Miscarriage

[JC041]

Hi Everyone, I've been going back and forth whether to post but I really need some advice please. I had this tagged in another thread but I think I had it under the wrong category.

I have had 5 chemical pregnancies in a row now. To say I'm devastated is an understatement as this time I had a CB digital test say 1-2weeks and LOTS of other tests say positive with the progression of a dark line over the period of a week. I was absolutely winded when I saw blood on the day I would have been 5weeks. I was 4days late for my period so thought this was it this time 😢

I've now lost all trust in tests and know I need to stop testing early (I have always tested a day or so before period is due). I am going to stop testing altogether. I just feel like there's something wrong with me. I already have a 3yr old and I just can't get my head around why this is happening. I know all pregnancies are diff but I'm really struggling if I'm honest. It's hard to accept that I could potentially never get (successfully) pregnant again.

Anyway, wondering if there's anyone else in the same boat?? Have you had digital tests show pregnant and then bleed over a week later? Have you gone on to finally have a successful pregnancy? I've read lots on having a emergency C section can sometimes cause fertility issues too, any views on this?

Thanks for getting to the end if you managed to read all of that. Just need some comfort 🥺

I'm so sorry to hear about your miscarriages. I had a chemical pregnancy around 4.5 weeks at the start of the year (due date 25th dec), I was absolutely devastated as it took me 8 years to get my first positive pregnancy test 😞

I ended up going private to do clomid treatment about 6 weeks later and finally managed to get pregnant. The surgery I went to did some tests and found out that although I was ovulating, my eggs were very low quality and just weren't good enough to bring a baby into the world.

I got pregnant on my first cycle of clomid.

I also test way too early! I started testing at 4dpo, and saw faint lines straight away, but was absolutely convinced I wasn't pregnant as I have ZERO symptoms..... I tested every day, convinced the tests were indents until I finally got a 'pregnant 1-2' on digital tests. I'm 20 weeks pregnant tomorrow.

I highly recommend going private, and if you have insurance it may be able to cover it for you. My treatment was about £450 in total, which was all of the consultancy fees, several ultrasounds and the clomid tablets.

I'm opting for an elective csection as I'm so convinced my body won't do what it's meant to do, and after 8 years of desperately trying to get pregnant and being on nhs waiting lists for months on end, I'm not going to do anything that could potentially effect my baby.

I have my fingers crossed for you 🤞 x

@dg93

I'm so sorry to hear about your miscarriages. I had a chemical pregnancy around 4.5 weeks at the start of the year (due date 25th dec), I was absolutely devastated as it took me 8 years to get my first positive pregnancy test 😞

I ended up going private to do clomid treatment about 6 weeks later and finally managed to get pregnant. The surgery I went to did some tests and found out that although I was ovulating, my eggs were very low quality and just weren't good enough to bring a baby into the world.

I got pregnant on my first cycle of clomid.

I also test way too early! I started testing at 4dpo, and saw faint lines straight away, but was absolutely convinced I wasn't pregnant as I have ZERO symptoms..... I tested every day, convinced the tests were indents until I finally got a 'pregnant 1-2' on digital tests. I'm 20 weeks pregnant tomorrow.

I highly recommend going private, and if you have insurance it may be able to cover it for you. My treatment was about £450 in total, which was all of the consultancy fees, several ultrasounds and the clomid tablets.

I'm opting for an elective csection as I'm so convinced my body won't do what it's meant to do, and after 8 years of desperately trying to get pregnant and being on nhs waiting lists for months on end, I'm not going to do anything that could potentially effect my baby.

I have my fingers crossed for you 🤞 x

Thanks so much for your message. I'm so sorry you went through such a hard time too 😓 it's really tough. Huge congratulations on your pregnancy, how wonderful. I had an emergency C section with my daughter and would 100% elect if I ever fall again. You'll be absolutely fine and you know your body. The healing is a little painful but you'll be too in love to care! 🥰.

I've been reading up on Clomid for some time now so I think that's probably the best option for us. Can I ask, were you on an NHS waiting list for that specific medication? Or can a GP prescribe it? Not sure how it all works! I'm going to ring my GP tomorrow and ask what my options are now. I definitely think I may need some help along the way.

Again, thanks for replying. Enjoy every bit of your pregnancy, even the crappy days! It's worth it I promise 💕

Also, @dg93 sorry I know you said you went private, when I asked about NHS I mean was that ever an option? Or am I more likely to get the help I need private. Just so I know what to do that's all. I don't want to waste time going the GP to be on a waiting list 😢. Thanks again! X

So when I was going through my chemical I had called my doctor and requested an urgent call back for mental health related issues - basically I broke down on the phone to them 🥲 I BEGGED this doctor that I'd never spoken to before if she could check her system and just see if she can prescribe Clomid, she was lovely, checked it and it said on her system as a GP she didn't have authority to prescribe it.

She then went into a rant about how important it was not to buy clomid online as you can't trust where's it's coming from - I'm pleased she said that as I probably would have ordered it otherwise!

I was referred to the hospital for fertility treatment in 2018 when I was 25 and was told I should probably try clomid, but the consultant said I was too young and would eventually fall pregnant naturally.... and never saw me again.

Whilst on this phone call with my gp I asked if she could refer me to the same consultant as it had been a few years and I was getting really desperate and my mental health was suffering. They referred me without question, but I also just wasn't preferred to wait any longer. 8 years of trying to conceive and going through this chemical pregnancy, I felt like my entire world was crashing in, and the referral process was meant to take 14 months due to a back log from 2020.

That's why I decided to go private, but funnily enough the day I found out I was actually pregnant I had my appointment letter through from the hospital, as I'd had a previous appointment I didn't need to wait 14 months as stated.

Honestly I'm so happy with the outcome and so pleased I went private.

Your GP can't do anything other than send a referral through to the a specialist consultant, and the waiting time is horrible, but I'd get yourself on that waiting list ASAP. There's nothing stopping you going private whilst still on the waiting list, it will speed up all of your treatment as the nhs won't redo something you've already tried and failed with 😊😊

I'm so sorry you've miscarried. It's a horrible, dark experience.
I would definitely speak with your GP. As far as I am aware GP's can prescribe clomid.
Are you taking any prenatal supplements? Or would you consider trying acupuncture if you are left waiting for a referral?
I was a chronic tester. Often testing ridiculously early (5dpo!) it was becoming a bit of an obsession. So I can totally relate.

Stay strong. Don't lose hope

@dg93 thanks so much for the info. I know what you mean when you have a breakdown like that, I've had many now and it really does make your mental health suffer. You're actually the same age as me funnily enough. It's so sad that they said you were young enough to just keep trying. My GP said the usual 'You have to be trying for a year before we can refer you but even then they might still say you're young and to keep trying' and I wanted to cry. I think we're going to ask for a referral and go private in the meantime. I'm lucky I have a supportive family who are willing to help. I didn't think the GP would be able to prescribe so will deff need to go a specialist then. Thanks so so much 💕. All the best in your pregnancy lovely! Not long left now xx

@neverornow thanks so much for your reply 💕. It really is an awful place to be isn't it. I didn't ever expect it to be me, as silly as that sounds. I think we all go into this journey expecting it to be plain sailing. At least there's forums like this we can all message and get advice from. I'm definitely going to speak to my GP and ask for a referral to a fertility clinic xx

@neverornow sorry and also, I am taking a vitamin D supplement that also has folic acid in it? I've never thought about acupuncture before? Maybe I'll look into it! Testing is definitely off the cards for now as I can't cope with the results. It's so damaging isn't it. Sending baby dust to you if you're currently trying too! X

OP, sorry if I missed anything but have you not been referred to a recurrent miscarriage specialist / clinic? They should do this after the 3rd miscarriage to investigate what might be causing the issue. Have you told your GP about your chemical pregnancies? I truly am so sorry you are going though this!

@Flickeringgreenlight sorry I didn't explain in my original post.

I asked for a referral back in July (that was the year mark of trying). The GP said she would do it but my partner (he's with a different GP practice) would need to go through his for a full blood test and other tests done then she could request his results from his GP and get the referral going. I arranged all of the appts and had a full blood test done and an internal scan which came back clear. He was booked for a blood test and his GP have now said there's a 'National shortage' of blood test tubes so they can't send him for one yet. We now have to wait which is so frustrating 😣. That's as far as we have got so far! Thanks for replying x

@Flickeringgreenlight also, I don't know if it's just me but they make you feel as if a chemical pregnancy isn't really a loss? Like for me it's been an awful experience and I have grieved every time. When I had my first chemical I went to the EPU and the nurse was so blunt and just said 'it looks like a chemical, go home and wait for your period' and she said goodbye and sent me on my way. I felt like my world had come crashing down and even when I told friends one even said 'well I don't think they're even classed as a miscarriage' and I just felt so low. It's been really tough and it made me feel so alone. Im hoping I can get to the bottom of why it's happening xx

A chemical pregnancy is a (very) early miscarriage, early as in you wouldn't see anything on the ultrasound but blood / urine test would be positive. It's a miscarriage. And it's utterly awful and heart wrenching and anyone not being sympathetic should be ashamed of themselves. They say many women have chemical pregnancies that they mistake for their period being a little bit late (the women that perhaps aren't actively trying or not testing early).

The recurrent miscarriage clinic (anyone correct me if I'm wrong!) is a little different to fertility clinics and infertility referrals which happen after a year of unsuccessful TTC. You get referred when you are unable to keep a pregnancy for a minimum of three times. They would of course investigate, but you would also straight be under their care the very next time you get pregnant (the 4th time) and straight after the positive pregnancy test they start looking after your pregnancy. Xx

@Flickeringgreenlight I couldn't have put that better myself. It is a miscarriage and a loss! I hope anyone else suffering reads this and knows their feelings are valid. I don't speak to that specific friend now as the support wasn't there.

I see what you mean now about the difference. That's definitely something I need to look into I think? Does my GP refer for that? I suppose that might actually be better because I'm falling pregnant I'm just not holding onto them. Thank you for the info, I definitely need to get the ball rolling with that xx

@JC041
So sorry your going through this it's awful, I have had 4 miscarriages and 1 cp and at the time my doc told me cp aren't classed as miscarriages cause the cp was the first I had to go through 3 losses after that to come under the recurrent miscarriage.

But please push to be referred and to be seen. They can refer but the fertility clinic could also knock the referral back but hopefully they will not do that 💚

@JC041 I can't say for sure if it was the supplements and acupuncture that helped me conceive and carry successfully. And I would hate to give you any form of false hope on a possibly solution but I took folic acid, COQ10 and a vitamin B (can't remember exactly which one specifically there are certain ones which are recommended for fertility) and I did weekly acupuncture. We also used preseed lubricant...and got pregnant on my next cycle after doing/taking all of the above for 1 month.
This was after MC and a further 7 months of TTC.
Again, I am not saying that any of the above is a definite solution but worth a try if/while you wait for a referral?
The very best of luck I found mumsnet a great source for information and support while going through the whole process x

On the subject of acupuncture I had Ashermans Syndrome (scarring of the uterus) and there was a huge waiting list for surgery to correct it. Whilst Waiting I had weekly sessions of acupuncture (nothing else) and by the time I had my surgery the scar tissue was almost non-existent.

I truly think it could be worth a shot in your case x

@Babyghirl thanks for your message 💕. That's what they said to me with my first CP. It's really hard isn't it. I am definitely going to push for a referral. Hope all is going well for you! xx

@neverornow thank you for all of the info! I am going to try acupuncture as there's no harm in trying whilst waiting to be referred. I have never heard of preseed lubricant? I am going to look into it! At this rate I am willing to try anything to see if it helps. I will definitely get the vitamins too. Hope all is going well for you! This thread and app has been a godsend. Thanks again 💕

@Luckyme30 thank you! Can I ask how you went about getting a diagnosis? When I've looked online it's saying they can only see the scarring if they perform surgery and then they correct it during the check. Surely there's an ultrasound they can do? I am definitely going to try the acupuncture! xx

@JC041
still trying hoping I fall again soon I'm getting progesterone on my nxt bfp, my consultant sent me for an mri scan the other day as I think I have a heart shape uterus. Had an ultrasound that spotted it but can't diagnos through one alone. 💚

@JC041 it’s kind of true about the surgery, it’s usually diagnosed by laparoscopy/hysteroscopy and then they divide the adhesions during the surgery.

However there are a few specialists in the uk that are able to diagnose via ultrasound - I saw someone privately and he was able to identify the scarring via ultrasound.

I definitely advocate for the acupuncture as I’m certain it played a part in improving my periods ;they were non existent with ashermans).

Good thing with ashermans is that more and more Gynaes are becoming aware that it is not as ‘rare’ as they first thought. So if you do have this push for investigations.

Wishing you luck x

@JC041 yes that's how I felt, no harm in trying.
Preseed had been recommended to me. I got it on Amazon. Again I figured at the time that it won't do any harm.
Best of luck

@Babyghirl fingers crossed for you! Ive been reading up loads on Pre-Seed and apparently it's amazing! I'm going to give it a try. Sending baby dust to you 💕 xx

@neverornow I am ordering it this month! So excited I really hope it works. Thanks so much! 💕 xx

@Luckyme30 yes I thought so! Maybe that could be something i look into. I'm going to order some Pre-Seed this month and try acupuncture! I'm hoping the combination works for now. Hope all goes well for you 🥰 xx