Sensitive - advice needed regarding baby stopping growing at 6weeks / miscarriage following ivf

[Sjg1991]

Hello, I had my third transfer in December 2021 which was a fet. It was the first positive test I’ve ever had and we were thrilled, I am 8 weeks and 2 days but scans have shown that baby stopped growing at 6 weeks and no progression between scans although there is still a heartbeat there, the clinic have said I will miscarry, which is heartbreaking. Has this happened to anyone?

Does anyone know where I can get tests privately on the miscarriage to look at the cause?l to help inform future ivf protocol?

Thanks in advance

[FrancyItaly]

I am very sorry to hear that, it happened to me. It’s heartbreaking. Firstly I would say until there is a heartbeat there is always hope!I had a miscarriage and had the miscarriage tissue tested, just tell the hospital. I passed it at home after taking medication and I brought it to the hospital for testing. It was my second miscarriage and I didn’t pay, but you might have to pay a fee. Sending you a huge hug at this difficult time xxx

[Sjg1991 in reply to FrancyItaly]

It is heartbreaking isn’t it, I’m sorry that it happened to you as well. I will ask at the hospital when my ivf clinic refer me which they said they can’t do while ever there is a heart beat. Xx

[SK73]

So very sorry to read this, it happened to me with my very first ivf cycle last year. I didn't have any tests done as it's not routine at my hospital but I'm sure if you asked they would do it or refer you somewhere that can. Sending lots of love ❤️

[Sjg1991 in reply to SK73]

I’m sorry it happened to you to. Thank you I will ask at the hospital when my clinic refer me. X❤️💙

[SK73 in reply to Sjg1991]

I had a heart beat too, it was my 8 week scan and baby was measuring 6 weeks. After a couple more scans over 2weeks the heartbeat stopped and then I was able to decide what to do. I went down the medical route but after 36hrs the miscarriage was not complete so went to theatre. The part I found the hardest was waiting for the heart beat to stop, it was just awful. Thinking about you as you go through this difficult time❤️

[Sjg1991 in reply to SK73]

It’s awful isn’t it, it’s so hard waiting for it to stop knowing it will but clinging onto that tiniest of hope that it will have grown when you go for a scan (although I know in reality that isn’t going to happen). Did you continue to take your ivf medication whilst waiting for the heartbeat to stop? The clinic said that they have to say keep taking it but it’s my choice. Thank you ❤️💙xx

[SK73 in reply to Sjg1991]

I continued to take meds until 9weeks, so a week after the first scan. Had a scan at 9weeks at the clinic, still a heart beat but they said realistically it's not a viable pregnancy so to stop the meds. I was already thinking I wanted to do that after reading a lot of medical articles so was glad when they said to stop. Was then referred to the hospital which showed after a couple of scans the heartbeat had stopped. It was such a rollercoaster and not able to grieve at all whilst in limbo. Even though I went to theatre it was fine and I felt so much better and like I could actually start to grieve afterwards. Sending you big hugs xxx

[Sjg1991 in reply to SK73]

Can I ask what you read about stopping the meds as I’m worried it’s going to cause further issues still taking them? Aww it’s such a horrendous experience 😢I hope your journey is going in a positive direction for you now xx

[SK73 in reply to Sjg1991]

The articles were more to do with growth and outcomes in early pregnancy. Sorry nothing about the drugs. I was just searching to see if I could find any hope or anything really. None of what I read was encouraging so I then expected to have a miscarriage. It didn't make it any easier but atleast I knew what to expect. I would say if you have concerns to ask the clinic to have a telephone call so you can ask any questions. I wish I had done that at the time Xxx

[Sjg1991 in reply to SK73]

Thank you, I’m going to collect a prescription today so will ask about stopping the blood thinner as I don’t want the miscarriage to happen whilst that is in my system. Xx

[Hopingtobecomeamummy]

You’re not alone and I’m so sorry to hear you’re going through this. Almost the same happened to us. Third cycle- first ever positive- saw a baby during our viability but no heartbeat for us. Diagnosed as a missed miscarriage. Unfortunately for us I tried conservative and medical management with no luck and had to have surgery in the end as my body just couldn’t recognise the pregnancy wasn’t progressing.

If you have a heartbeat I’d get another scan done just to check. The main reason I wanted to comment was to assure you that sometimes these tragic things just happen and for some reason something like 85% of the time the reason for a miscarriage is an embryo with chromosomal abnormalities. It’s just really bad luck! That’s what our clinic told us and unless there is an underlying issue such as immune issues it’s unlikely to miscarry twice in a row. Im proof of that as 3 months after our missed miscarriage we had an FET and we are currently 10 weeks pregnant.

I know it’s hard and it will sadly change you for your next pregnancy but good things can and I’m sure will happen for you.

[Sjg1991 in reply to Hopingtobecomeamummy]

It’s truly heartbreaking isn’t it, I’m sorry you went through this as well. I’m hoping I don’t have to have the surgical intervention, I am so scared of what is to come 😢I’m booked in on Friday for another scan to see if there is still a heartbeat or not. While ever there is a heartbeat they have to advise to continue the meds, but at the same time the meds could be delaying the inevitable but how can I stop taking them whilst the heart is still beating.

Aww congratulations, I hope our next try is a success. (I know that sounds bad thinking about trying again but that’s the only thing I can see getting me through this, that it will work out in the end) x

[Hopingtobecomeamummy in reply to Sjg1991]

I was hoping to pass baby naturally but after 4 weeks of stopping meds it just wasn’t happening for us. I know it seems impossible now but as scary as surgery was I really felt like I got closure after having it and it wasn’t as bad as we thought.

In terms of looking forward and planning your next cycle, try not to feel guilty. We are on this journey because we are so eager to become mothers and we I’ll and do, do whatever it takes. I wish you so much success for your next round or hoping that on Friday you get some good news 🥰 look after yourself

[Sjg1991 in reply to Hopingtobecomeamummy]

Thank you 🥰I am going to get the next couple of weeks out the way then focus on what we need to do next, that is very true xx thank you xx

[Starling1234]

It has happened to me twice. I have been pregnant up to 6-8 weeks. In both cases everything was progressing fine until around about the 6-8 week mark. Then I’d go for my scan and was told the fetus was not growing despite there being a heartbeat. However in both cases the dr was very confident if the fetus doesn’t grow as expected (ie doubling in size), it would lead to a mc. However the hospital can’t do anything until there is no heart beat. So both cases I had agonising two weeks going to scans and waiting. I also did private scans to be completely sure but the conclusion was the same in my case. After two weeks there was no heartbeat. I immediately had everything removed two weeks later as I was devastated. I did have my pregnancy tissue tested both times. The result both times stated chromosomal abnormality, something like Trisomy 15 I think, which leads to stunted growth. The doctor explained to me that this would have resulted in an mc no matter what as your body tends to reject chromosome abnormalities. After that experience I changed my donor and had my embryos PGT tested. I have yet to try again but I guess I felt comfortable ruling out chromosomal abnormalities. I would get a scan done privately to put your mind at ease and ask the hospital about sending your pregnancy tissue for testing, if you do have a mc. If you haven’t had 3 recurrent mc, you will need to pay for it. It was something like £180 but I felt it was worth knowing. I know it is really hard especially the weeks after the doctor giving you that news. My mind was all over the place. It may work out, you just don’t know as each journey is different. Good luck with it all x

[Sjg1991 in reply to Starling1234]

It horrendous just waiting isn’t it, I’m sorry you went through the same. They saying baby stopped growing at 6 weeks but I’m 8 weeks still with a heartbeat. Im wondering whether there will be a heartbeat on Friday scan when I’m 9weeks? I’m using my own embryos, so I hope they are fine next time. Thanks I’ll ask at the hospital xx wishing you luck for your journey x