2 missed miscarriages in a row - looking for hope

[Davey88]

On Friday at a 10 week scan I was diagnosed with a missed miscarriage - the baby had sadly stopped growing at 6+1. I also had a MMC in May 2020 at 8 weeks, and then it took me 10 months to conceive again.

With my last miscarriage I was bleeding for 2 weeks previously so I had an indication that something was wrong, but this time it was a horrible shock - I thought the chances of 2 MMCs in a row would be very low.

Apparently I have no risk factors for miscarriage and it could just be bad luck. But of course I am now expecting to have another miscarriage if I get pregnant again. I know that they won't investigate on the NHS until you have 3 miscarriages so I am going to try to go private if I can afford it.

I'd love to hear from anyone who has had 2 or more miscarriages and then had a successful pregnancy? Also if it's not too personal and anyone could share if they ever found out the cause of a miscarriage - I know most of the time we never find out.

Thanks X

I don't have any advice to offer (I had one MMC in November) but just wanted to say I am so sorry you are going through this, and that I am thinking of you.

Anecdotally I do know a few people who have had two MCs and then had successful pregnancies, never finding out that anything was 'wrong' - it was put down to horrible, hideous 'bad luck'. Probably no comfort I know. Generally, as you'll know, the NHS aren't that interested until you have three, but some trusts/doctors will decide to start looking into possible causes after two, so you should definitely discuss it and push for investigations, if you feel up to it.

Sending you lots of strength, hope someone with more experience comes along soon to answer your questions from personal experience x

Sorry for your losses OP.

Same happened to me, 2x m/c then DC1 healthy pregnancy. DC2 conceived after first month of trying

Never had any investigations but I have some theories.

First m/c I had taken ibuprofen for what I thought was period pain, but in retrospect was implantation cramps.
Second m/c I had my mobile phone in my pocket constantly. Also lived very close to an electrical substation. Significant???
Also although I was teetotal and decaf my partner was still drinking alcohol and a lot of caffeine prior to pregnancies 1 and 2, I insisted he stopped before pregnancies 3 and 4 (the successful ones). Again, coincidence?

Probably.

All the best hope it all works out for you.

I’m so sorry for your losses @Davey88, it’s such a heartbreaking thing to go through.

I’m currently 17+4 weeks pregnant after suffering 4 miscarriages within 12 months.

After my third mc I was referred to a fertility consultant and had the usual blood tests, and scans, while my partner had a semen analysis done. All results came back perfect so no reason was ever found.

During my fourth miscarriage I had done a lot of research into taking a low dose aspirin for pregnancy and vowed that at this point, with nothing left to lose, I would start myself on a low dose from ovulation next time.

I did start myself on 150mg a day of aspirin from 1dpo the next cycle, and here I am now. I was also put on progesterone pessaries twice a day from 5+4 until 16 weeks, even though my progesterone levels had been shown to be great from blood tests. They saw it as it wouldn’t do any harm, but may do some good.

Personally I think it’s been the aspirin. My midwife when I saw her at my booking appointment at 9 weeks checked with a consultant whether I should continue with the aspirin and they said yes, that 150mg is the new nhs recommended dose in pregnancy and if I wasn’t already taking it they’d have put me on it. I’m to stay on it now until into third trimester.

So while I don’t have any reasons for my miscarriages, I do have a success story in being able to carry a pregnancy following so many losses.

Sending you all the luck x

I had two. Previous pregnancy with no issues so it was a shock. Fourth pregnancy took aspirin and folic acid on the advice of the EPU. DC2 is now 8 months.

Take care of yourself

Sorry for your losses everyone.

My acupuncturist specialises in helping people get pregnant -and keeping them pregnant until the birth.

Acupuncture has a good proven track record with gynae things. It can do things western medicine can’t.

If I were trying to conceive and stay pregnant I’d try it. Without a second thought.

It’s expensive £50-£60 a go round my way. You may need one session a week or one a fortnight or monthly depending on what your issues are, but you can stop after the baby is born. I’d see it as an investment personally.

There is only one professional body in the U.K. so it’s easy to find a local one and ask about their post grad work re pregnancy and birth and if they specialise in that.

I hope it goes well for you however you all proceed

Hey, first of all I'm so sorry for your losses... I've been through 7 miscarriages and it doesn't get any easier as time goes on, but I have the highest hopes you'll get your precious baby.. However after the 5th miscarriage I got pregnant for the sixth time and my little boy is now 15months. They put me on progesterone and folic acid 500ml you can only get them prescribed unfortunately or my midwife said I could take 3 normal folic acid a day and that sometimes helps with miscarriage also gave me scan every 2 week up until 12 weeks. Anyway I'm now pregnant for the 9th time and get scan every 2 weeks and on progesterone and folic acid like I did with my little boy and so far I've got to 10 weeks which is good and have a scan on Monday to check everything's still ok! However they don't prescribe anything until they've seen a heartbeat. They found no reason as to why I miscarry.. I really hope you find the answers you need, just know your never alone with this xx

I had three in a row. Now 17w pregnant. No real reason ever found, probably a mix of age (38), bad luck and who knows. Like PP with this pregnancy I am on aspirin and pessaries (and a few other things like high dose folic acid) from ovulation day. Seems to have made a difference this time.

The NHS are also not particularly interested after MC3, 2 of my appointments were over the phone due to Covid. The appointment with a miscarriage clinic in London is in May after a 7 month wait.

Hi @Davey88 I’m so sorry to hear you’ve suffered a second miscarriage. It’s utterly heartbreaking. I hope you’re taking time to process it and grieve . I’ve suffered two (most recently in january), although i did have a baby in-between. I bled both times so like you with your first I was bracing myself for bad news but it’s still absolutely hideous when they confirm it 😢 I had both of mine tested and both were chromosomal issues which my consultant said was usually the issue. Both were very different, the first had two many chromosomes from the sperm, my second one was a trisomy issue. There was absolutely nothing that could have been done to prevent it - unfortunately both were going to end up in miscarriages from the moment I conceived. It’s such a shame that the rules say you have to have 3 mcs before they offer testing - definitely push for as much help / investigations as you can get. I don’t know if you have a lovely GP who can help but if you do, certainly ask about blood tests to check all your hormone levels / thyroid etc. Sending you lots of love xx

My colleague at work had 4 miscarriages, and is now about to give birth
My SIL also had 4 miscarriages, then had 2 daughters very close together

Oh yes, and to add, like a few of the pp’s, I’m also taking a high dose folic acid and a high dose vitamin d, not the regular doses.

Not my own experience but my best friend had 2 MMCs in a row, then a successful 3rd pregnancy and a gorgeous little girl born in Feb this year good luck OP

I've had 3 mmcs but am currently 14 weeks pregnant and so far so good. I had the basic recurrent miscarriage tests on the NHS but everything came back normal. I suspect it's just down to my age (I'm 40) and bad luck. I didn't do anything different this pregnancy - just folic acid and vit D but would definitely try aspirin as so many people swear by it. Good luck OP. Don't give up hope xx

Sorry for your losses OP.

I had 2 early miscarriages in a row, and I remember how low I felt after the 2nd, I was convinced I was “broken”.
It turns out I have a heart shaped uterus, which is probably what caused the 2 MCs - but it turned out 3rd time lucky for me. Even though I was classified as a high risk pregnancy, my 3rd pregnancy went very smoothly and my son was born with no issues.
Talk to your GP if you can. They do say that they only investigate after 3 but I got a scan after 2 that found out about my weird uterus.

Best of luck OP

I had lots of miscarriages at different times in first trimester. For me agnus castus helped me, I also took high concentration folic acid and 75mg (quarter) aspirin a day

Weight loss or gain helps if you're a bit under- or overweight and I did lots of preprefnancy exercise
Good luck everyone who is trying after losses, most people get there

Thanks so much to everyone for your replies :) It has given me hope. Really helpful to get the advice about aspirin, progesterone, folic acid, acupuncture etc. I have actually spoken to a private consultant this week (medical management with Misoprostol failed to work and my EPU were refusing to see me for 2 weeks so I went private to get a repeat dose) - and he advised that I take a low dose of aspirin in my next pregnancy. Feeling afraid to try again in case the same thing happens but will give the aspirin a go and I suppose all I can do is hope for the best and try to be positive. Thanks again X

I have just had a MMC. Diagnosed at 8 week scan on Friday.

I also had one in 2015. I then got pregnant three months later with my son (5 years old).

So... I don't know if that help LD but I've had two either side of a successful pregnancy. I'm 39 now.

So sad about this last one as we'd been trying for over two years and we're about to start ivf.

It really is likely to just be bad luck. I wish you all the best.

I am so sorry.

I don’t know if you’re on any medication or anything but I can say that when I lost my first pregnancy at 9 weeks (actually stopped growing at 6) I went into research mode to cope.

I started taking aspirin from ovulation for my current pregnancy (I am now 14 weeks) and I believe it’s really helping. 150mg aspirin is recommended for those who have recurrent miscarriage- it thins the blood so that it can flow to the baby more easily.

My first baby was perfect but wasn’t growing enough. It had a heartbeat but was small, and as someone with no medical knowledge I have always felt it wasn’t getting the nutrients it needed.

I couldn’t believe it when I went for my 12 week scan this time and there was a healthy baby there, measuring a day ahead for dates.

Good luck xxx

Also, it’s estimated that up to 40% of people don’t absorb folic acid very well as it’s synthetic, so it’s good to take the natural version if you can. I buy methylfolate off Amazon (the brand is Nature’s Own) xx

I had 5 Miscarriages and then 2 ruptured ectopics....lost both tubes.....5 rounds of IVF and have 3 month old twins

Hi, I am sorry for your loss. I have had three miscarriages, but currently 36wks pregnant, so things are looking a lot more positive this time. I don’t think they can ever categorically give a reason for the miscarriages unless they test the foetus. My last one was tested and it was a random genetic abnormality. I was on aspirin for that one, but nothing would have helped. Please seek advice from reputable sources like medical staff and peer reviewed papers. Advice such as having a not having a phone in your pocket is just downright dangerous and scaremongering. I was referred to the miscarriage clinic after two miscarriages luckily, I did have to push for it. They are more likely to do this if you’re over 35. Good luck, and please don’t give up hope just yet.

Sorry for your losses OP, it’s absolutely heartbreaking I know

I’ve had 2 MMC’s and am currently 8 weeks pregnant. The only thing I’m doing differently is to take 150mg Aspirin which has been highly recommended on Mumsnet. DD was conceived our first month of trying and so these two losses have been very unexpected. We’re really hoping this time the pregnancy is successful

I had 3 miscarriages then investigations. No cause found. Had aspirin, blood thinning injections, extra vit d (as well as pregnacare plus) and progesterone pessaries (these ones for just 16 weeks) then had my boy. Phew!

I’ve since had 3 more miscarriages. I am now 43 though. Going to try one more time...

Good luck OP. Look up Professor Brosens. He is wonderful. He once said to me that his patients who can fall pregnant nearly always get a baby at some point and that ‘persistence’ is key 😘

So sorry OP

I had two missed miscarriages and then had my son who is now 14🙂it’s heart breaking and I found my pregnancy with my son incredibly stressful. I didn’t think I would give birth to a live baby before he was actually placed in my arms so didn’t enjoy the pregnancy at all

Wish you all the best x

I'm so sorry this has happened to you. We had 3 miscarriages in a row, I'm now 12+4 and we just found out that our chromosomal testing for this baby was all low risk and we're having a little girl!

After our third, we started investigations and they didn't find anything, and my RE's suspicion was that meant we were dealing with an egg quality issue. The day before we went in to discuss IVF with PGT we found out we were pregnant with this rainbow.

It's really hard to say whether this was our lucky sperm and egg or whether we did something to help. I bought the book 'It Starts with the Egg' and took the advanced regime supplements for around 12 weeks before we tried again- my RE was happy with me doing that.

I decided against taking baby aspirin or progesterone as we had no evidence that either of those things would help for us. There is good evidence for aspirin, but the evidence is mixed for progesterone.

Dear all,

I'm so sorry for all your losses and my heart goes out to all of you. You are such strong women and I thank you for this thread that I reached for during my missed miscarriage and it helped me cope with the cruel experience I've been going through and gave me hope for better times.

I'm in the midst of my second MC, first at 5 weeks, now at 12 (baby's heart stopped at 9w). I'm 35 and have a 2.5yo daughter with which I had no problems with. I'm struggling to cope with the grief and lack of support to women who have only had 2 MC but understand it's a common occurrence and trying to be strong... It's just so cruel and leaves us so hurt and helpless. Don't know about you but with the first baby I got pregnant right away, but with the 2 MC we tried for 6 months so that's made us even more emotionally drained.

I've learned so much from your stories and am so grateful for the advice on aspirin etc, I will most certainly get myself on that after I pick myself up and feel very desperate for anything that will give me hope to try again asap.

Can anyone recommend how to go about finding a local private clinic for tests and possible treatment if needed? Are there any reputable or accessible ones I should check out? I'm based in London.

Thank you.