Post-miscarriage blood tests?

[PrePG]

Hi All:

I'm obsessing about the miscarriage again and had some thoughts. I was due to have my booking in appointment less than a week after I miscarried and so never had blood work done. I'm not wondering if I should have it done to find out my rhesus status or if I've got any blood clotting issues etc which might affect future pregnancies. Has anyone else done this? Can I request it from my GP? Thanks.

[worrybum]

Hi PrePG. Do you mind me asking how many miscarriages you have had firstly?

[PrePG]

Hi worrybum. Just one, and I'm sure it was most likely chromosomal. I just think it'd be good to know the above info as a preventive measure. It seems like such a simple thing to do...

[goingfor3]

PrePG unfortunatley most gp's won't organise even blood tests after one mc, most wait until you have had three.

[worrybum]

Was just about to say the same thing goingfor3. It is sad but unfortunately most clinics will not investigate that cause of miscarriage until you have had 3, although there are some, depending on your health authority, who will investigate after 2. I have had 4 successive miscarriages but was referred ater 2. 3mcs is definately the norm for a referral based on the sad fact that 1mc is common, 2mcs are still common although not as common as 1, 3mcs or more can still just be bad luck but there may also be a cause. check this out with your gp. I don't know whether there is a possibility of having these tests carried out privately, anyone else know?

[redzuleika]

Clotting issues can cause recurrent miscarriage, but they're not in the general run of the mill testing. NHS criteria say that you need to have three consecutive miscarriages before investigations, although my consultant - when I first saw him - thought that I should have had the test for antiphospholipid antibody syndrome after my second. The problem is that there are different opinions about how you do the test (how many, how far apart) and it may be that the GP is not best placed to decide this or interpret the results. Which brings you back to seeing a consultant and the NHS threshold for treatment, unless you go privately.

The thing is, sadly, that a single miscarriage is extremely common. Even after two in a row, the chances of a successful pregnancy are extremely high.

[redzuleika]

Cross postings.

I do know people who have been investigated privately, but with a whole barrage of tests after a string of miscarriages - not just for one single antibody / clotting test. They paid to see a consultant privately.

[lucykate]

those blood tests won't make any difference to your current situation i'm afraid. everyone is right, one mc is considered normal, two in a row is a coincidence, three would be investigated. i had two in a row, and then went on the have my only problem free pregnancy which resulted in ds.

best thing to do, is not stress about it and leave it in the hands of nature.

[worrybum]

Just out of interest redzuleika, sorry to temporarily hijack thread prepg, did the couple go privately straight away or after nhs failed to come up with any answers. It's just that I have been warned that they may not find a reason for my recurrent mcs as I understand is the case for many couples but I am concerned that NHS only seem to carry out the tests once when there are certain antibodies that can be the cause for recurrent miscarriage that can lay dormant. For example I have heard of women that have tested negative for the antiphospholipid syndrome but then later tested positive, or tested negative but when treated during pregnancy the same way as you would if tested positive have had a successful outcome IYSWIM.

[PrePG]

Thanks everyone. It just seems like a blood test is a simple office procedure - one I've had for other issues not involving fertility, so I just don't understand why it's so difficult for a GP to just do it! Frustrating to say the least. lucykate I'm aware that a blood test won't do anything about my current situation, I'm trying to save myself further future heartbreak. I'm not at all stressed about it, I'm just a rather analytical person and if something so simple and treatable as a blood issue is diagnosable, I'd like to know about it. Why have 3 miscarriages if they're preventable!?!?

[napa]

sorry prepg can't remember if you had erpc but if so they will have done blood tests for your blood group, rhesus status and haemoglobin (iron) level, esp if they didn't have your blood group on file already

[PrePG]

Thanks, napa. I had a natural miscarriage.

[redzuleika]

Worrybum: after they had three, they adopted a tandem approach. They were referred to the recurrent miscarriage unit at St Mary's in Paddington and while they were waiting for the appointment, they saw a consultant privately. They continued seeing both when they started doing the testing for St Mary's (I believe they have you do a lot of pre-appointment tests, during which you're not supposed to ttc). The appointment at St Mary's came through more quickly than I would have anticipated, actually.

In the end, a thromboelastogram done at St Mary's indicated 'sticky blood' for which a particular dose of aspirin is recommended. She's currently almost due to pop in what has otherwise been an event-free pregnancy.

[redzuleika]

PrePG: a blood test may be a simple office procedure, but as worrybum highlights, it's over the interpretation of the results that there is debate. I've tested positive for antiphospholipid antibodies, for instance, but was not tested by the criteria that Lesley Regan (St Mary's) suggests. This is not necessarily within the area of expertise (or indeed, experience, as I have found) of most GPs.

Moreover, if there is a positive result, then you're looking at consultant referrals, a regime of medication etc in your next pregnancy. All which MAY save you from heartache, but the reality is that the NHS can't afford that level of care. By the time you've had your third miscarriage, you are beyond a doubt an anomaly: one of a club of which fewer than 1% of women form part (and that was a club of which I was really clamouring for membership...).