What to push for with GP after 2 miscarriages

[Thomsonetthompson]

I've had 2 miscarriages (6 weeks and 7 weeks) since February. I know with the NHS you only get help after 3 miscarriages normally, but we moved abroad last year to a country with private healthcare. So since we're paying I'm hoping I can push for some help beforehand so I don't miscarry the next. I have no clue what the protocol here is so I will obviously ask at my next appointment.

I have no idea what to ask for though! Since we're paying I obviously don't want to just get every single test because both miscarriages have already cost £2000...

If anyone has any advice I'd be so grateful! I will do anything if it stops me having to go through this a third time.

I asked for a progesterone pessary Rx. That would be a good start. Also aspirin 75mg.

Hi,

Im in a similar position as yourself. I had a miscarriage at 5+5 weeks in December and one at 7+2 in March.

I am 5 weeks pregnant today and saw my GP yesterday with a similar desire as yourself; to not go thorough another miscarriage and give this baby the best chance.

im 38 and won’t try again if I lose this baby.

she said prescribing progesterone is not the “done thing” and she refused a blood test. I basically went away, slept on it and woke up fuming so contacted them again and said I wasn’t happy with their response.

the gp got advice from an obs and gynae dr who has prescribed me progesterone pessaries 2x a day until 12 weeks. Said unless you KNOW you have a clotting disorder aspirin can sometimes increase miscarriage risk so it is not advised.

be prepared to fight for the pessaries, the blood tests etc but I figure I’m prepared to make myself unpopular to save this baby.

I text the midwife they put me in touch with after my losses and she said the progesterone will do no harm, only potential good and will provide extra reassurance.

good luck with everything, here’s to sticky babies! X

Just to say that GPs can't usually initiate progesterone unless it's been advised by consultant obsgyn or they have special interest in women's health. So very early on ask for minimal advice and guidance from a consultant via the GP. This is quicker than being referred. Also present early. GPs may be able to do some investigations to "start things off" but even aspirin they will avoid unless a scan has confirmed intrauterine pregnancy or known clotting disorder already.

Thank you so much both of you! I said GP just for ease, it's actually a specific gynaecologist & obstetrics doctor you see for anything pregnancy related, so that sounds promising.

Hopefully they give progesterone here because that sounds like my best bet next time. Really appreciate the advice.

I had two miscarriages last year as I'm over 35 I was referred to the reoccurring miscarriage team after two losses.
Some of the tests they can do can only be done after 12 weeks so there was a minimum of 12 weeks for referral. My miscarriage was in Dec and my appointment came through at the end of March so not much longer than the minimum.

I had read about some of the common causes of miscarriage, two that I personally wanted checking we're my thyroid as until April last year I was on a medication that could impact my thyroid and antiphsopholipid syndrome as I had a first degree relative that had a previous diagnosis of this. As it happened by the time the appointment came through I was already 12 weeks pregnant as I conceived straight after my last miscarriage!

I spoke to the epu when I got my positive test which actually turned out to be at 7 weeks pregnant, they arranged a HCG test to determine a good time to scan me as I didn't know how pregnant I was and said once they had determined the pregnancy was in the right place they would prescribe progesterone. The bloods came back showing i was very pregnant and they scanned me the next day and prescribed progesterone until 16 weeks which I started a few days later once I collected the prescription.

After my first miscarriage I took up running again and that helped me emotionally as it helped me see my body as something strong and capable again.
After the second miscarriage I read the book it starts with an egg and decided to make a few small changes to my diet. Reading the book I realised that I didn't have much fish or egg in my diet as my daughter is allergic to both and both are linked to improved egg health. I don't think not having them in my diet was the cause of my losses but I also thought I like eggs and fish, they are a good part of a healthy diet so it wouldn't hurt to incorporate them into my lunches when I could eat them away from my daughter. I made a couple of other very minor changes too again, I don't think they were the reason for my losses but they were easy changes for me to make, they were regular foods and easy swaps. The swaps weren't going to hurt, I didn't know if they would help but it made me feel like I could do something when it felt very much like life was beyond my control.

The latest pregnancy is sticking I'm now 22 weeks and when the appointment with the reoccurring miscarriage team came through I explained that the epu had put me on progesterone and asked if there was anything else I could do and they said that is what they would advise.