2nd MMC - options for private surgical management and testing

[sweetpea2000]

I had a MMC confirmed yesterday at an 8 week scan (apparently twin pregnancies dated at only 6 weeks). This follows a MMC last May (discovered at12 weeks, but pregnancy dated at 8-9 weeks).

I know the NHS doesn't do any testing until after 3 miscarriages, so I'm considering having tests privately. I know they might be inconclusive, but I'm reluctant to wait for another pregnancy just to go through it all again, if there's something that could be identified now.

Is there also an option to have surgical management privately, so that this pregnancy can be tested for chromosomal abnormalities? Am I right that this also won't be offered under the NHS?

And is there anywhere I could go for both the surgical management/testing and further tests in the same place?

I'm in Buckinghamshire, but can travel to London or Midlands etc as required.

Thanks in advance.

I had surgery under the NHS after my second miscarriage but was able to do the testing of the foetus privately. The company was called TDL genetics. The NHS helped me fill out the form so I could ensure the right tests were done, then after the surgery gave me the remains in a pot to take home. I had arranged with TDL that a courier would pick up the remains so had to keep it in my fridge for a couple of hours until he arrived. I think the total cost was about £400.

I’m glad I did it as testing showed it was chromosomally normal. I then did private testing on me at the CRP clinic in Epsom under Dr Shehata. He identified some problems with my immune system that could cause miscarriage and gave me a treatment plan. Unfortunately it didn’t work and I miscarried again but a lot of people have success with him.

Just to let you know, chemical pregnancies count towards the 3 miscarriages. I didn't know and just told my midwife during my third miscarriage scan and she told me that it definitely counts even though I never had hospital management for it. Not sure if that's helpful for you.

@CP26 That's really helpful, thanks. I looked up TDL. I couldn't get to the Early Pregnancy Unit yesterday as I was scanned after hours at a private clinic.

Does anyone know if EPUs are offering surgical management under the circumstances (with COVID)? It sounds like the simplest way to ensure I get a sample that can be tested. Hopefully TDL can advise on what tests I would need, if I can't get help from the EPU.

It's helpful also to know the cost as they don't put that on the website. Glad to hear you got some answers but so sorry that you had another MC. It's such a hard thing to go through.

@amazilan that's helpful to know that chemical pregnancies count. I haven't actually had any CPs (but probably would have assumed they didn't count).

I guess I have a bias to think that private testing will probably be quicker and more effective than the NHS route. I don't know if that's true or not...

@sweetpea2000 I'd say the same but I imagine it'd be very expensive with the number of tests they do. If I could afford it I'd 100% go private as I've heard the waiting list is quite long but if money isn't an issue for you I'd say go for it

I had surgical management v recently @sweetpea2000, though not in your area

@TheDaydreamBelievers, that's good to know.

Does anyone know whether they are likely to be able to find and test relevant fetal tissue on a pregnancy that ended at 6 weeks (detected at 8w2)? To see if it was chromosomally normal.

Yes mine ended at 6 weeks and they were able to test it ( I had the surgery at about 9 weeks).

So sorry to hear this.
I really recommend Raj Rai at the Lindo Wing. He's a world class miscarriage expert, but moreover deeply kind and empathetic. I would say even a one off consultation would be a reassurance (and he does of course do genetic testing).

Thanks both, I’ll look up Raj Rai.