Recurrent losses ... what to do?

[Anonymous]

I just had my second chemical pregnancy in a row. I read online that only 2% of women will have back to back losses. That frightens me that there is something seriously wrong with me. I have only been trying for 2 months and got pregnant on both cycles since going off birth control. Obviously I am going to contact my doctor today but wanted to see if anybody else has experienced this before.

FWIW I already have 2 children and easily got pregnant with them. I am 34 and husband is 35.

[Anonymous]

I'm so sorry you're going through this. I went through this last year...two 9W MCs in 3 months. I felt the same way you did. My OB wouldn't listen to me and I went to an RE who wouldn't either. They both told me to "call when I've had 3 or 4." I ended up going to Shady Grove and having every test under the sun run. I was told we just had bad luck but I could accept that answer because the testing was comprehensive. We started trying again and I got pregnant right away. I'm now 37W. My advice, make sure you find a doctor who isn't dismissive and recognized that 2 in a row should be taken seriously. It might not be anything but it also might be. I was really appreciative that Shady Grove didn't treat me like an irrational woman for thinking something was wrong. Good luck and again I'm so sorry.

[Anonymous]

OP I would just keep trying. I had 4 MCs between kids and thought I would never have a rainbow baby - and then in my early 40s had a successful pregnancy with no interventions/treatments. I didn’t believe it could just be bad luck, but after dozens of tests that’s what it was determined to be. I would recommend the books “Coming to Term” and “It Starts with the Egg.” Best of luck and very sorry for your losses

[Anonymous]

This is stressful but normal for that age, keep trying

[Anonymous]

That was me between my first and second. I had a chemical pregnancy followed by a 6 week miscarriage on back to back cycles. My OB told me it was bad luck, but I am super type A and saw an RE. Like the poster above they ran a ton of tests and they all came back normal. While I was in testing I got pregnant again with my now 18 month old. The RE put me on progesterone and baby aspirin, but I am not quite sure there was any medical reason for either.

[Anonymous]

I had two of those in a row and then a miscarriage and then a successful pregnancy. First and third kids were conceived on the first try. It could be anything or nothing, just keep at it.

[Anonymous]

I had 3 MC in a year an a half (3 different chromosome issues). My doctors weren't worried and told me it was just bad luck (which it legitimately was). But I went to see an RE just to feel like I was doing something. At least getting tests done made me feel like I was doing something. Like luck would have it, my 4th pregnancy happened quickly after started seeing the RE and it was successful. One really nice thing about being under the care of an RE at the start was lots of early tests and ultrasounds. It most likely is bad luck, but being proactive and finding an RE may at least give your mind something to focus on.

Hang in there, it's the worst!!

[Anonymous]

OP here ... thanks everybody for the comments! Makes me feel better than I am not alone in this.

I just talked with my midwife and she said that we should wait one full cycle to give my body a rest and then try the next 1-2 cycles. If there are problems after that then we can go in for more testing. She thinks that my body just needs to reset after going off birth control and having the initial chemical pregnancy.

This is a whole new area for me since I got pregnant very easily with my first pregnancy (30 years old) and my second pregnancy (31 years old). Also I have a sister and she never had any problems with her two pregnancies either.

Not sure if this is due to luck of the draw and/or age related, even though we aren't really that old! Fingers crossed it will happen shortly. Although I am sure I will be a nervous wreck if it does happen given the two past losses!

[Anonymous]

This happened to me between DC1 and DC2. I was philosophical after mc1, but after the second, I was so upset and sure there was something wrong. I went to the RE, they do treat recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). They set me up on a schedule to do bloodwork, but I never actually got to do it because I got pregnant with DC2. He's 4 now.

Sorry this happened to you. Likely my case was bad luck and yours might be too, but if not, know that there are doctors who treat RPL and you can see one if you need to.

[Anonymous]

You could at least get a thrombophilia panel done while you keep trying. PPs are right it could be nothing or it could be something. I had lots of losses and it ended up being something, but I think it's a good sign you have 2 children already.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You could at least get a thrombophilia panel done while you keep trying. PPs are right it could be nothing or it could be something. I had lots of losses and it ended up being something, but I think it's a good sign you have 2 children already.

What is a thrombophilia panel?

Also how does one go about seeing a RE? I don't think that is necessary at this point yet but do you just make an appointment or do you need to be referred by your OB? Again this is a whole new territory for us!

OP here.

[Anonymous]

I am so sorry OP. About 1/2 of pregnancies end in m/c. Most people would not be checking to see if they are pregnant at 4 weeks, and thus wouldn't know about a chemical pregnancy. I think you just had two rounds of bad luck.

Keep trying. I bet you will be pregnant within 3 months.

[Anonymous]

Was going to post almost the exact same thing, OP. I’m 30 and had a chemical pregnancy followed by a blighted ovum. First pregnancy was easy to conceive, healthy, and full-term. It feels like more than just bad luck, but maybe not?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am so sorry OP. About 1/2 of pregnancies end in m/c. Most people would not be checking to see if they are pregnant at 4 weeks, and thus wouldn't know about a chemical pregnancy. I think you just had two rounds of bad luck.

Keep trying. I bet you will be pregnant within 3 months.

OP here ... yes I am done early testing. Its clearly is giving me anxiety and I am catching early chemical pregnancies when I might likely wouldn't if I didn't test early.

I am just worried about this since it has happened twice in a row (which I think is rare to have it happen back to back) and given my age. I know 34 isn't that old but it obviously is older than when I had my last two pregnancies and I wonder if that is playing a big role in this.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP, like others have said, it could be nothing or it could be something. To put my mind at ease, I would get it checked out with an RE b/c they see this all the time with folks who are trying due to other issues. Hopefully it's nothing but if there is something going on, at least you will know and can get treated sooner rather than later. Sounds like SG is a good option but you may want to check out GW's IVF center. You could also post your question on the Infertility board here and folks may be able to recommend other options. Good luck!