Hello ladies...just wanted to update all of you b/c so many of you were so helpful to me when I was pg on this board 2 times.....Ugh, what a journey I've been on. TTC since 2006, 3 miscarriages, 4 angel babies....my goodness, I wish somebody would have warned me life was going to be this hard.

I went to see a m/c specialist in Chicago and she did a hysteroscopy of my uterus and she said my uterus seems normal, she took a sample and we shall await those results.

The biggest thing she said is I have Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome. Lupus Anticoagulant to be specific. An autoimmune clotting disorder. Generally, the tx for that is baby aspirin and heparin, I was on that for this last pregnancy so why didn't that work? Well, she thinks some incompetent cervix could be playing a role here as well b/c when she pushed the scope through my cervix it didn't have as much give as it's supposed to. ...seemed a little weak. She thinks I should for sure have a cerclage for our next pregnancy, but she's even considering having me get a transabdominal cerclage instead of the basic vaginal one. (major surgery, like a c-section, but better success rates)

Once all my final tests come back...we'll get our final assessment. She tested my lupus anticoagulant again to confirm that is in fact my issue, and she's running tests on the placentas from all 3 of my pregnancies, looking for clots, etc. Plus the uterine sample she took will take 3 weeks to get back. So still waiting on results but seem to have a general idea for the future. Cerclage & blood thinners monitored by hematologist...(not Peri). And WEIGHT LOSS!!! (saw that one coming)

Oiy! 9 hour drive to Chicago 3 times! Yikes! We'd fly but it's cheaper to drive, and we're paying off huge medical bills. In the past 14 months, I've been pregnant for 9 of those months with no baby to show for it, 3 D&Cs of 2nd trimester babies..... I'm tired and scared that after all of this, I still may m/c. Faith is a hard thing for me to come by these days. But for some reason, I keep moving forward. Perhaps it's the 4 golden rings and a heart I wear around my neck keeping me going. ...my angel babies. Thanks for reading.


TTC: Since Nov. 2006
Diagnosis: Ovarian Dysfunction & PCOS
26 Years Old
cd3 FSH 16.8
cd10 FSH 13.6
7 Unmonitored Cycles of Clomid
3 Unmonitored Cycles of Letrozole
Positive CCCT
TAB for cysts
1st Cycle of 150iu of Menopur with Timed BDing - 5 mature follies - BFN
TAB for cysts
2nd Cycle of 150iu of Menopur with Timed Intercourse - 4 mature follies in play - BFN
3rd Cycle of 150 iu of Menopur with Timed Intercourse - 2 follies - BFN
1st Cycle of Gonal F - 1 follie & cyst on right - BFN
TAB for a cycle
2nd Cycle of Gonal F = BFP!!!!!
11dpo Beta=27.9
14dpo Beta=120
16dpo Beta=210
18dpo Beta=429
21dpo Beta=1064
5w6d - baby measuring 3mm, h/b 101
6w6d - baby measuring 6mm, h/b 126
7w6d - baby 18mm, h/b 171, measuring ahead at 8w2d! RE noticed enlarged yolk sac so keeping a close eye on that
8w6d - baby 2.52cm with h/b of 174
9w5d - baby 3.22cm with h/b of 180 measuring 10w1d
10w6d - baby 4.34cmcm with h/b of 174 measuring 11w1d
12w u/s showed baby at 11.2cm with h/b of 162 - unfortunately, that evening I suffered a horrible m/c of a chromosomally NORMAL girl.... RIP my angel girl...you were loved....

Gonal F with Timed Intercourse-2WW
First cycle of Gonal F with Timed Intercourse since m/c - BFN
2nd Cycle of Gonal F with Timed Intercourse - BFN
TAB for a month on bcp's
3rd Cycle of Gonal F - BFP
-11dpo beta=14.9
-14dpo beta=45.7
-16dpo beta=140
-18dpo beta=366
u/s at 6w1d showed heart-rate of 114!!!!
u/s at 7w1d showed heart-rate of 141!!!!
u/s at 8w showed heart-rate of 179
u/s at 9w showed 2 SCH's, h/r of 197
u/s at 10w showed h/r of 175
u/s at 11w showed h/r of 180
u/s at 12 w showed h/r of 188
12w2d...m/c'd baby at home, lost too much blood, had to have emergency D&C...severely anemic....baby was a chromosomally normal boy
-developed a blood clot in leg 1 1/2 wks post D&C...saw a hematologist and had testing done and everything came back normal, will still treat me with Lovenex on next pregnancy

-First cycle since m/c....Gonal F, triggered with 8 mature follies, T/I - BFP!
-13dpo beta 106, progesterone 21.4
-15dpo beta 260, progesterone 12.2
-16dpo beta 411, progesterone 16
-20dpo beta 845, progesterone 19 (went in for u/s to rule out ectopic, couldn't see anything yet, but lining was thick)
-22dpo beta 1158, progesterone 18
-24dpo beta 1655, progesterone 20
-5w?? u/s showed 2 sacs...one measuring 4w0d, the other measuring 5w1d....possibly vanishing twin???
-6w u/s showed TWINS! 2 h/r's....121, 119. both measuring 6w1d! SCH 1cm
-At 7w pg, tested positive for lupus anticoagulant, on lovenox to treat it, TSH was 2.55
-7w2d u/s showed 2 babies measuring 7w4d & 7w3d, h/r's 158 & 153! SCH 2cm
-8w1d u/s showed 2 babies measuring 8w3d & 8w2d, h/r's 185 & 179! SCH 3cm
-10w2d u/s showed we lost baby A measuring 9w1d and had no h/r...baby B measured 10w1d with a h/r of 180...praying for Baby B to hang on, SCH gone, started thyroid med
-11w1d u/s showed Baby B measuring right on track, h/r of 174
-12w1d had a red bleeding episode & u/s showed Baby B measuring 1 day ahead and a h/r of 168, bleeding likely caused by Baby A's passing
-13w1d had some red spotting & u/s showed Baby B measuring 2 days behind and h/r of 157
-14w...baby measured 14w3d...and I suffered a horrible, very sudden miscarriage...another angel baby...that makes 4.

Its nice to hear back from you, I used to wonder how u r doing and your case always sounded like a mystery diagnosis to me. I am happy for you that you are getting some clue to whats happening and I really admire you for your courage and perseverance to pursue your diagnosis and treatment.
Wish you good luck to get the best treatment and may you be blessed with the most loved baby/ies soon.
Keep us posted. Will wait for your BFP post soon !!!!

I have followed your story from the other board and keep hoping and praying for you. I know everyone, except the new folks, remembers you with love!

I have never made it to the pink board but pop in now and then just to see how you are doing. I cried over your last miscarriage and am so very happy you have found a dr. who might have some answers for you.

Blessings to you as you move forward, in whatever direction that takes you! I hope you get a clear answer and good ideas on what to do!

Hugs for the other board!
Sara H.

I was thinking of you this afternoon and was going to post to see how you were. I really hope this will give you answers. Its so nice to be in the hands of experts you can really trust. The intra abdominal cerclage sounds interesting.

Is this your doctor??
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Abbyloopers/

Hey Amy, I also followed your story and was so sorry to hear of your last miscarriage. I think a transabdominal cerclage (TAC) is a great idea, especially if someone thinks you are a good candidate now, many drs think it is far too invasive but if thats what it takes Id say go for it. I consulted with several drs specializing in TAC. dr haney in chicago is great source of wisdom and information so do talk to him if you havent done so already. He will also do free phone consults so you will have one less travel to do. I hope you are able to get some answers and can move forward with hope that you will bring home a live baby!

Best wishes to you!
Dana

glad for this update, I too was wondering about you. This sounds so encouraging. Hope this Dr gets good solid answers.

hugs
julie

hi Amy,

I'm glad to hear you haven't given up and that you're getting to the bottom of these issues. Sounds like you've found the right specialist to figure this stuff out. Thank you for updating us -- we are all supporting you. I look forward to the day when we see your posts of good news. You will be a mother, I just know it. And you'll be a great one for all that you've gone through.

Take care and please continue to post your news,
Sarah

Hi Amy,

I am so happy to hear from you...I have been checking this board since my twins have been born as much as I can to see if you are on here again. Sounds like things are moving forward and at least some reasoning behind everything. I am so happy to see that you haven't given up....I too thought about it many many times...my persistance paid off now have to healthy babies well 3 children total. The twins are 10 weeks old and getting Baptised tomorrow.

I will look forward to more posts from you...your time will come I just know it.

hang in there.

Cheryl

someone should make a movie about you. You WILL get your take home baby honey and I for one will be bawling my eyes out, lol. Seriously, I'd love to see your story in a movie. It would be a nice change from all the crap that's out there.

So excited about the transabdominal cerclage for you. Sounds heavy but worth a try. You've come a long way Amy. I'm on your cheering team. I like the idea of the gold rings. Sad but very tasteful and a lovely way to remember and honor your angel babies.

Hugs,
Z.

p.s. for the record, you're pretty unforgettable.

So glad you're finding answers and developing an action plan for the future. Your story reminds me of my family friend/former minister who lost 5 babies in the 70s and early 80s, four of whom were full-term and died from placenta previa. Your rings are a beautiful tribute to your children. As someone told me when I lost my twins, "Beth, you have been a mother." That made me feel really special. Amy, you, too, have been a mother, and you will find a path to lasting motherhood in the future. Of that I have no doubt.

I don't check this board that often anymore, but it really made me happy to see your post. I'm glad to hear that you have found someone who is listening to your worries and seems proactive. I also love the idea of the rings in honor of your angel babies. I am so sorry that your pathway to getting your take home baby is so hard. I am sure you will get your rainbow baby soon.

thinking of you,
Kerri

Just wanted to weigh in here, as I have the same issues as you do. I am sorry for your losses.
As I am older, we turned to DE and finally had success. What I did was insist that my doctors start my meds before my cycle. I was on Lovenox and prednisone (for the lupus and APS) about 6 weeks before the transfer. After 8 tries, it finally worked but I had to beg the doctors to treat me before the fact ( of a pregnancy).
I have to let you know, that several of my pregnancies were tested and were healthy so it was not only egg quality but seemd to be the immune problems.
As I also have Hashimotos, my endo worked with me as well and agreed to speed me up before the cycle as well.
Just my thoughts..I wish you the best.

i'm only just now seeing this but wanted to send you strength and tell you that you are just amazing. so hard, these blows, and impossible to make sense of. i'm sorry for all you've endured, congratulate you for your sticktoitiveness, and hope that your earthly baby finds you soon.

xoxocrayo