Hope everyone is doing ok ♥️ I've clearly miscarried after my first round. Strong positive on test day, bleeding since 8dp5dt and now 15dp5dt the bleeding is coming to an end and I had just a faint line this morning. All being massively helped by the clinic having not returned my calls in 5 days! Feeling so alone and incredibly angry that maybe this could have been prevented.
I miscarried 2 years ago after a natural conception, at 8 weeks so clearly this is an issue with my body.
My question is, what tests can I ask for that may determine what my issue is? With an incredibly unhelpful clinic who don't even have the time of day to call me about my positive result I feel like I'll need to do everything proactively for my second (and probably final) round. At a complete loss ATM. I'm clearly the problem and very much being made to feel helpless right now.
Thanks for reading xx
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DogMum7
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I am also a dog Mum with 2 pregnancy losses. This situation completely and utterly sucks, to the point that I cannot even put into words how bad I know you are feeling. You are not alone I promise, I constantly feel like this on and off and not having the support of a clinic makes everything so much harder.
Uterine issues is what they could look at. I have a diagnosis of adenomyosis and awaiting laparoscopy for endometriosis to be confirmed. It is my firm belief that had I not paid privately at a hospital to have a radiologist complete my transvaginal ultrasound, I wouldn’t have had my diagnosis as they are very very dismissive of adeno. Saying that, having my diagnosis hasn’t helped me as they are offering me no treatment for Adeno but I’m fighting and finding the loop holes. Other things, people on here are talking a lot about immune issues, NK cells and having endometrial tests (ERA, ALICE, EMMA) I have no experience of these but potentially someone else will comment about them.
My advice would be to contact Tommys Miscarrage charity, I did and they sent me over a list of tests they can do like clotting disorders etc. Where I am we have a recurrent miscarriage nurse and they have agreed to do blood tests on me after the 2 losses. Tommys midwives will send you a full list of you ask them. They also have special clinics in England where you can get genetic testing.
Some warning not everywhere let’s you do testing after 2 miscarriages but I would say push the issue. Also, they might not find anything which can be frustrating but I was of the mindset I want all the answers I can get. Additionally, it really can’t always be prevented either even when you have the answers but again, you want to know you and the clinic are doing everything you can.
My experience of my clinic is so far, is I am in charge of steering the treatment, I have made the suggestions and they have said yes or no and there is very little they have offered me without me bringing it up. I have done so much research and my nearest and dearest said I was doing too much but I have no regrets going in armed to ask for everything I need.
If the people on here have taught me anything it’s to fight for what you need no matter how horrible it feels or exhausting it is.
Again, I’m really sorry you are in this boat. It is so incredibly hard. I would go to your next appointment with a printed list of everything you find and talk to them about your concerns very openly both about yourself but also it can help to have a discussion about why you don’t feel supported at the clinic. If it continues that way anyway then you are probably going to look at moving right? So might as well try to get something better out of them.
So much love to you at this time, please feel free to take none of my advice as you gotta do what works for you. Xx
Puddle-Duck this is so frigging helpful, thank you 🙏🏼 I'm so sorry to hear you've been in a similar boat, my thoughts go out to you ♥️ I'm going to contact the charity and really appreciate the heads up as I feel like 'i don't know what I don't know' and you're absolutely right - if I don't push the clinic they 100% won't suggest or offer anything. Off to do some more research! Wishing you all the luck with your journey and all power to you pushing for what's right xxx
In terms of testing, there are a few that may provide insights. Many people in similar situations consider testing for things like blood clotting disorders (such as antiphospholipid syndrome), thyroid function, autoimmune conditions, and hormone levels (like progesterone). Some also look into genetic testing for recurrent pregnancy loss or uterine evaluations like a hysteroscopy to check for structural issues. It could be worth asking for these to see if anything underlying is affecting implantation or early development.
Please don't be hard on yourself or blame your body—it’s such a common feeling, but this journey can be so complex, and there’s usually more than one factor at play. If you do end up considering another clinic or additional support, maybe look for one with a reputation for being more responsive. You deserve a team that makes you feel heard and cared for.
Sending so much strength your way, and hoping you get the help and clarity you need. xxx
Thank you so much for all the support and information. I'm compiling a bit list! I've already made an appointment with my GP for a few weeks time to request referral for tests. I've also got a call with a miscarriage nurse from Tommy's charity on Friday thanks to Puddleducks advice. I'm definitely not going to sit on my laurels as I feel there is something I can be doing to get to the bottom of it! Appreciate the time you've taken to respond, thank you again xxx
I’m so sorry 😢. Have you listened/read the worst girl gang ever book? They have lots of useful podcasts too - see the episode with Rachel Sherrif especially. Also Rachel Sherriff’s own podcast the fertility suite with Hassan Shehata on recurrent miscarriage worth a listen. The royal college of obs and gynae have recently changed guidance to say that investigations can be after 2 losses and that they don’t have to be consecutive but NHS CCG and health boards are likely not keeping up due to funding issues but you can use the RCOG guidance to push and make your case. I “only” had recurrent implantation failure and one early loss/biochemical so did self fund to see Prof Brosens at the Tommy’s/warwick uni clinic.
A lot of the recurrent implantation failure and recurrent miscarriage investigations will be the same - off the top of my head we had karyotypes, sperm DNA fragmentation, hysteroscopy, HSG, lap for endometriosis, ERA/EMMA/ALICE biopsy, immune bloods including Antiphospholipid antibodies, NK cell endometrial biopsy.
I hope the research and planning keeps you going but remember to also take time to grieve and heal xx
Just a slightly different perspective. I had a mc at 9 weeks following natural conception. Then a chemical after my 4th transfer. Added Clexane and prednisone for transfers 6 and 7. I’m now cradling my 2 week old miracle.
I’m so so sorry 😢 please don’t think it could have been prevented though if the clinic had called you back it wouldnt have made any difference at all (not that it is acceptable not to call you though!) but what will be will be with embryo development at that early stage. I’ve had quite a few chemicals and miscarriages and most of the time it’s just down to the embryo not being quite right but implantation did happen so you are halfway there. So some of the tests will nt be needed as you can get pregnant. Other than the embryo there are some other things they can look at such as upping your progesterone (this really helped me) looking at ‘sticky blood’ and also some tests to see if you have any infection or natural killer cells etc. I would defo book in a consultation and ask lots of questions about what to test for and any changes to make next time. For me though other than adding clexane (for blood clotting) and lubion (for extra progesterone absorption) it was about keeping trying to find that embryo that kept going and as much as the clinics are great scientists some of it still does come down to that ‘luck’ xx
Sorry to hear about your loss 💔. It is unacceptable that your clinic would not call back. I would change the clinic. however, unfortunately no one can prevent a miscarriage. Reproductive medicine is a great thing but still has many limitations.
Please don’t be to hard on yourself and don’t go straight to blaming your body. Us women tend to do that because we feel like failure for not being able to do something that a lot of women do without any issues - carrying healthy pregnancy to term. But fertility is really complex, so please be gentle with yourself.
There are many tests that you can do as previous posts have mentioned, but there is also sperm factor as fragmentation can cause miscarriages so your partner should also have additional tests. And many times cause of a miscarriage is chromosomal abnormality of the embryo so that might also be worth investigating although PGTA testing is not a magic solution.
Hopefully you next pregnancy will have a very happy ending. My doctor says that sometimes you just need to keep trying. It is probably true since so many people have happy outcome after many tries and miscarriages. But it is also true that a part of you dies with every miscarriage. I wish you all the best ❤️.
Dear DogMum7 , the others here have already gave you all the possible insights on what could have happened. I just want to say to you stay strong and please please please don;t blame yourself, your body. It is hard to not do, but it is not helpful. First of all when miscarriage happens so early on, they call it a chemical pregnancy and the cause most of the time is an issue with the embryo. As @nat55zt suggested, PGTA testing might be useful, on top of the other things suggested above. So stay strong. You are not alone, and we feel for you. ❤️
Wow! I can't believe your clinic didn't even call you back, that's awful. I think Puddle-Duck's response below is pretty brilliant and covers just about everything, to be honest. I just want to offer my sympathy because what you're going through is really sad and frustrating. But also: you're not 'the problem'. Don't blame yourself. You're doing the best you can.
i am sorry you are going through this but do not blame your body. There are indeed some extra medical tests you can do. I am not very well informed but ask your doctor about the NK cells and other T1 T2 cells. Also you can ask for a vaginal or uterus microbiome test. Hope this helps and stay strong
Thanks so much for the comments everyone. Think it really hit yesterday and I just felt so awful. I'm trying to keep busy but also think that doesn't really help me in dealing with this. Apparently I'll get a call today to schedule to follow-up so I've written a big list of all these recommendations to discuss with the consultant. I also have someone from Tommy's charity scheduled to call and I think that will be really informative and useful so thank you Puddle-Duck for the recommendation ♥️
The dread is that I know the next round will be our last shot as my partner doesn't want to try again after due to our age 😪 I can't help but already thinking 'what if?' what if we knew more and I could prepare better. Fingers crossed for round 2, I don't think I'll do it until next year and just take some time to get my body back to some sort of normality xxx
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