than another but i just wonder!!)

hi all. butterfly- all this waiting is just the worst isnt it :(

tea thanks for your kind words. grr. just heard friend of family expecting a 3rd. i really am pleased for them and feel so awful for feeling jealous :(

pebs *waves hello! thank you sooooo much for all the help you gave to me last time i ws on here. i am very very pleased for you- sounds like midwives etc all being amazing! i know its so strange how you can have one baby no probs and then all this- our bodies are bonkers!

ok and in other news.. got a BFP this morning.. im being super cautious as in august i had a chemical preg where i got a 1-2 weeks pregnant on a digi tests then next day went back to negative.. so obviously i am now going to test each day hoping it goes to 2-3 weeks.. then i will call up liverpool if it does and go in to start on the heparin injections.. took my first asprin this morning along with the 5mg follic acid i was given to start on.

wish me luck...!

Hi ladies I recieved my results in the post today- all clear! I know this is great news and i am pleased its a weight off my mind
but i'm also no further forward so ill have to just hope we have had horrendous luck and fingers crossed all will be ok next time. Currently at the end of 2ww with sore boobs, exhaustion, nausea and feel bloated everywhere but af is probably on its way.....

That IS good news butterfly. Glad results came to put your mind at rest. X

Thanks school i know at least i can stop thinking about it now 8 weeks goes by very slowly when you are waiting for that letter! X

Congratulations school - thats great news. I know it also heralds the start of a stressful journey but heres hoping it all goes brilliantly.

tea are you due to test soon too?

pebs lovely to hear from you. Sounds like your local hospital are being great. I wish mine were so accommodating.
I'm finding it a pain travelling to Coventry - and thats every 4 weeks, but I have to pick up my medication from there as my local consultants won't prescribe it. I might try my GP and see if he will agree to do it as its only the clexane and progesterone now (only 3 days left of the steroids).

butterfly symptoms sound promising. Fingers crossed for you. My results too (apart from nk cells) were all normal - it is frustrating. Have you been given a plan of action for your next pregnancy?

Iloveblue - thank you i hope so but im feeling a bit crampy like af could be coming its not over yet though! For next pregnancy the consultant just said to ring at the next positive pregnancy test to arrange weekly scanning and treatment as necessary i dont know what that would be though seeing as my results were negative?

School congrats from me too! I know you probably don't really feel like celebrating but you've got to be in it to win it! And although I think we'd all probably like to let someone else have a go at being pregnant for us unfortunately its the only way for us to get a real life baby ;) someone remind me of these wise words when its my go....

Butterfly let us know what happens when you test sounds like it could go either way.

Hi iloveblue! No I'm not testing this month. We put ttc on hold until Jan as I couldn't face being pregnant / miscarrying over the festive period. Also, and I know I of all peo

Argh posted too soon!! Fat thumbs...

What I was going to say is that I shouldn't say this but I ideally didn't want another summer baby. I know I hardly stand a chance of having a baby at all but DD is apparently 6 months delayed developmentally and is a July birthday it's a bit stressful. I know I sound mental but I'm paranoid that she has problems that we've passed on - like some chromosomal abnormality which sometimes causes mc and in DD has caused some other issue. There I've said it! I'm mental aren't I?!!! Does that make me an awful horrible neurotic nutter? I'm just so paranoid there's something wrong with our genes.....not said this to anyone in RL so please don't be too harsh as I do know that any baby is a blessing. My warped logic now thinks a autumn baby stands a better chance. However my 2nd mc would have been due in oct and here we are again a year later and no baby so not exactly a well thought out plan!!

I can't believe the variations in the standard of care we all get. My Gp won't prescribe progesterone so I'm paying for private prescriptions as was easier. No idea if I would get more scans as just speak to the consultant directly but maybe I should push for that if I ever pluck up the courage to actually ttc!!