Guida, We wanted to do PGD but I don't meet the insurance definiton of infertile so it's not covered. Ridiculous since I've had 3 m/c's but they say I can conceive naturally so I'm not their meaning of infertile.,,,,,,,,The acupuncture I hope is going well. It's supposed to increase blood flow to the uterus. I feel a sense of calmness after my tretaments that lasts for awhile. I'm not as uptight about things. It's all about getting your body back into balance. I would definitely recommend it to you as a complement to your current tretaments. ↑
LynneO.--Thank you for your encouragement to us all. I would love it if you would post more so we can all have more hope. I have 3 kids, but have had two 2nd trimester losses in the past year due to MTHFR (which of course I didn't know I had). We are TTC but still nervous. It would be nice to hear from more women who have had success since being treated. Thank you!! ↑
Kristine, fortunately (I guess), I'm 35 years old and have a family history of blood clotting. My maternal aunt had 3 m/c and stillbirth,. Both sides of th family have this problem. So I qualify for the PDG. In addition, we have an "unexplained infertility". No medical reason why we can't conceive on our own, we're just unable to do so. So in a sense I"m glad we are candidates for this procedure. It can become costly. I'm in the Cape area, and have heard of so many women trying acupucture. I'm looking into it now, hoping to find someone local. Like I said before, at this point in our lives, we are willing to try what it takes. We're also looiking into adoption in the event this fails. I'm not sure I can continue with IVF treatments if the end result is always the same - m/c. Good luck to everyone pg and tcc. Thanks for your input Kristine. ↑
Hey all -
Well, I did it. I had my first acupuncture then 2 days later our IUI. It was not bad at all, the acupuncturist was awesome. In fact, she said that in that same day she had 5 other patients from my RE's office. They must know something...We'll see how things go in a couple of weeks, then depending on the results will determine the next step. In fact, if/when I ever get pregnant, I'm still gonna keep up with the acupuncture, considering it helps with blood flow, etc. Alright, that's my latest update -hope, faith and blessings to you all! lizw ↑
Hi Erin! I have the same double mutation as you, the C677T and A1298C and lost a little boy in October. I am on a high dosage of folic acid, but, like you, am afraid of trying again. Can you please tell me where you are in your journey, have you decided to try again? I will be 40 in October and am very nervous about my age and this mutation. I would love to hear from you, my e-mail address is tkcecil@msn.com. I really think we could help each other out! Thanks! ↑
Hi, I am new here. I have the double mutation, the C677T and A1298C and lost a little boy in October at 21 wks. I am on a high dosage of folic acid, but, have been ttc again for months and have had no luck. I will be 40 in Oct., and would like to hear of anyone else with the double mutation and ttc! Thanks! ↑
Hey RachelD...How are you doing? Just a quick update...As of now (18weeks) the baby is still healthy and my wife is really starting to show. Less than 2 weeks and we hope to find out the sex. We actually have both our Mom's attending that ultrasound. (Families are really excited that we've made it this far this time). So my prayers continue to go out to all of you and I ask the same in return. I cannot stress more, keep the faith. ↑
Hi all: A status update from me. I went to see my high risk OB last Friday. According to the doctor, the last several weeks is also crucial for people with MTHFR. I read online that without folic acid supplyment and in combination with other four kinds of mutations/diseases, MTHFR can cause still birth. The doctor is very nice. He showed me how he monitors the condition. He looks at the blood flow from and to placenta. He said that any condition will not be acute. So, weekly visits should be sufficient. I started my weekly visit from 34 weeks. He is a very nice doctor and knowledgable. I would recommend him. He is in Rockville, MD. Dr. Wayne Kramer. He said that he used to see the decrease of blood flow from placenta to the baby, but did not know why. Now that MTHFR is discovered, 40% of the cases is caused by it. I have just completed my 35 weeks today!!! Keep on praying... ↑
Hi All - I am the Erin who started this thread, although I haven't been very active for quite some time. Still I thought some of you might like to hear my update:
I am delighted to announce the arrival of Emmett Joslyn, 6
1/2 weeks earlier than anticipated, while we were renting a house in the
country side, about 2 hours north of NYC where we live. Instead of giving
birth in Manhattan around August 25th as planned, I found my waters breaking
at 33 weeks 3 days (my older daughter, now nine, arrived at 36 weeks and 3
days, also PROM). I was put on strict bedrest at Vassar Brothers Hospital
in Poughkeepsie, NY, which I HIGHLY recommend. I was told I could be on
bedrest there for up to 25 days... but I started having contractions on the
fourth day, and he was deliverd via emergency c-section (he was lying
transverse). He was in the NICU for about 10 days with absolutely no
breathing or feeding issues, so we were extremely lucky. Placenta was very healthy. No clotting issues could be isolated. No Strep B, no infections. I took baby aspirin and Folgard throughout. I have PROMed in both my pregnancies with living children (have mc'd 4x, including 1 ectopic). No reason isolated, but I don't accept that it was 2 random, unrelated instances of PROM. Since I am 38 and this is my last child, I guess I won't be trying to find out too much more, just enjoying my beautiful boy! I can't say if I feel MTHFR (compound hetero) had anything to do with my medical history (normal homocysteins). Some docs claim inflammatory antibodies can cause repeated PROM, but I have never heard of MTHFR doing this. Anyway, there you go. A beautiful boy, 6 1/2 weeks early, no obvious MTHFR related complications. Best of luck to everyone on this board! ↑
Hello everyone------------- Well, we have decided to do IVF. Even though I have been pregnant 5 times in the past 12 years it took me 2 1/2 years to conceive this past time. I actually became pregnant right before attempting the IVF. That pregnancy also ended in m/c. So, I have started my subcutaneous injections and am NOT looking forward to the intramuscular. I know some of you have done the IVF thing and wonder if any of you have done the injections yourself. I'm use to the subcu ones since I have been doing blood thinners for 1 1/2 yrs now but not sure if I can handle the intramus. My husband can't do it. He has serious issues when it comes to needles..............................Sounds like everyone is doing well and that gives me hope! ↑
Hi Stac - good luck with the IVF. A friend of mine is 9 weeks along after first try at IVF. She did the injections herself . I'm curious what your DRs said about IVF and recurrent m/cs. Mine said that there wasn't anything about IVF per se that helped with m/cs other than having more in there to start with. Did yours say anything different? Thanks. ↑
Hi Stac and KristenR - I'm on my third IVF cycle. First two were successful, but ended in miscarriages. I inject myself as my husband is squeemish about it. The first time is a bit scarey. But after you get past the first shot, it's easy. The intramuscular isn't that bad once you get used to it. It's second nature to me now. It's the HCG shot that is the harded for me even with my third cycle. I ice the area for a few seconds before the injection helps ease any redness or pain. With every IVF cycle your chances of m/c increase according to my doctor and research I've read. IVF gives you a better chance of achieving a pregnancy but no guarantees of full term pregnancies. I've had three m/c (IUI and 2 IVF cycles). We're praying this time, it's different, but we know our chances of yest another m/c is increased with this cycle. Good luck Stac. What you are going through is worth it. ↑
Hey all- Well to begin with, Erin, that's great! I am sure I can speak for everyone that we are thrilled for you and your family. In a way, it'll be kinda sad not to hear from you, you're kinda like the Mother Hen - the one that started it all for us. Anyhow, other than that, I am officially in a crappy mood. Did not conceive last month (our first official IUI) and to top it off, I have a leftover egg/cyst now on my left side. Soooooo, gotta wait for it to go away - month, two perhaps. The weird thing was, the DR was gonna give me bc pills, but I was like, "uh, should i really be taking those?" She said MTHFR was so new, that they can't surely say, but I must have planted a seed of doubt in her mind cuz she said that we'd just see how it does on its own and check in another month from now. So now I am officially feeling beaten, like I am slowly being robbed of my confidence. It's so frustrating, a) I have a 2 year old, I know I can do this, b) i know i can at least GET pg, and now here we are again...waiting. Sorry to dump on you all it's just that I'm tired of praying praying praying and feeling like no one's listening, kinda like the Footprints story.....I just wish God's plans coincided with my own plans. Ok, that's enough from me. sorry for the sob story, it's actually therapeutic for me to vent to you all. btw, remind me again, which of you are heteros and what's the status with your plans? (I'm hetero) Gnight. Pray for me to not lose my mind! jk, sort of. :o) lw ↑
Hi Liz: Just wanted to say that you are not alone in your feelings/frustrations. It is hard to feel God's plan at work when all you feel is despair. All I can say is hang in there...you truly are not alone. We're all here in this with you! ↑
CONGRATS ERIN!!! I also want to thank you for starting this thread. By asking the right question, you've ultimately given many women (and me) an outlet to lean on others and gain the hope we need to keep trying and keep the faith. My wife and I are nervous and excited at the same time with our progress. This thursday is our 20week Sono. We have been extremely positive with this pregnancy and my wife's little belly isn't so little anymore! She continues to feel the occassionaly flutter of movement which is awesome. I fall asleep most nights with my hand on her stomach hoping I too will be able to feel. But with every visit to the hospital there is the lingering thought of dispair and past disappointments. Please continue to pray for us. Oh and we are Hetero 2 types. ↑
Kristen---- No, there is nothing the IVF can do for the m/c's. I've had 4 now (3 late term) before I found out about the MTHFR. I have a 12 yr old who went full term. We decided on the IVF because after my cerclage it took me 2 1/2 years to conceive which is not normal for me. Conceiving is not usually my problem.
Liz----------We are all in the same boat. It is soooo hard to understand, why me, why us??? I have no idea. I had my daughter before I even thought about having kids. Now that I am married to a wonderful man all this is happening. The only reason I keep going is because he has no biological children. It is tuff, especially after the late term losses. Then seeing people who don't take care of their kids or don't want them continually getting pregnant just eats at me sometimes. ---------- Like you said--I am just waiting for God's plans and mine to coincide. Keep your head up!!!!!! ↑
Well i last posted in march after my 3rd miscarriage and now here i am again posting after my 4th miscarrage this one ending up with a D&C. I just hope that after they test the material from the D&C that they find something(like the MTHFR). For those of you who have had numerous miscarriages, DOES IT GET ANY EASIER? It just seeems worse after each one, especially having to go to the hospital for them to take it out this time. I live on Long Island, does anyone know a doctor that may have delt with MTHFR before. I only have 1 gene defective, and all my other tests came out fine. I have a 15 and a 3 year old. These 4 miscarriages have been in a 21 month period with the last 3 being in 7 months period. Someone please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!- ↑
myspedtchr- sorry for your loss. Unfortunately, it does not have any easier. I've had three m/c (2 ending in D&C) and with each m/c it gets more and more difficult to cope emotionally. It's harder for me when I see preg women and newborns. And of course, with every m/c someone in my family is announcing their pregnancy or their birth and it's difficult. Hang in there and good luck to you. ↑
Oh man, myspedtchr, all I can say is I'm sorry for your pain. Seems like we could all use a little 'pick-me-up' right about now. Let Erin's live birth after 4 mc's be a shimmer of hope...lw ↑
Hello my name is Connie we just lost a baby girl @ 13 wks. Found out I have double copy of C677T. We also has a still born @ 32 wks five yrs. ago and also had a anecephaly baby @ 20wks 4 yrs ago. Doctor think this may be the answer to all my losses! My OB send me to a blood specialist which I had an appointment yesterday I learned more from this web site than her. She does not think this was the cause of losses. I would like to hear from someone who lives in Houston Texas that maybe can tell me about a doctor they may be seing here for this. I need to meet people that know what I'm going through and can help me learn more about this! my email address is conniecantu@hotmail.com ↑
I would like to have a baby after my loss and finding out I had a double copy of C677T. My OB has me taking Folgard and a Baby Asprin is there anything else I need to do! Taking these medications do I have a good chance of a healthy baby? ↑
Guida---- Hello my name is Connie I can relate to feeling bad when you see a newborn and or pregnant women.It's been soo hard for me because two other girls at work are also pregnant one of them was only a week apart of me so now that I recently lost my baby it was very hard to come to work she is also having a little girl.That week she has her ultrasound she was so excited she felt bad she did not want to show to me so I went to go see her ultrasound pictures I had a knot in my thought alll day I felt so sad.Also my cousin is pregnany she is two wks more than I was she finds out what she is having this Thursday.So I feel really sad I try to keep my self busy.This is A GREAT SITE my friends have never experience a m/c so they feel bad but do not know what to tell me. ↑
I was just diagnosed with this genetic mutation today. Don't worry about the infertility, I am currently 14 weeks pregneant and have also had mc's before this pregnancy and one son who is now 2. I live in a town, rather state where the doctors here really still don't know much about this mutation. I have an appointment in a month with an OB who is specializing in this mutation, my doctor now really couldn't tell me much other than what it could do. So I am so confused and lost maybe you could post what you find out so that I could understand more. Thanks Kelly ↑
Hi all! Sounds like a lot of people are having a rough time. I am currently 8 weeks pregnant and so far all is well. The only thing that calms me is hearing from others who have the same defect along with successful stories. As it turns out I signed up for a prenatal aerobics class and 1 of the girls has the same defect. She had 4 m/c before being diagnosed and currently has 1 child and is pregnant with her second. I try to remember to be positive, even when its hard. My dreams at night have been aweful and sad. Even though I know there are people who have had successful pregnancies I am still having a problem becoming excited. Any ideas? I should be happy that I am pregnant again, not worried and miserable!! ↑
Hi Connie: your post really hit home with me! I lost a baby at 16 weeks (intrauterine fetal demise) two years ago, and in April of this year lost a baby at 20 weeks that had severe spina bifida (which is related to anencephaly). I am also homozygous for the C677T mutation. I do, however, have three healthy children, which were born before all of this trouble started. I am convinced that the bad outcomes I've had are due to MTHFR. I just went to see a high risk OB who did some of the original research regarding MTHFR. He says that in 99.9% of the time the defect can be overcome by taking 4mg of Folate every day for at least three months before becoming pregnant and while pregnant. He also recommends a daily baby aspirin. Some people have mentioned taking B vitamins along with the folate, but this is not something that is well-established according to this doctor. Hope this info helps and just wanted to say, Connie, that I can really relate!! ↑
Connie: Also, some research has shown a link between MTHFR and spina bifida/anencephaly...and since this enzyme has to do with folate metabolism and these CNS defects are also due to lack of folate...I would take issue with the doctor you saw and would say there is definitely some evidence that MTHFR has had something to do with at least one of your losses! The problem is is that this is a relatively new concept in medicine and that there is not a real consensus among doctors on what to do about it. There is no real "standard of care" as of yet. My regular OB/GYN hardly knew anything about it. And, by the way....I don't know how many miligrams of folate Folgard has...Foltyx has only 2.5mg, so if you take something like that you have to supplement it with folate 1mg tablets. ↑
alexa- Aha! Finally, another doctor who said something similar to my doc regarding the B vites. I thought she must have been a cuckoo! btw, she only recomended the 4mg of FA and not the B's. However my reg Ob, along with all you ladies on here have gently persuaded me to take my own B's. Perhaps I'll do an aspirin too IF/WHEN i ever get pg!!! What your doctor said is comforting, especially since doing some of the big research about it. Us here, we're just waitng for my cyst to go away, we'll still ttc on our own though. btw, anyone from the midwest?have a good weekend everyone, prayers to you who have lost, who are growing and those who are down (including myself!)! lw ↑
