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Miscarriage/pregnancy loss

Find support and share your experiences on our Miscarriage forum. See also legal rights and support after baby loss.

Original poster

Recurrent Miscarriage & Rainbow Clinic

30 replies

PurplePansy05 · 26/12/2023 23:45

Hi All

Quick question to fellow recurrent miscarriers - I had three losses following which I was referred to the rainbow clinic and then I successfully had my DS. He is going to be 3 next year and I'm going back and forth on the idea of trying for another baby, mostly because I found the losses and the pregnancy with him extremely difficult and gruelling and frankly my MH took real battering. I'm feeling good now, but wow, it wasn't easy at all.

My question is would I still be under the rainbow clinic automatically in my subsequent pregnancies due to my history or does the fact I had DS break the cycle if you like and my subsequent pregnancies would be treated the same as an average no-prior-losses pregnancy?

If I'm still eligible for rainbow clinic care, how do I go about this once I find out I'm pregnant again (assuming this happens...of course no guarantees)?

Thank you in advance, this has been bothering me for a while and I can't find the answers anywhere.

OP posts:
Original poster
PurplePansy05 · 27/12/2023 09:02

Hopeful bump?

OP posts:
Sassa9871 · 27/12/2023 14:17

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Sassa9871 · 27/12/2023 14:30

sorry, I got it in the wrong place. How do I delete the reply? Thank you

StuffLoriThangs · 27/12/2023 16:32

I think you would need to ask the clinic for advice on that? Sorry I can’t be any more help but wanted to make sure you got an answer to your OP.

@Sassa9871 you might be better starting your own post to get proper answers but could be decidual cast.

Original poster
PurplePansy05 · 28/12/2023 09:47

Thanks, Stuff, sadly you can't just contact the clinic without a referral. I'm really unsure what to do tbh.

OP posts:
LorlieS · 28/12/2023 09:58

@PurplePansy05 Sorry for your losses - I've also been through multiple miscarriages and most recently an ectopic pregnancy. Husband has now had a vasectomy so definitely no more babies for us!

We had investigations after three losses before my first son (revealed nothing), but then no support really for losses following that. The ectopic was particularly traumatic as I had no idea I was even pregnant and ended up in emergency surgery on NYE last year, having started to bleed internally. We were offered no counselling which I think is awful but I don't suppose the funding is there.

I think the feeling is that if you've had a successful pregnancy then you're OK to just carry on ttc as normal etc. But I know the absolute panic every time you go for a scan etc; it never goes away.

I hope my reply helps?

Good luck with everything ❤️

lookingforaholiday · 28/12/2023 10:09

Hi Op, was try reason for your recurrent miscarriage determined and were you given extra support to help minimise the change of miscarriage with your last pregnancy. If a cause was acknowledged perhaps you should speak to your GP about getting a referral once you are pregnant.

I had recurrent miscarriages and went to a private miscarriage specialist who after testing put me on immune therapy so I knew for the second time round I would likely need the same protocol to have a chance at another successful pregnancy. That's a journey we are currently on. But if you are in a similar position then you're right to seek the support again

Original poster
PurplePansy05 · 28/12/2023 10:22

@lookingforaholiday No, undetermined - I had all the tests available on the NHS. I was put on progesterone and aspirin in my fourth and successful pregnancy, but this was more of a precaution.

@LorlieS Thanks, that's my fear, that they will just leave me alone and if that's the case I'm too frightened to try again. 😔

OP posts:
LorlieS · 28/12/2023 11:00

@PurplePansy05 What support did you get with your successful pregnancy? We were just left to it but tbh I was OK with that - definitely didn't want any additional scans as I hated them!

Original poster
PurplePansy05 · 28/12/2023 11:03

LorlieS · 28/12/2023 11:00

@PurplePansy05 What support did you get with your successful pregnancy? We were just left to it but tbh I was OK with that - definitely didn't want any additional scans as I hated them!

Edited

What do you mean in my first pregnancy? I had no extra support in my first pregnancy or subsequent until my fourth.

In my fourth I had extra scans, I was consultant led and had progesterone and aspirin from the start on the NHS. That's what I'd like in future pregnancies too.

OP posts:
Original poster
PurplePansy05 · 28/12/2023 11:04

Oh you've edited your post now, I replied above re support in my successful one.

OP posts:
LorlieS · 28/12/2023 11:38

@PurplePansy05 Are you in a position to pay for extra scans? We paid for an extra one at 8 weeks but tbh for us sadly there was no point.
Just had two scans in all subsequent pregnancies.

MrsNandortheRelentless · 28/12/2023 11:47

Hi op

During my eventual successful pregnancy I was welcomed for extra scans at my local EPAU.
I had a couple as I recall.

I followed this up with all following pregnancies.

I made an appointment with them at the end of each previous appointment.

Really really sad but they knew me by name and were absolutely lovely. (7 miscarriages all together)

Mostlyoblivious · 28/12/2023 11:50

lookingforaholiday · 28/12/2023 10:09

Hi Op, was try reason for your recurrent miscarriage determined and were you given extra support to help minimise the change of miscarriage with your last pregnancy. If a cause was acknowledged perhaps you should speak to your GP about getting a referral once you are pregnant.

I had recurrent miscarriages and went to a private miscarriage specialist who after testing put me on immune therapy so I knew for the second time round I would likely need the same protocol to have a chance at another successful pregnancy. That's a journey we are currently on. But if you are in a similar position then you're right to seek the support again

Hi, could I PM you for details of the specialist at all please?

Mostlyoblivious · 28/12/2023 11:52

Hi OP,
I think you’d be referred back in to consultant led with your previous history. It would be your GP referring. Can you ask for a pre pregnancy planning appointment due to your past history?

lookingforaholiday · 28/12/2023 12:10

Hi @Mostlyoblivious sure - I'm not even sure I know how to PM but I'm sure it'll pop up?!

gluenotsoup · 28/12/2023 12:21

I think if you’ve had a success pregnancy then you don’t go back through the clinic, it’s possible it’s just treated like any other pregnancy. However, if it was me I would make a few phone calls and if you want the same pathway as before find a way to get it resourced. I had 3 miscarriages before my last dd, I had progesterone, aspirin, extra scans and appointments. If I had chosen another pregnancy (she’s my 3rd) I would have wanted the same.
Good luck, I fully understand the toll it takes on you mentally and physically 💐

Whataretheodds · 28/12/2023 12:30

PurplePansy05 · 28/12/2023 11:03

What do you mean in my first pregnancy? I had no extra support in my first pregnancy or subsequent until my fourth.

In my fourth I had extra scans, I was consultant led and had progesterone and aspirin from the start on the NHS. That's what I'd like in future pregnancies too.

Show quote history

I suggest making an appointment with your GP. Explain the situaiton and the different protocol for your successful pregnancy. Ask if they will prescribe progesterone (it's now on NICE guidelines - so mine did even though I'd not been referred to clinic but I had been prescribed it at the hospital after a bleed in my 2nd pregnancy which was also my 2nd MC.) Aspirin you can buy over the counter.

I would also self-refer as soon as you get a positive test and see if you can speak to EPU/make notes on the self-referral to request consultant input/consultatn-led or mixed care.

How old are you BTW?

StuffLoriThangs · 28/12/2023 13:53

PurplePansy05 · 28/12/2023 11:03

What do you mean in my first pregnancy? I had no extra support in my first pregnancy or subsequent until my fourth.

In my fourth I had extra scans, I was consultant led and had progesterone and aspirin from the start on the NHS. That's what I'd like in future pregnancies too.

Show quote history

You should be able to get that through the GP.

StuffLoriThangs · 28/12/2023 13:54

And also your epu should be able to give ulu extra scans based off your medical history too

Original poster
PurplePansy05 · 28/12/2023 14:01

LorlieS · 28/12/2023 11:38

@PurplePansy05 Are you in a position to pay for extra scans? We paid for an extra one at 8 weeks but tbh for us sadly there was no point.
Just had two scans in all subsequent pregnancies.

It's not just that though, private progesterone prescription is expensive. I shouldn't be left with zero support now.

OP posts:
Original poster
PurplePansy05 · 28/12/2023 14:03

Whataretheodds · 28/12/2023 12:30

I suggest making an appointment with your GP. Explain the situaiton and the different protocol for your successful pregnancy. Ask if they will prescribe progesterone (it's now on NICE guidelines - so mine did even though I'd not been referred to clinic but I had been prescribed it at the hospital after a bleed in my 2nd pregnancy which was also my 2nd MC.) Aspirin you can buy over the counter.

I would also self-refer as soon as you get a positive test and see if you can speak to EPU/make notes on the self-referral to request consultant input/consultatn-led or mixed care.

How old are you BTW?

Show quote history

I'm past mid 30s.

GPs don't prescribe progesterone in early pregnancy to my knowledge.

OP posts:
Littlegoth · 28/12/2023 14:14

For Leeds and east Lancs you are under the clinic for every future pregnancy even if you’ve had a successful pregnancy. I just call them as soon as I get a positive test and they book me in for a scan and meds (lovenox and progesterone)

Whataretheodds · 28/12/2023 14:33

PurplePansy05 · 28/12/2023 14:03

I'm past mid 30s.

GPs don't prescribe progesterone in early pregnancy to my knowledge.

Show quote history

Mine did.

Whataretheodds · 28/12/2023 14:34

The reason I asked your age is because in my hospital trust you're automatically shared consultant/midwife care if you are over 40.

I was also offered 2 reassurance scans in the EPU before 12 weeks, due to my 2 MCs.