Recurrent Miscarriage Support Thread - Thread 17 - Tests, treatment and trying again

[Flower29]

Information, support, hand holding, tea, sympathy and a hell of a lot of combined knowledge - all welcome as we try to make sense of the RMC roller coaster of tests, NHS admin, heart ache and (hopefully) happy endings!
Please start with a recap of your stats

Yes, I think they can vary freckle. My acupuncturist also told me that sometimes birth can 'turn on' autoimmune conditions.

Welcome maverick and sorry you find yourself here. There are several women on here who have come after 2. I think when you experience that second one you start to question if there is something wrong - it's only natural and is so hard. A lot of us found no. 2 particularly difficult as they don't normally test till after 3,so it's a sort of limbo. Let's hope next time for you is a good one,but in the meantime there is lots of support and accumulated knowledge here. X

Freckle, yes you can develop them, many ladies start with a normal of and the something sets them off for some (as yet) unknown reason.
Maverick, you are very welcome. We are not as rigid as the NHS and most of us disagree with their 3mc policy. Sorry for your losses and hope we can help to support you.

of should be pg. Stoopid autocorrect!

freckle yes, uNK levels can be 'triggered' by pregnancy or miscarriage (or presumably other things) and tend to get higher with each pregnancy. I had ds1 no probs, miscarriage ( in my head this was the 'trigger' ) dodgy pregnancy with Ds2 then 3 miscarriages before NK cells diagnosis.

maverick welcome and of course you can join, we apply the 'recurrent' criteria less strictly than the NHS.

Quick cervix question! (this will be a tmi post...) trying to track it's position. So, firstly I can feel a kind of hard-ish nodule, then that gets softer and higher so it's harder to feel - is that when ov occurs? It's still higher today, although my temp has shifted, what does this mean?!

Thanks ladies, will settle in then. My stats, 35yrs old, husband 32. M/c at 6w4d in July 2014. Would be 8w5d today but yesterday had a scan due to some bleeding, and confirmed that there are no heartbeats, we found they were twins. Was pleased this time to see there was something there and was given a scan pic too. Am now waiting for nature to take its course or next week will have med mgmt. Was forceful and have got a referral to consultant although no guarantees they will do anything more to establish cause but in agreement with you all, the policy of 3 m/c is ridiculous so wonder if those of us that feel able can keep asking for those services earlier maybe the msg will get through (perhaps desperately wishful thinking!).

Maverick, sorry for your losses. The NHS' rationale is that its not cost effective to test before 3 due to the high probability of 'bad luck' being a factor. However, scientific and medical researcher seems to be slowly challenging this view. If you scroll down to my (ranty) post earlier this morning, you will see how cost effective I think it really isn't. Hopefully things (attitudes and funding) will change in the future, but we're sadly not there yet. Maybe consider a visit to Coventry if you have no joy on the NHS. They'll test after even just one mc. Scroll down for clinic details. Wishing you a straightforward recovery. x

Just one, it was reading your post that got me fired up! I agree that its not cost effective, add into that wages for those of us that have taken time off and are fortunate enough to be paid, it makes no sense. Reading your post also reassured me that being pushy at the hospital yday was the right thing to do.

Maverick

Welcome Maverick so sorry you find yourself here. I felt after 2 mc's I didn't really "belong" on a normal mc thread where only 1 was the norm.

But pull up a chair , we aren't fussy about how many you've had!!!

I have a quick question about Coventry... I assume both of you go to appointment? Only thing is if my appointment ends up being 13th or 16th March, DP is really stressing out that he has 2 meetings on 13th that he absolutely has to attend and cannot change .

I'm sure there is the argument that this is more important but we all know it doesn't work like that and ultimately the reason we can afford Cov without it being difficult is because of the jobs we have.

That said I'm not prepared to wait another month just because DP has meetings. So as a last resort , if I had to , would it be ok going to Coventry on my own? I know it's not ideal and DP would do everything he could to be there but I have to be realistic regarding his work as well.

Thoughts?

no, Brummie, it was just me, DH had to work and do the nursery pick up...

i got weighed and stuff, met Prof brosens, had a chat, told him my history, went to the scan room, he scanned, did the scratch/biopsy, got the meds prescribed, that was it...

no need for DH to be there and he really couldn't go...

Also, when i was in the waiting room, saw another woman by herself and one with her mum

Brummie I went on my own, armed with some ibuprofen as the scratch is a bit ouchy. I think tiny did too. As always, we seem to bear the brunt of all this!

Welcome Maverick, glad you came over.

Sorry, I'm on my phone and can't see our other newbie's name. I'm a Coventry pompom waver and after five early MCs in just over a year (super fertile? Moi?) I am currently 38 weeks pregnant on their protocol. I don't have high uNK cells but was treated with the works as my results weren't back before I was pregnant again.

Someone asked about their stats for successful outcomes. I don't think they have any for the non-uNK women, and Prof B was almost bashful when I thanked him, muttering something about "might have just got lucky this time". Lucky my arse.

Just a very good rant! Thank you!

Anyway, still here. On my second night of not sleeping and I had a complete meltdown this morning. DH has taken the day off to look after DS and I realise what a wonderful brick he is. I just want a safe and sound baby in my arms at the moment, and I am exhausted by the physical and emotional drain. Sorry about the me me me...

I went on my own to Coventry, I went and had a coffee in the cafe after my appointment then felt fine to drive myself.

Tiny cross posts!

Coventry quoted success rates of 70-80%, and for me personally prof q said nearer 60% based upon on my nk cells level of 16% ( normal is

Honestly, I direct Freckle here this morning, go away for five minutes and you've all already started waving Coventry Pom poms! Welcome Freckle, glad you found us.

Op went well apart from a bit of excess blood loss. Not enough to stop them chucking me out the minute I'd weed though! Now checked in to hotel nearby as didn't feel up to getting home.

I've realised that although I maintain that I'm a really good, passive patient I can be really high maintenance when I want to be. I had a sudden bleed on the floor and all over my gown when she took me to the toilet in the male bit, and I had a right strop at her because she'd 'made' me go when I'd said I wanted to wait till the toilet in the ladies was free. Made a right fuss even though if I'm honest I wasn't really that bothered, more irritated by the fact she'd made me go when I know she shouldn't have really. Oh, and she didn't pull my curtain round when checking whether I'd bled in the bed. 'Doctors' make the worst patients and all that. I was service lead for ward privacy and dignity in a previous job - she wasn't to know that though!

GA tends to make me go a bit manic so apologies for anything inappropriate I post today.

Tanny, Baking and Tiny that's perfect. If DP can't be there then I'll go on my own and that's no problem.

I know this is the most important thing in the world to us but of course the outside world does carry on regardless. Plus Cov is about 30 mins down the road.

Tanny , I'm feeling for you - so nearly there. Big hugs. Mini Tanny will be here soon

Twilight good to hear from you. I have got more stroppy assertive this time round, and as a former ward nurse, I am the same and expect certain standards and protocols to be followed.

Rest up now... Hugs x

That sounds rubbish twilight is DH there to look after you? If you're not up to the journey surely you shouldn't have been discharged? Make sure you rest up and take care, anyway.

Gotta love a bit of a strop factor.

I only got my ERPC at Bham on number 2 because baby sis swanned in like she owned the place flashing her credentials and generally being a bit of a madam.

Fair play!!

Glad you identify Tanny! I felt like kind of patient 'mystery shopper' - stopped asserting myself at all just to see what she'd do/allow (I appreciate I sound like a right cow). I was even slightly disappointed when she went on a break and another nurse took over (one who'd clearly listened during privacy and dignity training) who was lovely - she moved my drink so I could reach it and everything!

I think I may be distracting myself from the reality of what's going on by focusing on this stuff

Yes DH is here. He's a star.

Glad it went ok today twilight and that dh is looking after you. Hugs x

Nearly there tanny. Hope you get some sleep tonight

Welcome maverick and freckle. Sorry to read your sad stories. I hope you find this forum as helpful and supportive as I have. Maverick one thing you may wish to consider is if you can capture the "products of miscarriage" (sorry for the terminology) for testing as this will help to determine whether the foetuses had a chromosomal problem or if there might be another cause of the mcs. Were the twins identical?

Well done on asserting yourself - I bet it was the last thing you felt like doing but it is sadly necessary in our circumstances.

Brummie - really glad you've managed to arrange Coventry and take back something positive from being messed about. Fingers crossed for some answers and a speedy bfp.

And twilight - massive hugs. I am glad it's over. Sorry you had to stay in a hotel though - I hope it's a nice one!