[maggiemay]

ahhh yes, progesterone.. I was on another brand i guess... suppositories - vaginal. gross.... it sucks, i know...one more medical thing we do to ourselves.

Originally Posted by knm7654

Maggiemay- Thanks for the welcome. Crinone is progesterone supp. gel.

when it is egg quality, my motto is there has GOT to be ONE GOOD one in there! Just has to be.


I got BFN on Thursday, went ahead and tested so that if it was neg (i didn't have a good feeling about it this cycle, don't believe i'm o'ing even with all the meds and ovidrel) I could stop that awful crinone.

I am taking this month off from monitoring anyway, and am talking to DH about maybe trying one more IUI before facing our reality of not having another?? Time is slipping from our hands as we are both getting too old for this (my eggs apparently anyway).

[Highopes]

JessStillwaits & DRB - I'm sorry that you got a BFN but hang in there. I met with my Dr. & was prepped for IVF w/PGD & was all geared up to go ahead with it when I found out I was pregnant naturally (that was a shock). I felt alittle overwhelmed with all the info I was given & the meds I had to take (it was a few more than the IUI's w/Gonal F) that I would have to take but I know it works & so many women have got pregnant from it so don't give up hope. Also, for those on here who are concerned about age, don't. Yes, it's true the younger you are the more chance it will eventually happen. But let me be an example, I stated ttc when I was 35 & didn't get pg until I was 37. I've had 3 m/c's & fell pregnant naturally in July 2009. I will (hopefully) be due in April 2010 & I will be 39 1/2!! I never thought I would be close to 40 and having my first but having a child and being a loving parent is what's more important to me than others telling me I'm too old etc.

AFM: I had my NT scan on Fri & the measurements were good. I'm just waiting for my blood results. The place I had my NT scan was different from where I usually have my u/s. The office is more modern & each u/s room has a tv/monitor on the back wall so that the technician can point everything out & you don't have to turn your head to see her screen, it was so cool. The baby has to be pretty still to get the measurements & would my baby cooperate, no! It was moving a lot. It was so cool for me to see. I also couldn't believe how much bigger the baby had grown in 2 1/2 wks. I'm now 12 1/2 weeks. As Maggiemay has said ...I'll be so grateful to the universe and medicine if I can just get one out in the world...

[JessStillWaits]

So I was preparing for IVF and I discovered that my bloodwork came back + for antiphospholipid antibodies! I am actually not shocked. I am kind of hopeful, but also kind of annoyed this wasn't discovered before. I would gladly take shots of heparin at this juncture, whatever it takes? Also, one of my big fears with IVF was this whole fear that I would lose a baby again! But maybe this will save us from that... maybe. I know there are no guarantees. Is it weird to hope?

Ugh, the other big annoyance is they want to do more bloods that push back the whole IVF process. Ack! Waiting is so tough!

Just wanted to check in for anyone who may be struggling for answers with their RPL. (Also if anyone has any experience with these antibodies, let me know. I've been checking elsewhere on the site too.)

[bunniswife]

I've got antiphospholipid antibody syndrome too. I had five miscarriages before I was finally put on heparin and baby aspirin. I've been told with treatment, that 80% of pregnancies with APS will result in a live birth. The two pregnancies I had while I was on heparin were the only ones that resulted in living children for me. Good luck, the diagnosis is good news for you. Now you have an answer why and can begin treatment. However, I must add that usually APS is a secondary disease. Mostly secondary to Lupus but there are a few other diseases it can come second to. I have primary Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome meaning that I have the disease first, not as an addition to something else. Primary APS occurs in only 1% of diagnosed cases of APS so your RE or haematologist may want to check you for Lupus before you conceive. Hugs

[JessStillWaits]

thanks for the note bunniswife, you give me lots of hope. I do have an infusion of hope in general! I am waiting to get some follow-up bloodwork. And I am also meeting with a maternal fetal specialist prepregnancy to plan. I actually am relieved in general too- I get sick a LOT with all kinds of little inections, and I've also questioned if something could be wrong in my body and I wouldn't know it, I have asked about immune disorders before. I feel like I was kind of blown off, but I have to keep at it I've learned. So, just in life in general, it gives me hope that there could be an answer to why things are going on with me and some hope for some treatments.

Do you know if it's 80"% of pregnancies or 80% of people? In other words, if one doesn't work, another should? It seems very hopeful that we could have an answer here, so I am continuing to hope...

Originally Posted by bunniswife

I've got antiphospholipid antibody syndrome too. I had five miscarriages before I was finally put on heparin and baby aspirin. I've been told with treatment, that 80% of pregnancies with APS will result in a live birth. The two pregnancies I had while I was on heparin were the only ones that resulted in living children for me. Good luck, the diagnosis is good news for you. Now you have an answer why and can begin treatment. However, I must add that usually APS is a secondary disease. Mostly secondary to Lupus but there are a few other diseases it can come second to. I have primary Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome meaning that I have the disease first, not as an addition to something else. Primary APS occurs in only 1% of diagnosed cases of APS so your RE or haematologist may want to check you for Lupus before you conceive. Hugs

[DRB]

Originally Posted by Highopes

JessStillwaits & DRB - I'm sorry that you got a BFN but hang in there. I met with my Dr. & was prepped for IVF w/PGD & was all geared up to go ahead with it when I found out I was pregnant naturally (that was a shock). I felt alittle overwhelmed with all the info I was given & the meds I had to take (it was a few more than the IUI's w/Gonal F) that I would have to take but I know it works & so many women have got pregnant from it so don't give up hope. Also, for those on here who are concerned about age, don't. Yes, it's true the younger you are the more chance it will eventually happen. But let me be an example, I stated ttc when I was 35 & didn't get pg until I was 37. I've had 3 m/c's & fell pregnant naturally in July 2009. I will (hopefully) be due in April 2010 & I will be 39 1/2!! I never thought I would be close to 40 and having my first but having a child and being a loving parent is what's more important to me than others telling me I'm too old etc.

AFM: I had my NT scan on Fri & the measurements were good. I'm just waiting for my blood results. The place I had my NT scan was different from where I usually have my u/s. The office is more modern & each u/s room has a tv/monitor on the back wall so that the technician can point everything out & you don't have to turn your head to see her screen, it was so cool. The baby has to be pretty still to get the measurements & would my baby cooperate, no! It was moving a lot. It was so cool for me to see. I also couldn't believe how much bigger the baby had grown in 2 1/2 wks. I'm now 12 1/2 weeks. As Maggiemay has said ...I'll be so grateful to the universe and medicine if I can just get one out in the world...

Thanks Highhopes. I agree there has to be one good egg in there, and hopefully we shall find it. Since my FSH is still in the 5.0-6.0 range, I think I do have some time, not a ton, but more than I thought. I am day by day preparing myself for all these meds. I am not as freaked out as last week, so that is good. My appt is next week. A few things may delay it: My husband still needs his karyotype done and during the hysteroscopy last month there were still some products of conception left in my uterus. Not alot, but enough it may need a D and C maybe. I think IVF wants that uterus in pristine condition. The Re at the time did not want to mess with it due to my losses.

[maggiemay]

Jess: I don't think its uncommon for you to feel Hopeful! I would. Its nice to know its just not a fluke. So often it all feels too mysterious and hard to answer, why? But, this helps you lead towards one direction... This is really good news! I'm hopeful for you too. And, yes, I feel like I was a bit whiny about the injections... but they are worth every one!!!! Keep at them to keep testing you and get it all done! I don't have your specific blood challenges so I can't answer specific questions...

DRB: Let us know if you have to do a D&C... I'd like to send you good thoughts.

[JessStillWaits]

Thanks maggiemay- glad to hear your pregnancy is continuing healthily... I am hopeful that your taking medications aided in your . I am willing to do anything at this point... absolutely anything. It's frustrating to keep waiting around to start IVF, but I am hoping the IVF will be more likely to work now. I couldn't shake my fears about IVF leading to loss again. But I am hoping this is not the case now.

Originally Posted by maggiemay

Jess: I don't think its uncommon for you to feel Hopeful! I would. Its nice to know its just not a fluke. So often it all feels too mysterious and hard to answer, why? But, this helps you lead towards one direction... This is really good news! I'm hopeful for you too. And, yes, I feel like I was a bit whiny about the injections... but they are worth every one!!!! Keep at them to keep testing you and get it all done! I don't have your specific blood challenges so I can't answer specific questions...

DRB: Let us know if you have to do a D&C... I'd like to send you good thoughts.

[nzsc]

Hi, I am joining this forum kind of late, but I wanted to share my story. I had 3 m/c this year. My 1st m/c was natural at 8w. this Jan. I somehow got preg. naturally. My 2nd m/c was after an iui cycle. It was a chem. preg. My 3rd m/c was after an ivf cycle, I was also 8w, I had a D&C. I am 39 going on 40. I desperately want a LC, but I am so so so afarid of another m/c. I am willing to do ivf if there was a guarentee. Unfortunately, it does not come with a guarentee.
Natasha

[DRB]

Originally Posted by nzsc

Hi, I am joining this forum kind of late, but I wanted to share my story. I had 3 m/c this year. My 1st m/c was natural at 8w. this Jan. I somehow got preg. naturally. My 2nd m/c was after an iui cycle. It was a chem. preg. My 3rd m/c was after an ivf cycle, I was also 8w, I had a D&C. I am 39 going on 40. I desperately want a LC, but I am so so so afarid of another m/c. I am willing to do ivf if there was a guarentee. Unfortunately, it does not come with a guarentee.
Natasha

Hi Natasha
You have had it rough this year. I am so sorry. Don't give up hope till you have turned every stone. Have you gone to talk to a maternal fetal medicine person/hematologist yet? Jess (from this thread) and I are doing that, due to the fact the Re's only know so much about immunology and maternal blood disorders. There are tons of treatments out there for APS etc type issues. Also, have you looked in to PGD (genetic screening) of your IVF embryo's before being implanted? Maggie Mae was going to do that before she got pregnant, and I am going that route. I am your age, and I truly think its our age with the eggs that is doing this to us. I never had enough tissue after my 2 mc's to test, so we are "guessing" its chromosomal.

Email me if you need to talk.

[nzsc]

Hi DRB, No I have been working with a RE only. I have not looked into maternal fetal medicine. I want to know what is going on with my body, but I am so so so scared of another m/c. I am not familiar with the world of maternal fetal medicine. Can you explain what they do and what they test for.
Thanks,
Natasha

[DRB]

Originally Posted by nzsc

Hi DRB, No I have been working with a RE only. I have not looked into maternal fetal medicine. I want to know what is going on with my body, but I am so so so scared of another m/c. I am not familiar with the world of maternal fetal medicine. Can you explain what they do and what they test for.
Thanks,
Natasha

After your second miscarriage, your Re should have worked you up a complete blood profile. This would show blood disorders (which I think you said you had) and any chromosomal mutations. All these things can cause a miscarriage, if not treated. MF Medicine have more experience IMO in dealing with the "treatments" for these problems. These doctors daily deal with high risk pregnancies. Re's get your pregnant and have some experience in "problems". Not enough though for me to put all my faith in them. My MF medicine appt is in 2 weeks, I just am bringing all my blood work results (from the RE's request after miscarriage number 2) and my verbal of my pregnancy m/c history.

At this point, do you have the blood work done? They take around 12 vials it seems when the do it.

So, I know where you are coming from. Nothings is worse than having your dreams be stripped from you. My husband and i have made the decision not to leave any stone unturned, get all the information, get the best "medical opinion" on how to handle it. We are also going to be paying out of pocket for the PGD (chromosome analysis) of the embryos. So, when I do get pregnant I have give myself the BEST possible chance to make this happen. God forbid I m/c again. But in my heart I would know I did everything scientifically possible to have a baby. It truly is in Gods hands after that.

Take some time off and refocus on something else if you can. That has helped me a ton. I was a wreck after M/C #2 at 8 weeks.

[JessStillWaits]

nzsc-

I am so sorry to hear of your losses. It's still hard for me now, and I am thinking of you.

I am also in agreement with DRB. Keep seeking out some reasons. RE's are there to get you pregnant- but if your reasons for staying or getting pregnant are not endicrinological (not sure if that's a word!) in nature, they are out of their league in most cases. I am also going to see an MFS on 10/30. I wish I had known to do this earlier.

Best wishes to you...
Jess

Originally Posted by DRB

After your second miscarriage, your Re should have worked you up a complete blood profile. This would show blood disorders (which I think you said you had) and any chromosomal mutations. All these things can cause a miscarriage, if not treated. MF Medicine have more experience IMO in dealing with the "treatments" for these problems. These doctors daily deal with high risk pregnancies. Re's get your pregnant and have some experience in "problems". Not enough though for me to put all my faith in them. My MF medicine appt is in 2 weeks, I just am bringing all my blood work results (from the RE's request after miscarriage number 2) and my verbal of my pregnancy m/c history.

At this point, do you have the blood work done? They take around 12 vials it seems when the do it.

So, I know where you are coming from. Nothings is worse than having your dreams be stripped from you. My husband and i have made the decision not to leave any stone unturned, get all the information, get the best "medical opinion" on how to handle it. We are also going to be paying out of pocket for the PGD (chromosome analysis) of the embryos. So, when I do get pregnant I have give myself the BEST possible chance to make this happen. God forbid I m/c again. But in my heart I would know I did everything scientifically possible to have a baby. It truly is in Gods hands after that.

Take some time off and refocus on something else if you can. That has helped me a ton. I was a wreck after M/C #2 at 8 weeks.

[nzsc]

Hi DRB and Jess,
Have either of you two been tested for immune problems? I have read a lot about immune problems during preg. and there are only a few labs in this country that will test for this. Does the MSF test for immune disorders that can cause m/c in a small percentage of preg.?

Thanks,
Natasha

[JessStillWaits]

Hi natasha-

I have heard such mixed things scientifically about immune problems, some are still very controversial. However, there are a few that are well established though that I was able to get tested for easily. It seems to me most RE's have a "typical" panel they run.

One thing to make sure they test you for is all types of clotting disorders. This seems to account for a fair amount of the problem in RPL.

I asked my PCP to test me for Celiac Disease which is an immune disorder that can interfere with fertility.

I was also tested for Antiphospholipid Antibodies and came up positive. If you come up + twice, you may have APS, an autoimmune syndrome causing clotting issues. If you come up + once it's less clear it's the issue, unless your readings are high.

MTHFR is one thing I was not tested for but I have seen a lot of people on the boards have this as an issue. I think it relates to folic acid absorption.

Finally, another "controversial" (to RE's anyway) thing to test for is NK cells. (Killer cells). Some docs feel these are more related to stress or something. Some RE's seem reluctant to test.

I would suggest making a list of some of these things and going to your RE and asking them to test. Some insurance companies won't pay for some of the tests, but sometimes it's worth it.

Finally, one thing I learned in the past few weeks is that High Risk OB's/ Maternal Fetal Specialists are more specialists in miscarriage than RE's. And it shouldn't be a problem for you to consult with one. It's almost like RE's are there to get you pregnant and MFS are there to keep you pregnant. I mean some RE's are more willing to do exploration than others, and some want to just keep trying hoping that sooner or later, it will stick. I do think the MFS would be willing to test. Part of their job is exploring why pregnancies don't stick around.

Hope that info helps somehow. I am sure there are lots of things I am missing, but those are some the basics I learned of in my research.

Take care-
Jess


One other common test

Originally Posted by nzsc

Hi DRB and Jess,
Have either of you two been tested for immune problems? I have read a lot about immune problems during preg. and there are only a few labs in this country that will test for this. Does the MSF test for immune disorders that can cause m/c in a small percentage of preg.?

Thanks,
Natasha