Recurrent miscarriage - Private tests - Manchester

[teamseashore]

Hi everyone!

Well this is my first post on mumsnet!! I am hoping you ladies can share your experiences with me, as I am feeling rather stressed and confused :-(

I have suffered two early miscarriages and as i am aged 39, have been referred to my local hospital's recurrent miscarriage clinic. However I am waiting ages for an appointment and also found out the only tests they do are an ultrasound scan and blood tests for APS - that's it!

So, we have decided we want to look into getting private tests, especially given my age. We have actually had a private consultation already but did not find it a good experience. The consultant basically recommended about £5k worth of tests and then said if everything came back as normal we should consider ivf with pre implantation genetic screening as this would be my best chance of getting pregnant given my age.

I came away feeling completely shell shocked and depressed. I also felt a bit like he was just trying to sell us maximum services. I know my age is an issue but ivf had never even crossed my mind - we only took 3-4 months of trying each time to get pregnant.

Has anyone else out there had private tests done after 2 miscarriages? What tests did you have? Is it sensible to have a hysteroscopy even if an ultrasound does not reveal a problem? I am also not sure if I want to go down the route of nk cells / immune testing yet, after 2 miscarriages, as I understand the issues and treatments are not clinically proven yet...

Would really appreciate your views and experiences.

Finally if anyone is based in Manchester/ Cheshire and can recommend a private consultant I'd be interested to hear from you. I don't know if it's allowed to post recommendations on this board but is it possible to send a private message?

Look forward to hearing from you all xx

Hi teamseashore
I am so sorry to hear of your miscarriages. It's a traumatic and stressful experience. Just so very sad.
I am currently experiencing my 4th miscarriage. All in first trimester. Our local RMC also only offers ultrasound scan and aps checks. So, we forked out a huge amount of money for sperm and other checks - the unusual blood clotting disorders, male chromosomal abnormalities etc. Via a urologist in London (minimum £1k) for hubby and also private specialists for me.
One thing I would say is be prepared for getting no answers. I'm 32 so was expecting that my recurrent miscarriages (we went for tests after 3) to be down to a definable reason. The specialist I saw said to me she 'wasn't worried about me in the slightest' (said in a nice and reassuring way!) as it really is not uncommon to have 3 sporadic miscarriages. She may feel differently when I email her tomorrow to say I'm miscarrying again, but hey!

Test results most often come back with no answers. This can be frustrating. But for some couples it can give you answers you need. Even just knowing it's "not" a particular problem. I found some comfort. But the cost can be eye watering.

Our final test would be a karyotype test on me to see if I'm carrying a chromosomal abnormality - this is possible, given my young age, good health, and 4 recurrent mcs with no healthy pregnancies as yet. However, 'knowing' there's a chromosomal problem is just going to put us in fear of miscarriage at every stage of a future pregnancy.... Sometimes, knowledge is not key and it can add to anxieties.

Get in touch with Tommys (charity) to see if there's an NHS clinic closer to you in Manc that offers other checks and tests - e.g. St Marys does but this is London. I believe there's one in Birmingham.
The waiting lists are currently huge.

I wish you all the best. It's a miserable time. But it will be alright in the end.
xxx

Hi Teamseashore

I just found your original post from over a year ago as I was googling private consultation for recurrent miscarriage. Hope you don't mind me messaging now . . .

Do you mind me asking how far you got with the nsh referral to the miscarriage unit. I've also been referred and had a first appointment which was basically blood tests and I know they've all come back normal. Do you know what I can expect at a follow up appointment with the nhs clinc? I've already had a scan too (internal) which suggests uterus, ovaries etc are all normal etc. But no one has said what happens at the next appointment (which isn't for another few months anyway). I suppose I'm wondering if anything helpful happens or if we're just going through motions here.

That's why I thought about a private consultation. But seeing your post makes me think I'll have to abandon that idea - there's no way we have the funds right now for £5k of tests :(

It's just very hard to find answers on line isn't it. I'd love to know how many women after 3 miscarriages (for no known cause) may go on to have a successful pregnancy. I've just turned 37 so I'm starting to get very concerned.

Don't know how things worked out for you since last summer but I do hope you're in a better situation now. Thanks