[pattyp]

hi- I am looking for anyone who has suffered from recurrent miscarriages... First I had a chemical pregnancy (but they say that shouldn't be something I am worried about). Then I had 1st miscarriage (stopped growing at 6 weeks and had a vacuum procedure) and the Dr. sent tissue to get tested- trisomy 7. Second miscarriage same thing happened. sent tissue in but the tissue /baby was too far gone to get a reason this time. My husband went and got his sperm tested- more normal than abnormal sperm so they seem happy about it. My Dr says just try again. What do you all think? Any suggestions? Dr. said not to get eggs tested b/c it is a destructive process that will not really tell us anything . I am frustrated and scared to try again but also dont want to wait for no reason. Thoughts? Suggestions? Good Drs name/ specialists in NY? Thank you! even a good story w/ a happy ending will help.

[Celena]

Hello Patti,

I'm sorry about your losses, very devastating and stressful! I have had recurrent miscarriages and went thru a boat load of testing for recurrent miscarriages at my RE (reproductive endocrinologist) and really they hadn't found anything wrong with me or dh except my left tube is completely blocked now which is more than likely because of my ectopic pregnancy loss in 9wk in Feb'10 as well as an infection ureaplasma that we've been treated for.

I would suggest starting off with an RE, they will run a LOAD of bloodwork and testing, cycle monitoring, HSG and such... it's quiet allot to go thru, but if you want real answers there would be where you should start. Altho it doesn't sound like you have a problem getting pregnant. I don't want to "guess," but I would say that in any place you want to get thouroughly checked out it would be there @ an RE. They do testing specifically for recurrent losses.

There's nothing that says not to try, I would continue to try and if you conceive then go from there with an RE then a high risk OB/perinatologist. An RE will take care of you during your first 10 weeks of pregnancy and monitor you closely during that time like testing your hormones (progesterone, estrogen & hcg)

[petitange3]

I'm sorry for your losses. I do not have any advice, I'm going through my second miscarriage right now. I'm looking for an explanation before ttc because I do not want to go through the pain of another loss. Good Luck. Hope you find the answers you are looking for.

[pattyp]

thank you petitange3 and celena. you are right...so far (lets hope it doesn't become a problem) I have had no trouble getting pregnant. This has all happened within a span of 9 months, so it has been a jam packed year of loss. I will ask my regular dr on monday about an RE. It's strange b/c I don't want anything to be wrong....but I also need answers. Petitange3- stay strong- this is the worse of it- it will get better soon.

[mlyster]

Patty - I will be your story with a happy ending (well at least happy middle). I am Michelle (28) and had 4 miscarriages in 12 months. All 4 were between 5-7 weeks. We had no problem getting pregnant but could not seem to stay that way. After miscarriage 3 we were referred to a specialist and after miscarriage 4 (and actually we were already pregnant with number 5) we finally saw the specialist (took about 4 months to get in - but I am in Canada and I know that is not the case everywhere in the US). Between miscarriage 3 and seeing the specialist we had TONS of testing done. Even went so far as to get genetics counselling to see if there were chromosomal abnormalities within DH and I that was causing it. Everything came back normal. That means I have unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss. My specialist told me that there really is nothing much they could tell me except to keep trying and they would keep trying to help.

For pregnancy 5 (I am currently 24 weeks) I saw an acupuncturist who helped get my body back balanced while we waited for the specialist. I honestly believe that acupuncture had a HUGE impact on my ability to get (and so far stay) pregnant. When we did see the specialist he put me on progesterone for the first trimester. So far those 2 things have combined to keep me where I am.

I will say that recurrent miscarriage is really hard to deal with. It is painful, confusing, sad, and for me very frustrating. Do whatever you can do to get some testing done and take matters into your own hands if you need to (with TCM, holistic measures, grief counselling, anything that will make you feel like you are doing something different). If you want to ask anything feel free to do so in this post or PM me and I will do my best to answer anything I can.

[Celena]

Patty you remind me allot of myself! You're welcome of course hope that you can get a referral, does your ins require a referral? If not, do a little research in local RE's and check some out. I'm pretty sure you'll get the ball rolling.

Oh I do want to say your regular doc could run CD3 bloodwork to check your FSH & estridol to check the quality/quantity of ovarian reserve that you have without invasive surgery or anything destructive like your doc said. (it didn't make sense to me when they said that to you, but I'm no doc)

In 9 months I lost 3 babies and the last 2 cycle I had chemicals... strange... I just don't believe that I can be that un-lucky if you KWIM. I so wanted answers and of course I didn't want anything wrong, but so far I haven't had a ton of answers to resolve the questions.

[MountainMomma]

Your story sounds familiar to me too. Unfortunately I have no answers or advice. I've had 7 losses (all before 6 weeks). I've been to the RE, had boatloads of tests and still have no answers. Everything is fine with DH and I. No answers as to why we keep miscarrying. Three docs all say "bad luck.... just keep trying." I seriously think we are going to find another RE if we don't have a succesful pregnancy soon. At this point we are already driving more than an hour to the RE. The next option puts us driving 2 1/2 hours or more.

I'm sorry that I don't have any advice or answers. I do want to wish you luck though.

[ldovey83]

I have had 3 losses my most recent at the beginning of June.. I do not have answers right now.. I havn't had the insurance to go have all that testing done.. With my second loss my Dr just thought it was a random thing, but I am thinking it is definitely something, and in alot of cases it is something as easy as progestrone supplements.

[mom2njia]

I have also had reoccurring losses six in a row, at almost 5 months along, 6 weeks, 5 weeks, 10 weeks, 6 weeks, and 10 weeks. I have tried progesterone with the last 5. Doc FINALLY agreed to run some tests. I am waiting for the results now.
I wish you the best of luck. Welcome to the board.

[dreamer10]

Hi and welcome. I am always sad when someone new has to join....but there isnt a better place to find comfort and hope. The ladies here are wonderful and they can answer just about any question for you. I have had 3 loses in a row and after the third my doc started to run some tests. I agree with the other in that you should find a specialist and start some testing. Good luck and welcome again!

[Augie]

Patty, I'm sorry for your losses. I have had four myself. I do think you should look for a doctor that is willing to do some bloodwork. They can't always find a reason, but a lot of times if they can, it's something that's fixable. Also, feel free to check out JM's RPL board. We have several stickied threads that may be of assistance to you. Feel free to PM me anytime you want.

[Kary♥RN]

Pattyp... Welcome to TTCAL... I have had 3 losses in 11 months... and like Mlyster am now 23 wks with my 4 pregnancy. I had my first loss was a chemical. I tested positive and within 24 hours started to bleed. My second loss, I required a d/e we had tests done, and it came back with trisomy 22 it was a litte girl, my third my levels never rised.. I choose to m/c natural do to the way my body handled the d/e.

If I can ask you a few questions.. How old are you? You mentioned your egg quality.

For me the testing didn't start until after my 3rd loss. They did bloodwork (both my RE and my OB/GYN), on me and (the RE did bloodwork on) DH, also did a SA on DH, and wanted to do other tests on me. (We never made it to the hysteroscopy and hysterosalpingogram) Since we were fighting with a 8,600 dollar bill for DH Blood work from the RE's office (Yes the testing can be extremely exspensive if you don't have coverage. You will want to look into what your plan covers).
My Bloodwork came back that I have a clotting factor. DH SA came back not the best.. We were canidates for IUI (They were surprised that i had concieved 3 times!!) All chormosomal blood work came back ok. I than went on to call my OB/GYN and worked out a plan. the Plan was... First they would bring me in for Cycle day 3 blood work. Than have more blood work drawn on CD 12 and also do an ultrasound. After ovulation I would be put on Progesterone and a Baby Aspirin. So I went in for the Bloodwork and U/S. (Came in for that ultrasound... and it showed I didn't ovulate.. this was the first AF since my third loss) So They decided to try 50mg of Clomid. To Boost my Egg quaility. I was on Clomid for three cycles. On My 3rd cycle I got my BFP..... Like I said above.. I am almost 23 weeks with twins.

As for looking for a Dr.. See what is in your area. Do you know anyone who has had to use an RE? Word of mouth is Best. I work at a hospital.. so I just started to ask people I work with.

I'm glad you found us!! PM me anytime with any questions. HUGS

[pattyp]

Hi all- Thank you for all of your suggestions. I really, really appreciate all of the support here. Should have joined earlier!

Kary- RN: I am 31 years old. Can I ask you more about clotting- b/c your first one came back as a trisomy. I am confused as to how the clotting can cause that. any more info would be great. Do you think I should get a test for clotting issue?

thank you!!!Patty

[Kary♥RN]

Patty...

We are not 100% sure what caused my losses.. except the second loss... was do to chromosomal. The trisomy 22... That was not caused by the clotting factor. My first loss was very early... I was a few days late.. tested had a faint +... and started to bleed with 24 hours. We than had a third loss.... That is when they started the testing. My OB ran basic blood tests... the MTHFR Mutation was one of the Bloodtests.. When that came back Homozygous.. (meaning I have one copy from my mom, and one from dad) for the MTHFR A1298C. If you google it you will see a lot of women feel this causes multiple miscarriages. I went to a Hemeatologist (a blood Dr).. They ran a homosystine level. (If this test is elevated I have a higher rate for getting a blood clot. That came back normal. But the controversy with this is... Some Dr believe that if you have this clotting factor you are high risk for having blood clots invitro.. Meaning because the blood vessels in the developing placenta can develop small bloodclots that will cut off blood supply.... hence causing a m/c. To help prevent this.. a baby aspirin is all that is needed. if I would have had an elevated homosystine level or another clotting factor along with the MTHFR mutation, Lovenox injections would have been called for. Also with this clotting factor. folic acid is not able to efficiently metabolize folic acid and vitamin B9 So I have to on a higher dose.. and a special prescribed Prenantal.

I think everyone that has had recurrent m/c.. should at least have the basic blood work and vaginal swabs done. these are common but easy fixes.. if you know you have them!!!

I hope I answered some of your questions.. Just keep asking!!!

[pattyp]

OK- well thanks to all of you I went to see a RE on Friday! I finally feel like I am taking control a bit. The Dr tried to tell me they usually only see women after 3 miscarriages. I said that I have had 1 chem and 2 evacuations, and that is enough for me. So step one was taking lots of bloods tests. I confess, I do not even know all of what they are testing for.... most of the results will be back on tuesday. Karoytyping test will be back in 2-4 weeks.... anyone have this test? I am told that testing positive for a chromosome problem is really rare. Is that true? Anyone have any idea what the initial blood tests would be for?
I will also go for egg test day three of period...

Thanks ladies!

[Kary♥RN]

This is only a list what the RE ran on me and ran almost as much on DH. I had even more tests done by OB.... Are below that list..

RE Drew:

Factor V(Leiden)Mutation Analysis W/Reflex To Hr2 mutation
Antithrombin lii Activity
Protein C
ActivityProtein S
FreeProthrombin (Factor li) 20210g> A Mutation Analysis
Trombophilia Screen li, inherited (Includes about 6 different tests)
Homocystein, Cardiovascular
Cystic Fibrosis Carrier Screen
Hemoglobinopathy Evaluation
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen W/Refl Confirm
Prolactin
Rubella Immune Status
Varicella-Zoster Virus Igg Ab
CBC W/Diff
Cytomegalovirus Antibodies (Igg,Igm)
Abo Group And Rh Type
Hepatitis C Antibodies
Chlamydia/N. Gonorrhoeae Dna, Sda
Hiv Ab, Hiv 1/2 Eia, W/Refexes
Rpr (DX) W/Refl Titer and Confirmatory Testing
Htlv l/li Antibody, Eia W/Refl To Western Blot
Hepatitis B Core Ab Total W/Refl lgm
Chlamydia Trachomatis Ab (lga,lgm)
HCG Q.

OB Drew:
Heparin Neutralization
Thrombin Time
Reptilase-R Time
Plt Neutralization
Lupus Anticoag PT
Lupus Anticoag PTT
LA PTT Mix/Correction
dRVVT Mix
dRVVT Baseline
dRVVT Confirm Ratio
Hex Phospholip Neutrl
Lupus Anticoag Interp
ANA Screen
Anti-Cardiolpin IgG Ab
Anti-Cardiolipin IgA Ab
Anti-Cardiolipin IgM Ab
MTHFR A1298C Mutation
MTHFR C677T Mutation
MTHFR Interpretation
Chromosome Analysis
T4
TSH
T3
Free T4

Than I also had the FSH/Progesterone Drew on the CD 3 to test my eggs...

All these above tests can affect you fertility. For me every thing except the MTHFR came back pretty much within or Normal. And Yes chromosomal problems are on the rarer- side. HUGS.

KUP on the results!!!!