Low dose steroids for miscarriages…?

[Nightingale92]

Hey everyone - wishing you all a Hopeful New Year! ✨🤞❤️

I was just wondering if anyone had any advice/experience of low-dose steroids, without any tests to suggest they need them?

Our fertility history:

1) Natural (accidental) conception 2007 - loss due to cervical issues

2) Natural conception 2018 - living daughter

3) Natural conception 2020 - lost daughter due to PPROM/premature labour (cervical issues)

4) ICSI (fresh) pregnancy 2022 (after nearly 2 years TTC naturally) - 7 week loss

5) ICSI (FET) pregnancy 2022 - 10 week loss. (All fine to begin with but slow growth from 6 weeks)

Our clinic have suggested just going ahead with another fresh cycle of ICSI (we don’t have any Frosties left - only got 2 mature eggs from my fresh). But they have said they could put me on low-dose steroids as a safety net - it’s up to me. From what I’ve read, the steroids seem to be for implantation issues/chemical pregnancies, rather than later miscarriages…?! I’m not sure what benefit this would have for us, and it seems like there’s a potential risk of preterm birth associated with the steroids (which I’m already really at risk for, due to my cervical issues!!)

We are self-funding so obviously can’t afford to get it wrong, but I’m so torn. I’m not sure which is the least risky option and my clinic have basically said it’s up to us to decide whether we want it or not.

Obviously before we lost our daughter in 2020 I had managed to get pregnant 3 times naturally and the 2 losses were due to cervical issues - nothing genetic or to do with implantation. I’m just so confused.

Any advice greatly appreciated ❤️

[Eswyn]

Unfortunately, I don’t have any experience of steroids, but I’ve been advised to take low dose aspirin (75mg) if I get a BFP because of my miscarriage history. I’d also be on high dose of progesterone until at least 14 weeks. I’ve never been offered steroids as a way to prevent miscarriage.

[Nightingale92 in reply to Eswyn]

Thanks for your reply. Yes - that’s why I find it odd - it doesn’t usually seem to be suggested for miscarriages like that, so I’m a bit confused! I think we will have another planning meeting with someone else and I’ll question it a bit more then. Last time they just did the planning in the debrief meeting and my head really wasn’t in the right headspace after our third loss in a row.

[Hidden]

I’m so sorry for your losses, I have had a number of miscarriages and I suggested steroids to my consultant but he seemed to suggest this was more for implantation issues and wouldn’t give them to me. I am on blood thinners and aspirin due to sticky blood and also had some surgery on my womb to make it as hospitable as possible but as I say my clinic were pretty dismissive of my need for steroids x

[Nightingale92 in reply to Hidden]

That’s so interesting. Thank you for replying. This is what I was thinking…that it was only really for implantation issues/chemicals. So I’m a bit confused why they’ve suggested it. I think they just want to be seen to be doing something different next time, but it doesn’t seem to be based on anything! I’ll question it, I think, and see what they say xx

[Seren0119]

my doctor who specialises in immune issues says dose of 25mg (no lower) is what he would prescribe as standard. Let me know if you want more details. So sorry for your losses ❤️

[Nightingale92 in reply to Seren0119]

Thank you ❤️ I’m guessing that’s only if someone has an actual immune issue though?? Or does he recommend that for everyone? They seem to have an association with preterm birth, which is already a massive risk for us, so I really don’t want to take them unless there’s a solid reason! x

[Conceivingblee]

I think it really depends on your clinics policy. Mine categorically won't give pre emptive steroids despite 3 historical loses and 11 implantation failures. They say that's not enough info to outweigh the risks without proof of immuno issues. Madness how much they differ isn't it I'd deffo sit down with them and as their clinical reasons for the suggestion. Best of luck.

[Nightingale92 in reply to Conceivingblee]

Thanks so much for your reply. That’s so interesting - it’s mad that they differ so much! What were the risks that they outlined to you? This is why I’m a bit concerned because I don’t think my situation actually meets the clinical indicators. x

[Conceivingblee in reply to Nightingale92]

There were 2 main. Preterm labour and also the fact they are immune suppressants and would leave you in a vulnerable position open to infections and having reduced capabilities to fight them off. I was prepared to take the risks as I don't know where else to go not having a diagnosis and trying to find another 1300 quid for NK test 🙈 to prove. But they were having none of it. Keep us updated with what they say I'd be interested to know .

[Nightingale92 in reply to Conceivingblee]

Thanks so much for your reply. Yes I’ll keep you updated!

[Jess1981]

I'm so sorry for your losses. How truly heartbreaking for you ( I know you have a lovely daughter but still very upsetting and frustrating for you)

Our daughter Francesca age as your daughter ( who took us 7 years to conceive and 3 laps for endo plus a CP) after her we had a loss at 20 weeks pregnant with our daughter Amelia in November 2020 ( no cause found) another CP in January 2021 and loss in March 2021 at 6/7 weeks. No cause found for miscarriage investigations but consultant did agree to low dose steroids ( 10 mg daily till 12 weeks) I then fell with my daughter Eliza who is coming up 11 months! I had the steroids with Francesca but was banned in the pandemic and for me personally they definitely helped my pregnancies esp as I have higher nk cells as well as endo and always bleed in every single pregnancy ( even my 3 full term pregnancies that resulted in 3 live children) both Francesca and Eliza are healthy children ( hope that offers reassurance) Wishing you the best with whatever you decide to do Xx

[Nightingale92 in reply to Jess1981]

Thanks so much for your lovely reply ❤️