Anxious - Pregnant after MMC

[Aftersun123]

Hi all xx
im just looking for a bit of reassurance really.. I have had two miscarriages .. first was at 5 weeks and the second was a MMC baby had stopped growing at 6 weeks and I found out at a private scan about 7/8 weeks. I had a d&c. I am recently pregnant again and under the care of my local EPU and have been taking cyclogest pesseries since 7dpo due to suggested possible short luteal phase defect.. I had a scan on Friday and everything was showing as perfect at 7 weeks 2 days 11.2mm … I just cannot shake the fear that something bad is going to happen again and no amount of talking to my husband and family and the nurses is helping me - when my symptoms subside I spiral which I know doesn’t mean anything but I can’t help but go into full panic mode. Has anyone had success using progesterone? I’m also having weekly acupuncture to try to relax. Sending love to everyone in the same boat as it is a really tough ride.

I totally sympathise OP. I've had 3 miscarriages in a row. Currently pregnant again, 10 weeks today. Like you I'm under EPU care and had a scan at 7 weeks which was fine and one just on Thursday which was also fine. Statistically once you've seen a good heartbeat on a scan the risk of MC drops substantially but of course it is never a non existent risk so you will always worry. I'm also taking progesterone but not sure how much effect it has really has as according to studies it has only been shown to help prevent miscarriage in women with recurrent miscarriage and bleeding in early pregnancy. I haven't had any bleeding in early pregnancy this time round (yet). I had a trouble free first pregnancy, the miscarriages all came after.

I am counting the days til my 12 week scan but of course I am expecting bad news. I think after multiple losses you just always expect the worse. I try as much as possible to keep busy and distract myself but it's not easy!

Its a really stressful time and no one else can understand unless they have been through it. I had a MMC 6 months ago. After 12 years of multiple IVFs it was our 1st success so it was just devastating. However we decided to try one more time and I'm now 18 weeks pregnant, it's been really tough and I've cried at every scan as I've been so anxious but it does get easier.
I read something that said 'worrying won't change the outcome' and it's true, easier said than done I know but just take each day at a time..the odds are in your favour. Sending lots of love and luck.

@Aftersun123 I'm currently 10+4 after three losses last year including a MMC. Like previous posters, I've found scans particularly stressful and have also been worried as I've had minimal symptoms! But I've now had 3 scans, each showing a healthy developing baby. We got waves and kicks at the last one (10wks). There is no easy solution. I just keep telling myself that, unless I find out otherwise, everything is progressing well this time. It's a new pregnancy and looking hopeful. In my case I'm now well past the dates of my previous losses (MMC stopped developing at 7+5, MC at 7wks and one very early loss at 4+5) and that is helping. One day at a time.

Thank you all for your kind messages and responding and congratulations on your pregnancies I am wishing you all the best.
@SnookyPook @JRTfan are you also on cyclogest for this pregnancy? Can I also ask if your symptoms have fluctuated - this is what’s worrying me so much yesterday I was awfully nauseas all day long and today only mildly around lunch time it’s driving me up the wall overthinking.

@Aftersun123 i completely understand as I have experienced MMC. I read a really helpful thing in Janet Reagans mc book which said the vast majority of women who experience recurrent mc will go on to have a successful pg.

What got me through early pg was watching lots of mindless Netflix, a little bit of chocolate daily (one square plain as I read some article that suggested it helped but who knows!)

Tommy’s helpline are always happy to support pg women who have previously experienced mc. I found it very helpful to talk to them.

@Aftersun123 I wasn't initially but requested it at my 8wk scan (which they did because I'd had some spotting) and they prescribed it then. So I've only been on it a couple of weeks. My symptoms haven't really fluctuated as, as previously mentioned I've really had minimal symptoms this time! No nausea... Fatigue has only really hit this week! But I do know that fluctuating symptoms are very much in the realms of normal experience. It's just so hard after loss because we are on high alert for anything that could be bad news. But really, it's all so uncertain. For instance I've heard of several women who had strong symptoms even after a MMC had stopped developing. So I imagine even that isn't reassuring for some.

I endorse a couple of @MissHavershamReturns comments! I also did the Tommy's miscarriage predictor tool which I was scared to do but which gave me high odds of going on to a successful pregnancy even after my 3 losses. Mindless Netflix is also good to distract from thought spirals !

I'm so sorry to hear about your previous losses, I understand how you feel as I have also had 2 mmc's last year.

I'm now pregnant again at 10+5 weeks, had an early scan at 7 weeks and saw a HB, but i did see a HB for both of my other pregnancy's so I'm still hesitant to believe this could be happening. My scan isn't for 2 and a half weeks, so will know then.

I did use progesterone in my last pregnancy but because I had a small amount of spotting.

fingers crossed this is the one that sticks for us all, as you mentioned, it's a tough ride.

@Whiterose123 sorry to hear of your losses. Fingers crossed this is your rainbow baby 🙏🏼🌈💕 I've just had my official 12wk scan yesterday and all looking good still. Feels like a massive milestone to have passed. The build up to scans is so so nerve-wracking isn't it. Was your early scan private or through EPU? Given your experience last year it might be worth calling them and discussing your anxieties. Mine were absolutely fantastic and sorted a couple of reassurance scand ahead of the 12wk one. I know 2 1/2 weeks feels like an eternity when you don't know what's going on in there so don't feel bad reaching out to see what support they may be able to offer. 💕