10 years of trying, 8 miscarriages.. any success stories out there?

[Lotuskid]

Hi, a slightly long post (the last ten years crammed into a few paragraphs) but I’m hoping if anybody has suffered anything similar and gone on to have their baby or if anyone can offer advice?

I suffered my first loss at age 20 after a surprise pregnancy, after this, my other half at the time and I decided to ttc, suffering 5 more losses over the course of 5/6 years - we were both tested at the time and doctors couldn’t find a reason for the miscarriages and put it down to ‘being unlucky’ (that’s literally what a doctor told me)
After we broke up, I went on microgynon and stayed on until my current partner and I got together (no sexual parters in the meantime)
After a year of being with my current partner, (who knows about this history), we fell pregnant while on the pill, miscarrying again. After this we had a serious discussion about how difficult it may be for us to have a baby and decided to properly start trying, we fell pregnant again not long after my 7th miscarriage and lost again, we have now been ttc for 3 years and no pregnancies.
We’re still undergoing tests with our GPs but I really am flagging with all of this now.
We decided to pay to go private around a year ago and the doctor held his hands up and said ‘because there’s not medically any problems which have been found, there’s nothing I can do’
In the past 10 years of being backwards and forwards to different doctors and undergoing multiple tests, I’ve had one multiple miscarriage specialist agree with me on saying there is a problem. However, by the time I’d seen her, we’d not conceived for two years, so she’s referred us to an infertility specialist, and we’re currently waiting on an appt with them, which is where we’re at now

Just a couple more things to add

• All miscarriages have been before 12 weeks
• I don’t smoke / drink heavily / do drugs
• I’ve been a healthy weight most my life (barring those extra covid pounds which I’ve now shifted)
• I try to keep my stress levels down and really not think about it too often

I’m just really hoping someone has some advice that I’ve not thought of myself or if someone has been through something similar and can give me a little bit of hope.
My other half is incredibly supportive and we both understand this may never happen for us but we want to explore every single avenue possible so we don’t look back later in our life and regret not trying everything. - hence this post

[Whataretheodds]

Gosh, i cannot imagine what you must have been through.

I'm shocked that you've only seen one specialist who's agreed there's a problem!

Have you used Tommy's miscarriage tool/ clinic?
Have you had anyone look at your situation holistically (nutrition etc?)
Has your partner had semen analysis?

[Patchworksack]

I had 4 first trimester miscarriages and finally got answers from Profs Quenby and Brosens at Coventry - they run a not for profit private clinic for women suffering recurrent miscarriages or failed IVF. I had high NK cells on a uterine biopsy and successful pregnancy first time on steroids, progesterone, clexane in first trimester (had already failed on progesterone only) The recurrent miscarriages threads on here are very supportive and I’m still in touch with women who supported my through that time 9 years later. I’m very sorry for all you’ve been through @Lotuskid

[Patchworksack]

warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/med/research/biomedical/tem/bru/clinic/

[Lotuskid]

I didn’t know about the tommys miscarriage tool, I’ve just had a look and completed it now, thank you for mentioning that! Less that 40% - I suppose thats still something!

No, I haven’t, I wouldn’t know where to start to find anybody who could help in that way? But I’m definitely willing to try.

And not yet, it’s taken another year to manage to get an appt for that but he’s booked in very soon, after his results are back and I have one more blood test (I’m not sure what for as the receptionist booking my appt didn’t know), we get referred to the infertility clinic together

[Lotuskid]

@Patchworksack
Thank you! I’ll look into that over the weekend!
It sounds reassuring

Progesterone pessaries have been mentioned but only to use once I’ve fallen pregnant, so I’ve not actually had the chance to use anything to help aid actually falling pregnancy. Just folic acid being mentioned again and again.

yeah, I’m pretty new to the site and still trying to navigate but I’ve already seen some helpful things. And although it’s horrible for anyone who’s had a similar time, it’s relieving to hear positive outcomes too!

[Teaandtoast35]

I’m also with Tommys in Coventry. Give Professor Quenby’s assistant a ring

Tel: 02476 967397
Email: [email protected]

she’ll explain how to get referred through your GP. It took… THREE WEEKS ONLY for me to get an appointment!!! Well worth it.

Infertility may be useless if you have a miscarriage problem — they’ll likely just give you IVF.

My issues were chromosomal so I’m having IVF with PGT-A. You will find out whether you need this through Quenby’s clinic if you get karyotyped (just ask/insist).

good luck. I’m so sorry for what you’ve been through — for all of us. Still waiting for living baby here too.

[Whataretheodds]

I'm not sure what youre entitled to on the NHS but I know private clinics that refer to acupuncurists, plus i follow a couple of fertility nutritionists on insta (there are some attached to private clinics too). I'm not sure how regulated either of these are but hopefully you can get some local recommendations to you. Have you read It Starts with The Egg?
I've also started listening to The Worst Girl Gang Ever podcast.
Tommy's charity' website lists several tests/types of tests you can have done.
I'm no expert but I'd expect

• sperm analysis for your partner

-uterus, fallopian tube etc check via ultrasound. Any physical blockages or other potential issues with ovulation/implantation for anatomical reasons. Check endometrial lining thickness, check follicle count.
-blood count for you: thyroid, full blood workup

• immunology, test for killer cells, clotting issues.
• there will be more, I'm just learning.

Good luck!

[michileo]

Hi @Lotuskid
Firstly, I'm so sorry you've had this experience x
Have you ever had/been offered an HSG (Hysterosalpingogram) scan?

[Orangebadger]

I have no advice but a positive experience similar to yours. An old colleague of mine was TTC between age 30-40. A real struggle for her to get pregnant with I think 2 miscarriages too. When she turned 40 she hd resigned herself that it was not meant to be and they stopped TTC. A few months later she fell pregnant, having her first he 41. 4 months after her DD was born pregnant again with DD2 age 42. I could not have been more happy for someone after all her and her DH had been through. So no advice but I do hope this gives you some hope xx

[Ottil]

I'm so sorry OP. I can't match the wisdom of the posters here, but as a stab at an encouraging story, my SiL went through 15 miscarriages before finally being told that there was an underlying genetic reason for her body rejecting the foetus. I wish I could give you more information but she understandably didn't want to overshare.

She ended up going for successful treatment in America, to a specialist clinic, and now has three lovely DC.

Sorry again for no specifics. Good luck

[Yolleeee]

Have you had a karyotype done? To check nothing genetic at play? If you have, then Dr Quenby at Coventry is where I would go. She is an expert in the field and runs trials etc. I have had multiple first trimester losses too but are 'lucky' in the sense that I had genetic testing done and know why now. Which doesn't stop me miscarrying but understanding the why helps with the mental torment for sure. I also have a healthy child now and am pregnant again.

[Yolleeee]

Ooh and I would also recommend acupuncture if struggling to conceive, especially if your issue is miscarriage rather than infertility. Find a reputable one though!

[warmlights]

No advice but just to say keep going and sending a hug

[AlwaysLatte]

So sorry you've been going through this. I had a minor taste of your pain with 2/3 early miscarriages and 'unexplained' infertility. First try on IUI was a success (he's now 15) and the second came along naturally after another miscarriage, by which time I guessed I might have 'hostile' cervical mucous. I tried taking cough syrup which thins the mucous, a few days before, during and after ovulation. You have to use syrup with guifenisan. It v was a success. Also I had a vitamin injection the first time with the fertility clinic so when I fell pregnant again I went back and got another one. I think it was B12 but not sure. All the very best to you.

[Ilovebees]

@Lotuskid hey op ! Did you ever have success in the end ? I’m in the same boat as you and trying to find success stories and what might help me too ! Xxx I hope you had success by now xx

[Lotuskid]

@Ilovebees Hiya, no success for us yet.. we’ve just been through our first cycle of ivf which failed. We’re just waiting to start a second cycle so keeping everything crossed for that.
Sorry I can’t give you any hope but wishing you all the luck in the world! xx

[Ilovebees]

@Lotuskid aww thank you for replying to me ! I’m sorry you still haven’t had success , I haven’t either :( I have had 7 losses too all ending around 6 weeks . I have had ivf too and still doing ivf now . Iv done 2 trasfers , one failed and one loss at 6 week again . I just don’t understand why I’m even doing ivf when I can get pregnant , but lose it anyways like I did my previous ivf pregnancy , same timeframe , loss at 6 weeks like natural pregnancy’s previously .. blood work is all perfect nothing has been found so the consultant thinks maybe bad egg quality ? How can you have 7 bad eggs in a row ? Just makes me so angry .
have you looked into immune reasons ? Where the body rejects the baby as a foreign body ? On my next ivf cycle I will be on steroids as this is the only thing I will be doing differently and I’m hoping for success with it , I have heard so many people have success with the steroids xx

[Lotuskid]

@Ilovebees Im so incredibly sorry you’re going through it all aswell. It’s heartbreaking.
I feel exactly the same, a part of me is obviously happy that they can’t find any issues or problems but there’s also a part of me that just wishes they would find a problem so at least we have some sort of answer.
We've been told if we were to fall pregnant again (naturally or through IVF) and ultimately miscarry again we can send off what I lose to be tested for abnormalities but other than that, they can’t offer any more tests as they’ve done everything.

Ill ask at my next appointment about steroids too but it was very recent so will be a month or two before we can give it another try. Really
hoping it works for you! xx

[Ilovebees]

@Lotuskid I am wishing you sooo much luck too , it’s so heart destroying knowing you are pregnant and having tiny bit of hope that this time it will work and it gets ripped away so soon from you ! And yes if I was you I’d would defenetly ask about the steroids - predisonole it’s called ! There is so many thread on mumsnet about people having success using it , even after 15 misscarriges - one lady on Reddit . And have you had hysteroscopy to check the womb inside with camera ?
have you had genetic testing for chromosome ? I have had both and both came back clear .
I know people might belive that 7 losses could be chromosome reason but I belive that this is not possible , how could someone have bad luck 7 times ? If you flipped a coin 7 times there is no chance it would land the same way 7 times , this is what an immunology doctor DR Sheata said , located in London , who does NK testing .
if everyone had the same luck as us , nobody would be having kids .
I truly belive that mine and your reason could be immune related as all other stuff has been fine , no reason found . It’s just because nhs only test basic stuff and not nk cells , so that means if your consultant lets you try it , consider yourself lucky as I had to beg my consultant to let me try it next time , he really did not want to until he kind of had to 😁 I was also going to get nk cells tested , but thankfully I can try the steroid without testing first and save all the money .

[Lotuskid]

@Ilovebees How are you finding ivf as a treatment in itself? I know its mentally draining but I really struggled physically after egg retrieval, I’m dreading having another one as they didn’t manage to freeze anything.
I’ve had the same thing over and over again and so many professionals telling me I’m just unlucky.
Yeah, had a hysteroscopy a good few years ago with no problems and karyotyping too, again, with no problems. We kept hitting dead ends with nhs so I think they offered us IVF as there literally wasn’t anything else they could do but we only had the one attempt. And when we tried to go private the specialist told us there wasn’t anything extra they could offer on a private basis either so another dead end.
I’ll look into the nk testing too, thank you! I’ve heard about a clinic in london which is really good and amazing success rate but it’s so far from where I live I don’t think it’s doable. xx

[Ilovebees]

@Lotuskid hey , yes dr sheata in London is the specialist in immunes , I can’t belive your consultant said nothing else could be checked , what a liar :( , ofcourse there is , nk cells for example ! And few other things I think it’s called EMMA/ ALICE testing for the womb lining .
I also live 5 hours away from London so that’s the reason I did not go to him , maybe one day I might have to if that’s my last option . But yeah it’s not doable either for me atm . if steroids don’t work for me next time then I might go to him .
oh and there is another clinic “the implantion clinic in Coventry “ run my professor Quenby, amazing woman ! this would be my first step ! They test the womb lining for nk cells and few other things , probably it will cost I think it was 850 including consultation . Fraction of the price of what dr sheata charges in London ! Plus conventry me is only 2 hours away !
and how do I feel about ivf : to be honest for me it’s a breeze , injections and all that , the only thing I find extremely hard is the knockbacks of things aren’t exactly right like lining , or getting over stimulated at egg collection and then having to do freeze all :(
I have mild pcos so they have said , and I collected 17 eggs , ended up with 5 in the freezer . Didn’t have success from these , 3 failed the defrost prosess , and 1 was a straight fail and one misscarrige . That’s my hardest part of ivf . And taking time off work at unexpected times too that’s another stress .. I am going for new egg collection and new round in may ! So 2 months away ! Hopefully I’ll get better blastocyst to freeze this time xx

[Ilovebees]

@Lotuskid this next time I’ll be on lower dose of injection to see if I get less eggs but better quality , keeping closer eye on me this time . X

[Brandnewskytohangyourstarsupon]

Hey OP, lovely to meet you!

I’ve had 7 miscarriages.

Investigations all revealed.. nothing. “Just bad luck” here too apparently.

All before 13 weeks, mostly blighted ovum’s.
Fit, healthy, T total, never smoked, vegetarian diet.

So I had my 7th miscarriage.
It was horrific due to the hormones, blood thinners, clexane injections, asprin and high dose folic acid. This combination prescribed to me by the experts just made the last miscarriage take longer to end and meant blood loss was torrential.. due to the blood thinners.
They offered them to me to try as “it won’t do any harm, but there’s no evidence supporting the prescription “..
I was desperate.

Made the very difficult decision to stop as I was 42 and Mother Nature was dropping me some big fuck off hints.

Got the pill. Had it in my handbag awaiting the first day of my period after the miscarriage.
Waited patiently.
Waited some more but by this time I was feeling very very unwell.
Decided that I must have some left over miscarriage… retained products they call it. Off I went for a scan to check.

Sonographer asked me why I was there after checking my details. To which I of course answered that “probably retained products”.
Nope she replied, nope because it looks to be about a 7 week baby in there…
At 43 I had my longed for baby!!
miracles you see, do happen.

[Wednesdaysotherchild]

I’ve had 15 losses and now under Professor Shehata for miscarriages. He said at this number of losses, even at my age, there is definitely more going on than just chromosomal issues and points to me having an overactive immune reaction to pregnancy. 1 in 3 eggs should be normal, even in my early 40s. My tests came back all high on the immunes side and I’m now on a complex immunes protocol. First transfer next month so will let you know if it works. Many women have had success - google & check out the mumsnet “Pred Threads”.

[Ilovebees]

@Wednesdaysotherchild oh my gosh 15?!! How are you still keeping sane after that many ?! I’m so so sorry to hear about your losses I just can’t imagine ! Iv had 7 and I feel like nobody could possibly have more than I did ! Can I ask did you have the losses over so many years ? Iv had 7 losses in 7 years . From early 20’s to late 20’s. Have you had all the basic testing done on nhs and could I ask , what stage does your losses happen ? Xxx hugs