pregnancy loss info « Back to Group Discussions

[essco]

Since Orshi brought it up in the Welcome thread, I thought it might be good for those of us who've had miscarriages to have a separate thread. I only have a quick second, but here's the info I have about what to think about to prevent miscarriages:

1. sometimes there's absolutely nothing to do for prevention, it was just a random loss that won't happen again.

2. if a woman has a history of repeat miscarriages, and/or family history of female relatives with miscarriages, or personal or family history of bleeding/clotting disorders, consider testing for common genetic mutation called MTHFR. That's a whole other topic!  

3. TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) levels should be checked if miscarriage with low basal body temperatures and/or other signs/symptoms of low thyroid function, like unwanted weight gain, hair loss, fatigue, constipation, dry skin. TSH should be 2.5 or less.

4. test serum progesterone, especially if woman has short luteal phases, and/or low basal body temperature. Easy to supplement with progesterone creams, suppositories, or oral.  Adequate progesterone levels are required to maintain pregnancy in the first 10-12 weeks. Recurrent miscarriages in the first trimester may indicate the need for progesterone.

There's a lot more too say about each of these points, and I'm sure tons of other info out there, this is just a first pass.

[Serenyd]

What a good idea! 

Here's a blog post that talks about MTHFR and I think explains it very well. 

[maszat85]

Thanks essco for starting this!

I've been reading a really good book by this doctor Jonathan Scher. It's called "Preventing Miscarriage". It seems to list all the newest tests and options for those who have recurring miscarriages. Also has some uplifting patient stories. It might not be a good read for anyone but those having gone through many losses though.

This doctor has a clinic at New York City's Mount Sinai Hospital specializing in multiple pregnancy losses and infertility issues. Too bad we had moved from there before we found out we had any "issues".

The book has no info on natural remedies and support though, as far as I've gotten in reading it.

[revolting]

Thanks for all the great information.
 

[Shiloh]

Thanks! I had a loss last spring. I'm prothrobin/factor2 positive. I had 4 uneventful pregnancies then the loss. I'm trying to be calm.

[revolting]

I just got blood draws for hormones and clotting disorders, but I'm feeling pretty ambivalent about it. Has anyone found they had low progesterone and then chosen not to supplement?
 

[sarahl918]

Thanks for starting this thread!! I am one of the unlucky few with MTHFR. I have the most severe mutation, homozygous C677T. I had two miscarriages in 2012 before I was diagnosed, so for this pregnancy I am on baby aspirin, a ton of methylfolate/p-5-p/methylcobalamin, and Lovenox shots. I am also supplementing with progesterone, though my initial level at 4wks was high (27.9). So far so good, we even saw our baby's heartbeat earlier this week so definitely the furthest along we've ever been! I am really holding out hope this is our for real rainbow baby! :) 

[maszat85]

Hi Everyone,

Sarah, revolting: so nice to see some familiar names here from the rainbow board!

Just for those whom I have not met there- I recently found out I has suspected APS, so I am also on daily blood-thinner shots, aspirin and I am also supplementing with progesterone, just in case. We've had four losses after a healthy pregnancy, so now I am nervous and excited and hopeful at the same time.

I also took royal jelly tablets for months before conceiving, so hopefully this bean will finally stick.

[Shiloh]

My anxiety about this preg is kicking in. Took the other test in the box - lol the pregnant line is 2x as dark as the control. So I bought a digital. Cause I cancelled the blood beta worried it would be too low but will trust poas... Anyone got any tips for being calm?

Caved took digital. I'm 16dpo got a result of over 2000 hcg urine! I was like 150 with the mmc. The 16dpo project says that bodes well. I'm going to wait to get a beta closer to my us. Calmer.
Edited by Shiloh - 2/16/13 at 8:02pm

[aloya]

I've never really been nervous in the first few months, although my last pregnancy may have turned this around, we'll see. We have a 3-year-old and had no problem getting pregnant the next time (about a year and a half ago), but we lost that baby around 15 weeks. The loss had a clear explanation--there was a heart defect--but since then, conceiving wasn't as easy as it hand been and this is our first subsequent pregnancy, almost exactly a year after the loss (I credit the full moon!). I had my hormones tested a few months ago because my luteal phase seemed very short and inconsistent--I even took chasteberry and B vitamins (when I remembered!) but the tests showed that nothing seemed to be wrong, so I'm not inordinately worried about that--although maybe I should still take the baby aspirin I had?

I imagine that if I start stressing this time, it might be because of the difficulty of conceiving at an advancing age (I'm 37 now). I had to come to terms with the possibility of my son being an only child a couple of months ago--and I know, still young, plenty of chances, etc., but still, you do at least let your mind go there.  

I bet that might start to be more nervous around 11 weeks, when the first round of screening caught the heart problem with my last one.

[Shiloh]

I guess cause my loss was around 7 weeks, confirmed at 9 weeks getting to 8 weeks with a hb is my bench mark. I had a blighted ovum. Funny how we're most afraid of what we've known. I'm 38 almost 39. I had really short periods and LP on that 10/11 day mark after the d&c

[maszat85]

The latest I went with my previous losses was about 9 weeks, so I am super nervous about reaching that... Yeah, it is funny how we concentrate on what we have gotten to know as a bad thing... I guess it helps to focus the fear somewhere.

I hope all of us will have a healthy pregnancy- how wonderful it would be to trust my body again....kinda sad, right?

[Shiloh]

Well I'm a little more trusting that my hcg #s seem out of range for a typical blighted ovum or ectopic. But not really able to relax. Had another beta done today. I have such ptsd from the loss I'm trying not to do anything "the same". Which is silly and superstitious.

[guppyluv]

Shiloh -- Totally get the ptsd... I was a mess last week with worry when symptoms disappeared and I felt like I was about to get AF.  So I called and asked my RE for a repeat (third!) HCG... it's put me more at ease (esp since I'm beyond where I carried last time and my levels are high) but between the IVF process and the m/c its been really tough not to worry. my fingers are going to come out of this permanently crossed :) lol... breathing.......... 

[Shiloh]

I'm trying to be zen.
I had my 2nd blood beta drawn today.
MW said because of my history she will call the lab on a saturday.
I feel like I'm in emotional limbo.
Not wanting to attach or get excited.
Its not a "real" baby yet.
22 dpo:
2nd beta 8200. Lol I messed up. My first beta was (with my loss) 12dpo 47, then 1400 at 21 dpo. By 8 weeks though I think I only got to 18000. So I'm relaxing.
Edited by Shiloh - 2/23/13 at 11:06am

[superbeans]

So thankful for this thread! We got pg the first month we tried but then lost the baby (confirmed at 9 weeks, stopped developing at 7). We tried again for 13 months and I was becoming so sure something was wrong with me (my older two children are adopted, so even though we have two kids I haven't completed a pregnancy) So this time I'm not even scheduling an appt until the end of March after that period has passed. 

Is progesterone something they routinely check? I asked my Dr if that could have been the problem last time and he didn't seem concerned so I let it pass without thinking about it. But now I'm nervous that maybe its something I should check...

I'm also worried because I feel so different than last time. Last time I had high HCG levels and was experiencing a fair amount of symptoms (had morning sickness up until the day of my D&C). This time I don't seem to have any symptoms except sore breasts (no cramping, dizziness, frequent urination, etc ALL of which I had last time). I'm not even tired this time. Last time I remember going to bed at 9 every night! This time I am totally wide awake and getting like 6 hours of sleep a night because I just can't sleep. I know its a different pregnancy and I shouldn't look to that one anyway since it didn't end well, but still I am.

Edited by superbeans - 2/25/13 at 12:13pm

[guppyluv]

Hi superbeans! Welcome. May be worth asking if they'll do a blood test to measure progesterone. I did IVF so progesterone support was automatic. Fingers x'd!!

[superbeans]

guppyluv is it even worth it now though? I've heard unless you know and are taking the medications from the start its really too late. Like if they detect it after the pregnancy has begun it won't really help because its too late. Is that true?

[guppyluv]

That I don't know. But again worth asking a nurse or doc if you can.