New cycle after 2nd trimester pregnancy loss

[Angelsalt1]

Hi ladies, apologies for the long post

As most of you know, I lost my baby at 17wks3days just last month. My period has come out today which is just exactly one month after. I will be starting another cycle by next month hopefully after my scan coming up on the 9th of August just to make sure everything is okay.

My question is this, do you guys think that it will be wise for me to transfer 2 embryos as I have transferred 3 embryos in my first cycle and had a chemical pregnancy at 8wks and transferred 2 frozen embryos in my 2nd cycle which i lost one as chemical at 6wks and the other was carried to second trimester but then I suddenly began to have strong contractions and ended up as inevitable abortion.

The reason I am asking if I should transfer 2 embryos is because, I have a history of losing one embryo anyway and ending up with a singleton each time so I am worried that if I transfer just one, it will just be a waste of my time. The doctor has strongly advised to transfer one embryo but I just want to know if there is anyone here with such an experience to advise me.

Also, my embryos were not tested, should we opt to get them tested to give us a better chance of not having a chemical pregnancy?

[GranolaHippo]

Hi,

This doesn't really answer your question, I'm afraid, but just to say do give yourself time to heal after a loss.

I've had 10 but all early and I've found that it's taken me as long to feel 'normal' again as I was pregnant for, if that makes sense. So, 6 weeks recover after 6 weeks of pregnancy. This isn't related to my period, my cycle goes back to normal right away.

So, just to highlight that -you are in a way, and as horrible or affirming as it may feel, sort of post-partum after a loss and the body really does need time to heal, let alone the mind.

My clinic also recommends 2 full cycles after the loss before any further treatment.

Also, if you're in the UK, your eligible for investigations on the NHS after one late (post 13 weeks, I think, but do check!) pregnancy loss. If you've not been offered this, it might be worth pushing, in case they can do anything or provide extra monitoring next time (Tommy's website is really helpful for this: tommys.org/baby-loss-suppor... ).

You may well already know all of this, so please don't be insulted if you do! I just know, from my experience at least, it's bloody hard to get losses taken seriously and to access the medical help and support you may need and are entitled to have. It should be more forthcoming than it is.

Hope this is helpful, or at least not unhelpful and wish you all the best with next steps.

[Angelsalt1 in reply to GranolaHippo]

Thank you so much.

My doctor advised to start trying right away but after my second period. My first period has just started yesterday so I guess my next period in August will be the time to start if they believe so.

[GranolaHippo in reply to Angelsalt1]

No worries. Yes, that sounds standard after second cycle.

Hope they also offered you/suggested testing as well.

Both recurrent loss and late loss are really unusual, so this is why they offer the investigations. This is available on the NHS if you are in the UK and eligible.

Clinic might not offer this but GP can refer.

[Angelsalt1 in reply to GranolaHippo]

So, they did a post mortem on baby and placenta. Result is not out yet. I don’t know if there is any other test that needs to be done. The doctor said I will be seen in her clinic when the post Mortem result comes out.

[GranolaHippo]

So, they might test for clotting factors, karyotyping (for you and partner if there's a chromosomal abnormality found with your baby), and then they might check things like thyroid, rubella immunity etc.

I'm afraid I don't know in detail as I've had the recurrent loss tests, which does involve some of the above.

Tommy's website gives more details, including those of NHS clinics you can be referred to. If it helps, I was referred to Coventry (Prof Quenby's clinic) last August and the wait time was 10 weeks. I think the only NHS eligibility, besides number or timing of losses, is being under 42.

You can also call Tommy's midwives free who might offer more advice.

It's such a hard thing -often the tests show nothing, which I know is packaged in 'at least you know nothing is wrong', but that doesn't always feel like a lot of consolation when you're the one going through it!

We had PGT-A because of recurrent losses and that's helps with feeling more confident that, if anything does go wrong, we can't be fobbed off with things about age etc. We went for it because we knew our clinic would offer discussion is there were mosaic embryos (some cells normal, some not). So we wouldn't 'waste' embryos.

If you're thinking about testing them, it would be worth asking your clinic their freeze/thaw success rate, if your embryos are at right stage of development and what they'd do with mosaic ones. then you can make an informed choice. We had a session with the genetic counsellor to discuss the above.

Again, so sorry you're having to think about any of this. It's all so hard and totally unfair that it is hard.xx

[Angelsalt1 in reply to GranolaHippo]

Thank you for the insight. I will chase that up

[A_Fortune]

Hi, in February we lost our baby at 18 weeks and a half. He was a twin resulting of double transfer. His brother had stopped developing at 8 weeks. Whether it was incompetent cervix or the body reacting “late” to the first baby loss, I don’t think I’d have another double transfer again as it puts your body under a lot of pressure if you get a twin pregnancy and my poor 40 year old body has gone through so much and would not be able to handle it. My thoughts on my experience. Wishing you peace and 🍀

[Angelsalt1 in reply to A_Fortune]

Awwww!! So sorry to hear about your loss and thank you for your guidance.

[Spaghettihouse]

Twin pregnancies are so risky and difficult. If the doctor thinks one embryo has a good success rate, I would personally go for that but it's not my body or time. I just see so much heartbreak around twin pregnancies when they don't go well.

[Angelsalt1 in reply to Spaghettihouse]

That makes sense. Thanks for your guidance

[Conceivingblee]

I would deffo test them. And then make your decision from there. Most clinics follow the guidelines of only 1 embryo for a reason.

[Angelsalt1 in reply to Conceivingblee]

Thank you

[HopeOfYou]

Not sure it's mentioned in any of the comments, but I think after a pregnancy you are more fertile than normal, so I'd follow the doctor's advice and transfer only one. Take care, you deserve it ❣️

[Angelsalt1 in reply to HopeOfYou]

Thank you. I will do just that