Private miscarriage specialists West Yorkshire/Yorkshire/North

[JessAn]

Hello,

I am new to Mumsnet.
I had an early miscarriage around 5.5 weeks a few months ago in May. Unfortunately I am currently around 5.5 weeks pregnant again and I am likely miscarrying again. I have an appointment for a scan at my local EPAU on Friday.

Unfortunately my mum also suffered with recurrent miscarriage around 5.5/6 weeks, in total she was pregnant 6 times and had 5 miscarriages and was told this was due to an immune system issue, although she cannot remember exactly what as this was over 30 years ago. As a result of this after my first miscarriage I had 1 set of blood tests for APS which were negative - it was a battle for me to get this. If I do end up having a miscarriage again I would like to be referred to my local recurrent miscarriage clinic, however I fear that even despite my family history they will not refer me as I will not be at 3 miscarriages.

I am therefore looking into private clinics. Does anybody have an recommendations for the West Yorkshire/Yorkshire/Northern area? Has anybody had an experience with The Manchester Gynaecologist?

Thanks

Hi JessAn, so sorry to hear about your miscarriages, I have been through this myself and have had a whole range of tests (private and NHS). I was referred to my local clinic after 3 miscarriages however I found out afterwards that I would have been eligible to be seen after 2 due to my age. If you are over 35 then you can be referred to St Mary’s in Manchester. The Tommy’s clinic also accepts referrals after 2 miscarriages from what they describe as the “local area” so this may be worth looking into depending on exactly where you are based (they have several clinics). Their website has lots of information about referrals which you can use for the conversation with your GP. You can also self refer to Professor Quenby at Coventry for NK cells testing privately which may be worthwhile given your family history. Best of luck and happy to help with any questions.

Hi Soleste,

Thank you for your reply. I live in Leeds, so probably not local enough for the Tommy's clinic to accept me after 2 miscarriages. I am 32 years old. That's a really good suggestion to try Dr Quenby at Coventry for NK cells testing as it does sound like I may have an immune issue.

Can I ask what kind of tests and treatments were offered to you at the NHS clinic and also privately?

Thanks

I had the following tests on the NHS: diabetes, coeliac, thyroid, lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin antibodies, and karyotype testing on myself and my husband. Also had an internal ultrasound scan and they carried out genetic testing of the embryo from one of the miscarriages. In terms of private testing I had NK cells testing at Coventry (a good starting point as it’s relatively inexpensive).

None of these tests found any reasons for the recurrent miscarriages so I looked further afield and ultimately ended up being treated at the Lister in London under their reproductive immunology team. I’m also based in the north and found that unfortunately the clinics in London offer a far superior range of tests/treatments to those elsewhere. They are able to do all the consultations remotely so despite the travelling for the tests/treatments it has been fairly manageable. In terms of the treatment, it depends on your results as they test each treatment against your blood sample to determine which is most effective. If you google “Lister reproductive immunology” you’ll find their leaflet which explains all this better than I can! There is also a long running thread on here (Immune/NK cells pred thread) which has tons of information about this topic.

As you’ve already had the APS tests, it’s worth asking your GP if they will carry out the other routine blood tests like diabetes and coeliac (if you have a choice of GP at your practice I’d suggest asking if any of them have any gynae experience as you’re more likely to have success). They may also be prepared to refer you for a scan and possibly prescribe progesterone. Other than the karyotype test (which I don’t believe is standard unless genetic abnormalities are found from embryo testing) that’s probably all you’d be tested for at an NHS miscarriage clinic anyway in my experience.

Hope all this is helpful. Best of luck for the scan on Friday, I know how painful the waiting is so I hope the next few days pass as quickly as possible for you.

Hi, did you find out? I've had 2 miscarriages, 31 yrs old and the GP isn't sure about referring me for anything as the guidance says you need to have three. I also live in South Yorkshire.

@Hannah1704 guidance changed literally a few weeks ago that you should be able to get blood tests done after 2 now, definitely push your GP. This isn't a referral to a miscarriage clinic, but it is the first step that you'd take there anyway checking full blood panel, thyroid etc.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-response-to-the-independent-pregnancy-loss-review/government-response-to-the-independent-pregnancy-loss-review-care-and-support-when-baby-loss-occurs-before-24-weeks-gestation