For mums 2 be after M/C ... PART 5!

[hewlettsdaughter]

Hi there. I was just wondering how everyone is - Ghosty, Hilary, Bogwoppit and anybody else who is pregnant after a previous miscarriage. There seems to have been a lot of sad news re pregnancies on mumsnet recently. On the one hand, I feel like I don't want to parade being pregnant in front of those who have had an m/c - on the other hand, we need to show that there are some positive stories out there!
I am 16 weeks tomorrow. Feeling ok, over the nausea I felt from about week 7 to week 12 or 13.

Oh yes Bunny, I agree with her completely, you have to weigh that up. I didn;t use it till 13 weeks and when Doc had already got it easily. You learn very quickly where to find it. I think you'll be fine though as you have such a fab support network and sure you could have a lsiten any time you wanted to. I'm so pleased you're ok, I'd hate to think you had lost another. Have a lovely weekend! xx

Hello my friends. Am not loggingin so often now but still want to keep up with you. Bunny - did not know til now about the bleeed but very very glad all is OK. I will know no more til 4 June consultant's appt for tests. they took the 'products of concetion' as well as blood from me and dh for testing. There are lots more tests to come. I only hope that whatever it is can be treated or that we find out that there was nothing wrong and that we have merely been unlucky.

I went back to work on Fri. I wanted to say something at work as I never have before- I just soldiered on. I cried on one lady bt did not cry with my boss.

I just look forward to 4 June now for some answers. I also want to know if going provately will speed things up and also want to know what timeframe we are looking at for rtests and how soon we can try again. If any of you have any insight I would be grateful.

Me and dh and dd had a lovely day today. We celevrated dd being conceived almsot exactly 2 years ago at what was, at the time, a very low point for us having had 2 mcs. (she was conceived immediately after 2nd mc withour period in between). Gratful for any light you can shed my friends. I have had 2 mcs, lovely baby gorsl, 2 mcs and now waiting for tests.

Thank you Quackers for you prayers and thank you Bunny for your good wishes. I would love to meet you (all) one day.

So glad to hear from you Jez!!! Sounds like you had a lovely day. I think my DD and DH got me through my 2 m/c's, even though I took it out on them from time to time. It makes you value them so much doesn;t it.
I'm very pleased you have some tests coming up so soon. It's good to get the ball rolling as soon as possible. It varies between m/c clinics the time it takes and what tests they do. Where do you live? Do you know where you;ll be referred to? The main centre is at St Mary's hence the book by Lesley Regan that we told you about if you haven;t already had a look. She is the pioneer of research into m/c. The fact that you have had a live birth already keeps your chances up high still and that is what encouraged me. The website for St Mary's is very informative and I have heard it takes around 2-6 months for an appointment and testing. They do some testing before your appointment and then your results are available when you go in for the day. I had the initial bloods like you, they check all your hormones out to rule out anything there. You'd have a scan and poss a hysterogram (sp?) and be tested for antiphospholipid (sp?)syndrome. Bunny probably knows more than I do about this. If you have this condition, apparantly 95% of cases are solved by taking baby aspirin and heparin! There are many causes for m/c as you know but even if nothing is found, Lesley reckons your chances are very high as they can find no reason but 'bad luck' as they say. Hope some of this has helped. You could try going private, maybe look into it, but I know my Doc said it would be fairly quick. Liverpool womens Hospital is fab and has a recurrent clinic. Their waiting is less and they do all the same tests as St Mary's. Eyelash attened there and she could tell you more I'm sure about what's involved.
Anyway, take care xxxxxxxxxx

Jezebel, good luck with the testing. I opted to go private as I wanted some tests done but hadnt had 3 miscarriages. It did speed up the waiting time till the initial consultation. Then the consultant did all the tests on the NHS so it didnt work out so expensive anyway. It isnt very long till your first appt why dont you go to it and ask the consultant about time scales for private vs NHS.

The tests I had were for hormone levels, thyroid (I think) and for anti-phospholipid syndrome. This is an immune disorder and the testing has to be carried out twice with the tests at least 8 wks apart so that is quite a slow one to do. Do you have the Lesley Regan book? It is so informative and details all these tests, I have read it countless times. Hewletts Daughter, another poster, gave it to me after my second miscarriage, she doesnt want it back so I would like to pass it on to someone who might benefit. Pls let me know if you want the book, I'll happiliy send it to you.

That's good of you Bunny, hope you;re ok! Jezebel take Bunny up on the offer. If anything you will know so much about m/c and know if you're getting the right treatment. xxx

Hello there. Thank you both and than you for te offer of the book. I did borrow it from the library and was quite blinded by science. I don't want to become an expert yet until I know what exactly is wrong and then I will become an expery on that. I did pick up the tip from LR to get the 'products' tested. I will let you know Bunny if I need the book - thank you. A shame that a test takes 8 weeks. That is ages! I can't wait to get some answers but am also afraid I might get answers I don't want to hear. ANyway, I will let you know

hello everyone
had my scan today and everything was fine. Was v emotional....but my dates are ok and it's still on for 25th December!!
They gave us a picture - dh is convinced he sees a willy. I don't dare tell him that sexual organs aren't even developed at this stage! Would so love a son for him.
Still tired, and still being v sick, have lost weight rather than gained any. I do hope this is just for the first trimester.....couldn't cope if if went on longer than that.
My next scan will be at Kings for the Nuchal fold one...

jezebel - I'm sure that whatever answers are presented, there will be some options for you and your family. I understand completely about being blinded by the science - once you make the decision to 'know' you'll know so so much and really equiped to know what you want to do next. The tests do take a long time (I had various tests done last Nov - Jan) but it was worth it.
And just to let you know - I ran into an aquaintence yesterday....we got talking and she also has had recurrent m/c.Her eldest is nearly 5 and she has a little 5 month old now. Ater being diagnosed with APS, she took the low dose aspirin and then once pregnant, daily injections as well.
You will get some answers and I hope you won't be scared by the whole process.

Hello everyone. I haven't managed to post much recently as we have all been ill (just a cold for me at least, although ds has just gone down with a tummy bug so I'm praying dh and I don't get that).

hana, so pleased to hear all was well at the scan. I am definitely starting to feel better, less tired and sick, since about a week ago so hopefully you'll feel better once you reach 12 weeks too.

Jezebel, I think you are being very strong and sensible. It is quite normal to feel worried about undergoing all the tests. I hope you have a sympathetic consultant.

bunny, did you arrange to have another nuchal scan?

My nuchal is on Thursday. My belly has suddenly popped out over the last few days and I think I may have felt the baby moving (just a few faint flutters) so I am feeling optimistic but still nervous.

hana, I am really glad everything is looking good for you. I know what you mean about being emotional, I start crying before every scan now. When is your nuchal? I expect you have thought very hard about having one, as you know I wish I could turn the clock back, I would not have one. ANyway, you will make whatever decision is right for you. LEt us know how it goes. Bxx

Jellycat, good luck tomorrow, wiht your nuchal, ditto my words to hana. I spent an hour talking with the doctor on Monday then another hour on the phone yesterday to a screening midwife. I have decided to wait for a fetal anomoly scan, they will do one as early as poss (around 17/18 wks) and take extra care looking for markers. Hopefully it will put my mind at rest, of course there is a chance it will give me more to worry about. I'll have to wait and see.

I have blood in my urine and high blood pressure, I am a physical and nervous wreck!

Oh bunny, sorry about the urine and high bp, you're obviously feeling stressed. So am I actually. As well as all the other bugs we have had recently (too many to go into details about!) I have just discovered I might have been exposed to slapped cheek disease. Apparently if I develop it, there is a 10% risk of m/c and 1% chance of foetal abnormality, and the risk is highest in the second trimester . I feel so upset and tearful. Does anyone know anything about the risks? I know they say 50% of adults are immune but that means 50% are not!! My mother says she doesn't remember me having it as a child (I never caught any of the childhood illnesses). ds has an appointment with our GP later today. If he has got over the tummy bug (was thinking of cancelling but he seems OK this morning) I shall mention it to her to see if there is anything they can do.

jellycat, that sounds worrying. Can you find out for sure if you have been exposed? Or can a blood test ascertain your immunity? I hope you get some answers from your gp today. let me know.

The child in question has a red rash on his cheeks but the doctor isn't totally sure it is slapped cheek, it could be chickenpox or some other viral rash. Hopefully we shall know for certain soon. According to what I have read on the net there is a blood test that can be done to test my immunity but I don't think there is anything that can be done if I am not immune. My GP is usually very helpful so hopefully she'll be able to give me some answers. The appointment isn't till late afternoon so I have to wait a bit longer.

Hana
Thank you for suggesting this thread.
It always helps to read about other mum's similar situations. Shocking how often miscarriage occurs.
I have had two. One in Nov 2000 at 18 weeks between dd and ds and one in Nov 2003. Both diagnosed at a scan. Felt as if something had gone wrong the first time but had no clue the second time.
I feel very blessed to have 3 healthy children and a bit selfish for longing to have a fourth...Fingers crossed that all goes well at 12/13 week scan in 2 weeks.

Hiya! Sorry to hear this Jellycat, must be worrying, not knowing what it is. DD had scarlett fever and that had similar symtoms, could also be that. Good luck though for the scan. x
Hana, glad you;re ok and the scan went well!
Bunny, you sound like you've really just had everything on top of you and no wonder you have got these physical symptoms now. I hope the stress levels have dropped a little now and that maybe you can start to enjoy your pgcy. You will bit by bit, but like all of us it will take a little time to get the confidence that all is ok. You'll be fine, I know you will.xxxx
Welcome canadianmom btw!
I'm just over 30 weeks and finding it hard to walk for too long wothout needing the loo now! Good excuse to go in the car! My antenatal checks are every 2 weeks now and I have another scan a week on Tuesday, it's great to see the baby at this late stage!

NEarly there Quacks I'm excited for you!!

Jelly, did you get any useful info from your gp? Good luck tomorrow too.

Canadianmom, hi, good luck with your pregnancy.

Everything was fine, baby was wriggling around loads and the nuchal measurement was good. Phew! It took ages because the sonographer couldn't get the right angle for the measurement so we had a good look at our little bean. The images were startlingly clear, much better than with ds. Thanks for all your good wishes.

I also had my bloods taken to test for immunity to slapped cheek. Apparently there is an antibody injection which I can have if I am not immune, so much relief there too. Sorry for not posting yesterday but I just didn't have time. The little boy with the rash has been seen again by a different doctor today (the rash is more prominent now than it was yesterday) and it is apparently almost certain that it is slapped cheek (although it could just be a non-specific viral rash).

Hello Canadianmom, hope all goes well with this pg.

bunny, how are you feeling now? You have really been through the wringer these last few weeks and I'm sure that as your pg progresses you'll be able to relax a bit (especially when you start to feel movements) and hopefully you should start to feel physically better then too.

Oh Quacks, I remember that stage when I seemed to need the loo all the time....not really looking forward to it but it's all worth it in the end! I too am going to have a late scan, at 36 weeks, to check the baby's size. ds was large for me and I had a pretty hideous labour. I spoke to a registrar today and she basically said I could have a c/s if I wanted! I was quite taken aback, but settled for a late scan to see if this one's any bigger than ds.

As promised ages ago, now I've had my scan I shall reveal my `normal' mumsnet identity which is gingernut. I shall probably post under this name in future, although I have grown quite fond of jellycat so maybe I'll just change my name in favour of the wobbly feline.

WOW - Gingernut! That changes everything then!! I'm confused now! Funny how you build images of people in your mind and now it has changed with your revelation! Delighted all was well though!!!!!!!!! Very pleased for you!!

Well saw GP today as thought I had a bladder infection, turns out baby's head is really well down and pressing hard on my bladder making me go. Hope it stays there ready for birth!

BUnny, how you feeling today? No more excitement from you please - you;ve had more than your fair share of roller coasters I think!!

Gingernut (I'll miss jellycat), that is wonderful news. So glad for you. Now relax and enjoy!

Quacks, sounds like that baby is getting ready for its exit! Are you getting prepared (bag packed, nursery ready etc)?

I am meeting a friend for a day on the beach tomorrow, she had a bad nuchal result last year but has a beautiful 4 month old baby now, she should be able to give me lots of reassurance. I have an anomoly scan booked at 18 weeks so shall be counting the days till then. I also have one next Wednesday and shall ask the doctor to look out for the nasal bone, hopefully he can confirm it is there. I am still bleeding lightly but have just accepted it now. A feeling of calm has taken over (we'll see how long that lasts shall we???!)

Thanks Quacks and bunny!

I'll miss jellycat too. gingernut is an old (and never now used) family nickname of mine. I picked jellycat as an alternative alias because we have several jellycat soft toys and bugs and we love cats (used to have one but he was run over when I was pg with ds and we decided it wasn't the best time to get a new cat, but we shall eventually get another when this bean is old enough) and somehow it seems more me than gingernut now. So I might actually abandon gingernut, but I did say I would let on in the end so I have!

I'm glad you're feeling calmer now. Strangely, I don't feel happy about the scan ATM, I just feel a bit numb. I am so tired (must go to bed) and I am still a bit worried about this slapped cheek thing. I think it'll sink in a bit more tomorrow, when I shall be seeing some friends and can show off the scan photo.

Night night!

gingernut/jellycat
I meant to write a quick note the other day to try and reassure you but we've had a houseful of sick people...
My eldest had 5th disease (slapped face) while I was pg with number 2 and I was worried until my gp pointed out that it is very rare for an adult no to have come in contact with this common virus during their childhood. Fingers crossed on the bloodwork. That will hopefully put your mind at ease. Great scan news!

Bunny2 I hope that you have a great day at the beach. Your deserve it after all that you have been through. Thanks for the welcome. Wish I didn't need the reassurance of this thread...

Well, not terribly good news . The blood test results will take a week to 10 days and apparently my GP was wrong - there is no antibody injection (maybe she was getting confused with chickenpox) so if I get it it's just tough. I have about 2 weeks until the end of the possible incubation period.

Canadianmom, thanks for the reassurance. We all need it! Unfortunately I'm still really scared because 2 of my friends whose children have caught slapped cheek recently have also caught it themselves. (I've been avoiding lots of people because I knew it was going round but the friend whose son now has it doesn't know these people).

Anyway, all I can do is wait and see.

I hope your sick people are on the mend now, Canadianmom.

gingernut, ds has erupted wiht chicken pox this morning so my go is sending me off for blood tests on Monday. Another thing to worry about.

Hope everyone is ok.

Oh dear bunny, I read on the Nov thread that you have had it so hopefully you'll be OK, but even so it's a worry. There is a passive antibody injection for chickenpox though. I had the pox in January! (we were ttc at the time so had a worrying wait to see if I was pg that month - of course, I wasn't, thank goodness). Hope your ds isn't suffering too badly, it's a miserable disease.

the poor mite has eczema anyway so now he is really itchy. I have always dreaded him getting it so it is a relief that it is finally here.