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*Lindsey*
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| Posted: Aug 12 2013 at 6:51pm | IP Logged
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I went with an OBGYN as opposed to my family practice doctor for this new pregnancy. The OB is the one who took care of me during my last miscarriage. At my post D&C follow-up, he said if I got pregnant again he would recommend progesterone and a baby aspirin daily as a precaution. The aspirin is supposed to make the blood platelets less sticky and flow through the placenta easier.
He sent me for lab work on Friday. My HCG was 18 (this was 14 days past ovulation) and my progesterone was 16.5. He had me start the progesterone and aspirin Friday and sent me back up for another HCG check today.
The nurse called today and said my levels didn't quite double as they like to see. She didn't say what they were up to, only that the doctor wants to see me for an appointment Thursday morning.
Anyone have any experience with this? I know it's still early, I am only 17 days post ovulation now.
But, I am a mess. I have never had my HCG tracked and have no idea what is normal or what to expect. I assume this just means bad news. After all, that's all I've had the last three pregnancies. 
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Lindsey
Mama to DS (11), DD(9), twin dds(7), DD (5), DS (4), DS (3), and 5 angels in heaven.
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Pilgrim
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| Posted: Aug 12 2013 at 7:28pm | IP Logged
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Funny, I was thinking of getting in contact with a friend of ours who had multiple miscarriages in a row, after previously bearing others fine. Her doctor came up with something that worked, and she was able to then carry babies to term again, progesterone and baby aspirin were ringing a bell in my mind, so it sounds like your doctor may be on the right track, and it seems encouraging to me. I'm so glad to hear your doctor is monitoring things closely and seems to care about keeping on top of things for you, as I've been thinking of you and praying for you daily, just unable to post, as I'm so sick myself with First Trimester woes. Many  and daily prayers for all your concerns!
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greengables
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| Posted: Aug 12 2013 at 7:50pm | IP Logged
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Pilgrim,
I would be very interested in finding out what your friend (or her doctor) did that worked. Of course, I know that God is in control and believe Him to be the Master giver of life and opener of wombs and He knows when time is up/gone. Of course, we thankfully have St. Elizabeth and Sarah as a model of miracle blessings in their old age! :)
After many blessings (for which I am very grateful!), I too have suffered several miscarriages and I am trying to learn more. I just learned about the double the level every 24 hours. My husband and I are open to life and when/if that life is given, I want to be sure that I am doing all I can to help preserve it. So much to learn.... Please pass along what you find out.
Prayers for Pilgrim and Lindsey....and all you other mothers with child and those trying to conceive...
God bless,
Jill
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jawgee
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| Posted: Aug 12 2013 at 8:43pm | IP Logged
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Praying, Pilgrim.
I have to take Progesterone and baby aspirin during the first trimester of each of my pregnancies, as well. I have a MTHFR gene mutation that (in theory) may have contributed to my multiple losses.
Please do let us know how your appointment goes. I'll be praying for you.
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Monica
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JennGM
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| Posted: Aug 13 2013 at 10:45am | IP Logged
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Lindsey, I have not taken aspirin as my regimen, but I have had to do progesterone for all my pregnancies. I had at least 2 losses and very low progesterone.
In fact, I needed the progesterone to GET pregnant and stay pregnant.
The effects are not comfortable, but it is something that is safe and moral to do.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Pilgrim
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| Posted: Aug 13 2013 at 5:46pm | IP Logged
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I'll be asking my friend and getting back here as soon as I can this week. I had an all day trip to town today for a cat spay and house project stuff, and tomorrow I have my intake with new doctor for this pregnancy and groceries, so it may take a couple days here, but I will check back in to let you guys know what I find out from our friend. Prayers for you, too Jill, I hope you can get some help, as it's so hard to have multiple losses and have no answers.
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Pilgrim
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| Posted: Aug 14 2013 at 7:46pm | IP Logged
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Here is my friend's reply, which I hope can be of some help to others! I know the choices one has to make when experiencing the loss of miscarriage are very personal, and difficult, so please no one take her strong urgings towards D&C or else-wise personally, or as my words. Each of us has a different way of approaching healthcare, etc. and I left all she said there as a hope that it may be of help to others, each in their own ways and circumstances. Prayers for all of your intentions and needs!
"I have had a total of 6 pregnancy losses, one of which was still-born at 19 and 5/7 weeks. The rest were first trimester. And I did have back to back losses. Between my K and J I had 2, so during the first trimester with J, I was put on progesterone (which felt really weird and not pleasant). No one bothered to check for any blood conditions at that time. After J came M in 2005. In 2006 we lost E, and then had another miscarriage. Again, no one checked for anything. After X our 9th , my doctor in finding out I had had as many pregnancy losses as I did, ordered a blood test for “lupus anti-coagulant” which I tested positive for. But it seemed irrelevant because God apparently shut things down. We were infertile for the first time. Though we were open to life and even tried…nothing! Then came the super big surprise bonus baby! Because of insurance change, I had to get in with a new doctor which was been a great blessing! He has had me take baby aspirin my whole pregnancy and so far so good.
For your friends with back to back miscarriages I recommend they request blood work to be done to check for any possible blood conditions. There are MANY! Blood type O+ has the most according to our hematologist. Two of my girls have VonWillebrand’s bleeding disorder and I’ve met several other young mothers who have had other bizarre blood disorders that were discovered only after miscarriages. Women have to be a bit aggressive about insisting on blood work being done and they should do some research online before doing so in order to even know what kind of testing to insist upon.
The next thing is they should take iron if they aren’t already as well as a really quality multi-vitamin. Miscarriage takes a lot out of the body, let alone back to back losses. Ironically, it was not my O.B.’s who check my blood, it was Dr. L, a family practitioner (who is Catholic and pro-life and doesn’t prescribe contraception). Dr. L puts his female patients on “Opti-Vite” which is specifically designed for women’s reproductive health. It is a bit pricey and hard to find unless you look online (I ‘ve been getting mine through Amazon). My girls and I all take this and have found taking another supplement Cal-Mag- Zinc to be also very, very beneficial. Women who have had miscarriages need to rebuild their bodies. Unfortunately, unless one has a Christian and pro-life doctor who “gets it”, our abortion culture has so inculcated our society that most doctors don’t see miscarriages as that much of a problem especially if a woman has had 1 or more children…why ever would they be concerned about having more children? As you well know, one of the big lies of being “pro- woman” is that woman’s reproductive issues are brushed off unless one has a doctor that really cares about women’s true health. Hence the need for women to research and insist aggressively.
Another thought is regarding D&C procedure. There is no easy way to miscarry – it is painful physically and emotionally. I have had 2 D&Cs and they are miserable and seem somehow like a violence. Many women recoil from having one during a pregnancy loss and with good reason. However, they do have their place. Miscarriages at or after 10 weeks require a D&C and should not be rejected by women- it is safest for the mother and for her future pregnancies. If I had to do things again, I would recommend a D&C at 9 weeks as well. My own experience, as well as another woman I know can attest to the benefit (although horrid to go through) of getting one’s uterus “cleaned out” after back to back losses. It seems that there is a better chance of conception and viable pregnancy afterwards. D&C issues aside, it is also IMPERATIVE that women follow though with their blood tests of HCG levels all the way down to “0”. There is very real danger of tissue not all passing and infection to set in. A doctor friend of mine lost a patient from this happening because she refused to come in for more testing since her levels had consistently dropped (I think to the 20’s). An infection did set in and by the time the poor woman finally went back in, the infection was systemic and they were unable to get it under control – the woman died as a result and the tragedy is that it could have been avoided. This is another plus for opting for a D&C. Please, please encourage your friends to keep up with those HCG level blood draws – I know it is a pain and a constant reminder that they’ve lost a child, but it is so important. Uterine infections cause scarring which makes implantation even more difficult and future miscarriages more likely. One last word about D&Cs, with the ones I had, I felt that the medical community was very, very careful in making sure that the baby was indeed dead.
Unless your friends have a history with hemorrhaging (sp?), nose bleeds, easy bruising, and long heavy periods, I would recommend no matter what their doctor says, to try taking a baby aspirin (81mg) daily in their next pregnancy. If they have had a history of hemorrhaging, nose bleeds, easy bruising etc. DO NOT take aspirin!!! Those symptoms indicated a bleeding and clotting disorder in which their blood doesn’t clot soon enough making aspirin dangerous. My blood disorder is that I clot too easily, so aspirin is just the thing.
Finally, in cooperating with God, it is helpful to focus on the fact that when he allows a precious pre-born child to die that early, the parents have successfully done their job parenting and to unite their pain with the Sorrowful Mother. Time helps take the edge off the pain of losing a child, but it is something that is carried throughout life. When it is united and offered up to our crucified Christ it does change and become even precious. Anger is a very real part of the pain of loss especially in our abortive culture. It is an injustice when parents who want and love their unborn, lose that child, only to see others intentionally have their unborn killed. But even this just anger, when offered to God can be used to satisfy God’s justice. Blessed are those that mourn….Blessed are those that hunger and thirst for righteousness!
Feel free to forward this email to your friends and/or give them my email. I hope there is something in this that can help them. Miscarriage is lonely, but they are not alone."
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juliana147
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| Posted: Aug 14 2013 at 10:04pm | IP Logged
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Lindsey, I will pray for you at Mass tomorrow. I don't have any advice, since I don't remember what my numbers were with my losses, but wanted to reassure you of prayers.
And I will hold up all of us who have experienced losses in prayer tonight. It is a hard road.
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*Lindsey*
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| Posted: Aug 16 2013 at 6:40am | IP Logged
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Thank you for that, Pilgrim.
I saw my OB yesterday and he ordered another HCG check. This time, it was up to 279! He said he is more than pleased with that.
I am so grateful for the prayers. I can really feel them!
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Lindsey
Mama to DS (11), DD(9), twin dds(7), DD (5), DS (4), DS (3), and 5 angels in heaven.
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Topic: HCG levels & Progesterone
