[jencat215]

Originally Posted by maggiemay

jencat: thanks for your story too! wow. I'm on my 4th pregnancy and doing the progesterone suppositories, estrogen patches, lovenox injections, baby aspirin and b6, b12 too.... and I've gotten to 9 weeks so far! I can't believe it. I hope I have the same good luck as you!!! the meds can be overwhelming but worth every second!

Congrats on little Wyatt. Do you think you'll try again ever? I've tell myself that if I actually get one child out of all this heartache i don't even know if I could try for another with the first being so difficult to capture!
m

I just got AF last week so we are back on . I am BFing so I am not sure I am ovulating, but we would like to have one more. When I got pregnant with Wyatt, I just knew deep down thing would be okay. I really trusted in the folic acid/aspirin/heparin/progesterone. Not sure why, just this feeling I had. Of course I was constantly nervous and my pregnancy innocence was gone

I am praying that all of you get your little miracles too,

Something I found on Facebook that might interest some who look at this thread:
EAGeR
It is a study to test the effects of baby aspirin and folic acid on women TTC who have had 1 or 2 m/c's. I knew I wouldn't qualify since I was already on the study meds, but I wrote and told them my story and thanked them for looking into RPL, a often overlooked IF issue.

[Highopes]

So after my u/s on Weds I started bleeding. The bleeding went from a dark color to red & then on top of that I started having blood in my urine. I wasn't having any cramping or any other symptoms. I wasn't bleeding a lot but the color & also having it in my urine scared me. I was really upset & called the Dr. The Dr. felt that the u/s may have upset my cervix & hence the bleeding. The bleeding slowed down by the next morning & I'm just spotting now. The Dr. doesn't think I need to come in sooner than the 1st. for an u/s. So now, I wait and see again. I just hope all is okay.

Maggie - I've heard that the cramping you're getting, like Jencat had mentioned is to do with ligaments. Only 2 days before your next u/s & I'm sure all will be ok.

I am only on prenatals but I've heard about baby aspirin working well especially for those with RPL but what is recommended for those that are allergic to aspirin like myself?

[christina_s]

Maggie - I too had these cramps in the first weeks and thought it was something bad. As it turns out it is something normal. Good luck on your next ultrasound

Highhopes - I am really sorry for the bleeding. I understand it is frustrating but you have a good explanation from your doctor why this happened. I wish I knew alternatives to aspirin, but I am sure there are. The dose in baby aspirin is 1/4 of the regular one. Will that hurt too?

Cathi - I understand how you feel, I was extremely anxious about everything and started feeling a little relaxed once we reached the 24 week mark.

I will be thinking of the three of you

Take care

[bunniswife]

Hi Girls, most of you by now know my story but I'll share it again. I have been pregnant eight times with nine babies and only have my two living daughters. I have had six miscarriages and lost my son Calvin at six days old due to complications from open heart surgery. My recurrent miscarriages were due to Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome but once I got on heparin and baby aspirin I was able to carry my first daughter Lorelei (pregnancy number six) to thirty six week when I had an abruption. Lorelei was lucky to get out alive. DH and I suffered a miscarriage at eleven weeks when Lorelei was eighteen months old, chromosome testing indicated Turner Syndrome, a complete shock because once I had my diagnosis and treatment plan figured out, I never expected another loss. We then tried for a year to conceive with no luck and when I did one round of 50mg Clomid, got pregnant with Calvin and Georgia. Calvin was diagnosed in utero with a severe congenital heart defect (Truncus Arteriosus Type 3) and died due to complications of ECMO after open heart surgery. My RPL hurt me so much emotionally I was unable to relax and enjoy any of my pregnancies. It was after discovering that Calvin had a heart defect that my DH and I decided that this was it for us. Too many years of heartache and pain. It affected every area of our lives, from our relationship with family to our belief in God. If anyone says miscarriage doesn't hurt because you never get to know the baby, they've obviously never had one. Not only do you lose the child, but all your hopes and dreams for him or her. It's also hard to have closure during an early loss because you're left with nothing to acknowledge that child's exisitence. No funeral, no body, no memories. It's just so very very sad and it's turned me into a messed up girl who will never be the same again. Great thread idea, I have a feeling though that there are many, many more of us who will come out of the woodwork. Hugs to all....

[maggiemay]

bunniswife: thank you so much for coming aboard. You were one of the first few that I found on here that had RPL and had such a complex story and had success with the challenges and heartache. Thanks for sharing your story again. It made me cry. It is just so rare to be able to have people understand how there is this grief.... and there's nothing to do with it... thus, is why we must seek it out on a forum such as this.

Highopes: I had some early bleeding after one of my ultrasounds, then a second time after sex, and then a third time with no trigger it seems... so I'm hoping it is just things getting adjusted in there... each time I of coarse thought for sure this was "it" the start of another ending... but... It is not over till its over! YOu have excellent chances this time! Hang in there...everyday I feel like there is a chance things could go wrong today OR they can go RIGHT! I try sooo hard to think of them going right... Anyway, your next ultrasound is the 2nd? Tuesday right?

ALSO Highopes: the baby aspirin. I've heard of it for two ways... but I am in no way an expert.. I think the first way is for implantation and the 2nd way is if you are on the blood clotting regime and then the baby aspirin keeps your blood thin until the point at which you know you are pregnant and then you start taking the shots. So, I'm not sure... maybe that could be its on thread b/c I think lots of other women know more about it.

I love having you ladies around!
Have a great Sunday!
Maggie

[mel333]

Well, I'm new here - it hurts and helps to read others' stories. I'm so sad for the pain others have been through and am glad that some have happy endings.

Here's my story - I have a 3 1/2 year old son (my first pregnancy), then had 2 m/c from natural pregnancies, got tested and nothing wrong was found. We were having trouble getting pregnant again so I had IUI, got pregnant and miscarried. We then tried IVF. I got pregnant after my 2nd round with twins. We lost one twin at 8 weeks and we just lost the 2nd twin, our dear little boy, 2 weeks ago at 16 weeks. He was completely healthy but I got Fifth's Disease which very rarely causes miscarriage and it happened to me. I actually calculated my chances of getting the virus, passing the virus to my baby and losing this pregnancy from the virus and it was something like .003%. I'm sick of being in that ridiculously small percentage of RPL. I joke w/ my DH about if we're in such a small minority, why can't we be ones who win the lottery instead of losing pregnancies/babies.

I'm so devastated about this most recent loss. They all were so hard but to make it past 8 weeks (which is when my past m/cs were) and to feel almost in the clear (although nervous every day) then to lose a baby to something so stupid has taken everything out of me. I can't believe I've had 5 m/cs. I don't know if I can bear another one but I so desperately want another baby and we can't afford to adopt. All I've ever really wanted was to have children. I can't believe how hard this road has been. I've lost all my innocence and I think I'm losing my faith. I'm so thankful that I have my son but I'm so close to my brother and I really want my DS to have a sibling. Even though we didn't tell him I was pregnant, he's been talking about becoming a big brother. It breaks my heart.

Sorry for the long rant. I'm just in so much pain and can't sleep.

My hopes that you all have peace, healing and the healthy babies you want and deserve.

[Highopes]

Mel - thank you for sharing your story & I am so sorry for your losses. I have never made it past the 6 1/2 week mark (hopefully tomorrow I will break that mark) so to get as far as you did must be difficult. Take time to grieve & if there's anything I've learnt from reading the stories from the amazing women on this board is to have hope & don't give up. Yes, it is hard but this forum is a great place to share, good & bad.

Maggie - thanks for the words of reassurance regarding my bleeding. I'm glad to know I'm not alone. I also liked your way of looking at it, "It's not over till its over...everyday I feel there is a chance things could go wrong today OR they can go RIGHT!" Tomorrow I go for my 2nd u/s & pray all is still good. How did your u/s go today?

Sherry

[DRB]

Hi Everyone
I am friends with Maggie May, so she told me she revived the RPL thread. I have had 2 m/c in the last 6 months. We have switched doctors and the latest WTH is I have an elevated (27) Antiocardiolipin IGM. I have scoured the internet only to discover most the data on RPL is with the IGG. I have an appt with my RE on the 9th to discuss our plan of action. All other test came back normal.

Anyone on here IGM positive only? I am going to get a second test. Also, I don't believe this caused the miscarriages, as I was under 7 weeks both times. Bad eggs, perhaps. Or as the doctor put it "Bad luck". Thanks, that made me feel better Doctor.

We are considering PGD with IVF

Thanks
Denise

[maggiemay]

DRB: I'm so glad to see you! Yeah, I don't know about your Antiocardiolipin, it seems like mel or bunnieswife might know more? It is really good to have you here! Will you get a second opinion about the blood work before you consider the IVF w/ PGD?

Highopes: I'm crossing all my fingers and toes for you tomorrow! =) Hang in there! I know you are worried... I almost feel like I'm going to throw up driving to these ultrasounds... I can't wait to hear what your news is tomorrow!

Mel: Thank you for sharing your story and I think that it will help others to know we can ask you questions and talk with you. I know others have happy endings and that gives me hope to try not to worry but this group of women right here is the first group I think of to ask all my questions. Thanks for sharing and being here!

AFM: I actually had a positive ultrasound today. A little heartbeat and dancing moving baby measuring 10weeks 1 day. I don't know, really, if I'll ever allow myself to rejoice. The doctor said to relax... but really? How could I? I know things can go wrong at any time. I drove home today thinking... will I really stay pregnant? I'm not sure. But, I am grateful for getting this far. Next ultrasound on Sept. 18th. If he/she is still kicking in there... my RE will release me... ugh... I can't imagine not having their ongoing support!!!

[bunniswife]

Originally Posted by DRB

Hi Everyone
I am friends with Maggie May, so she told me she revived the RPL thread. I have had 2 m/c in the last 6 months. We have switched doctors and the latest WTH is I have an elevated (27) Antiocardiolipin IGM. I have scoured the internet only to discover most the data on RPL is with the IGG. I have an appt with my RE on the 9th to discuss our plan of action. All other test came back normal.

Anyone on here IGM positive only? I am going to get a second test. Also, I don't believe this caused the miscarriages, as I was under 7 weeks both times. Bad eggs, perhaps. Or as the doctor put it "Bad luck". Thanks, that made me feel better Doctor.

We are considering PGD with IVF

Thanks
Denise

I also had a high titer of anitcardiolipins. This does put you at an elevated risk for early miscarriage. All of my miscarriages were in the first trimester. Most doctors who don't know too much about APS or Hughes Disease chock early miscarriage up to chemical pregnancy, however there is a link between anticardiolipins, lupus anticoagulent, antinuclear antibodies and disordered implantation. They are now finding that the losses don't just occur towards the end of pregnancy. In fact it wasn't until I was on heparin from a postive pregnancy test on that I was able to carry successfully. Ask your doctor to refer you to a haematologist that specializes in recurrent pregnancy loss. I'm sure you will find more answers there.

[Highopes]

Maggie - congrats on the u/s that's awesome news. Just think 14 more days & you'll hit the 1st trimester mark!!

DRB - to this thread & thanks for sharing your story with us.

My update: well today was my 2nd u/s. The technician seemed to take a long time looking at the monitor & that freaked me out as I'm thinking the worst. Then she turned the monitor around & showed my little bean, his/her little heart beating away . I am measuring 7w 0d, which is where I should be. This is a first for me as I've never made it this far. I am happy but I'm also still worried as well. I met with my RE after & she was very happy with the way things were progressing & then went through the odds of m/c at 8 weeks & at 12, which was cheerful (I can't remember the % but it is so small & obviously I hope I'm not one of those statistics!) She decided to release me to my OB/GYN. I felt a little uneasy being released so quickly, my safety cushion seems to be pulled from under me, but anyway. My dh & I are off on vacation on Friday for 10 days so it will be nice to celebrate a little I guess. My RE told me that my EDD is April 19th 2010. Maggie what is your current EDD?

[lml422]

Hello ladies...I would like to join your group. Maggiemay told me about your group as I was on the March Due Dates group with her until my loss. I just had my 2nd D&C yesterday....I will back up and tell you my story.

After coming off the pill I had short luteal phases (from 4-7 days). My doctor prescribed clomid and that lengthened it to 9 days but still not enough to get pregnant. The next month (April 2009) he had me take clomid and then crinone (progesterone suppository gel) after ovulation. I got pregnant that month but starting from the beginning there were problems...slow rising betas. The betas eventually started going up normally but I never saw a fetal pole or heartbeat and by 8 weeks was diagnosed with a miscarriage. Since I had been on progesterone I didn't have any bleeding so I went for a D&C. I figured I would still have the Luteal phase issues so DH and I didn't use any contraception after the miscarriage and next thing I knew I was pregnant again naturally. My betas were great this time and I saw the heartbeat on u/s at 6.5 weeks and 8 weeks. Then around 10 weeks I was having alot of cramping so I called and asked to have another u/s. I had the slightest pink tinge to the crinone one night but that was the only bleeding. I went for the u/s actually thinking everything would be fine but of course thats not my luck. The baby was measuring 9w3d no heartbeat. It had died about a week before. I just had the D&C for that loss yesterday because, again, no bleeding even after coming off progesterone. I am having the tissue tested for chromosomes this time but I would also like to be tested for the clotting factor disorders. There are so many sad stories on here and although we can share some of the pain...I know alot of you have been through far worse than I have. I am glad to see that many of you have at least one child or are currently pregnant.

Cathi & Bunniswife - your stories especially break my heart...I am a NICU nurse so I take care of babies just like the ones you lost everytime I go to work. It is a very hard place to work especially with having losses. I am so sorry you have been through such horrible losses. I don't understand why any of this has to happen to people who want children so badly when there are people out there everyday getting pregnant and having healthy babies that don't even want them. I know GOD has a reason for everything and we are not supposed to understand it... but when i get to heaven I am going to ask that question.

[maggiemay]

lml: I'm so glad to see you here!
I'm sorry you recently came home from your d&c. How are you feeling? Doing? Ugh. My second was the hardest for me. It was the realization that something more might be going on and I took it really hard. I tood 4 1/2 days off work. I felt like such wimp but I couldn't go to work (i work with parents of children ages birth to three with special needs...) and the last thing I wanted to do was look at parents and toddlers/babies together. It has to be difficult to work in the NICU too!!! I hope you take time for you.

My heart is with you.

I

[tko6666]

Hi gals,

I am feeling so many feelings after reading your posts. I feel so so sad for all of you. I'm so sorry for all of your struggles. Each of your stories bring back so many memories. At the same time, I feel so greatful to have some people who can really understand what I'm going through.

After just having our 4th m/c last month, I can really realte to all of you. I know the excitement and fear assosciated with the next/current pregnancy. I know the rollercoster of going through this process over and over again. I know what it's like to be an "expert" at something no one should ever have to go through.

Our first 2 pregnancies were natural and that brought us to our RE. Her thought was that these probably were chromosomal, and IVF with CGH could help us. Unfortunately, we were in that 1% group of people where CGH failed us and ended up loosing a trisomy 15 girl at 9 weeks. Our last pregnancy was a complete suprise and we went from planning on DE to pregnancy to D&C all with in 2 weeks. We lost this little one around 8 weeks with the chromosome results being inconclusive.

The part I love about this thread is not to dwell on the past but to be able to support each of us as we move into the future. We have all been through more than most people can ever imagine, and can really be there for each other in ways that no one else can.

I want to congratulate all the pregnant gals, and hope that time passes quickly for all of you. I wish the best of luck to all of us gearing up for the next round.

I look forward to getting to know all of you better.

[maggiemay]

tko:
I am so sorry to hear of your recent loss! My heart goes out to you and your DH. Will you be able to have genetic testing on this one too? What is the CGH? Is that similar to IVF w/ PGD?

I'm so glad you are here too!! This may sound a little crazy, but when I just had my 3rd m/c I started looking all over the place on old and new threads to find others with my history... more than 2 or 3 m/c's. Honestly, it was difficult to find. However, I remember reading something from you on an older thread...but you had not posted in a while and so I always wondered what happened to you... I hope that doesn't sound to "stalker-ish" but I think you may relate in me saying that I do feel that we are a small crowd... to have recurrent m/c's.

I was trying to find reality stories, positive stories...anything.. I just wanted to know what my real chances were.

This thread is really doing what we hoped it would do. Help us all to recognize who's out there, in all of our multiple places and stages in this crazy journey. Because we all have a wealth of information to share to help each other. Because no one understands how we worry, grieve, fear, and rejoice like another woman of rpl. If there were a support group that met down the street or 20 miles from me... I would go. but there isn't one! Thanks ladies for helping us all.