Recurrent Miscarriage Support - tests, treatment, trying again - thread 12

[bakingtins]

Welcome everyone! A thread for anyone who has suffered recurrent losses and is in need of support, information, moral support or tea and sympathy. Newbies very welcome.

Please can we start (as is traditional) with a recap of where we are on 'the journey'.

Cross post March

Not taking pregnancy vits any more, but I did switch straight back to conception vits which have pretty much the same stuff in them. Think the lowness is down to the fact that the bleeding stopping means it really is all over and we're back to trying again and I'm really not feeling too hopeful about our next attempt. That and it's Monday and it was a lot easier over the weekend when DH was around to distract me and pick up the slack with DS

Sorry you are feeling blue imnot. YOu certainly didn't need to be scrapping for necessary tests. Knowledge is power and we need all the power we can get. Have you considered taking a mini break from ttc? I always found a break helped me get back on the horse again.

A question for anyone. I have my initial appointment with the rmc on 19th Dec. I know from reading stuff here that one of the blood tests needs to be done twice, 6 wks apart (is this exactly 6 wks or at least 6 wks? )
As this is (frustratingly) still over 8 weeks away, I was thinking of asking if my GP could take blood for the 1st test in the next 2 weeks, so that my appt with the rmc would be the second part of this test along with the other tests.
Has anyone done this or is there any reason I shouldn't/couldn't do this?

I think a short enforced break will be good for me, but don't want to lose another 6 weeks waiting for the second part of this test.

If I was you I'd push to get those bloods taken asap March. When I had my third MC the first set of bloods were taken the day it was discovered. The second lot I got a form from my GP for (I was told the six week wait was mainly as pregnancy hormones can skew the results so it was to allow my body to return to normal - don't know if that's the only reason though)
The idea was that the results would all be back before my appointment at the RMC so that it didn't end up just being a blood taking exercise (at least my consultant seems to be on the ball in some respects!)

I definitely wouldn't be happy waiting 8 weeks to start having blood tests. Give your GP a ring and get the ball rolling

In terms of taking a break belle, I had an enforced break after number 3 while we waited for test. Doesn't seem to have done much good overall, but I did feel (marginally) better for it. I'm no spring chicken though (38) so the sense of urgency to keep trying is quite overwhelming. I've told myself I'll take a break after the next one, and every subsequent multiple of three if it comes to it. I really hope it doesn't!

March, what RMC clinic are you going to? Local services are 'on the same system' with your GP, so it should be OK to get your GP to order some tests, as long as they don't depend on the pg hormones having left your body. I don't think all need this wait, I had several test tubes taken a couple of days after my 2nd MMC, and the results went to the local hospital. In fact, they were so bang on normal, they didn't repeat them. But at St Mary's they did everything all a-fresh, and one, the TEG, can only be done there because they take fresh blood directly to the lab and test it within 30 mins, so its the only place you can have it. The break can do you a lot of good physically and mentally, but I totally understand how you feel about wasting time.

Imnot, give 'em hell and get the tests done. Any and all information is good for helping you get the answers you need.

I can't remember who was asking about aspirin, but the latest research says stay well away unless you have a diagnosed clotting disorder.

I'm OK (weirdly so), I think that the cognitive hypnotherapy might have worked; I keep looking for the real terror (the serious one that replaces the initial shock), but it doesn't seem to be there. She did say that might happen. Weird. Wonder whether it will last... I got my prescription for cyclogest, and Prof Brosens says that everything sounds good so far, and my consultant will be setting up my first scan ASAP, hopefully.
So far my boobs hurt on and off, I feel like I have PMS from hell and a bit tired, I'm thirsty and pee-ing for England but otherwise symptomless. I guess they won't start for a couple of weeks (so I should enjoy it feel like it won't sink in until I feel sick as a dog).

Waves to everyone.

Hmm. Now I'm wondering if I've misunderstood. I thought the appt was to get bloods taken, but maybe I am supposed to get that done first. It would make more sense that way. I'm in Edinburgh and the letter was rubbish! It didn't even say it was for the rmc, it just said it was an obstetrics appt and nothing about what they would be doing. They even got the clinic address wrong and crossed it out and rewrote in pen! Doesn't inspire much confidence.

Anyone had experience of the ERI?

At my last mc I was advised to crack straight on trying again and no need to take a break. That said I decided to allow my body to try and get back to "normal" In someways I'm glad as I've again found my first period is all I've place. Still taking convertible vitamins to make sure they stay topped up.

In terms of blood tests by the GP I went straight to see my GP a few days after the EPU clinc weren't very helpful. My doctor agreed to do them but I would need to wait until next next period and then it was a case of getting the first available appointment, which I did. Get my results later this week, so I'll find out if they showed anything. gP thought it wouldn't as don't seem to have a problem getting pregnant, just staying pregnant. But these were the first tests before I could progress to the next tests x

Sorry I know I'm going to miss other comments out, but cloud just wanted to say I hate the way ttc comes to rule life, i plan things around it, and then struggle to find the mojo/energy etc
Whatever is happening with your cycle i hope it sorts it soon - though i don't know that there's any issues with ovulating around day 10/11 in terms of ttc. But how annoying!

Hello all after a bit of advice. I am currently 5+1. I am going for an early scan. What is the earliest I should go so that I will definitely get a clear answer. Is 7 weeks OK or should it be closer to 8? Realllllllly don't want to end up in scan limbo.

7w should see a HB
8w would be better

With this one I went at 5+6 just to see it was in utero so I could start my clexane but there was no HB or anything.

With DD went at 6+1 and saw a HB

for odds 8w is better as with my MC5 I saw a HB at 7w-ish but measuring small and the next scan it was gone...

Good luck

belle I would go with 8 weeks, then there will a clear Yes/No answer (sorry if that sounds blunt) and no limbo.

Just what I needed. Thanks all.

Morning all. Hope people are ok.

Belle I second/third the votes for eight weeks if you can manage to hold out that long. I tend to go at six and end up in limbo and suspect that I will do the same again next time; so do as I say not as I do and all that!

Imnot - well done for pushing them and standing your ground, particularly in the circumstances - well deserved pride in my opinion.

March - that sounds like an entirely reasonably and sensible request - I suspect they still won't do it though (NHS cynic). Can't hurt to ask though.

Just - glad you're feeling ok. Those symptoms all sound very positive although still not particularly pleasant - so both a yay and sympathies from me!

Cloud - sorry to hear you seem to be out this month and that next month may be problematic too. If you ovulated early next cycle would that mean you wouldn't miss it?

I'm now in the tww so am generally spending my time eating pineapple and brazil nuts, drinking milk and being obsessive and neurotic. Happy days.

Hello all,
Been having a bit of a low patch so ducked out for a while, has taken a while to read though and catch up - what a weath of information and news I missed out on!
Congrats longest and tanny on good scans and just on exciting BFP news.
Sorry for new faces who are here,

Marchgirl, in a very similar situation at the moment with appointments, in case it helps, this is what I have been told. Nurse at EPU told me to wait until I got a negative preg test after MC, then from that point, count 6 weeks and that is when you should have a blood test as all preg hormones should have settled down, I just have to call to make this blood test appointment the week before. In the mean time, I have got a letter for an appointment at the end of Nov to see the consultant. Not sure what that will cover, but at least down here, doesn't seem linked to blood tests for now. Will have my bloods taken about 2 weeks before consultant appointment so hoping they might have some results back by then...

Trying to take in all the information which people have been sharing but do you think there are any key questions which should be asked at that first consultant appointment? Guess a lot depends on test results but don't want to miss the chance to ask an important question!

Hi all,

I am new here.

I have just had (or rather am just having) my third miscarriage. I'm 36. Brief update:

1. Mmc in 2007 in previous relationship, found out at 12 week scan when foetus was 6/7 weeks size, D&C followed.
2. Full miscarriage in Apr 2014 at 11.5 weeks with my new partner. Had had no scan, so no idea at what point the pregnancy actually stopped.
3. Mmc at early scan (9.5 weeks) in Oct 2014 showed no heartbeat and foetus 6 wk 5 days size. Had to wait a week to confirm, D&C due this Thursday.

We will now be going into the testing system, like many of you are describing. Following the D&C on Friday, we have to wait 6 weeks before calling the EPU to schedule blood tests. It is my understanding that we then see a consultant.

I know that tests don't reveal anything for half of people and am wondering if there's anything else I could be doing - I am vaguely aware of other clinics in the country, and wonder if anyone has any experience of these?

This last m/c was a real shock - I've been extremely ill with sickness, which I was desperately hoping was a good sign. The sickness is still here, which is like rubbing salt in the wound. I don't know how long the hormones will take to calm after the D&C.

And am also bracing myself for the emotional fallout. Feels like I'm still mainly in the shock/numb phase.

Sorry, bit of a long one for a first post! I would really appreciate any advice and support - I have no friends who have gone through this, so I do feel quite isolated.

Belle I also agree 8 weeks is better if you can hang on. just as tiny experienced, I saw hb at 7+1 this time (but measured small) then a week later no hb . Can't decide if i wish i hasn't seen the hb, but i just couldn't cope with waiting. Good luck whatever you decide

twilight I think regardless whether I ovulate early or as normal, I will miss the window next month. Especially since DH is planning on staying with his parents the night before I leave to visit DSis, as he has a work meeting in that area the next day and wants to reduce the travelling time. So no chance I might try to dtd the night before, but it'll be too early, that has never worked for me - every time I've fallen pg, we've dtd either on OV-day and/or the day before, nothing else has ever worked. Sigh.

On a different note, I have just renewed my FertilityFriend subscription - again... Went for the whole year, might as well at this rate.

Hi flen sorry you find yourself here. A lot of us are in the situation where we don't know anyone IRL who has suffered recurrent miscarriages, and having a place to chat to people who do get it is very helpful.
First thing is to insist that products are tested after your D+C. The experience of many of us is that if the standard testing doesn't come up with an answer you are told it's 'bad luck' i.e. they are assuming you've had 3 chromosome problems in a row. Genetic testing will either give you a definite answer e.g. it was a trisomy (chance happening, unlikely to recur) or that there's a genetic defect which potentially one parent is carrying (in which case you need chromosome testing for both partners and possibly genetic counselling) or that the baby was genetically normal - which is hard to hear but means you can push harder to find out what the maternal issue is.
Many of us having had 'normal' tests have been to Coventry to see Profs Quenby/Brosens who run an implantation clinic investigating NK cells (immune problems) and faulty implantation. You need to be at least 2 cycles post miscarriage to go, so it's not something you can do now anyway, just to bear in mind as a potential next step if your NHS tests draw a blank.

belle 8 weeks if you can hold your nerve until then!

bythesea welcome back, nice to hear from you. I don't think there is anything specific I'd ask - it's all about what results they come up with for you as an individual. I guess I want to come out of the appointment with a clear plan - either the next set of tests is xyz, or the plan for the next pregnancy is ....

bakingtins thank you, that is really helpful. There's such a bewildering array of information out there, it's hard to sort through what's what. I had read something about the clinic in Coventry - how do you go about getting an appointment? And thank you for the D&C tip - we were aware of this (it's one of the reasons we chose it rather than medical/natural) but it's good to be doubly determined!

Both bythesea and Marchgirl it sounds like we are all in a similar position at the moment. Our EPU nurse told me to wait five weeks from the D&C before calling the EPU, so that the appointment for blood tests was scheduled the week after ie. six weeks from the D&C. Not sure at what point the consultant appointment comes into play...

Hi Flen sorry you've found yourself here. If I can give any advice at all, it's to try not to do too much research etc until you've had the results from your chromosome analysis. I spent weeks (months even) stressing about aspirin, progesterone etc then we found out MC2 was a trisomy (results for us took about a month after the ERPC), as baking said it's the more reassuring result in one way as it's a random event. I was really beating myself and my body up for a while there, and getting really overwhelmed with the information. One thing they might do is a thyroid function test, it's part of a study called TABLET. I was offered it at the EPU when the MC was confirmed. Good to be ruling stuff out if you can.

Hi flen. Yes, it does sound like we are in very similar positions and I also joined as I had run out of friends who understood what I was going through. Sorry to hear about yours losses and sorry that you are still so sick. I had bad hg with my first mmc and continued to puke for the three weeks it took to finally complete. It was absolutely miserable and I felt cheated and let down by my body. It did stop very quickly after the completion of the m/c so fingers crossed yours will too

Interested to hear about your epu taking bloods prior to your appt with the consultant. I might give mine a phone to find out what I'm supposed to do

Hi charlieis30, thank you - that is good advice. I have a feeling that at the moment I am doing research because it feels like doing something, which it probably a way of avoiding the sadness and helplessness. Hard to just hang on in there...

Marchgirl I just had a look at the leaflet they sent home with us, and it says that we do have the bloods before the consultant, and that the whole process (having the blood tests and getting a consultant appointment) can take up to 12 weeks. Waa! We waited three months after our last one to try again, looks like we might have to do the same this time. (This especially scares me because I want to avoid possible tallying up of due dates with previous pregnancies... Bleugh.) We are lucky in that we seem to tend to fall pregnant fairly quickly. But I guess we will have to wait and see.

I absolutely understand how that feels. My suggestion is to try to focus on yourself and your body... go for acupuncture or massage, make sure you're taking your prenatals, i started taking pilates classes etc etc...be nice to yourself

Baking, I meant to say thanks to you for the book; I will hang on to it for now and hope I don't need it... then re-gift when I'm (hopefully) in the clear (fxfxfxfxfx!!!!!)