Subsequent pregnancies getting shorter??

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Subsequent Pregnancies Getting Shorter??

6 posts on this thread and the last post was on June 26th, 2007 6:31 PM

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susans_email - June 26th, 2007 9:30 AM

[Original Post]

Hi, everyone. Again, I'm new to this board and hoping to find some support on these online boards. I'm a social worker in my community, which makes it difficult to go to any support groups, as I either know the leader, or fear running into women who have been or are my clients.

Anyway--has anyone experienced 3+ m/c's where each time, the gestational period is shorter? I had my first m/c in December at 6w5d, and was absolutely devestated.

We learned we were pregnant again in early May, after I had already been bleeding, so were certain it was another m/c, until we were told by a dr. at my regular dr's office that the HCG was rising so everything was okay. Um, okay, but what about the crippling cramps and the blood that, at one point, was dripping??? The next day, we learned that the levels had dropped, and had a m/c at about 5 weeks.

To our (happy, of course!) surprise, we had a positive pregnancy test the weekend of July 17th (okay, 4 positive tests--all faint lines, but positive). When they drew my blood last Thurs, the HCG was only 14, but we figured I had not even missed my period yet, so this should have been okay. I started having some light spotting over the weekend, and yesterday, my HCG was "less than 2."

So now we're being referred to a fertility specialist. Even though we don't seem to have a "fertility" problem, having gotten pregnant 3x in 9 months. Also, has anyone else experienced multiple losses where the gestational period is getting shorter and shorter? We have done a lot of research, and my husband suspects my body is becoming more sensitized to the embryo and is attacking it. Any thoughts on this?

I appreciate the support, and am happy to know there is a place like this for me to come. Thanks--Susan

Tory1980 - June 26th, 2007 10:41 AM

Have they checked your and your husbands blood group? I know this may sound like a weird question but if you are rhesus negative and your husband positive then it is possible if you haven't received ANTI-D after the m/c's your body could very well be attacking your babies. I am sorry to hear about you losses and I hope you get answers soon.

susans_email - June 26th, 2007 11:17 AM

Hi, Tory. They checked my blood type after the first m/c and said I was positive, so didn't need the rhogham. Makes me wonder if there was an error, though....since each m/c is earlier into the pg. thanks for the thought. ~~Susan

Tory1980 - June 26th, 2007 11:48 AM

I have no idea then. Sorry sweetheart. Hopefuuly your fertility specialist will have a better idea of what to look for and to start some tests to see if there is anything easily fixed. Good luck though and I hope you have a healthy pregnancy and baby soon.

jademaiden - June 26th, 2007 12:49 PM

Hi Susan, I am in the same boat as you. My first miscarriage was at 11 weeks, second at 9 weeks, and the last was at 5 weeks. I did all the blood tests for a miscarriage panel, and the only thing they found was I have a hetero MTHFR mutation. It means my blood doesn't produce enzymes from folic acid like I should, which then elevates my homocysteine levels and causes blood clots. Even the tiniest blood clots can keep blood supply from the growing embryo once it implants. I would recommend getting tested for autoimmune and blood factors. Please, let me know if you find out anything! Maybe I've missed a test....

stefkay - June 26th, 2007 1:35 PM

Hi! I've also had a gamut of tests run and have had 5 losses with the embryo never getting past 6.5weeks (I was actually much further along but the growth never measured past that point). I would say to research online "recurrent pregnancy loss" and you will find so much info that you can print out and take to your appt. There are several areas that are tested once you have had 3 losses. I'd ask to have checked for thrombophilias, immune disorders, genetic karyotype of you and your husband, prolactin, possibly FSH, check progesterone--it could be as simple as you don't have enough in the second half of your cycle and may need supplementation, ask about an HSG to check out your uterus for any abnormalities (fibroids, shape, scarring, etc.) Make sure you don't have PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome, i think). I don't know how old you are or if you have had any of the fetal tissue tested? After my 4th m/c in Jan. I was found to have the MTHFR mutation so I started the regimine of vitamins and baby aspirin. I got pregnant again in April to have the same thing happen in May (growth restriction and no h/b). I was devastated that the treatment didn't work but my OB did testing on the tissue and it was found to have trisomy 2, so nothing could have been done anyways. Good luck to you and I hope you get answers soon!!! (HUGS)

susan - June 26th, 2007 6:31 PM

Thanks, Tory, Jade, Stef. I have had the thromb. panel done, which was normal, was tested for clotting factors, lupus anticoagulant, autoimmune factors, etc. All was normal, but my ob had me start on baby aspirin and progesterone suppositories anyway. That didn't work, but I DO wonder if I started both too late (the aspirin around ov and the progesterone about 10 days past ov, as soon as I had a positive test.)

We got an appt with the fertility specialist for next Friday. There is also a good thread for recurrent m/c on babycenter.com and they have a list of tests there, which I'm going to print off, research, and bring with me.

Thanks again for everyone's support, please let me know if anyone has any other thoughts!

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