Halfway through this month we went to the Monash IVF Clinic on the Gold Coast to have some more tests done on why we were experiencing recurrent miscarriage.
It was so nice to finally have someone who listened to what I was saying, and who took my concerns seriously. I was so sick of everyone telling me that it was all just 'chance'. What are the chances of 4 pregnancy losses?? In a row, with no live births?? I even had a nurse here that tell me that my early losses weren't counted because I didn't need medical attention at the time... Lucky for her I didn't have the energy to give her the mouthful she deserved.
But A/Prof Ong was absolutely fantastic, and he definitely agreed that something was not right, and that it wasn't just the luck of the draw. So we ended up having a series of tests done over the next week, including blood tests (1 vial for hubby, and 15 vials of blood for me). For someone who used to be terrified of needles, it has now become a normal regular occurence.
I also had to have surgery again - a hysteroscopy and my 3rd D&C. But I honestly didn't mind all the testing... because at least something was being done, and I wasn't just sitting back and letting it happen all over again. I would go through the testing again in a heartbeat if it meant a healthy baby.
Before we came back home, we got some of our results back. So far the only thing that has come back is that I carry the Heterozygous C667T MTHFR mutation gene. MTHFR is short for Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase.
MTHFR is a rare genetic defect that can lead to complications in pregnancy, such as chromosomal abnormalities, placental disease, recurrent pregnancy loss, preeclampsia, still births, premature births, and low birth weights. It can also prevent proper implantation of an embryo, and leads to an increased risk of blood clots, heart disease and heart attack, anemia, migraines, and stroke. It is advised that people with this gene take low dose aspirin every day for the rest of their lives.
Many people do not know they have this gene until they have had several unsuccessful pregnancies. The gene causes the body to not be able to effectively metabolise Folic Acid and Vitamin B9 which are essential to the development and health of a fetus.
Folic Acid / Folate is needed to form red blood cells. It is also required in the development of the foetal nervous system, as well as DNA and cell growth. It is important in reducing the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida in baby. Pregnant women require increased levels of folate, and my body has not been getting enough (or any at all) due to MTHFR.
I do believe that MTHFR played a big part in all 4 of my losses - it couldn't have happened just by chance. There is no cure for MTHFR - there is only treatment to prevent the conditions associated with it. The Dr at Monash has put me on the following vitamins / medications straight away -
It was so nice to finally have someone who listened to what I was saying, and who took my concerns seriously. I was so sick of everyone telling me that it was all just 'chance'. What are the chances of 4 pregnancy losses?? In a row, with no live births?? I even had a nurse here that tell me that my early losses weren't counted because I didn't need medical attention at the time... Lucky for her I didn't have the energy to give her the mouthful she deserved.
But A/Prof Ong was absolutely fantastic, and he definitely agreed that something was not right, and that it wasn't just the luck of the draw. So we ended up having a series of tests done over the next week, including blood tests (1 vial for hubby, and 15 vials of blood for me). For someone who used to be terrified of needles, it has now become a normal regular occurence.
I also had to have surgery again - a hysteroscopy and my 3rd D&C. But I honestly didn't mind all the testing... because at least something was being done, and I wasn't just sitting back and letting it happen all over again. I would go through the testing again in a heartbeat if it meant a healthy baby.
Before we came back home, we got some of our results back. So far the only thing that has come back is that I carry the Heterozygous C667T MTHFR mutation gene. MTHFR is short for Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase.
MTHFR is a rare genetic defect that can lead to complications in pregnancy, such as chromosomal abnormalities, placental disease, recurrent pregnancy loss, preeclampsia, still births, premature births, and low birth weights. It can also prevent proper implantation of an embryo, and leads to an increased risk of blood clots, heart disease and heart attack, anemia, migraines, and stroke. It is advised that people with this gene take low dose aspirin every day for the rest of their lives.
Many people do not know they have this gene until they have had several unsuccessful pregnancies. The gene causes the body to not be able to effectively metabolise Folic Acid and Vitamin B9 which are essential to the development and health of a fetus.
Folic Acid / Folate is needed to form red blood cells. It is also required in the development of the foetal nervous system, as well as DNA and cell growth. It is important in reducing the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida in baby. Pregnant women require increased levels of folate, and my body has not been getting enough (or any at all) due to MTHFR.
I do believe that MTHFR played a big part in all 4 of my losses - it couldn't have happened just by chance. There is no cure for MTHFR - there is only treatment to prevent the conditions associated with it. The Dr at Monash has put me on the following vitamins / medications straight away -
- Folate (5mg - 10 times the usual amount required)
- Low dose aspirin (100 mg - to thin the blood and prevent blood clots)
- Normal prenatal vitamins
I was also told that during my next pregnancy I will require -
- 200 mg progesterone twice daily
- 40 mg clexane (heparin - blood thinner) daily injections
I have also been told that I will be considered a high risk pregnancy, and will require care on a weekly basis. Unfortunately I am not able to get that care where I live, so will more then likely have to travel interstate to help get me through to the 2nd trimester.
We are still waiting on the rest of the results to come back...
Sarah, ask your doctor for Neevo prenatal and Mentax. Regular folic acid is hard for us with MTHFR to breakdown making it difficult to absorb. Both Neevo and Metanx contain a form of folic acid that is already broken down so it gets immediately absorbed. This is what has worked wonders for me! I'll be looking forward to your updates and hopefully one day a sucessful and happy ending to a full term pregnancy. Wishing you the best!
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