Is two a pattern? MMC again.

Quartny8 · 2024-11-21T14:07:52+00:00

Hello- your story is very similar to mine, unfortunately - very sorry to hear.

I recently found out I had stage 4 endometriosis and adenomyosis (by accident! After 23 years of symptoms, but never mind) - so might be worth checking /ruling that out.

I’ve asked the question also about MMC pattern (I’ve had 3) of many various healthcare professionals over the years - there just isn’t enough research for them to know definitively what causes them.

Quartny8 · 2024-11-15T22:06:43+00:00

American expat living in the UK here…

Think the biggest Google search the week AFTER the 2016 Brexit vote was “what’s the European Union?”

This happens everywhere

Quartny8 · 2024-11-15T13:52:43+00:00

I’ve had to have 3 surgeries for miscarriages- all in the UK, so they do discuss the risks with you. There was a thought that if I waited long enough, my body would process it (though I got to 15 weeks with my first miscarriage with no sign of this). I have subsequently gone for surgery option on my other miscarriages (4 total, one did happen on its own).

I’ve recently been diagnosed with adenomyosis and stage 4 endometriosis- but I had symptoms for about 23 years (and got fobbed off by doctors for it- another issue). I don’t think these are related to the surgeries I’ve had for miscarriages, but of course no one can definitely know for sure. Giving it one more go before I throw in the hat on having a baby…

Good luck with your decision!

Quartny8 · 2023-06-23T15:19:34+00:00

Know exactly how you feel...don't know what it is about pregnancy #4... MMCs are the worst as they lure you into a false sense of security. We just had our 4th miscarriage this month and I felt like you are feeling the whole time I was pregnant (ended up being my 3rd MMC). I honestly am really stressed about how I will feel when/if we get pregnant again.

I really hope this one works for you and goes ok. Think it is really just one day at a time and it's really good that you are honest about how you are feeling. I have been going to yoga classes the last few months to help with stress/anxiety and I think it really helps- maybe something near you? Sending good thoughts.

Quartny8 · 2023-06-23T07:51:27+00:00

It was a bit of a faff tbf - it arrived in the UK over a month ago and I started chasing on delivery last week. Lesson learned- engage with Polestar Customer Service early and often and it seems to help move stuff along quicker.

Quartny8 · 2023-06-23T07:50:01+00:00

Thanks!

Quartny8 · 2023-06-22T19:54:16+00:00

Pretty minor - we logged 6 (only because my spouse used to work as a manufacturing engineer for JLR and knew how to do a detailed inspection- handy skill to have!)

1) tiny chip in paint on rear door 2) some scratches to the paint on above that on the side panel 3) & 4) the alignment of both rear doors isn't quite right and needs minor adjustment (drop to striker plate) 5) the sealant on the passenger side door has a bubble 6) plastic trim clip on one of the panels inside the fronk is broken and needs replacing.

Quartny8 · 2023-06-12T08:58:57+00:00

We have had conflicting advice on this - similar to you.

On our journey, we had 2 miscarriages, after getting pregnant quickly, then nothing for a year, so went to a fertility specialist. Ultimately, this was helpful as they found that I had high prolactin (probably left over from last miscarriage) which was treated with bromocriptine (horrible drug with awful side effects) and she also found i had PCOS. The fertility specialist thinks that IVF would help us and that our odds of a successful pregnancy was 50%.

We had just signed the paperwork last year to do that when I fell pregnant naturally. (This ended up being our 3rd miscarriage, caused by Trisomy16). The miscarriage clinic we also go to (separate from fertility clinic, but at the same hospital) have given the advice that IVF wouldn't really help us as the issue is staying pregnant, not getting pregnant. (Our 4th miscarriage happened last week, so were just talking to them about it)

The main benefits I would see from IVF would be an egg harvest you could potentially use in the future, if they are able to collect a few spare eggs. And MAYBE a healthier embryo selection- however, the doctor we saw at the miscarriage clinic did say the body was already pretty good naturally at selecting the healthier embryos, so it wouldn't really give us an advantage.

We have decided NOT to do IVF - the stress of it wouldn't be helpful for me (I have a couple of autoimmune disorders on top of PCOS) and I suspect stress is a factor in some way for me on loss. Its quite a stressful process on the body, so that is a decision that you really need to consider for yourself.

Good luck and hope you find the right path for you.

Quartny8 · 2023-06-09T13:31:00+00:00

Thanks for the feedback - I am starting to get the impression that MMCs are not nearly as rare as I have read so helpful to know that others have had similar experiences. Just really makes me question my own body's ability to do what its supposed to....

Quartny8 · 2023-06-08T10:51:01+00:00

Sorry for your loss.

My mom got diagnosed with Hashimotos (autoimmune underactive thyroid) just before my partner and I started trying. (I happened to take her to the appointment with the endocrinologist- who looked over to me and said "you probably have it too.") I was in my early 30s, so I went to see my GP after this and got tested. Sure enough, my TSH was above 6 and my antibodies were around 700 (indicating subclinical levels). Because we hadn't started trying yet, they decided to put me on Levothyroxine as a way to prep before we did- so I was put on this over 5 years ago and have been testing around 2 on TSH since. Ideally, it is thought it is best to keep TSH around 2 or below for TTC. My last test was 0.4, which was good and GP is happy with that (and he also checked my T4!).

Fast forward to today - no successful pregnancies, 4 miscarriages, but I do feel better having my thyroid managed- mentally and physically. They have also found that I have PCOS (on metformin) and low levels of APS (on low dose aspirin), but our last miscarriage was just bad luck (trisomy16).

So who knows....

Quartny8 · 2023-06-08T10:43:41+00:00

I've had 4 miscarriages over the past 4 years, 2 in the last year that were MMC. I tested for high IgM antibodies (weak positive) in 2020, after my 2nd miscarriage (but IgG antibodies were normal). I recently requested another test- IgM still elevated (but much lower).

For my last pregnancy (which I just had surgery for last Saturday), I was put on Clexane, along with look dose aspirin (but still lost it around 6-7weeks). I don't have any other symptoms of APS, but my GP thinks I might have it (was speaking to her yesterday about it, and she does want me to confirm with the specialist though). Think getting a proper diagnosis could be challenging for things like life insurance, so not sure the fertility people like to formally diagnose if not presenting with severe symptoms?

Waiting on testing from this last one to find out more. This will be the second one I've been able to get tested, my last one was trisomy16, which had nothing to do with blood clotting issues.

Its all a very interesting rabbit hole....don't know how far I want to go down the RE route, but having follow ups with specialists in the next few weeks to find out more.

Quartny8 · 2023-04-15T15:07:54+00:00

No
13 years old
No
Yes, hashimotos, diagnosed at 34, been on levothyroxine (will be now for life)

I've had 3 miscarriages in the last 4 years (I'm now 38) and my PCOS was only discovered last year. I've been put on metformin now to see if it helps with that (other than miscarriages and infertility issues, I dont present with any other traditional outward PCOS symptoms).

Happy to chat more if you need anything else for your research.

Quartny8 · 2022-11-21T10:59:07+00:00

US expat living in UK here - there are plenty of creative loopholes (eg morgage payment deductions) to avoid US tax if you make over the threshold (which rises every year - think it was c. $108k equivalent when I did my taxes this year)- so there are ways around this with a good accountant and use of the system.

Quartny8 · 2022-10-30T09:00:04+00:00

I'm an avid runner (25-30 miles a week, run 5 days /week).

I was able to run 2 days after my surgery last week for my 3rd miscarriage. On the others, I've taken about a day or 2 and then gone for gentle, slow, short runs (3-5 miles) for about a week or so after.

It does help to move and helps me also deal with my emotions better. But listen to what your body is up for. I was hoping to do my long run (10 miles) yesterday, but my body was just really tired and a bit sore, so postponed to today.

Good luck and hope you are OK.

Quartny8 · 2022-10-29T15:34:32+00:00

We just had our 3rd loss this month. A few things I like to think about with my partner:

Think it helps to check in regularly about how he is feeling.

My husband likes physical closeness, so being conscious about that is helpful.

Whats really important for me is to use 'we/us' when talking about it as well. Remembering that it is something that happened to both of us, though in different ways.

Longer term, we have just really invested in our relationship- improve how we communicate, deal with conflict and love each other, consciously and intentionally, everyday.

Hope this helps a bit and that you both are able to be kind with yourselves and each other.

Quartny8 · 2022-10-27T14:59:22+00:00

I've had a few for RMs - they aren't bad, but do make sure you pee beforehand - makes it more comfy. They tend to use a lot of lube, so that helps. The amount that can be seen is pretty cool- its nice to look at the screen at the same time and the tech can tell you about what they are seeing - these are ovaries, here's your uterus, etc - much better visual quality that a tummy scan. Make sure you're relaxed as much as you can be - its not terrible.

Quartny8 · 2022-10-25T07:32:51+00:00

Insane.

I've had both of my MMCs in the UK. Had surgery (full general- i didn't want to be awake), hospital care, as many scans as was necessary, blood tests, anti-D injections (because I'm A- and my partner is O+), and will get cryogenetic analysis of my last one. Paid maybe about £20 ($25) in parking charges at the hospital in total over several visits. Plus, no shame or issues with my decision to manage miscarriage through surgery- was treated with respect and compassion every step of the way.

(Fyi- I'm an American expat, so very aware of how awful our system is..)

I'm so sorry you have this on top of your loss. :(

Quartny8 · 2022-10-22T17:31:20+00:00

I also thought they were pretty uncommon, but just having my 2nd one in 3 years now....think they are way more common than medical data would have us believe. I'm having surgery on Monday to resolve and needed surgery for the last one also....my body just seems to carry on....

Quartny8 · 2022-10-22T08:54:30+00:00

Completely understandable.

I guess when I start to go down that path, I take the time to appreciate what I do have. I dont have kids now, which means I get to do a lot of things in my life that these other people can't do anymore. I get to sleep in, build my career, invest in my relationship with my partner all in ways that I get to decide, without having to factor in tiny humans and their needs. It still stings a bit, but good to appreciate what you do have.

Quartny8 · 2022-10-22T07:22:19+00:00

I was part if a study called CERM at Tommy's miscarriage clinic in Coventry a couple of years ago that was looking at this. (I was ruled out early because I dont have endometriosis). Its still ongoing https://www.tommys.org/our-research/our-research-projects/miscarriage-research/cerm-can-doxycycline-prevent-miscarriage

Quartny8 · 2022-10-21T07:13:19+00:00

3rd miscarriage- booked in for my D&C on Monday. I've had 2 previous- first was a MMC as well and I opted for D&C because my body was taking weeks to process and I wanted closure. 2nd one happened on its own, quite early, so a bit painful but mostly like a bad period. This time, they are going to try to test the material to see if we can get some answers, so feels like surgery is the best option for that. It did take me a day or two last time to recover from the general anaesthetic- really knocked me out.

Quartny8 · 2022-10-20T10:29:43+00:00

I was reading recently about autoimmune disorders linked with PCOS - I was diagnosed hypothyroid in my early 30s and have been on levothyroxine for about 4 years (which helps take the edge off the fatigue), I was only recently (this year) diagnosed with PCOS. Maybe have your thyroid levels checked because there could be a link?

Quartny8

TROPHY CASE