Reasons for Recurrent Early Miscarriages

Hi Ladies,

I have had 5 very very miscarriages in 18 months. Was wondering if any one here has had recurrent early losses. Did you have a successful pregnancy in the end? And did you find out the issue?

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Orangepie. Usually after 3 miscarriages, however early, you get referred to a recurrent miscarriage clinic for further investigations. If any problem is found, then hopefully they can try and help prevent it happening again. There can be many reasons for them happening, so get checked out. Hope all ends well for you. Diane

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi. All this waiting is a nightmare! Hope you hear some good stories soon. I have dealt with quite a lot of recurrent miscarriage ladies, who fortunately have gone to have a baby. Something like a hysteroscopy (womb x-ray) might be an idea to ask for, just to check that all is well with the structure of your womb. they take an endometrial biopsy too to check that out too,. Diane

[Hidden in reply to DianeArnold]

The NHS are not offering me that hysterocopy. Perhaps because I have a 2 year old so they think the womb is ok. That's nice to hear they have had a baby after all the heartache, I pray I am one of them.

[Hidden in reply to DianeArnold]

Hi, Yes I have been referred and they did one one type of blood test and ultrasound which I insisted on. So I feel like I have to do the rest of the work myself. Results are not until May. So wanted to hear other ladies experiences... And if they were successful in the end.

[Tlove]

Hi Orangepie,

Sorry to hear about your losses. I had 3 in the space of a year and got tested after the second one as I have no children (policy in Ireland is after 3 if you do have children). There was an A4 sheet with a list of bloods they tested, I couldn't tell you what they all were now. I know there was one for chromosomes and some for hormone levels, blood clotting.

I tested positive for anticardiolipin antibodies and also knew that I was hypothyroid. I have been on eltroxin for the thyroid for some time and it was after getting that fixed that I became pregnant in the first place. Anyway, going back to the antibodies - these can cause an autommune disorder called antiphospholipid syndrome, also called APS or Hughes Syndrome. This cases blood clotting in pregnancy and can therefore cause early mc.

Subsequent to these recurrent mc, I wasn't getting pregnant at all. I was measured for amh and this was low, so the fertility doctor thought that maybe the eggs being fertilised might not have been best quality and so I found myself on the journey of IVF. I think he had a point because I only had 4 follicles at collection, while a lot of women would have multiples of that.

I am now 18+5 weeks with twins and due to the APS I take aspirin and heparin daily to prevent blood clots. I have done this since my positive test result. It is definitely worth asking about APS and getting tested for this. I would also ask for the amh test. I suspect you are being tested for APS because it is a test that takes a few months to come back. If you test positive, you will have to retest in 12 weeks.

One other thought - all my mc were natural but If I had gone for a d&c they may have been able to analyse tissue. Is this something they tried to do for you?

Hopefully you can find some answers.

[Tlove in reply to Tlove]

If I find the list of tests, I'll pm you but I am not sure where I put it now!

[Hidden in reply to Tlove]

is heparin taken by injection. Interested to know what it is and you take it. Incase that is the reason for me to.

[Tlove in reply to Hidden]

Yes, it's low molecular weight heparin and the only way it can be taken is by injecting into fatty tissue, usually around the tummy. It's safe in pregnancy as it doesn't pass through the placenta. The one I take innohep. Have a look at Hughes Syndrome Foundation, should be lots of info there.

[Hidden in reply to Tlove]

Hi,

First of all, a big congratulations. I pray you have a happy and healthy remainder of your pregnancy. So lovely it's twins!

I am not eligible for IVF as I am already am blessed with a child. Something went wrong after I had her i guesss. They have only sent me for two blood tests to do with clotting. And to check the thickness of the lining only because I was on the ball and had private test done previously which showed it might be a little thin. I do have elevated thyroid antibody levels but they are refusing to treat as TSH level is 2.84 considered normal for a person not trying to conceive. But i am so they should lower it. I am on there case about this at the moment I hope it's a good outcome and they prescribe me something for it. i have a strong feeling it's to do with these antibodies thyroid.

Ok if you can find that would be great. If not don't worry.

[Hidden in reply to Tlove]

May i ask how old you are? Because I heard egg quality declines with age. I have just turned 30 so I hope I'm ok for few years?

[Tlove in reply to Hidden]

I started trying at 32. After a year of getting nowhere I had the various hormones tested and thyroid was like you in that it was within range but close enough to the limit for my GP to start treating me. After losing weight and being on correct thyroid medication, I got pregnant quickly. Thyroid is a major thing to get checked - I have my levels checked as soon as I know I'm pregnant as it can change in pregnancy. I am now 36, going to be 37 next month. My AMH wasn't checked until I was 36, it doesn't seem to be routinely tested here. So it does take quite a bit of time to get to the bottom of this! You're right to get things checked now, I wasn't much older than you when I started out.

At least if they check you for blood clotting, you will know if you need aspirin and heparin next time. But I would certainly push for your thyroid, not sure how accurate the test results really are - my GP interprets them for herself and doesn't rely on the range.

[Hidden in reply to Tlove]

Ok I see. Well atleast it got sorted in the end even though I understand it can be a difficult time waiting. I am the opposite I need to gain atleast a stone, finding it difficult but trying. Yes AMH is not checked for some reason. I'll see how it goes with the next few tests incase it brings something up. Then if not i could look at that.

I'm glad to hear you were successful in the end it brings me hope.

[Hidden in reply to Tlove]

Was the thyroid linked to these antibodies?

[Tlove in reply to Hidden]

It seems that Hughes and thyroid can go hand in hand. Not sure that they're linked as such but a lot of people with Hughes seem to have both.

[Hidden in reply to Tlove]

That's interesting. My lining was only 5.9mm as I was ovulating. Makes me think it could be a real possibility that Hughes could be the cause but can't be sure until my results come back in a few months. The blood flow can be restricted which can cause thinner lining i'm guessing. I also get very cold icy feet lol when others in the room are fine. I usually need a few hot water bottles a day to warm them up and 2 pairs of socks atleast. Seeng the thinish lining and circulation issues could be symptoms of hughes I am just guessing. This waiting around is hard.

[lady123]

Hi. I follow a lady's blog in a different site that had five early miscarriages too and then one at 20 weeks, but she is now in her 7th pregnancy and things are going well at 22 weeks. I think her problem was related to blood flow (from what I can gather), and she has been put on medication now, aspirin and something else.

I can't imagine the pain of going through 5 miscarriages. I hope your doctor can help.

[Tlove in reply to lady123]

Sounds very similar to APS / Hughes. It also causes stillbirths if not treated properly. On the right treatment of blood thinners there's a good chance of pregnancy being successful. There are many stories like this on the Hughes Syndrome forum. I had no idea how common it can be and its just awful that you have to wait until you've miscarried a number of times before being tested. At least if this is found to be the cause, it can be treated.

[Tlove in reply to Tlove]

Have you a link to that blog at all?

[lady123 in reply to Tlove]

Sorry, didn't see this. It is from baby and bump (b&b). You need to sign up, so I don't think a link would work. More than a blog (my mistake!), it is a journal. The lady's name is Squig. I am sure she would welcome other stalkers (as they call them!)

[Hidden in reply to Tlove]

Yes I am waiting for the blood tests results for this. Hopefully we will get to the bottom of it. The sad thing is the specialist said a lot of the time we can not simply find a reason. I pray I am not in that category.

[Hidden in reply to lady123]

Wow at 20 weeks too that is so devastating. Because mines are early I seem to get on to the next cycle pretty quickly. I really hope they discover the issue before I get pregnant again because I'd be devastated if it was a late miscarriage, heartbreaking.Oh ok, thanks , the docs did mention something about that to me heparin and aspirin waiting for my blood results which take 6 weeks. Do you know the link for the blog?

[lady123 in reply to Hidden]

I think her issue at 20 weeks .- das to si with only being on medication for 12 weeks, but yes, I agree - I am 21 weeks now and can't imagine what it would feel like to miscarry now after everything we've been through.

Hope U get an answer soon... Good luck.