TW Recurrent Miscarriage - can anyone help?

[Justanotherdobby]

I've not had any luck on the pregnancy/miscarriage boards so posting on here. I've been warned to expect to miscarry the baby (IVF using donor sperm so dates are accurate and male factor not an issue) I'm currently carrying (7 weeks and 1 day) as the baby had no heartbeat at 6 weeks and 5 days and an enlarged yolk sac which is apparently a marker for chromosomal abnormalities. This will be my second miscarriage in 5 months, the last one was an unplanned pregnancy at the end of a brief relationship. I'm really upset and worried about what this means for me and how to proceed. Does anyone have any idea of which private tests/clinics I could pursue to work out what's wrong with me? I'm 35 so time is not on my side. I have two more embryos in cryostorage but I'm not sure whether to use or discard them at this point. Any advice from anyone who has been through something similar would be really appreciated, I'm really struggling with this and need help.

I’m very sorry you’re going through this xxx

I was told I would be at risk for miscarriage as I have anti-phospholipid syndrome. It means your blood is thicker than normal, it’s an autoimmune thing that is rarely tested for but a common cause for miscarriage. Doesn’t tend to cause any serious problems generally day to day but does mean an increased risk of blood clots.
was only diagnosed as I had another condition it tends to go alongside.
most people don’t know they have it. Simple blood test to diagnose. Might be something to think about / look into?

So sorry OP. I had two losses and got my thyroid tested + got checked for anti-phospholipid syndrome and had a general blood test done. After three losses NHS usually does extensive testing (maybe some trusts do after two?) which also involves karyotype testing. I was told by a midwife that after two losses results come back normal for 90-95% people as two in a row can be just bad luck (really rubbish luck) but not a sign of any underlying condition.
Wishing you best of luck 🌺x

Thanks for your replies, have been researching rpl and both of those conditions have come up so will start there.

Hello
sorry to hear that 🥺
If your miscarriages are pre heartbeat then it could be an immune issue
i had multiple early miscarriages and held twins from ivf and a frosty two years later with prednisolone steroids to control my body attacking the embryos
PM me if you want to discuss further x

Sorry no advice about your complications. But didn’t want to read and run.
the only thing I can say is that you’re not too old. I conceived at 39 after 7 long years and endless treatments. So it can still happen.
good luck op

@Franwith2and1 I had one missed miscarriage at 7weeks and 1 day after seeing the heartbeat at 6 weeks and 6 days. The one that I'm currently carrying is 7weeks and 4 days according to IVF calculator and if there is still no development this Friday then it has never had a heartbeat. I had a termination at 19 which made it to 10 weeks, I have a feeling that would have been successful but obviously I'll never know. My father thinks this is punishment for that and at times I'm inclined to agree with him.

@Franwith2and1 I can't seem to PM you, would you be able to tell me how you came to be diagnosed with immune issues and would you recommend any particular private specialist?

That's not true, don't torture yourself.

Miscarriage is really common. I have three healthy children and I've had two miscarriages in a row.

Don't give up. Do get blood tests etc done and speak to someone about small easy changes like taking an aspirin every day.

Take care of yourself.

@Ivyonafence I was raised in a very religious household, difficult to shake the feeling of being punished. Thank you for your kind words.

Hey Op,

Miscarriages are very common. It may still be just bad luck, though of course it makes sense to investigate before you use your remaining embryos.

• can you have your current pregnancy analysed so you'll know if it was a chromosomal issue ?
• Can you get your frozen embryo PGT-A tested ?

I have not been in your exact situation. I did lose a donor pregnancy around the same time but I already had a DS from the same donor, which I suspect made it easier to handle the loss.

I did grieve but then I wanted nothing more than try again asap. It took four attempts to get my DS2. They are both worth every bit of it.

Even if I ended up childless I would have no regret, as knowing I tried everything I could would help me accept it wasn't meant to be.

Whatever you decide, none of it is a punishment. You had an abortion because it wasn't the right time to have a child. Your dad sounds like a jerk. Would you tell an infertile couple they were being punished by gods ? I'm assuming not, so why would you be any less kind towards yourself ?

Do what feels right for you.

Hi, everyone’s journey is slightly different but I just wanted to share my story. I’m sorry you are going through this. This is definitely NOT punishment for a previous abortion. We are lucky enough to have a son and since his birth have had five miscarriages. I have low AMH. We tried IVF with embryo testing but the only embryo we actually got did have a chromosome abnormality so was discarded. However, by some miracle we are now 24 weeks with our rainbow baby and feeling excited and hopeful for a successful outcome after a traumatic few years. I’m 39 .

I can’t comment on testing and clinics as I don’t live in the UK. Definitely get your AMH tested, karyotype, thyroid and iron (I’m sure there is more!) For supplements I would recommend coenzyme q 10 and N-acetyl cysteine as they can improve egg quality. Vitamin D and iron are also both very important. I also started taking folic acid prior to conception and pregnancy supplements with every BFP. With the 5th and with this pregnancy I also took progesterone suppositories from the day after ovulation until 12 wks. From the day of BFP I started prednisone until 12 weeks and baby aspirin which I am still on.

Honestly I also started seeing a psychologist as I found my infertility was started to have a negative impact on my mental health.

Hopefully you can find a doctor who can run the appropriate tests and fix you up with some medications. The supplements you can get without a prescription. Keep trying so long as it feels like the right thing for you. Good luck x

@Jadviga @NutsandPuffs thank you for your helpful messages, I've only just seen them x

Sorry about the problems you are having. As mentioned above, there are various tests you should try to have. I'm well past that stage now but when I was having problems this was one of the doctors who was recommended. www.crpclinic.co.uk/crp-clinic-team/dr-hassan-shehata/

The Fertility Friends online forum is also a very good source of information and support.

Second Fertility Friends.

For recurrent miscarriage, there are several things to look into. If you’re NHS, they tend to wait until the 3rd miscarriage unfortunately. I had private treatment, so started investigations after my 1st. It still took a while, so it was only my 3rd pregnancy that stuck.

’Sticky blood’: a simple test can establish. Low dose aspirin is one solution (I had to take heparin injections for first two trimesters);

Low progesterone levels: either progesterone less Aries or (in my case, Gestone injections)

Immune ‘killer cells’ issues: you’d need to go to a specialist for this if your own clinic can’t help or suggest. Steroids, IVIG etc depending on treatment. Can be v expensive. I went to Dr Gorgy in London who was one of renowned immune specialists.

Thanks for your help everyone. The sonographer at my EPU very kindly referred me to the recurrent miscarriage clinic so I am waiting to hear from them. I am going to try to source some private tests to rule out the most obvious things if the wait is too long but I don't have the money to look into NK killer cells so just hoping it isn't that.

Your Dad is a twat. You’re not being punished for having an abortion. I’ve had 4 MC and I suspect I am going to go through another in the next week or so, I doubt you would say I’m being punished for some past life decision so please don’t speak to yourself like that OP.

How are you getting on? X

Get tested for the MTHFR gene mutation too. It is very common and means you can't process folic acid and should take methylfolate instead

I don’t have any suggestions in reference to further testing I’m afraid, it’s something I’ve often wondered myself! So sorry you’re going through this, it’s such a difficult journey. Sometimes unfortunately these cycles just don’t work out for various reasons, the unknown is so upsetting. Just to give you a context to my background - unexplained fertility.

IVF cycle 1 - Successful DD
Natural Conception- Miscarriage
Natural Conception- Miscarriage
IVF cycle 2 - Fail
IVF cycle 3 - Fail
Natural conception - currently pregnant

Its easier said than done, but please don’t give up hope. Sometimes this journey just doesn’t make sense, but it’s not necessary unachievable. For most part it can just be a waiting game. Fingers crossed for you! X

@TheWeeLittleDonkey Thank you, you're spot on re. my dad unfortunately. I'm so sorry for the losses you've experienced, fingers crossed for your current pregnancy. I hope you have someone to support you? I'm not doing too badly, I'm trying to put a plan together for the next cycle re diet changes and supplements. It's a bit difficult with Xmas coming up as my first pregnancy was due next month and it's hard thinking how happy I would have been if that had worked out :(

@Khyfxq yes I've heard of this, I'll be looking into it, thank you for your message.
@Militarywife7 thank you for your encouragement, I'm not at the stage of giving up but I'm feeling very disheartened. Slightly more tricky when you're doing it alone.

@Justanotherdobby I am lucky that I am going through it with my husband. It’s so isolating, we barely speak to anyone outside ourselves about it.

Do you have anyone around you who you can lean on for support? Please know you’re not alone 💐

I always struggle with dates too. Know that anything you’re feeling is totally okay and normal ❤️

I went for my 7/8week scan and was unfortunately only measuring 6 weeks, although there was a heartbeat, so over a week behind. I’m really really not hopeful.

Regarding your initial post, which I realised I didn’t answer as I was so mad at your Dad 🙈, there are lots of good things said about Dr Shehatta. Unfortunately his clinic didn’t help me and I personally am a bit sceptical as he seems to say absolutely everyone has high NK cells, and I just sort of think.. if that’s the case cut out the expensive tests and just treat people 🤷🏻‍♀️

I’m with Tommys but I don’t find it that great as the NHS is just so over stretched. I think I’m going to move to another consultant called Dr Gordy once I’ve had a hystercope as Professor Quinnby at Tommys thinks I might have scarring or inflammation in my womb.

@TheWeeLittleDonkey Ah that is good that you have someone. I don't have a partner but I reached out to my friends recently as I'd been isolating myself and I was surprised at how much better it made me feel. I'm sceptical about the whole Nk Cells thing too tbh; the HFEA doesn't seem to rate the protocol for it either. It's interesting what you say re. inflammation/scarring as I've been considering that too but then I had a hysteroscopy and lap last Sept for suspected endo and they didn't find anything. Aargh this whole thing is so frustrating and overwhelming.

You’re so brave, fingers crossed for you lovely! Please also check out an amazing support group specifically for IVF, there are women in similar situations and everybody is extremely helpful for any IVF related questions - for those moments when you feel a bit lost or unsure as it can be a bit complicated at times. It’s healthunlocked.com

Maybe too early, but do check out egg donation as a back-up.

Given UK rules, many opt to go to Spain (e.g. IVI Valencia). Prices are high, £7k-ish, but success rates also high (they claim 80%, and it's 3/3 for those people I know who used it).

No advice but sending love, prayers and a handhold ❤️