Does something significant happen at the 8 week mark?

[amelied]

Hi

I have had 2 miscarriages in the past 2 years - still ttc#1. First one was a natural miscarriage and the second one was a missed miscarriage (Aug'08) that measured 8 weeks which I had to have a D&C. Both have been the 8 week mark. After reading forums (this and similar) I see that a lot of women miscarry at 8 weeks.

We have had recurrent miscarriage tests done after 2 miscarriages(as I am 39) and everything came back fine - no problems.

Have my appointment with the fertility consultant on Wednesday and looking for advice that I should ask. Is there something significant about the 8 week mark??

I have had the 21 day test so I know that the progesterone is fine.

Would appreciate any response, many thanks.

amelied

I don't know amelied, but it's an interesting question, bumping you to see if anyone else has any answers x

Isn't 8 weeks the point at which you would have your period if you weren't pregnant? Also at 4 weeks, of course, but many pregnancies are lost unknown at this point because the mother doesn't realise she has conceived.

Sadly, miscarriages also occur at 12 weeks (another 4 weeks, or average menstrual cycle, on). Once you have got past that crucial point, your chances of miscarrying are greatly reduced, hence a good time for the first scan.

HTH.

not as such but I think its a key point in development (as are others before) - I seem to recall somewhere that m/c rate falls quite a lot after 9 weeks so I'm guessing that at 8 weeks or thereabout its the end of one major phase of generation.

all the best for wednesday

So sorry to hear about this. I am not ar all sure and am not a medic but have had 5 mcs myself plus live births. From the reading I did I think that this is when the placenta takes over from the yolk sac,in terms of feeding the embryo and also from the corpus luteum in terms of producing hormones. Your doctor will know more. So sorry. []

Again, not a medic but have suffered a m/c at about 7 weeks, but I was told after a scan (in my latest pregnancy) at 7 weeks which was slightly inconclusive that the next stage was critical - I think its when the embryo turns from a mass of multiplying cells into something which is more in human form (have expressed that a bit clumsily so apologies).

Hopefully your doctor should be able to explain better.

My sister was told at one point that spine develops around 7 weeks - so embryos with severe spina bifida etc. spinal type deformities would not survive beyond then. Also what wheelybug said is right, embryo turns into a foetus at around this stage.

PS They thought with my sister that it was a 'spine' thing, as she miscarried at 7/8 weeks three times. She was advised to take double the folic acid to promote correct development. In fact after further tests it turned out to be a clotting disorder.

Please tell us if you find out anything amelied. I have often wondered this from my own experience (2 mcs at exactly the same time just over 8 weeks) but also from reading MN. I remember someone saying something about the placenta taking over from the corpus luteum for production of progesterone at that time, but the placenta is only just starting to take over according to what I have read so I am not sure if that is a factor or not. It did make me wonder if the placenta wasn't good enough then it wouldn't be able to do this job properly and it might lead to the baby's demise.
The spine theory sounds interesting however.

I hope she/he is helpful and sympathetic to you.

Hi amelied
I have had 3 mmc at 8 weeks and all of my tests came back clear. Also had a hysteroscopy to check uterus. I finally changed consultants and was tested for NKC which came back positive and my consultant thinks that these cells were killing the feotus at the same point in my pregnancy. Am hoping I can get pg again and the steroid treatment along with metformin for my pcos and progesterone to take upon a bfp will stop it happening. I am also 39 and feel time is not on my side so glad my consultant is willing to give me treatment for all these things as my last consultant (who I had 2 mmc's under) wasnt willing to treat anything, but happy to take my money, and was from the 'go away and try again' school of thought.

Thanks everyone for your replies - very interesting. Will post on Thursday with her advice.

This pregnancy malarkey is so tiring emotionally and time-consuming for us when it is so simple for others. I just simply don't understand...

Thanks again everyone.
Best wishes to you all.
amelied

Hi

Please do keep us posted with his/her advice. Do bear in mind that different consultants have different opinions on what the causes are so don't be fobbed off without all your questions answered. My original consultant refused to test for progesterone levels, refused to treat for PCOS and dismissed the NKC as irrelevant (2 of my friends went on to have successful pregnancies after being treated for this with 7 mc's between them). I also have another friend who had 7 mc's under my old consultant and was told by him she would never carry full term and to give up. Her next pregnancy was under the RMC at St Mary's and has just produced a lovely baby girl - they tested properly for blood clotting and she came up positive for antiphosolipid syndrome. Anyway, I guess this is a personal bug bear of mine however, I seem to see post after post of ladies let down by consultants when they are in no emotional position to cope with pushing for answers. I hope the appointment goes really well for you tomorrow.

Sharon.
x

Thanks Sharon

I am off there in an hour will post tomorrow.

amelied

Hi Girls

Had my appointment yesterday. A bit of background first:

Was put on the list by the doctor for the fertility clinic at my local hospital in March. Went to my appointment in June (at the time I was 3 weeks pregnant but didnt know it.) Was given six months of Clomid, instructions and told to start it the following week at the time of my period). Period didnt arrive - BFP instead. Had a missed miscarriage at 9 weeks and a D&C in the same hospital. Had recurrent miscarriage tests at the same hospital.

So went in and saw the saw the same Consultant. First thing she said to me was (and may I add have my huge file in front of her) "so how did you get on with the Clomid?" Had to explain that I didnt need to take it and then the penny dropped and she said you must have had a miscarriage then - hello??? I know they are stressed and under pressure but opening the file before I came in and reading the front page would have told her everything.

Soooo - once she had read the reports she came to the conclusion that it was Bad Luck Twice. I have a HSG x-ray booked for 3 months time, start taking the Clomid next week if AF turns up. As yesterday was day 22 for me she took bloods for another progesterone test - more a belt and braces approach.

Dont feel like I have learned anything -Sharon I asked about NKC and she said that only 3/4/5 miscarriages would determine testing or I can do that privately if I felt strong enough about the testing but she reckons, at this stage, I would be wasting my money.

I know I should be doing cartwheels that all my tests have came back clear and don't get me wrong, I am hugely thankful but I just feel a bit lost.

I wish we all didnt have to go through this.

amelied

Don't really have any useful advice for you ladies but I do have a positive story. I had three miscarriages at 8 weeks, I had blood tests, immunological tests, hysterosalpinogram.... only thing diagnosed was a bicornuate uterus which shouldn't really hinder the development of the foetus - it does cause problems later on in pregnancy though. ANyway, went on to conceive DS1 (now 11), DS2 now 7 and DS3 (now 2)We almost lost DS3 at 8 weeks and again at 16 weeks but he hung on in there-there does seem to be some significance in the 8 week thing. I always felt as if my body was trying to reset itself in some hormonal way. I would say good luck and keep trying.

I,m ths same as you uptomteyes. had 3 mc's around the 8wk mark. I then had all the usual tests done and was diagnosed with a bicornuate uterus which the doctor said may have caused the mc's but no one could say for sure. I now have a 14wk old ds1. amelied I am also 39. I know how painful experiencing mc can be but please stay as positive as you can and try again when you feel the time is right for you. I wish you lots of luck and good wishes.

Thanks Karney - hearing your story helps.
amelied

Can I ask what a bicornuate uterus is?

Many thanks
amelied

Funnily enough I have one of those too! It is a heart shaped uterus and my ds arrived at 32 weeks probably because of this but unless it is severe it shouldnt be the cause of mc's apparentley. Thanks for the update on your appt, I have had exactly the same experience with my last consultant who questioned me about my mc in January at an appointment in July when I had had another one in July which he had personally performed the ERPC on. READ MY NOTES YOU INSENSITIVE IDIOT!!! Maybe he only recognises my lady bits by now as he sees them more often? I know also how you feel with the fact you should feel pleased no problems were found but personally it frustrated me as it leaves the next pg to chance doesnt it? Do you live near Epsom area by chance as Mr Shehata treats NHS from Epsom and St Helier hospitals and would test NKC for free I believe although he has a 6-8 week wait for appt.
Sharon

Thanks Shazzaren - Im in Glasgow, but will check out if the tests can be completed locally.

Happy Friday to you x

Bicornuate uterus - the uterus is actually formed from two tubes that fuse when we are foetuses ourselves. A bicornuate uterus occurs when the two tubes do not fully fuse into one chamber. Shazzaren has a heart shaped uterus, mine is pretty much still two seperate chambers (double the woman according th DH!) - more of a Y shape than a heart. It can (and did in my case) cause babies to lie transverse from the 2nd trimester meaning that the baby can only be delivered by elective c-sect and often early. Mine were born at 36, 37 and 35 weeks.

Happy Friday to you too, keep your chin up Amelied. Am off to Portugal this afternoon to visit my Mum who lives there, supposed to be raining there......am also ovulating this weekend and I HATE 'doing it' in my Mum's house, feels weird, but needs must eh? yuck.
x