Tests after continuious Miscarriages

[Ruthsoph]

Hi Everyone
I have today foound out i am 4 weeks pregnant
We lost our daughter in November due to many health problems ( she was 18 weeks in my tummy) Prior to her i had had 2 concurrent miscarriages both at around 7-8 weeks
Doe anyone know what tests etc i can have done to ensure this not happening a 4th time
I realise you can stop them but things like blood thinners etc
Thanks xx

Hi, so sorry to hear of your losses! There is a recurrent miscarriage panel they do after 3 which looks for blood issues and antibodies etc. This is the first step, then you might get blood thinners or progesterone for your next pregnancy. Every specialist treats differently unfortunately. Did you have any tests done on your daughter? If so they may allow you to do some genetic testing to make sure there isn't anything underlying causing the losses.

Thanks @Thumbellini - I had a CVS and amino with her and she had mosaic downs syndrome and a poorly heart - they said it was just one of those things no reasons as to why it happened
who do i contact to get the ball rolling for any tests? the midwifes that looked after me previously?

You normally have to have had theee miscarries to get blood tests done on the NHS. It might be possible to go private. I'd say that your GP is the first point of call.

And sorry, this probably is not what you'd like to hear but since you had a pregnancy since your miscarriages that past the previous gestational, you'd actually likely need to have had three after your last pregnancy to qualify for testing. I'm sorry, it's so cruel. But as I said, look into private testing to put your mind at ease.

@Wanderer1 where did you hear that? i only ask as the brievement midwife i delt with said that if i got prenant again i would be entitled to additional testing? i have texted her so hopefuly she can shed some light on this situation
I actually get private healthcare at work but unsure it covers miscarriage/pregnancy?

Hi @Ruthsoph sorry to hear about your losses. We're in the similar situation, had 3 MC's last year. Had bloods done when we seen consultant about the miscarriages, and I've been put on 75mg aspirin. My bloods are apparently fine.
Shortly after being seen by consultant we've found out I'm pregnant again. This pregnancy is going to be consultant led, and we've had an early scan (consultant sent us for it) at 6 weeks and managed to see a heartbeat .
My advice would be to get in touch with your GP and ask them to refer you for a consultant led pregnancy.
Keeping everything crossed for you xx

I ended up paying to go private with my last pregnancy after 3 miscarriages. The consultant I saw recommended 75mg aspirin daily. Gp also said it was the first thing rmc would try (I was still waiting on that appointment 2 years later)
It seemed to help. My ds was born at 37 weeks and although needed some extra help in nicu for a week is now almost 2 with no issues. Have been told to take 150mg of aspirin in any future pregnancies as the issues caused at the end of pregnancy were due to placenta and blood flow issues. I've been told both are regarded as safe in pregnancy.. The aspirin seemed to help get me past the 7/8 week mark - until about week 33

@Ruthsoph I asked about testing after a miscarriage and was told I'd be tested after three consecutive ones. I was also on a number of infertility forums before and that was the general consensus from what people were told. It may well be different due to your loss due to known genetic issues, I wouldn't have thought the bereavement midwife would say something that wasn't right. Are you able to get in contact with her? x

@Wanderer1 yes I have texted her - and I keep checking my phone every 5 mins 🤦🏼‍♀️ Will let you know what she says x

Hi @Ruthsoph
I’m so sorry to hear about your losses. I tested myself for something called MTHFR which is a genetic predisposition to clotting. It’s well know in Australia and USA but for some reason not so known here. Very common and just means your body can’t process folic acid and can be prone to blood clots causing miscarriage. I am on aspirin and daily blood thinner injections as a precaution and now 23 weeks.

Happy to share more info of helpful x

@JKD1982 thank you for replying - how did you get on to these injections etc - did you doctors recommend ? I have read that baby aspirin help so was thinking of getting them to take? Xx

My trust it has to be 3 MC's back to back. I'm being seen by the consultant for recurrent miscarriage but by that point I'll be 16 weeks. All previous losses before 7 weeks. Other than that I've been left to it in the midwifes care until then.

Hopefully you'll get to see someone soon and they'll help to put you at ease.

Yes baby aspirin was recommended so I am on 75mg a day. I had a 23 and me genetics test paid for myself £100 I think to see if I had the MTHfR mutation. Then I sent the results to my consultant and we agreed I should have the heparin daily blood thinners injection. There is a lot of research online about mthfr and miscarriage. None of it is scary or worrying, it’s very common and easily treatable. Just not something the NHS necessarily test for

@JKD1982 can i ask what asprin you are taking - i have looked in Boots and there are so many difffernt ones Thanks

Regarding who to contact if the midwife/consultant didn't refer you then I would go back to the GP and ask for a referral to a specialist. With you being currently pregnant I don't know if it will happen in time but I know BUPA do cover miscarriage investigations, but you had to have been covered before they started. My first one was 2 weeks before cover started and it was considered pre-existing. Which is ridiculous but hey ho. Other insurers may be different! With your history I would suspect a sympathetic GP would be able to refer to EPU for early scans

I'd definitely try your private health insurance as that may be the quickest option but you could also see if you can get an NHS referral.

I'm being referred at the moment after my 3rd MC last week and just waiting to hear back. I just went to the GP and asked and the practice referred me that same day. She initially referred me to a private hopsital as I wanted to speed things up but after various back and forths, I decided to go the NHS route as the head of the NHS recurrant miscarriage unit looks much more specialised than the private doctor I would have had (who is more specialised in endometriosis). I've also found out it shouldn't take too long (keeping my fingers crossed on that one!).

I'd also take aspirin, any of the 75 mg ones (they are usually taken for heart issues) will be fine, they're super cheap!

Just taking a low dose 75mg aspirin from boots, the gastro resistant one that says it’s for people post operation to help with reducing risk of blood clots. Some people take two a day... I would ask your midwife or consultant their thoughts

It says not to take when pregnant? X

I think they all do. But the doctor prescribed it, best call your midwife and talk through if you are concerned. But mine said it was pretty regular practise