2nd loss with questions

Mmm79

We are currently experiencing our second loss in 5 months.  I had a missed m/c in December then a D&C.  Yesterday at my u/s there was no heartbeat, so we have lost this baby too.  I am leaning towards another D&C since my body doesn?t seem to be recognizing these losses and I would like to ask to have the baby tested so we can try to get some answers.  Has anyone else had 2 D&Cs within a few months of each other?  What was your experience?  Also, my doctor?s office seems reluctant to do any testing until after a 3^rd loss, but I feel like I shouldn?t have to go through this again if there is something we could find (and address) now.

 

I am sorry that all of you have to be here, this is such an awful thing.  

katalina16

I completely understand what u are going through as I am going through the exact same thing. I too found out yesterday that I lost our baby ( no heartbeat and baby had stopped growing). I am scheduled for a d&c today and it will be my second one in six months. My doctor told me this morning that they will be doing testing on the fetus to see if they can help me understand what is happening. Because of that I feel ok with my choice to have the procedure. It is a personal decision, but like you I want answers!! I am so sorry for your loss, and I hope we both find peace and the answers we need.

Laurakat81

I'm so sorry for your losses. I had two D&Cs within 7 months of each other. The first in late January of 2010 and the second in August of 2010. I had no issues with the D&Cs. Both were as easy as they can be. I was fearful about having more than one... but like you I really wanted to make sure they could do testing so I opted for the D&C.

I did end up having a harder time getting pregnant the third time (but still within average). It ended up being ectopic. When I had my surgery and my RE removed my right tube he said it was completely scarred up and it almost certainly explained why we'd had "trouble" getting pregnant. My left one was fine though. Since we got pregnant really fast the first two times I often wonder if I didn't get an infection after one of the D&Cs that might have led to the scarred tube but my RE couldn't say what caused it or how long it had been that way.

I also completely agree about not waiting for another loss before you do testing. I would demand they do it. I understand their logic....chances are you've just had bad luck and they won't find anything. But you never know...and neither do they. At a bare minimum I'd ask for progesterone testing at 7dpo (but wait until after your betas are back to zero before doing ANY testing). And honestly, I'd ask for progesterone supplements (no matter what that tests shows) for your next pregnancy.

Many insurance companies will not pay for testing until after 3 losses. However, I'm pretty sure there are ways around that with insurance coding. My insurance covered all of my testing after my second loss.

Good luck with whatever you decide. (((hugs)))

 

killian09

 I'm so sorry you are going through this for a second time!

I can't help with the D&C's.

But re. the RPL testing panel--the 2 vs. 3 losses thing is controversial, but I think that if you feel strongly about it, you need to communicate that with your doctor at this point.  My doctor told me that while she didn't medically recommend the testing panel to me after my second loss, she would completely understand if I wanted it done, and would be willing to order it.  This way I could (in her words) "cross it off my list of things to worry about".  That logic made a world of sense to me, plus I know if I did have a third loss I would be beyond stressed and full of self-blame for not taking her up on the offer.  So I am pursuing the testing panel.

 Just note though before you push for any specific intervention that some of the interventions are of controversial/of uncertain benefit for many patients, and that they can carry risks however small.  So be sure to talk it over w/your doc.  For example, my doc did not recommend progesterone testing because she felt that there was no good evidence that progesterone supplementation prevents pregnancy loss, except in the case of infertility/IVF treatments. I'm not saying it's wrong to take supplements if they are recommended by your doctor in the end--just that it's important to have an open conversation and try to see why they are recommending a particular path before you decide what you need.  For my situation, this made sense, and I don't think progesterone testing will be part of my workup.  I'm comfortable with that for now, given that I so far haven't had any problems with fertility nor evidence of luteal phase defect.

 Everyone's situation is different, but your doc should be willing to listen to your concerns and needs (both emotional and medical), and come up with plan that makes sense.