Recurrent miscarriage support, tests, treatments and trying again.

[Monten]

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.

Pop will be thinking of you tomorrow.

Brummie both of my boys were conceived after DTD once. Ds1 DH was away with work that month, and so was only one DTD in the right week. Ds 2 was a quick bonk before we travelled to Dh's folks for Xmas/ new year so I know for sure you have done enough to be in with a good chance. The sperm will be there waiting, and it's just whether its a good egg/ sperm combo and implants now! I saw someone (possibly on here) say that more often than not the egg will fertilise each month if sperm and egg meet, but lots don't implant for various reasons. Am keeping everything crossed for you!

So DH DTD tonight here, so am in with a good chance I hope, as its late on cd22, have told him I might need him again on Friday if haven't ov by then lol, but that if he feels like giving it a go in the week to let me know, it's not too much pressure then. But hopefully ov will be before then.

Cloud hope scan goes well. My cousin went through similar to what you described, and when she had a scan they could see she had been pregnant with twins and had lost one, but the other one looked fine, measured great and he is a very active 9 year old now. Also know of people who have had bleeds throughout and been fine - just on here is yet another example. Btw hope mini just has been behaving this weekend and stays put a little longer for you.

WAve to everyone else, need some sleep as have been awake since 5...

Hi Everyone

I'm new here & I'm hoping to get some help and advice.

I've had a 4th miscarriage last Friday at 10 weeks. Heartbeat found at 7 weeks, but scan last week showed no growth and no heartbeat. Had medical management last Friday.

The previous 3 miscarriages were 2006-2009. 2 at around 10-10.5 weeks and 1 at 7 weeks. I had the standard NHS recurrent miscarriage tests at the end of 2009 and nothing was found.

Thankfully and gratefully I was lucky enough to go on to have my daughter in 2011 (for the pregnancy I decided to self-medicate with baby aspirin). I almost feel like I shouldn't dare to want to try for another baby, and the thought of trying and it going wrong again and again makes me feel sick.

Anyway, we're here again, another miscarriage. And I'm 40. We're not under any further investigations as the old tests showed nothing, so the message just seems to be 'keep trying'. But I'm confused, people seem to be doing all sorts of things like taking progesterone, aspirin, steroids - so should we be exploring this?

Basically I'm wondering if there's anything else I could be doing? I only had blood tests at the end of 2009. Is there anything else I should ask to be tested for or looked at? Should I push my doctor for a consultant referral? I'm aware of Professor Siobhan Quenby and was thinking of persuing a referral to her regarding these killer cell things - but do I do that via my doctor?

I'm just so scared and pissed off and upset right now, I need some sort of practical plan to help myself.

Hugs pop, will be thinking of you tomorrow. It's so unfair and so hard and I think of all of us you've quite possibly had the most hurt to deal with. We're all here for you

brummie it sounds like you're doing everything right. Fingers crossed you get your bfp v soon.

Welcome to the feed red so sorry to hear you've suffered a 4th mc. Lots of lovely ladies on here to help and support you. Hope you're getting lots of love at home too.

I can't really advice in too much detail but I would ask to see a consultant at a recurrent miscarriage clinic if you haven't already done so. This way you can discuss treatments and options available. What tests have you had done so far? Coventry as you rightly say may also be worth consideration but the NK Cells test aspect of what they do has to be paid for by you (it's not available on the NHS) and costs about £350.

Hope the scan is ok longest, you're so close to having that baby now!!! I'm 33 weeks almost and break up from work in 3 weeks time. X

Hi red sorry for your losses and that you find yourself in the shittiest of clubs. This thread is a lifeline though and is full of wonderful really knowledgeable ladies. They saved my sanity a couple of months ago.
I think if I was you I'd ask for a referral to recurrent MC clinic and try and get tests done again. It's quite a while since you had them done and I guess things have changed in what can be found out/is tested for. You can self refer to Coventry (prof Quenby) I am tomorrow! Lots of ladies have had success on their protocol (and without it has to be said) so there is hope! I'm sure more knowledgeable people will be along soon. Big hug cos it's a rubbish time and crap and unfair to have to go through. X

Sorry pop missed your post as only read last page. Huge hugs and handholding for Friday. I hope you whatever you find out gives you some peace and hope too. Xx

Big hugs too Pop

Minnie great news about you deciding on Coventry. It's one more thing to tick off the list and then you can go for it.

Red so sorry you are here, but welcome. We can definitely recommend Prof Quenby at Coventry. It's where most of us are on the progesterone / heparin protocol. There are a few consultants who also follow it, like Mr Watts at Worcester who me and Loopy are under.

I had my 3rd loss at 9 weeks after seeing a heartbeat at 7 so I know that feeling. I feel like I can never trust a scan again apart from in those 5 minutes.

But these ladies are amazing and such knowledge between them. Pull up a chair and chat to us xx

Jady good luck with the scan tomorrow. It will be worth the long journey.

Cloud, I can't remember when your scan is! I know it's coming up...

Minnie I'm sure they'll fit you in on Friday

Sebs, I really understand the need to step back for a bit. I've done it several times myself. Do what you need to to look after yourself, and we'll always be here for you...

Brummie, I've had success with those sorts of timescales, so good luck with that!

Newbies, welcome. You are in the right place. It is hard when no one else has the energy to keep up with your grief. We can be a place to brain dump and seek solace and support. We understand how much it hurts and how scary TTC is.

Bugger. I've forgotten who else I was going to mention and I'm on my phone. Sorry. Probably enough ramblings from me anyway...

Good luck for the test today wadsy

Good luck for Friday pop, such a difficult appointment but i hope you will find some answers.

Good luck with the scan jady, I'm sure it will be a relief when you can get the heparin on board, even if it's too early to see a hb.

Welcome red, and sorry to hear about your losses. I know from experience that having a loss after seeing a hb feels particularly cruel. Give yourself time to heal. I would also be asking for another referral to the rmc. Things are changing in this branch of medicine (even if it feels like it's at a snail 's pace), so there might be new tests that can be done. Have any of your losses had testing for chromosomal issues? The implantation clinic at Coventry with prof quenby and Prof brosens is definitely worth looking into. It's 360 pounds. You self refer by phoning the Secretary, kerri, when you ovulate and she will book an appointment for a week later (her number was posted a few pages back). The clinics run on Monday and Friday afternoons. You will need to have has 2 cycles following the mc though (then call on ov of the third cycle). They take a uterine biopsy and test for uterine NK cells. The biopsy also stimulates the lining making it a bit better for a few months. Their standard protocol for everyone is progesterone from 7 dpo, normally 200mg twice daily, possibly rising to 400mg twice daily at bfp (to prepare your lining, making it receptive but also selective), and heparin injections once a day once you have a pregnancy that is confirmed by scan to not be ectopic (blood thinner and ectopic not a good combo). The heparin is for its cytoprotective effect (protects the cells from dying), rather than to prevent clots. If you're diagnosed with high nk, then this is an indicator that your body has a problem with its immune response, so they treat with steroids. I hope this helps for now, but stick around and chat. There are other people having different tests who may be able to give you some other ideas

Oh no just read marchs info. I thought you called on the 3rd ov not the third af after MC. you have to have 3 periods, I thought it was just two. I can't wait another 6 weeks!

Minnie, it is after 2 AFs post mc, so your first ov after your second AF after your most recent mc (covering you if you don't ov in your wtf cycle). If in doubt, phone Kerri and describe where you are up to. She'll know whether you need to wait or not. x

Thanks just I think that's me. I've had two afs since MC. Was a bit panicked at the though of not trying again until the end of July!

Minnie, sounds like you're good to go. Good luck. x

Hi, need to catch up properly. But wanted to say thank you all so much for your support. Been having nightmares all night of not making it to the scan in time.

Welcome to Red and Wadsy, I'm sure you'll find really useful information here as well as amazing support.

Good luck to everyone else with scans this week. Will try catch up properly later xxx

Minnie you are defo good to go!!! Kerri might even get you in this Friday...

Good luck today jady let us know how it goes.

Sorry to see new faces, but you've found the best place for advice and good company whilst getting through this.

Today I've got to call my gp about getting more heparin and progesterone.

Sorry to start the week off on a low start. I've woken this morning to find some bleeding, which is exactly how the last MC started and after last week's disappointing scan I'm expecting the worse ??

Oh girlie I'm really really hoping it's ok, but I know what you must be thinking and feeling. hand holding for you. When is your next scan?

DP instigated DTD this morning but couldn't finish again. Never mind TTC, I'm starting to worry now this could become a real issue and I desperately don't want it to be - both for him and for us

girlie hugs, when is your next scan?

Hi to the newbies, sorry you find yourselves here

Good luck to all with appointments/tests

Good luck jady for your scan and Minnie for getting the Coventry ball rolling!

girlie Sending hugs. Are you having another scan this week? Every pregnancy is different, it could still all be fine. But of course you are worried! Thinking of you xxx

Next scan is wed. Going to call the Epu later to see if can bring forward to tomorrow but I'm not my breath

minnie, sorry for the confusion. You are good to go. Two af then phone at ov, which is where you are.

girlie, so sorry to hear you've had spotting. Really hope it will all be ok, but completely understand your worry. Keeping everything crossed for a better scan on wed.

Oh girlie . I hope it doesn't mean anything but understand how worrying it all is. x

Spoken to my gp and after their initial worrying they spoke to their colleagues and are happy to do what the Coventry letter says so prescription is waiting.

girlie sorry you are worried. It is just the worst feeling in the world seeing blood. Big hugs.

red welcome. Your losses sound similar pattern to mine. I had one in 2009, then my ds2, then 3 in 2012-13, all at 9-10 weeks. I'd seen a heartbeat in 3 of the pregnancies at 7-8 weeks. NHS tests normal, genetic tests on the 4th loss (was on progesterone and aspirin for that one) normal. Then went to Coventry and diagnosed with high NK cells, successful pregnancy on pred, progesterone, heparin.

Good luck jady !

Girlie, big hugs. I hate that sensation. I really hope you can get a scan sorted out sooner.

MrsD, great news about your GP. I had a horrible time with mine, so you can't take it for granted...

Well the call to Epu was a specular waste of time as not only they won't bring the appointment forward but they have also advised they don't ever test the pregnancy matter no matter what number MC it is!! Also rung the miscarriage association who have confirmed its not a standard NHS procedure even after number three.

Feeling completely alone at the moment and feel like the NHS has said to just get on with it by yourself

M