Are there any reassurances?

[Allison]

Hello everyone. I rarely post but read posts all the time. I appreciate being able to come here and browse!

I miscarried in April 2003 (9.5 weeks along). I don't know why I miscarried. Now I'm pregnant again (4 weeks along) and am of course worried. I didn't have m/s or tiredness with the pregnancy I lost, so I'll be eagerly waiting to feel some real symptoms within the next couple of weeks. The only certain thing I've felt are mild cramps during the 2ww.

Anyway, my question is whether or not I should go to my OB now or wait until I'm further along. I've heard of women getting their hcg and progesterone tested. Would low levels (or hcg levels not increasing fast enough) indicate that the pregnancy is likely to end? If the fetus has chromosomal problems, will the hormone levels be normal? How early can an u/s show a heartbeat? How early can the doppler thingy detect a heartbeat?

As you can see, I'm desperately searching for answers and reassurances. Thanks in advance for any help/support you can provide.

[Lucky Charm]

I have had two miscarriages. After my second one, i went to my ob/gyn every other day to have my Hcg quant drawn. My level rose steadily and I stopped doing it after a few weeks (my son is now 5!). However, had my levels stopped rising, and started to drop, i dont think the doctor could have done anything, kwim? Doing the quant levels does not prevent a miscarriage. however, i did feel better knowing the level was rising, doubling, tripling.

Your doctor can do a trans vaginal ultrasound. it can pick up early fetal cardiac activity...or "cardiac motion". however, i saw the heart beating earlt, all looked good, then i miscarried. I got a false sense of security.

Ultimately, you can have all the testing in the world, go weekly for heart tones, get your blood drawn, etc. These actions will not guarentee a term infant.

Try very hard not to let your fear overwhelm you. you can spend alot of your time worrying and wondering. please dont do that. instead, try to enjoy this special time. alot of woman go on to have normal healthy pregnancies, and never find out why they miscarried in the first place.

:hug Lisa

[Eman'smom]

Hcg's can give you an idea of how a pregnancy is doing, the numbers should double everyday, they don't give ideas on chromosmal problems. I had hcg's done with this pregnancy (twice) I found them very reassuring.

With a vaginal ultrasound they can detect a heartbeat at about 6 weeks.

[Jacque Savageau]

With this being your first miscarriage, there isn't much you your doctors can go by.

If it's repeated miscarriages, they will check the HCG levels and Progesterone.

If your Progesterone levels are low, you can use a suppository in the first trimester to prevent miscarriage. But again, if there isn't a significant reason for your miscarriage, that's not a good alternative.

I agree with the others, a vaginal U/S can see things very early on. Check with your doctor or midwife to see if they advise it.

I wish I could offer you more reassurance than that. It is going to be a waiting game unfortunately.

You have my thoughts with you :hug

[Allison]

Thanks for your replies, Lisa and Eman'sMom.

I think I've decided to hold off on calling the OB. I don't think I want any special tests given that there are no guarantees even if they show all is well at the time.

[Allison]

Thanks to you, too, MsMom. You must have posted while I was writing my thank-you note.

Yes, it's definitely a waiting game, and I'm not a very patient player!

[Jacque Savageau]

Allison, I'm not very patient either! I want everything to be resolved NOW. That makes it especially hard when you're waiting for something so imporant.

Try to find an activity that brings you some peace. Reading, drawing, sewing. Whatever interests you and stimulates you brain. This will keep you focused on something other than the pregnancy.

Also, make sure you're eating well. A healthy diet can make a world of difference in how you feel emotionally. Lots of leafy greans and fruit will help keep your emotions in ballance. Also, make sure you're drinking enough water throughout the day. With the summer heat comming on this will be especially important.

If you're having difficulty sleeping at night, try taking some power naps throught the day.

Sending gentle thoughts.

[Allison]

Thanks MsMom for your kind words and good suggestions. You are absolutely right that I need to find something to get my mind off this pregnancy. For one thing, I need to stop poring over past mothering.com posts!

[emmalala]

I realize this is a late post to your thread, but I wanted to share that my OB says that a heartbeat at 8-9 weeks is a pretty good indicator that the baby will make it.

[Allison]

Thanks for your reply, Emmalala. It's so funny that you should write today because just this morning I called for my first prenatal visit and couldn't get in until July 11 when I will be 8-9 weeks pregnant!! So hopefully there will be a hb then.

[emmalala]

Hello Allison

Hope you've been staying well and waiting as calmly as you can, until your ultrasound. Are you feeling OK? I'm thinking of you!

Emmalala

[Allison]

Emmalala, how sweet of you to be thinking of me. I went to my first prenatal visit but didn't get an u/s. My ob felt my uterus and said it felt like it was the right size for my dates. Plus, I'm still feeling gaggy/nauseous so I assume all is well so far!

Thanks again for writing.

[Abylite]

Hello! I'm so glad things are going well for you.

I just wanted to add that I'm in the 2ww (I think I may be pg...very sore boobs) and that the RE is checking my progesterone levels tomorrow. I'll have a pg test next week.

When I m/c the second time...we did see a heartbeat at 7 weeks...but I m/c at 13 weeks. For me...I won't trust anything until I feel a baby move inside of me. But normally the chances are low after you see the heartbeat. I guess I was in that 1%!!

I'm just going to take it one day at a time. Some days I'll probably be a freak...other days I hope to be calmer.