Intro & fertility specialist question

purplegoldfish2

Hi, I'm new to this board.  I am 34 and have 4 year old twins. I just came back from my 8 week dr appointment and baby was measuring 6 weeks with no heartbeat. This is basically the same thing that happened in December (I made it 3 days longer this time) & I had a CP in September.  My dr was so super nice (I've switched since Dec because that was an awful experience  made worse by pretty much the entire staff of the previous dr). She gave me my options and I asked her what happens next, after this is over.  She said if I want to, she'll send me to a fertility specialist so they can do some basic blood work to see if I've developed a clotting disorder, or I can just try again because sometimes there isn't a reason that they can find.

If I opt for the specialist, what can I expect at the appointment? Is a clotting disorder the only thing they'd test for at first or are there more tests/possible reasons looked at in the beginning?

vlagrl29

sorry for your loss - I don't have an experience with the testing but I'm glad you found a new doctor and like her.  I also recently switched OBs and it makes a huge difference.  For me I feel so much better mentally.

ladipale

I was sent to an MFM after my 2nd second tri loss. I had 2 healthy pregnancies and healthy kids and have now had 2 losses in a row. They did a TON of blood work - all on me. They took a detailed medical history of me and my husband. (and then decided not to test him at this time). The medical history piece is what will drive what tests they do. They tested me for all the possible clotting disorders as its one of the few things they say can develop with time. (I don't have any of them) Earlier losses they may also test how 'good' your eggs are - and see how your hormones develop with your cycle. 

purplegoldfish2

@ladipale Thank you for your response! Do you know how they test to see how good my eggs are?  Would it be another blood test or would they have to remove some eggs to test? 

@vlagrl29 thank you!  Yes, having a good dr has made this a bit easier.  The previous one had me doing all kinds of ultrasounds and blood tests, couldn't order the blood work electronically but wouldn't give me a script to take in and kept pushing me to get a D&C.  I turned it down and they called a week later to schedule it (fortunately I had started bleeding that morning, but I was mad - then they said since I started, they would allow me to do it naturally. Wtf? You'll allow me?).  They also never offered me cytotec.  This dr gave me my options and told me to call them tomorrow, or Thursday, or next week - whenever I was ready to make a decision or if I changed my mind about whatever decision I made. It still sucks, but the lack of pressure from them has been great.

Mack2342

so sorry for your loss.  I went to RE after my first loss and gave detailed history of me and DH.  I'm 41 almost 42 so we determined my issue is my age mainly so no testing on DH at this point.  They did blood work on me and checked my egg reserve with blood work.  It basically told them quantity of eggs.  I don't believe the test says much about quality of eggs 

purplegoldfish2

@Mack2342 thank you.  Lots of baby wishes for you!

ladipale

@purplegoldfish2 - yes. blood work. They test for hormones on CD3 or so.