Recurrent miscarriage support - tests, treatment, trying again - thread 8

[Bakingtins]

Welcome everyone, pull up a chair! A thread for anyone who has suffered multiple miscarriages and is in need of company, information, moral support, tea or sympathy.

Can I suggest we start page 1 with a recap of where we are all up to, because my fuddled head can't keep track?

Massive relief - all is looking ok at 20 week scan and we are team pink! The only concern is baby is slightly small, measuring about 19+2 so a few days behind or about 5th centile for a 20 weeker, but I already have growth scans booked because of the steroids and sonographer not too concerned. I got a really long look at her because there was a student who repeated the scan when the sonographer had finished, and we got lots of (free) pictures.

Tiny yes I went to Prof Q. If you get diagnosed her mainstay of treatment is steroids (20mg pred) but I was also prescribed clexane and progesterone. No problems getting those treatments on the NHS on her recommendation.
tums I got my NK diagnosis privately, but was seen at the local RMC unit in this pregnancy for early scans etc. I'd had the standard testing there previously. Are you in the system of a RMC unit somewhere? They should be able to offer reassurance scans.

Oh Wow baking that is great news! And team pink! YAY! So pleased for you.

I am in the RMC system but only because I have this 1st appointment booked, I have not actually seen them yet. The Feb app was my first appointment.

baking congrats on a good 20w scan!
I also loved having students doing things when pregnant with DD

Hi Tum congrats on your pregnancy. I would ask if you can go for reassurance: and if not can they refer you to their EPU/Ante natal for reassurance scans. I am under them taking clexane and aspirin: there's nothing much they can do at the moment but are monitoring me and referred me to their scanning within St Mary's whilst I am pregnant.
Have the private clinic tested you for anything may I ask?

Baking wonderful news! :)

HiSquizita thanks for the tip - I'll ask them.
I have been tested through Mr Shehata's clinic for thrombolia's, mutation genes, infections, immune issues and NK cells.

NK cells came back slightly raised, and I have the gene MTHFR too. x

great news baking

I am now 7+3 and really worried/stressed. I'm not due to be seen again until booking in at the end of week 9. Do you think it would be unreasonable on my part to phone epu and ask for a scan next week?
Can anyone share any tips they have for staying sane in the early days?

nearly no tips. In the same boat! I'm a knicker-checking, boob poking loony!!

nearly and squiz Take one day at a time. Try and find lots of activities to distract you - maybe a DIY project, days out, short trips, manicure/pedicure, DVD box sets... That sort of thing. Not much else you can do, I'm afraid, other than keep repeating 'Today, I am pregnant' over and over again.

nearly My guess would be that unless you have specific concerns, the EPU will not scan you. I managed to get an early scan for reassurance through my midwife at the booking appointment last time, could you contact her? Or go private, if that's an option...

Baking fab news! I also don't think that 5 days off the measurement should be cause for concern, there is still quite a big margin of how accurate these scans are. Chances are, if someone else takes the measurements, it'll be all fine.

Fantastic news Baking and team pink how lovely will this be your first dd? :)

baking lovely news team pink!

My scan went well. I was so relieved. My epu was lovely. The nurse said to me what was the point sitting at home worrying when they could scan me and make it ok? It was very kind of her to be so reassuring and I wish all epus were this kind. I dont understand why they arent.

I think I underestimated how tough you need to be not to go bonkers during the early stages. Someone was saying how do you not go mad and I certainly haven't any answers. My gp advised me to contact the epu directly myself and start with the phrase "I have had x miscarriages and I'm scared".

worry Oh good, that's such a relief the scan was good and the EPU kind.

JBird thanks. I know keeping busy helps- I have to psych myself up as I see the risk in everything (except working in a germ-filled rough and tumble inner city school). Work's been very busy, kids are nuts with this odd weather... oddly keeping me sane!!

Thrilled with your pink news Baking, that is just wonderful. We have not had DH's current sperm tested but that might be something to consider as we decide on the IVF route. We did bank a sample before chemo started. I started looking into alternative conception methods during his treatment because we were not permitted to TTC (chance of baby with 5 heads and 3 legs...) and I wasn't sure how long it would be before he would be up for DTD. We got the all clear from the oncologist to start trying again in Dec, three months after his last round of chemo. He only had about 4 sessions of low dose chemo and the radiation was not directed anywhere near his pelvic region so his Dr was reassuring that his fertility wouldn't be impacted. Squiz, I don't know how long our window of opportunity is for the free round - I will most definitely look into it. I'd like to just have a chance to conceive naturally so I'd be fine with delaying until, say, June. I'm in the ovulation zone right now and we can try in Feb as well - work travel will prevent a March edition of the SMEP!

also, welcome Tum. Hoping all goes well with your pregnancy, we're here for support!

Amazing news baking - so happy for you. That really is so great to hear.

hi to all, on my phone, great news baking

worry so pleased your scan was good news and you feel temporarily reassured. It's impossible not to obsess about it, it's just a case of taking one day at a time.

baking that is fabulous news! Congrats on your little girl! Bet you feel so relieved! Only 20 weeks (give or take) to go ;-)

nearly no i don't think you would be, if you are feeling anxious (and you have every right to that) call them, what's the worst they can say? no? Hope they are more understanding than my hospital!

worry so glad your scan went well, how are you feeling now? a bit more relaxed?

I am so pissed off at my hospital. Not only have i had two mc before, I'm high risk because of my epilepsy and I still haven't had any letter. I called the epu at my local hospital - I'm not even on record yet So they tell me try the other epu as maybe I got referred there and I got through to the snottiest, most insensitive cow bag ever. She said, as I "only" (!!) had two, I would NOT be referred there and even if she did get a referral, she would of filed it to someone else. She didn't even take my name the rude bitch! Have complained about her. So then called GP who confirm they faxed it over priority well over a week ago. So pissed off. I was crying at the gp and saying how anxious I was, no one gives a shit! 8 weeks is booking in time (which i am next week) and still don't even have a letter.

sorry for rant just so annoyed that no one wants to help me and my stomach is in knots about tomorrow's private scan. :(

downstairs thats awful
good luck for tomorrow

downstairs good luck for the scan.

Baking how lovely!

Thanks guys. Currently awake already on my day off wanting to throw up so all is normal here

Downstairs yup I was up at 6 too.
Had a horrible nightmare: was working some office I used to work, went to the loo, big bleed and a tiny 'stick person' appeared: woke up in a cold sweat with sore boobs etc' thankfully "it was just a dream" but pretty obvious what I'm scared about at the mo!

Hope all goes well today downstairs and sorry you are having such a difficult time trying to get some support.

You poor thing squiz - sounds like a terrible nightmare. Horrible how the mind works sometimes. Have a nice chilled out day.

worry sorry, missed your post yesterday - that's good news and will give you some peace of mind for a bit. It's just going to be a difficult time. One day at a time.

late I agree, maybe give yourself a cut off and if you don't get a BFP by that point go down the IVF route?

Hi to everyone else

Good luck downstairs, hope you get son reassurance.

Squiz hope you can put that horrible dream out of your mind.

Well, some spotting this morning so AF on her way.

Thinking of booking a holiday in April, so obvs calculated all possible eventualities and dates and wondering whether flying will affect ov or quality of egg. Hope holiday will help with sanity...