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Dr. Mary Stephenson for RPL, anyone?

BookishMommaBookishMomma member
in Pregnant after a Loss
XP on TTCAL and PAL

Has anyone seen Dr. Mary Stephenson in Chicago? She's one of the leading recurrent pregnancy loss doctors in the US and has an RPL clinic in Chicago. I've read a lot of her articles & research and finally just decided to bite the bullet and make an appointment to see her. The appointment is set for Feb 23 and apparently I'll be sent an 8-page questionnaire in the mail about my medical history. I'm already starting to compile my records.

Chicago is a 3 hour drive from where I live and my brother and his partner live there, so the travel is not a huge deal. More importantly, I've gotten DH on board to go to the appointment with me. The cost of seeing her will be out of pocket, but then again, so are my RE visits, and I feel like I've reached the end of my RE's considerable well of knowledge at this point. I realize that when all is said and done, the answer for our 4 losses might still be "no answer," but I feel like I owe it to myself to at least see what she has to say and whether there's any additional testing or treatment she recommends. 

Any shared experience from other AL bumpies with Dr. S, good or bad, would be much appreciated. TIA! 
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DX: I'm a Recurrent Loser
Me (35) + DH (37) - Married Sept. 2007
BFP #1 - DS born 7/11/11
BFP#2 11/13/13 - EDD 7/29/14 - M/C at 5w3d
BFP #3 12/28/13 - EDD 9/7/14 - M/C at 4w6d
BFP#4 3/27/14 -  EDD 12/5/14 - Girl lost to 45X at 8w6d - D&C 
BFP#5 10/15/14 - EDD 6/30/15 - M/C at 7w2d
BFP #6 1/5/15 - EDD 9.16.14 [CLICKY for progress]
In search of a image


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Re: Dr. Mary Stephenson for RPL, anyone?

  • welly01welly01 member
    I don't know anything about her, but I just wanted to wish you luck at your appt.  I hope she can provide you with some answers.
                                                                                              BFP #1 3/2/12, T born 11/7/12
                                                                                                 BFP #2  7/2/14, CP 7/6/14
                                 BFP #3 8/28/14, MMC 10/2/14 @ 9wks - misoprostol 10/6/14, D&C 11/3/14 for retained tissue
                                       BFP #4 12/25/14, EDD 9/7/15 - please stick baby, you are so loved and wanted!!!!!                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                   
                                            image  image                                                                      
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  • Denise91980Denise91980 member
    I am in NJ, so I don't know anything about her. I too had four losses prior to this pregnancy and kept getting told they were flukes until further testing basically told me I have DOR. I hope you get some answers. Best of luck to you.
    image

    BFP #1 1/1/11 EDD 9/10/11 dx:no hb DNC on 2/2/11
    BFP #2 12/28/11 natural m/c on 2/6/12   BFP#3 2/16/13 dx:ectopic on 2/27 (given methotrexate) HSG 6/13-all clear BFP#4 11/18/13 natural m/c on 11/23  IVF #1 (Natural IVF Cycle) May 2014- Cycle failed (embryo did not make it to blast) BFP#5-7/26/14 GROW BABY GROW    IT'S A BOY DUE 4/5/15!

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  • BookishMommaBookishMomma member
    @Denise91980 What tests did you have done to find out you have DOR? 
    image
    image
    DX: I'm a Recurrent Loser
    Me (35) + DH (37) - Married Sept. 2007
    BFP #1 - DS born 7/11/11
    BFP#2 11/13/13 - EDD 7/29/14 - M/C at 5w3d
    BFP #3 12/28/13 - EDD 9/7/14 - M/C at 4w6d
    BFP#4 3/27/14 -  EDD 12/5/14 - Girl lost to 45X at 8w6d - D&C 
    BFP#5 10/15/14 - EDD 6/30/15 - M/C at 7w2d
    BFP #6 1/5/15 - EDD 9.16.14 [CLICKY for progress]
    In search of a image


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  • Denise91980Denise91980 member
    Basically my high FSH and low AMH told the doctor that. He told me I had a 5% chance of getting and staying pregnant on my own and was pushing me to do egg donor. I never saw a heartbeat before this pregnancy.
    image

    BFP #1 1/1/11 EDD 9/10/11 dx:no hb DNC on 2/2/11
    BFP #2 12/28/11 natural m/c on 2/6/12   BFP#3 2/16/13 dx:ectopic on 2/27 (given methotrexate) HSG 6/13-all clear BFP#4 11/18/13 natural m/c on 11/23  IVF #1 (Natural IVF Cycle) May 2014- Cycle failed (embryo did not make it to blast) BFP#5-7/26/14 GROW BABY GROW    IT'S A BOY DUE 4/5/15!

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  • BookishMommaBookishMomma member
    edited December 2014
    @denise91980 Thank you for the info. My AMH was tested in September and it was 1.5 (I'm 35 years old), which is normal to borderline, but not crazy low. No one has thrown DOR diagnosis at me yet, but who knows? Do you mind me asking what (if anything) you were doing for this pregnancy? Was it a natural cycle or IVF?

    edit- clarity
    image
    image
    DX: I'm a Recurrent Loser
    Me (35) + DH (37) - Married Sept. 2007
    BFP #1 - DS born 7/11/11
    BFP#2 11/13/13 - EDD 7/29/14 - M/C at 5w3d
    BFP #3 12/28/13 - EDD 9/7/14 - M/C at 4w6d
    BFP#4 3/27/14 -  EDD 12/5/14 - Girl lost to 45X at 8w6d - D&C 
    BFP#5 10/15/14 - EDD 6/30/15 - M/C at 7w2d
    BFP #6 1/5/15 - EDD 9.16.14 [CLICKY for progress]
    In search of a image


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  • pblgepblge member
    You could also try asking this question on the infertility and/or infertility vets boards. A lot of those women went to reproductive immunologists or similar, although this isn't a name I'm familiar with.

    This was going to be my next step if this last FET hadn't worked. I think it makes a lot of sense, and I hope you get good answers. ((Hugs))
    **********************siggy/ticker warning**********************

    ***Losses mentioned.*** TTC #1 since May 2012. Me: 37, OH: 41. Ectopic August 2012 => tubal damage. :'(  Stage 1 endo removed June 2013. IVF #1 Oct/Nov 2013: Long Lupron with Gonal-F. 7R, 7M, 7F. 2 txfer@3d. Nothing frozen.  => M/C @ 8 wks. :'( Selected RPL panel all normal. Very hyper and brittle response to stims. IVF #2 (antagonist protocol) Feb 2014 => Converted to IUI (Perfect conditions). BFN. IVF #2.1 w/ new RE June 2014: Antagonist protocol. 33R, 31M, 30F, 19 blasts to test!!! I made it through without crashing!! :) Hats off to Dr. Fancypants!! ET of one 5AB blast. BFN. 13 10 CCS'ed snowflakes! FET #1 PUPO as of 7/29 Betas: 8/7@24, 8/9@97, 8/11@334 (etc.) Two sacs on 8/15, one seen on 8/18 after a bleed. U/s 8/25 (6+3) "perfect": 5.9 mm + HB@120bpm! U/s 9/4 (7+6): 15.9 mm + HB@172 bpm! Please, PLEASE stick this time!!!!
    http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae39/catfreeburg/866da40f5178fed79efe23fc8a4e8a_zps4498a9cc.jpgimageimageimageimage
    image
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  • taberbtbtaberbtb member
    hmr110913 said:

    No advice here but just wanted to wish you luck on your appointment, @BookishMomma! {{{HUGS}}} Hope that you're able to get some answers. 

    Same here. Piling on more (((HUGS))) and good luck at your appointment.






     


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    Anniversary

    TTC Since 04/01/13 

    BFP #1 04/28/13 Its twins! EDD 01/08/2014 MMC confirmed 06/27/13 D&C 07/17/13

    BFP#2 05/19/14 EDD 01/30/2015 Please be our rainbow!

    My Ovulation Chart

    *~*~* All AL Welcome*~*~*


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  • BostonchelleBostonchelle member
    No experience with the doctor but sending you good luck wishes!
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  • mrsjg2013mrsjg2013 member
    Just wanted to add to the positive vibes and well wishes for your upcoming appointment!!
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  • kate6214kate6214 member
    No experience but I wanted to send good wishes and positive thoughts that you can get help.

    BFP #1: 8/17/13     Due Date: 4/26/14      MMC discovered @ 9w 4d       D&C: 10/2/13
    BFP #2: 12/23/13       Due Date: 9/6/14      MMC discovered @ 8w 5d    D&C: 2/6/14
    BFP #3 8/26/14     Due Date: 5/7/15  

    imageimage


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  • goldengirl84goldengirl84 member
    Rooting for you, Bookish! I hope your appointment goes well.
    imageimage
    Me: 29 DH:30 married 6/5/10
    DS: 10/12/12 via ECS (blood clot in umbilical cord)
    BFP 1/25/14 mc at 6 1/2 weeks  EDD: 10/4/14
    BFP 4/10/14 mc at 4 1/2 weeks  EDD: 12/15/14
    BFP 5/14/14 mc at 5 1/2 weeks  EDD: 1/20/15
    BFP 8/28/14 *please, please stick*  EDD: 5/10/15
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  • jap618jap618 member
    I haven't heard of her but being in New England that's not surprising to me. I do want to pile on the hugs and well wishes though!
    Married the love of my life June 18, 2011 -- Me (28) DH (29)
    TTC #1 since June 2012
    BFP #1 6.29.12 EDD 3.12.13 MMC discovered 8.11.12 9w5d D&C 8.15.12
    BFP #2 11.2.12 EDD 7.14.13 MMC 6w5d discovered 8w6d 2 failed rounds miso D&C 12.27.12
    BFP #3 8.5.13 EDD 4.18.14 MMC 7w4d discovered 9.25.13 at 10w6d -Trisomy 13- 1 round miso & emergency D&C 10.2.13
    RPL Testing. DX Asherman's November 2013. Low AMH (0.44) January 2014. 
    Operative Hysteroscopy January 2014 to remove scar tissue.
    BFP#4 6.18.14 EDD 3.3.15 Team Pink
    --AL always welcome--
        image  
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  • natalie115natalie115 member
    Just wanted to add some more good vibes! I hope the appointment goes well!

    Started TTC Nov. 2011 

    1st clomid cycle June 2012- No response :: HSG August 2012- Left tube blocked, right tube clear :: 2nd clomid cycle Aug. 2012 BFN :: 3rd clomid cycle Sept. 2012 :: BFP Sept 30th :: DS born 6/15/13 :: BFP #2 7/29/14 M/C 8/5/14 :: BFP#3 10/20/14 DD born 7/1/2015 :: Applied to be surrogate April '17 :: Transferred 1 Embryo for IFs Dec. '17 :: Surro Babe born 9/11/18 :: Started 2nd Journey May '19 :: Transferred 1 Embryo for new IFs 9/24/19 :: HB 138 at 6w6d


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  • jlworden710jlworden710 member
    Lots of hugs bookish. I have no advice but hoping you can get some answers and a plan in place. XOXO

    BFP: 9/21/13 | EDD:5/31/14 | MC confirmed:11/6/13 | D&C:11/12/13
    BFP: 1/14/14 | EDD: 9/21/14 | MC confirmed: 2/3/14 | D&C: 2/4/14
    DX 3/18/14 (Complete) Septate Uterus | Resection 4/22/14
    BFP: 8/5/14 | EDD: 4/19/15
    Pregnancy Ticker
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic Image and video hosting by TinyPic image
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  • jms627jms627 member
    No advice Bookish, but FX crossed that you get some answers!

    ***Siggy Warning - loss mentioned***

    image

    Pregnancy Ticker

    *S15 Siggy January Siggy Challenge - Happy Dance*

    image

    ME: 32   DH: 38

    BFP#1 - 7/18/14; EDD 3/23/14; MMC 8/11/14 (passed naturally on 8/17/14)

    BFP#2 - 12/29/14; EDD 9/10/15 *PLEASE BE OUR RAINBOW!*

    image


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  • chicagojackiechicagojackie member
    @BookishMomma‌ she's legit. She's done a lot of impressive research as well. Chicago has a lot of great specialty docs. We are lucky here.
    BFP #1: It's a GIRL! DD born October, 2012
    BFP #2: m/c at 7w, February, 2014
    BFP #3: It's a BOY! Please be our rainbow! Due February, 2015
    *everyone always welcome*
     image
    image    image   image
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  • alleycat39alleycat39 member
    Sending you positive thoughts and wishes for some answers from this appt. I only have researched RPL specialists for the east coast, so I am no help- sorry!
    PCOS & ute crew member
    BFP #1: 10/24/2012  EDD 7/3/13, missed m/c @ 9 weeks, D&E 
    DX: Septate Uterus. Septum resection 6/4/13
    BFP #2: 12/20/2013  EDD 9/1/14, missed m/c @ 7weeks, D&E
    BFP #3: 5/26/2014 EDD 2/7/15, missed m/c @ 9 weeks, D&E- DX Trisomy22
    RPL, Karyotyping, and SHG: All Normal
    BFP #4: 9/6/14 EDD 5/16/15 Praying for our RAINBOW!
    image
    Baby GIRL on the way!!
    **All AL Welcome**

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