Recurrent Miscarriage Support Thread 20 - tests, treatment, trying again.

[barkingtreefrog]

Buckle up, the threads move like lightening! Tea, sympathy, information, support and combined wisdom to guide you through the maze of testing and treatment for recurrent miscarriage. Newbies always most welcome.

Please start with the traditional recap of your stats.

baking that's the issue, no one knows!! Our consultant was talking about ivf rather than RMC, but it's the same story. Intripalids, dhea, endometrial scratch, clexane, etc etc are all done alongside ivf but our consultant says there's no evidence any of them work. If one person does it and then gets pg, everyone else wants to do it, but there is no evidence that there wouldn't have been a successful outcome without it. But when you don't know, and you're desperate, why wouldn't you try anything and everything that might work?

Ok this might be a bit tmi but I've been awake thinking about this! Could I have been leaking amniotic fluid as early as 10 weeks? I know discharge increases in pregnancy but from about 8 weeks I noticed it had quite a sweet smell. I didn't think anything of it, just assumed it was normal but now reading into everything I'm wondering if I should have had it checked out. When I was in hospital for the med man the nurse gave me a pad to sit on for when the waters went but as I passed the baby straightway the waters going was mixed in with the scary time of that but looking back I didn't really seem to pass much water. I realise this is the rambling of a mad woman-sorry!

Waves to everyone- will now read back on the thread!

Totally agree baking. That's how I felt. Don't tell me there's nothing that can be done and then effectively tell me I'm foolish/gullible for trying to find anything else to help, and say that won't work either.

Glad that's all the injections done for now barking. Let's hope there are more to come because you get your bfp . I'm sure the timing will be ok. They know their stuff so wouldn't have been so precise in when to give the trigger shot otherwise

Barking, you're right, and, importantly, how will anyone know if no-one puts themselves forward for research? I was pleased to add my 'sample' to the research at Coventry :)
Minnie, I'm sure it isn't, but worth checking with the EPU to put your mind at ease if you can. I'd imagine that, if there's no blood, the sweet smell is probably more down to a heightened sense of smell than anything else. Good luck.

minnie it might just have been really normal. I have noticed a bit of a vinegary smell sometimes but I googled (gotta love my search history) and it seems it can be normal due to hormone changes.

counting good luck for Tuesday. And barking for tomorrow. A big week ahead.

tiny when is your c section date?

Thanks just I'm not pg now though just thinking obsessing back to last mc. You're right it was probably nothing though.

barking totally agree with you (and everyone else) that if you're told nothing we can do with no attempts to even suggest other things, then obviously people will look to help themselves. You can bet if someone with cancer was told that their illness was bad luck and nothing anyone could do about it then they'd be looking for help anywhere they could get it too! It's no different in that it's still a medical problem which needs helping.

monten love the idea of your little tree covered in blossom. That is a definite positive sign.

counting I missed your post. I'm really really hoping you have good news on Tuesday. And you tomorrow barking a big week ahead indeed.

counting my search history is farcical. And it follows my cycle too. Ov pains, 2ww, early preg symptoms, bfn then Bfp, should I worry about light periods, ov pains, 2ww, early preg symptoms etc etc!!!

minnie I totally agree. I find it faintly misogynistic too. As if we're just crazy females desperate to reproduce at all costs.

Minnie, sorry. I can't even keep up with Barking's excellent list!
Good luck for your scan, Counting. Thinking of you.
Baking, pleased to hear that Faith is doing a bit better. Hope her improvement continues.

Me 42, DH 44
DS1 born in Nov 1999 Uncomplicated pregnancy, previous relationship
DS2 born in Feb 2012 Uncomplicated pregnancy, with DH
MC 1 Dec 2012 - 6 weeks, natural MC
MMC 2 Apr 2013 -11 weeks but measured 6, natural but horrific haemorrhage
MC 3 Oct 2013 - 6 weeks, natural MC, but not much bleeding. Referred for RMC testing but in the meantime got pregnant again.
MC 4 Dec 2013 - 6 weeeks, natural MC but was suspected ectopic. Empty sac finally appeared just before MC started. Thin endometrium seen on scan.
Blood tests and scan all came back normal (lining still on thin side) and healthy. Diagnosed as "super fertile" ( no shit!) and told to keep on trying, as one might stick.
MC 5 Feb 2014 - 6 weeks, natural MC, low bleeding. Was prescribed progesterone and clexane from 5 weeks, but sac was already empty and irregular shape.

After all that, I had a proper melt down and spent days in bed watching reruns of Star Trek. I was signed off long term sick, had fortnightly acupuncture and a massive list of quack medicines to help my lining develop. Went to Coventry in May, following genetic tests, and was pregnant before my NK cell results were back. Was treated with progesterone, clexane and prednisolone as a precaution. Tests came back normal, but I continued on all meds until I was roughly 12 weeks.

Baby Bertie was born on 7th March, a very long and heavy baby, with no physical issues (pred is known to carry a small risk of small birth weight and cleft lip/palate). He is everything, and more, than I ever dreamed possible in the darkest times of my own MCs. Very much a thread baby, as his development from conception to birth has been documented on this thread!

Sorry I continue to be a bit aloof. I am lurking a lot, but finding it hard to think outside my own neurotic bubble. My fears haven't entirely gone away, if anything they have become more acute, as I now have a real human being to worry about rather than something abstract.

Baking I like the idea that we are so much stronger, but I also think I carry a huge amount of scarring and almost feel like I have PTSD after my experiences.

I want to post responses to everyone but there is so much going on!

I'm happy that so many people are off to Coventry. I still think that it is the reason I'm cuddling a sleeping baby, and I believe they are trying to do something to change the "unexplained" RMC numbers.

Barking good luck with it all. It sounds very stressful, and you seem to be coping so well.

I promise I'll try to stay in touch a bit more...

Counting will be hand holding for Tuesday's scan, really hope it's a positive scan.

Agree with all on the articles. We all want to give ourselves the best chance and it is so frustrating being told to just try again. My consultants advice was the best way to have a baby is to get pregnant. I've decided to ignore that advice and go to Coventry first, do some research, plus check out other trials (tested negative for thyroid antibodies). There are people who fully trust what they are told by the medical profession and simply follow what they are advised (e.g. My DP) , but (other peoples) experiences make me more sceptical and lead me to research for myself.

Flen don't know if this is helpful, need to read again myself, but worth a look at these graphs. www.fertilityfriend.com/courses/lesson.php?p=1;16;3170513;5049

Sorry, Jady, I didn't think about negative comments. I brushed a lot of them off as irrelevant due to being an American's comments about the NHS.
Think I just wanted to get across that every new treatment is experimental at first, you can't write them all off without proper research. And mixed messages within the health service as Coventry protocol seems to contradict HFEA advice.
And those who believed the world was round were ridiculed at one point - think it's about being open minded and doing own research at the same time.

Cross posts Jady.

Yeah was the American comments I was referring to. What an arsehole.

I think it's as someone else said though, it's the nk cells blood testing rather than uNK biopsy being referred to. But the article is misleading in that sense.

I see a bug difference between experimental treatments where research is still ongoing and quack treatments where plenty of research has been done and shown no benefit. Obviously both groups need to be treated with caution because side effects will also be unknown but surely it is our choice as intelligent women to weigh up the risks and our medical providers should help and support us with this?

Morning all. Tanny do not worry, you need to be with little Bertie. We love hearing your updates but he needs you.

Barking and Counting hand holding and lots of luck for Monday and Tuesday we'll be thinking of you.

So update for me, just about to travel down south for a friends housewarming and single pregnant ignoring me friend with be there. Am shit scared that I'm not going to be able to cope. But lots of other friends and DP there so reminding myself I'm not alone.

Making myself look kick ass fabulous

On another note, DP and I had a chat last night about attempt number 4 and adoption. He said if 4 doesn't work he'd want to try again for attempt number 5 but appreciates that it's different for him.

He also admitted that Wednesday doesn't really have any relevance for him as he doesn't think about it as he says we can't change it. I disagree. I think maybe once we finally have our dc maybe it will be easier.

But I will never forget 27th Jan, 25th March and 7th August for babies T 1, 2 and 3

Wish me luck for today!!! #fakeuntilyoumakeit

Hi all

Me 38 mmc x 2 1 x complete molar pregnancy, now nearly 33 weeks pregnant with a baby boy, I'm due to go off on maternity leave in 2 weeks and I still haven't even bought so much as a sleep suit still can't actually believe I'm going to get a real life baby.

Going to have a read back and catch up

Good luck today Brummie! I'm sure she'll remember to thank you for the present today.

Jady and Longest agree about experimental vs proved not to work.
Brummie, think of single pregnant friend like finding a huge spider. Potentially unpleasant but she'll probably be more scared of you.

Congrats Purple!

thanks barking

my stats:
34, ttc#1 since 2010, 1 tfmr, 1mc, 2mmc, pg (only 6 weeks, on aspirin & cyclogest since BFP)

Cramps finally stopped the day before the scan. Was expecting bad news tbh, but saw the heartbeat and OMG - it was emotional. Even daring to feel excited now.... We've been here before, but maybe, maybe this time will be different? Gotta keep believing till next scan in a few weeks - meanwhile the nausea has kicked in (nowhere near as bad as previously - ?a good thing, i don't know anymore). Heres hoping...
Unlike previous times, have told work already - mostly so they understand how mental I am at the moment (sigh) but also to avoid hazards.

Huge congratulations Tannyloo - so pleased for you! And best of luck purple

ugh! Ifinishedthebiscuits - a spider? Ewwww!

Hey - still lurking mostly but didn't want to be forgotten!

Twilight - age 33, 5 mc since starting ttc number 1 in Nov 2012. Two at 9 weeks, three at 6. No cause identified. We have genetic testing on the 'products' of the last mc taking place at the mo - will find out mid-April. Also going to Cov when have had the required two cycles. So in WTF cycle and on enforced break anyway.

I've no idea how I'm doing. I appear to be functioning reasonably well due to massive avoidance - hence lurking. I also think I'm giving up and am adjusting to childless life.

Waves to all.x

Nice to see you back again twilight, sorry things are feeling a bit bleak for you at the moment . I hope af comes soon for you so you can start the count down to Coventry. Fingers crossed for a result on the genetic testing next month and lots of hugs x

Waves to all

Been on the Prosecco all afternoon and on way back to Midlands after do where single ignoring me pregnant friend was going to be and I was worried sick??

After all that worrying and panicking? She didn't even turn up

So glad I went as had fab afternoon seeing old friends, and so nearly didn't go because worrying so much.

So trying to believe fight the fight and live your life. I don't want to hide away. Why the bloody hell should I? Should we?

Why do miscarriages make other people feel " uncomfortable"??

I admit it's easier to think this after a nice afternoon....

Yeay to prosecco on a sinny afternoon with friends brummie. Huge hugs to twilight. Hope you get some answers from the genetic testing and coventry.

Yeay for good scan bunny. Glad you're feeling positive.

I have spent all day in the park with dd. Knackered but in a good way. Spring is so much better. The rowing boats are even back on the duckpond. Dd has been asking if we can go on one for months so we finally did.