ttc after mmc?

[Redheadgal]

Had my 12 week dating scan yesterday and instead of a 12+3 fetus, found a 6 week sac. It being a missed miscarriage, my body still thinks it's pregnant. My hCG levels are lowering (I think - got another test tomorrow to make sure) but I don't want to let nature take it's course - it's been 6 weeks already and my body still hasn't cottoned on to the fact. Can't wait for it to catch up. I'm hopefully going to have d & c tomorrow night.

We'd like to try again as soon as we can, but was wondering does anyone have any experience/advice about conceiving after a missed miscarriage? I'm worried that my hCG levels will be too high.

Thanks rhg x

Hi RHG,

So sorry to hear about your mmc, it's a really tough time so take it easy on yourself. Hope you are getting lots of support in RL.

After the D&C (or ERPC - they use different names) you'll probably bleed for a week or two, and you'll get your period about 4 to 6 weeks after the op.

They say wait for one period before trying again, but that's just for dating purposes. You can have sex again once you stop bleeding. When you feel ready to start trying again, just go for it - do whatever's best for you. I waited one period and then started ttc.

There are a lovely bunch of ladies here who have miscarried and are now trying again, so if you like, and when you're ready, come and join us. They are really supportive.

Hope tomorrow goes ok, best of luck and lots of hugs,

xxxxxxxx

Thanks for your support goodluckbear. Just been out for a long walk to clear my head and I'm trying not think about tomorrow.

We've pretty much decided to go ahead ttc as soon as possible. There were really good reasons why having a baby this year was such a good idea. If there's no medical reason why we should wait then we'll go for it. I'm on anti-convulsive drugs for epilepsy which does increase the risk of foetal abnormalities (and miscarriage) so although I'm hoping this was a once off I can't put it from my mind that there may be more problems ahead. Trying again is the only way I'll know.

I'll be in touch tomorrow with the test results.

xxx

Hi RHG, sorry to hear about your MMC - I've had exactly the same thing happen to me; I didn't even know it was possible so a huge shock! The D&C was fine, I only bled for a couple of days, but it took about 9 weeks to get my period again, even though I tested negative on a home pregnancy test around 10 days after the D&C (maybe not sensitive enough, I dunno). Then my cycle was a bit all over the place at first - so it took about 7 months to get my next BPF. So try not to stress if it doesn't happen right away, but of course I hope you're one of the lucky ones who gets a BPF straightaway - it does happen! And good luck for tomorrow.

Thanks Bayeaux. hCG levels have dropped, although not as significantly as I'd have liked. I'm beginning to see how long this process may now take. Definitely not going to pin all my hopes on conceiving straight away, nor on having a healthy baby. Just waking up to all the problems that wanting a baby entails, but it was a tough wake-up call. xx

redheadgal so sorry to hear about your mmc. I has one in Sept 08, when I was 11 weeks pregnant. The EPAU told me to wait 3 months before trying again to ensure all the medication would be out of my system. It was quite hard waiting that long, but it helped me mentally and also to get a regular cycle again.

I then got pregnant whilst on holiday on our first time trying and am now a very lucky mummy to a DD who is going to be 6 months next week.

Just wanted you to have a positive story to hear about. There are some lovely people on MN who helped me to get through the dark times and give good advice.

Brilliant news Sabs. I'm so happy it ended well for you and fingers crossed it does the same to us. Had the erpc yesterday and I'm feeling much more positive. The staff at the hospital were fantastic (Rosie in Cambridge). I couldn't believe how supportive they were, especially as what we wanted didn't completely conform to procedure. I'm just going to now spend some weeks recovering and getting my body back on track. We're definitely keen to conceive again, but won't stand a chance until my hcg is back down so it's just a waiting game.

RHG sorry for your loss, and glad the op went well and you are feeling a bit better.

I had my first MMC in August last year, (at scan at 12+6 no heartbeat, baby died at 11+6) and like you had an ERPC. I bled for 7-10 days or so, and then had my first period one calendar month after ERPC date. Started to TTC at this point.

Cycle was a bit odd for a couple of months - 1 long cycle and then 2 short ones (also don't think I ovulated for at least one of the cycles, maybe 2). Got pg in December, BFP in Jan. Sadly had another MMC at 11 weeks. MC naturally this time, awaiting ERPC.

I think you should start TTC when you feel ready. For some that is as soon as they stop bleeding after MC, others wait much longer.

Have you been advised to POAS in a couple of weeks to check levels have dropped? Seems to be inconsistently applied. I wasn't after ERPC, but was told to this time.

Good luck and look after yourself.

Jollster - you poor thing, what dreadful luck. It's so tough to have gone through it once, but twice must be awful. I'm sending hugs, but I hope you're getting plenty of support in RL.

I was told that the hospital weren't going to run any more tests, so I guess I'm going to POAS in a couple of weeks and see what it says. Do you know how low HCG needs to be in order to ovulate?

RHG, I've read that HCG needs to be 0 for you to ovulate - so even if you get a negative on a HPT it could still be above zero depending on sensitivity of the test (most HPTs measure levels over 15 or something?)

I hope everything is back on track quickly for you