Need a Little Faith!

I had one son for years. After several miscarriages I gave up. I had been taking fertility drugs and I just said screw it! It was very hard emotionally. All of a sudden, I ended up pregnant again. We had a little girl a little over a year ago and even though there is a 12 yr age gap between the two, it's been heaven! Have faith and good luck!

E.,

I am so sad to read what you are going through. I just had my first loss two weeks ago and am still reeling from the experience. I'll be praying for you, your family, and your lost babies.

Have you asked your doctor about progesterone levels? Usually it won't come up unless you have had multiple losses, obviously in your case the subject should be discussed. There is a cream you would use vaginally that helps boost progesterone levels. I would talk to your doctor about this and see what he/she says. If you get blown off I would deffinately find another doc.

My current OB checked my progesterone levels and I have had two healthy pregnancies already. I like that they took the extra intiative before there was even a problem. I had never even heard of low progesterone levels before I saw this doctor. Her name is Dr. Gruskin, she's in Farmington Hills (just in case you want a second opinion).

Once again, I am truly sorry for your loss. I hope you can find out what is happening and hope you have your healthy #2 soon!

God Bless.

HUGS! I don't really have any good advice to offer other than seeing a fertility specialist at this point if you can. I have been through one miscarriage and I don't wish it on anyone. I know this must be a very difficult time for you. Just know there are a lot of people out there who have been though similar circumstances. Good luck, I am sure the right doctor can help you.

I can't imagine what you are going through and I'm sure it's very hard to continue to have faith in a situation like yours.

I do know at least three people (they're all cousins to either myself or my husband) that had trouble conceiving after miscarriages. One of them did have either 2 or 3 and then she did have a pregnancy after that and the baby is healthy and well. One cousin had a miscarriage and then it took her about 3 years of trying before she was able to get pregnant again. I'm not trying to discourage you, but rather encourage you and let you know that yes it can happen again for you and it will in the Lord's timing. Hang in there and keep praying!

I had two miscarriages after my son. I saw a fertility specialist and had several tests. He could find no reason for this happening. He told us this is the case 50% of the time. I took some medication for awhile, but then stopped. My husband and I decided if it was meant to be it would happen.

I was still carrying quite a bit of the weight from my first pregnancy (the specialist said this wasn't a problem for the miscarriages). In January of 2008, I decided to commit to losing the weight for myself. I lost 20-25 lbs. by June. I got pregnant that month. We now have a healthy baby boy born March 18, 2009. I swear this was the issue. My body changed after my first child, and I believe the weight was the cause for some of these changes.

You might want to see a fertility specialist to have tests run to make sure there aren't any medical issues. If this is ruled out, then focus on getting healthier. This is so important for you.

I wish you well and completely understand how you are feeling.

E., I am so sorry for your losses. It sounds like maybe your hormone levels might be little low -- enough so you can get pregnant, but not enough to sustain the pregnancy until the placenta takes over?

I breastfeed long-term, and I've had miscarriages when my cycle begins to come back and my hormone levels increase enough so that I can get pregnant, but have not yet increased enough to sustain a pregnancy until the placenta can take over. The first time it happened, we didn't know why, but did some research and began to suspect. After a few more months I got pregnant again and everything was fine. After the second child, we waited longer before allowing me to get pregnant (we went on a trip and the medication and pregnancy wouldn't be wise to mix), and everything went fine. Next time, I miscarried. Then, my midwife had the idea it was my hormone levels still low and suggested I start taking Mexican Wild Yam. I did, and everything went fine. The next time after that, I took the Wild Yam again when I was pregnant and felt a miscarriage was about to happen, and everything turned out fine.

So, progesterone may help, and also herbs. Wild Yam is a good one for it to increase fertility (after ovulation - not before) and to increase your hormones, also Red Clover.

The doctors will usually understand the drugs and not the herbs, the midwives will usually understand both pretty well, but especially the herbs. If you get a doctor that understands both as well as the midwives, you have a treasure as great as the midwives!

You might try calling a few midwives to get their opinion on it. I don't know about the CM (Certified Midwife), but the home-birth midwives, CPMs (Certified Professional Midwife) will (I've only known a few, but they are really knowledgeable and great about all the childbearing and related issues.

Good luck and keep smiling :)

Has your Dr. done any testing or bloodwork on you at all? At the very least the 2nd and 3rd time you got pregnant he should have run hormonal profiles. It sounds like me, we had to use progesterone suppositories to support the pregnancy because bloodwork found a "luteal phase defect" which meant I couldn't produce the progeterone needed to support the pregnancy until the placenta had completely formed and taken over. Simple fix if your Dr. is on top of it. Went from 3 miscarriages and 6 1/2 years of trying to 2 beautiful healthy boys and another baby on the way (through birth control even!)
Good luck and make sure they do some follow up so all is not in vain.
C.

First of all let me say how sorry I am for your loss. What a horrible thing to go through. You didn't mention if you have had any testing done. I had a miscarriage last fall, and at the time, my doctor said that they wait until you've had 3 miscarriages to do any testing. I think one thing you should keep in mind is that you obviously have no problem getting pregnant, which is the hardest step for some people. I'm a nurse and I read an article once where, for whatever reason, mom wasn't able to make enough hormone to keep the baby. I guess what I'm trying to say is that there may be some physical reason this keeps happening to you that could be easily helped. I don't know if that's very helpful. I pray, though, that when you do get pregnant again, you're able to relax and enjoy you're pregnancy. After everything you've gone through, that may be the hardest part! N.

After three marriages, you should both go into to be tested by a doctor. Not to scare you, but I have two clotting disorders and I have heard many stories of women with my clotting disorders suffering multiple miscarriages before and after a healthy pregnancy. Many of them have had great success being on blood thinners during pregnancy and carrying to term.

Is the ob/gyn checking your progesterone levels during early pregnancy? My sister miscarried when her progesterone levels were too low and the next pregnancy, the doc checked them and supplemented the hormone in suppository form. He said her progesterone was so low she'd never be able to carry a baby to term w/o the progesterone. She has three children, now.

I would definitely see a specialist as to why you keep miscarrying. I've had 3 too. A year after the first one my oldest was born. Then in 88 and end of 91. There just never was a reason given for it happening. But I would definitely look into it with a specialist. Good luck and let us know your success!!!!

Dear E.,
You have my sympathy and prayers. I am so sorry you are having to go through this difficult time. Your story sounds very similiar to mine. After having two healthy girls, my husband and I decided to try for a third baby about a year ago. I suffered two (possibly three -- I had a period 10 days late, the day before I planned to take a pregnancy test) miscarriages. Like in your situation, both confirmed miscarriages showed that the baby had stopped growing at about 5 or 6 weeks though the first time I didn't know anything was wrong until 10.5 weeks. I understand how difficult the grief and questions are. My doctor agreed to run tests (many of which were mentioned in the other responses). My doctor also did a hysteroscopy and an endometrial biopsy. The biopsy takes some of your uterine lining and tests to see if your hormone levels in the uterus are able to sustain life. In my case, they weren't (called a Luteal Phase Defect), but praise God that a simple Progesterone suppository often makes having a baby possible. I understand what it feels like to want a baby so badly but be afraid of another loss; we are currently "trying again" and I have to work hard at not worrying.
Anyway, I hope my story gives you some direction and hope. I would definitely have your doctor do all the tests, and I pray you find some answers.
Rachael

Not sure if this was mentioned or not, but possibly a blood clotting disorder could be to blame. I have not had any miscarriages, but I was tested for several clotting disorders before I tried to conceive because my first cousin had 3 miscarriages and was found to have several issues with blood clotting. I only have one (that I know of) - a mutation on the MTHFR gene that causes my body to produce more homocysteine, a clotting agent. I have to have 40mg of Lovenox injected every day for the duration of my pregnancy until 6 weeks postpartum. It is a simple injection that you can do yourself like an insulin shot. Although I make my husband do it because I am squeamish. :) Hope this helps and good luck. You're in my thoughts.

Im not sure if this disorder would only cause problems with other pregnancies but not your first but... There is a genetic condition that some couples face. It happens becuase you body is seeing the preg. as a invader and it is attacking it. I think once they confirm this they put you get put on some meds to prevent it in the furture. Im not sure if that helps but you could start there. Good luck.

Sounds like you are stressed about the situation and rightly so. I personally have not encountered this situation but know a couple of ladies who have.

Your faith will help and good for you to know to put it in God's hands. The other is giving your body good nutrition. That is always great for you as well as when conceiving and a healthy pregnancy.

So a good diet, exercise (helps to de-stress and create happy hormones), and supplements.

I am here, call me if you would like to talk about this further. ###-###-####.

Many blessings,

M.

E.,

Two years after my oldest was born, we began trying for another child. I had two miscarriages and were told by a doctor we had one chance in a million to have another child. We tried for years and were disappointed month after month. We came to the realization it was just not meant to be for us to have another child and stopped trying. Then 16 years after the birth of our first our miracle happened. We now have two boys, 23 and 7.

I guess what I am trying to say is don't worry so much about it and stop "trying" so hard. Most people who are "trying" to have children find that when they stop "trying" nature has a way of working things out.

Keep the faith!

E.,
I am so sorry for your losses. I can honesly say that I know what you are going through. I suffered 4 miscarriages before my beautiful daughter was born. I wanted a child so bad. They were all at 8 weeks. My husband and I both were tested and there was absolutely no reason for it. When I was pregnant for the 5th time, I couldn't even be happy about it. I went to the Dr at 5 1/2 weeks (I think)and he did an ultrasound and there it was a strong beating tiny heart. I couldn't believe it, but still couldn't bring myself to be happy yet. My Dr. gave me a prescription for a hormone (Sorry, I forget which one. Maybe progesterone) suppository. Every Drs appointment was nerve racking. One visit, he couldn't hear the heartbeat and I thought I was just going to scream! He didn't let me leave until he did an ultrasound to make sure everything was alright. It was. Finally, we were blessed with our daughter who is now 3. I know I want another baby, but am very hesitant to go through that again. My daugther is a very sweet little girl with a very old soul. I always tell her that God was just waiting to send us one of his angels. :) I wish you all of the best and hope that you will be blessed as I was.

hey E.
i am so sorry for the pain you are going thur right now i would look in to a spec and see what they might beable to do try to keep the faith and find the light at the end of the pain.

When it is time it will happen. My mom miscarriaged quite a few times before she had my sister. When God is ready for you to have another child he will give it you. And it may not come when you WANT IT but he weill give it to you when you NEED IT.

I have known a number of women who've had at least as many miscarriages as you have and ended up with 4 kids! Please do not give up! The one thing I've heard the most about is the progesterone cream, and there's a natural version. My daughter used it when she was bleeding and cramping, and her little sweetie is 3 now! I am quite ignorant about the details but I believe she had a test that showed she was deficient. She was going to a midwife who was very, very helpful and supportive. You can look into all this on line, I'm sure. God bless you, E.! I'm going to begin praying for you. If you need to change doctors, do so. Let me know if you need more information and I'll try to get it for you.

Hi, E.,
Do not be upset. You have been blessed already with having a wonderful family. Enjoy every moment of it. I was in a worse situation. Both me and my husband are completely fertile persons, but for about 7 years we could not conceive a baby. I was about to lose my hope and then the miracle happened. We have got a wonderful, beautiful, smart girl. Now she is almost 9 y.o. We tried to have one more child but nothing happened again. Number of children in the family can not bring or take away your joy or happiness. Enjoy every moment of your life with your daughter and your husband, but DO BELIEVE! MIRACLES HAPPEN!

i had 3 miscarriages 6 wks, 8 wks, and 12 wks. all on my own, no d&c and so there was no testing. after those 3 i got pregnant w/my dtr who is now 2, and the only thing that my dr could even suggest, b/c i passed them on my own, was that maybe i had a clotting disorder, so i took a baby asprin every day until i had her. then i had a tubal pregnancy last january and now i'm pregnant w/my son who is due in october, and again, i'm taking a baby asprin everyday just in case i do have a clotting disorder. i know it's hard to continue to have miscarriages, but the way i looked at it, was that there must have been something wrong and it wasn't meant to be, at least that's what got me through all of mine. i hope this helps, and whatever you decide to do, remember it's the right thing for you.