Miscarriage-Recurrent Miscarriage

Losing Your Mucous Plug

2012-01-27T05:00:00.000-08:00

Of course, any type of bleeding during pregnancy should be checked for signs of miscarriage or other complications. When I was pregnant, I had some bleeding in the third trimester and one OB told me that is was my mucous plug (which is a bad sign if you aren't full term). My regular OB examined me a few weeks later and said it was not my mucous plug, which was a relief. This article talks about what a mucous plug is and when most women lose it.

justmommies.com

From the article:

What is the mucous plug (or mucus plug)?

The mucous plug is a collection of cervical mucus that seals the opening of the cervix. It keeps bacteria and infection from entering into the cervix, providing a protective barrier for the developing baby.
What does the mucous plug look like?

Some women describe the mucous plug as looking more like the mucous in your nose. It may look like a thick glob of stringy mucous, thicker than what you would see with normal vaginal secretions. If you are close to going into labor you may see pink, brown, or red blood around the edges of the mucous plug. This is called the “bloody show”

Miscarriage: Questioning God

2012-01-26T05:00:00.000-08:00

Boy, isn't that true? If you've experienced one or more miscarriages or a stillbirth, you wonder why we live in such a cruel universe. If you believe in a God or a higher power, you feel abandoned. How or why did this happen...what did I do to deserve this? Why am I not as worthy as everyone else who has their babies and big happy families?

As I've mentioned before, I have readers from all over the world with a whole host of religious beliefs, however, I think we all have one thing in common...we wonder why this is happening to us. Here is an article about one woman's struggle with her faith after her pregnancy loss:

powertochange.com

Endometriosis Contributes To Premature Birth

2012-01-25T05:00:00.000-08:00

I did have a laparoscopy when I began trying to conceive. It was discovered that I had some lesions of endometriosis which were removed at that time. Perhaps this ultimately helped me conceive and it may have helped to prevent having a premature birth. According to this article, edometriosis can double a woman's chance of having a premature birth. Read more:

Common womb disease 'doubles risk of premature birth'
Suffering from a common womb condition doubles the risk of having a premature birth, a new study has found.
(www.telegraph.co.uk)

From the article:

Researchers called for all pregnant women to be tested for the problem, which is thought to affect two million people in Britain but often goes undiagnosed.

There is no cure for the painful disease, called endometriosis, but doctors can help to prevent an early delivery if they realise the mother is at risk.

More than 80,000 babies are born prematurely in Britain every year, almost half of whom have to spend time on intensive care units before they can be released from hospital.

Endometriosis often shows no symptoms, and almost half of all sufferers, who include Louise Redknapp, the singer, and Anthea Turner, the television presenter, could be unaware that they have a problem.

Prof David Healy, from Monash University, in Melbourne, Australia, said: "This research is important for all pregnant women and is the first time that endometriosis has been so clearly associated with premature birth.

"Obstetricians will now be able to more readily identify and monitor mothers-to-be who are at increased risk of premature labour and premature birth.

"The key will be early diagnosis, especially as up to 44 percent of women show no symptoms of endometriosis."

The study looked at 6,750 births, including to women who had received IVF treatment, as endometriosis can cause fertility problems.

Regardless of whether they had fertility treatment or not the findings, published in the journal Fertility and Sterility, show that women with endometriosis were twice as likely to have a premature birth as those who did not suffer from the condition.

Miscarriage With PCOS

2012-01-24T05:00:00.000-08:00

If you have PCOS, you may be at a higher risk for miscarriage, but this article talks about a possible treatment. Read more:

www.netdoctor.co.uk

From the article:

It is true that PCOS can cause subfertility, but it can be treated with a number of medicines to control ovarian function and if necessary by a procedure to remove part of the surface of the ovary (wedge resection or drilling).

The fact that you recently became pregnant is good news, but unfortunately miscarriage is more common in women with PCOS due to high levels of LH and of testosterone.

There is good news however because high levels of LH can be suppressed by taking the drug Buserelin following which ovulation can be induced with gonadotrophin treatment given by injection.

So to summarize, your ovulation problems and your miscarriage problems can be treated despite your PCOS.

Pregnancy Loss: Miscarriage Myths

2012-01-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

I was such a loner when I experienced my miscarriages. Somehow I felt weak and like a failure. Experiencing recurrent miscarriage almost comes with a feeling of embarrassment. In my eyes, I didn't want everyone to feel obligated to console me...after six losses, how much consolation can you expect? The following article probably would have been helpful at the time I was going through my series of pregnancy losses. Read more:

Common myths about losing a child (pregnancyandbaby.com)

From the article:

from Mothers in Sympathy and Support

There may well be no greater pain to bear than that of losing a child. Even though this sentiment may be widely acknowledged, many people - even the bereaved themselves -- still have many misconceptions about grieving in the aftermath of loss. In this article, find validation for your feelings if you have lost a child. If you have never suffered such a loss, read on to gain better understanding of what a friend or loved one may be going through.

What Is Methotrexate - Why Is It Used For Ectopic Pregnancies?

2012-01-20T05:00:00.000-08:00

I had two ectopic pregnancies. The first had to be removed surgically because I was at risk for having my tube rupture which could be life threatening. However, if ectopic pregnancies are identified early enough, they may be treated medically with a chemotherapeutic drug called "methotrexate". Here is an article that explains how it works:

Methotrexate For Ectopic Pregnancy

From the article:

"How Successful is It?

As mentioned above, on average only one in 15 women will need surgery after treatment with methotrexate. By far most women require only one treatment, but very occasionally two may be necessary.The treatment works by interfering with an essential vitamin (folate), which is needed for the rapidly growing tissue of ectopic pregnancy.

Are There Any Side Effects?

Sometimes you may notice some mild abdominal pain after the treatment, though this should not be severe. Other occasional side effects (affecting up to 15% of people) include nausea, vomiting, indigestion or feelings of fatigue. Very rarely, it can affect the liver or blood counts, but this really is unusual, mild if it does occur and only transient. The follow-up blood tests will check for this."

When Miscarriage Is Prevented

2012-01-19T05:00:00.000-08:00

It seems like all we hear about or talk about is the danger signals in pregnancy and impending miscarriage. Well, not all pregnancies miscarry even when there are danger signals. Here is a story about a woman who was told she would most likely miscarry, but with a little luck and a little treatment, she carried to term and realized her dream. Read more:

savannahnow.com

From the article:

Odom heads a program - called pregnancy loss evaluation and prevention at St. Joseph's/Candler Telfair Reproductive Center - that specializes in preventing "preventable" miscarriages.

The program's goal is not to prevent miscarriages that are the result of chromosomal abnormalities, but those that could, with some medical intervention, have resulted in healthy babies.

Stefanie had started going to Odom, a reproductive endocrinologist, because of the difficulties she had becoming pregnant. She believes divine guidance led her to his specialized practice since the threat of miscarriage turned out to be more of a problem.

Stefanie recalls asking Odom what the chances were the pregnancy would continue. He sadly held up his hand, indicating maybe five pregnancies with hormone levels like hers had been successful in his 20 or so years of practice.

Even Stefanie's medical paperwork didn't give much hope. It was filled out to indicate the most likely outcome: "spontaneous abortion" the medical term for miscarriage.

Odom advised the Reeders to cancel their travel plans that weekend and told them the signs of a miscarriage. He also told the Reeders he would pray for them. They asked loved ones to do the same.

That night Stefanie did what she had done since finding out she was pregnant. She read "Goodnight Moon" aloud to her unborn baby.

Sean put his hand on Stefanie's belly and prayed.

"We decided this is our baby as long as he's with us," Stefanie said.

Stefanie and Sean knew that medically speaking, their baby didn't have much chance. But they hoped God had other plans.

Turned out, He did.

Miscarriage Caused By Trans-fats

2012-01-18T05:00:00.000-08:00

It has been well publicized that trans-fats can contribute to infertility. However, according to this article, trans-fats can also contribute to miscarriage. Read more:

Diet high in trans fats linked to miscarriage
Yet another bad outcome tied to artery-clogging solid fats (www.msnbc.com-Reuters)

From the article:

After categorizing the study population according to average trans fat intake, the investigators found the rate of fetal loss increased from 30 percent among those with the lowest intake of trans fat in the diet (2.2 percent of total calories on average) to 52 percent among women with the highest intake of trans fat (defined as 4.7 percent of total calories).

As the percent of calories from trans fat increased, so did the risk of having one or more fetal losses, Glueck and colleagues report. This association was independent of body mass, insulin and glucose levels, and other factors potentially associated with risk for fetal loss.

Further research is necessary to confirm the association between fetal loss and trans fatty acid intake, but Glick and colleagues speculate limiting trans fats may be beneficial during pregnancy.

Current dietary recommendations suggest limiting trans fat intake to less than 1 percent of total calories, the researchers note.

Heightened Fertility After Miscarriage?

2012-01-17T05:00:00.000-08:00

I have heard that you may have increased fertility after a miscarriage. I believe the hormones involved with the pregnancy were part of the reason. Here is a question/answer from miscarriage.about.com that addresses the issue:

miscarriage.about.com

From the article:

The truth is that there doesn't seem to be a clear answer. One 2004 study by British researchers found that the "time to pregnancy" was longer after a miscarriage, meaning it took longer for women who had a miscarriage to conceive again. A 2003 study, in contrast, found a higher odds of conception in the cycle immediately following an early pregnancy loss. Neither study is enough evidence to state that there is or isn't higher fertility immediately after a miscarriage.

The question of whether it's necessary to wait to conceive again is another story though. It's very common that doctors advise waiting two to three months after a miscarriage, but there doesn't seem to be any evidence that this waiting period is medically necessary for most women who have had an early miscarriage. If you prefer to try again right away, talk to your doctor to determine whether there are any specific medical reasons in your situation for why you should wait to get pregnant again

Excessive Estrogen and Miscarriage

2012-01-16T05:00:00.000-08:00

I do believe I had a condition called "estrogen dominance". I had uterine fibroids, endometriosis and recurrent miscarriage. This article talks about the use of natural progesterone cream and how it can help. I used this cream when I was trying to conceive, but not after having a positive pregnancy test (I was too afraid to use anything when I was pregnant - but I do believe it helped to balance my estrogen and progesterone prior to conception) Read more:

allonhealth.com

From te article:

Dr. Katharina Dalton is one of the many scientists and doctors who have discovered that progesterone in the natural form protects the fetus from miscarriage.
If a woman has had four or five miscarriages in the first six or eight weeks of a pregnancy, this is always due to luteal phase failure, says Dr. John Lee.
Progesterone is needed to facilitate implantation and to prevent rejection of the developing embryo, but the follicle may not respond to the ovum with enough.

Dr. Lita Lee informs us that "after conception progesterone prevents miscarriages resulting from excess estrogen." It is interesting to note the consistency of the research, as in Dr. Peat's study, indication that "pregnancy toxemia and tendency to miscarry or deliver prematurely are often corrected by progesterone." Dr. Peat goes on to say, "My dissertation research, which established that an estrogen excess kills the embryo by suffocation, and that progesterone protects the embryo by promoting the delivery of both oxygen and glucose,........"

Night Work and Miscarriage

2012-01-13T05:00:00.000-08:00

I think we underestimate our body's need for sleep and darkness. Here is an interesting article about how women who work the night shift had a significantly higher miscarriage rate:

Nighttime Work Linked to Miscarriages

According to the article:

"The risk of miscarriage was 85 percent higher for women who worked a fixed night shift compared to day workers after adjusting for other factors. The reasons are unknown; but the researchers said increased estrogen levels related to night work might play a role."

I'm sure that melatonin plays a role here. Melatonin is stimulated by darkness and helps to regulate sleep. It also plays a role in other hormone regulation. If you work nights, maybe a shift change may help you conceive and carry to term.

Miscarriage and Luteal Phase Defect

2012-01-12T05:00:00.000-08:00

Luteal Phase Defect is basically when your menstrual cycle is a little out of sync. Your cycles tend to be short, your hormones are out of whack and your uterine lining isn't receptive. Like the pieces of a puzzle, all of these things, if a little bit off, can either prevent conception or cause an early miscarriage. This article explains luteal phase defect and it even gives some over the counter remedies. Read more:

www.babyhopes.com

From the article:

Causes of Luteal Phase Defect
The three main causes of luteal phase defect include poor follicle production, premature demise of the corpus luteum, and failure of the uterine lining to respond to normal levels of progesterone. These problems occur at different times during the cycle but can also be found in conjunction with each other.

1.Poor follicle production occurs in the first half of the cycle. In this case, the woman may not produce a normal level of FSH, or her ovaries do not respond strongly to the FSH, leading to inadequate follicle development. Because the follicle ultimately becomes the corpus luteum, poor follicle formation leads to poor corpus luteum quality. In turn, a poor corpus luteum will produce inadequate progesterone, causing the uterine lining to be adequately prepared for the implantation of a fertilized embryo. Ultimately progesterone levels may drop early and menses will arrive sooner than expected resulting in luteal phase defect.
2.Premature failure of the corpus luteum can occur even when the initial quality of the follicle/corpus luteum is adequate. In some women the corpus luteum sometimes does not persist as long as it should. Here, initial progesterone levels at five to seven days past ovulation may be low; even if they are adequate, the levels drop precipitously soon thereafter, again leading to early onset of menses and hence a luteal phase defect.
3.Failure of the uterine lining to respond can occur even in the presence of adequate follicle development and a corpus luteum that persists for the appropriate length of time. In this condition, the uterine lining does not respond to normal levels of progesterone. Therefore, if an embryo arrives and tries to implant in the uterus, the uterine lining will not be adequately prepared, and the implantation will most likely fail.

Fibroids May Be Associated With Stillbirth

2012-01-11T05:00:00.000-08:00

Long before I was trying to conceive, I had some fibroids removed because they were growing rapidly. Many fibroids cause no problems and some women aren't even aware that they have them. However, they can be somewhat of a problem in pregnancy and this study talks about how they may cause growth restriction leading to stillbirth. Read more:

sciencedaily.com

From the article:

The study was a retrospective cohort study of 64,047 women. Data were extracted on maternal sociodemographics, medical history, and obstetric outcomes. Pregnancies with any fetal anomalies were excluded. Women with at least one fibroid detected at the time of fetal anatomic survey were compared to women without fibroids. The primary outcome was IUFD after 20 weeks gestation. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the risk of IUFD in women with fibroids, and subgroup was conducted by presence or absence of fetal growth restriction (IUGR).

The study found that of 64,047 women, the incidence of fibroids was 3.2% (n=2,058). The incidence of IUFD was significantly higher in the fibroid group than in the no-fibroid group (1.6% v. 0.7%, aOR 1.8, 95%CI 1.3-2.7) even after adjusting for factors including black race, tobacco exposure, chronic hypertension, and pregestational diabetes. In subgroup analysis, the risk relationship between fibroids and IUFD only persisted within the IUGR subgroup.

"Our results showed that women with a combination of fibroids and fetal growth restriction were at two-and-a-half times the risk of having a stillbirth, though the absolute risk remained rare," said Dr. Alison G. Cahill, another of the study's authors. "This may lead to a future recommendation for serial growth scans to monitor fetal growth in women with fibroids."

Care After Miscarriage Lacking

2012-01-10T05:00:00.000-08:00

I certainly can agree with a number of things mentioned in this article. Miscarriage is probably commonplace for many in the healthcare field since so many pregnancies end in miscarriage, but they forget that it's very traumatic for women to lose what they consider to be their child. I've written before about how inconsiderate the medical community can be - additionally, this article talks about how many women aren't even given pain relief or necessary referrals. Read more:

www.bbc.co.uk

From the article:

Its survey found 63% of women who miscarried at home following a hospital scan were not offered adequate pain relief.

Almost half (48%) of those who were in hospital for their miscarriage were treated alongside pregnant women or those with newborn babies, causing unnecessary distress.

And more than a fifth (21%) of those referred for a scan had to wait three days or more for it, while 35% of women who needed a surgical procedure had to wait four days or longer.

Mumsnet co-founder Justine Roberts said: "There is no getting away from the hurt of miscarriage, but there are a number of simple changes that could make a considerable difference to the level of trauma miscarrying parents undergo."
'Unacceptably high'

The gurgle.com survey reported 14% were told they needed to experience four or more miscarriages in a row before they could be tested for a cause.

However, the recommendation is for women to be referred after they have experienced three.

Accuracy Of Ultrasound To Diagnose Miscarriage Questioned

2012-01-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

Since I have had so many ultrasounds between my past fertility treatments and all of my miscarriages, I've often wondered about the competency of those performing them. I actually think I can read them better than some of the healthcare professionals. This article talks about how there can be plenty of room for error when diagnosing a miscarriage. Read more:

bbc.co.uk

From the article:

Miscarriage is very common, affecting one in five pregnancies.

If a women experiences pain or bleeding early in the pregnancy, around five to six weeks, they will have an ultrasound scan.

Two results would suggest a miscarriage, which could then lead to a decision to terminate the pregnancy:

an embryo greater than 6mm in length, but without a heartbeat
a pregnancy sac greater than 20mm, but with no visible embryo

A series of papers published in Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology questioned the thresholds.

One paper reviewed the evidence for the guidelines and said they were based on poor evidence.

Another reported significant variation in the measurements made by different clinicians, which could in theory change the diagnosis.

Tests on 1,060 women whose pregnancy was in question showed the 20mm rule would diagnose about 0.5% of cases as miscarriages when they were in fact healthy.

Online Forums Helpful To Work Through A Miscarriage

2012-01-06T05:00:00.000-08:00

I have always recommended that women who are trying to conceive or have experienced one or more miscarriages join a support group. Support groups can come in many different forms. One easy, quick way to gain support is through an online forum. There's no where to travel and the anonimity is also nice for those who value their privacy and confidentiality. This study confirms that online support can be very helpful:

aviva.co.uk

From the article:

Women coping with the mental trauma of a miscarriage find it hard to take comfort from their friends, according to new research.

The study by scientists at the Georgia Health Sciences University's Education Discovery Institute surveyed over 1,000 women and found many seek solace from other women who had gone through similar experiences via internet message boards.

"Women who have not gone through a stillbirth don't want to hear about my birth, or what my daughter looked like, or anything about my experience," said one respondent.

Researchers observed that only 50 per cent of the women had suffered a miscarriage during the last 12 months and many were still struggling to come to terms with the experience many years later.

The study's senior author Christie Palladino said the message forums can be an important resource.

Miscarriage: Are They Wrong?

2012-01-05T05:00:00.000-08:00

You never want to believe that you've actually lost your pregnancy. But, believe it or not, some women are told they have miscarried, but they are in fact, still pregnant. Here is a story about a woman who was told she miscarried, and almost had a D & C. Luckily further testing showed she was still pregnant. Read more:

health.com

From the article:

I had spent the past two weeks saying goodbye to this pregnancy. My friends had taken me out and gotten me properly sauced. I purposely did everything a pregnant lady is not supposed to do—sucked down soft cheeses, exercised strenuously, and drowned my sorrow in wine and beer.

I'd even yearned for a D&C to end this "lost" pregnancy and clear the way for our next attempt at getting pregnant. Thank God I'd scheduled this second ultrasound before booking the surgery.

Because there was our embryo, with its tiny leg buds and that unmistakable heartbeat, alive and, apparently, human. It was simply a week "behind dates," i.e., conceived much later in my cycle than we thought. And my bleeding and cramping? It turns out that I'm one of the of women who can experience that and not miscarry.

Balanced Translocation and Miscarriage

2012-01-04T05:00:00.000-08:00

picture: ghr.nlm.nih.gov

I had never heard of balanced translocation until I received an email from a woman whose husband has the condition. I looked it up and thought it might be of interest to some of my blog readers. This article explains what the condition is and how it may affect conception and pregnancy:

www.parentingweekly.com

From the article:

To better understand the difference between balanced and unbalanced translocation, imagine a part of chromosome 21 has attached itself to chromosome 14. In a balanced translocation, the person has a smaller than normal chromosome 21 with a piece broken off, a normal second chromosome 21, a chromosome 14 with the broken piece of 21 attached, and a normal chromosome 14. The person appears completely normal and suffers no related health problems. If this person wants to have children, however, there are several possibilities that could affect the outcome of the pregnancy.

Both normal chromosomes - The normal chromosomes 21 and 14 may be passed on, resulting in a normal baby.
Broken 21, affected 14 - The broken chromosome 21 and affected chromosome 14 (with the broken piece from chromosome 21 attached) may be passed on, resulting in a baby with the same balanced translocation as the parent, but no related.
Normal 21, affected 14 - The normal chromosome 21 and affected chromosome 14 may be passed on, giving the child extra DNA from chromosome 21, resulting in unbalanced translocation and Down's Syndrome.

The cause of translocation is not well understood, though it has been linked to radiation exposure. There are a wide range of medical problems that may result from the condition, including leukemia, breast cancer, schizophrenia, muscular dystrophy and Down's Syndrome. The related health problems suffered by a person with translocation depend on which part of which chromosome is moved to where.

Happy New Year!! Be Back 1-4-12

2012-01-01T05:00:00.000-08:00

Click here for another adorable animation from Jacquie Lawson:

www.jacquielawson.com

Have a safe holiday weekend...be back on 1-4-12.

New Year's History

2011-12-30T05:00:00.000-08:00

For some interesting history on New Year's celebrations, click here:

www.wilstar.com

Wishing you a safe holiday.

Miscarriage and Elevated Cortisol Levels

2011-12-29T05:00:00.000-08:00

I've come across conflicting information in the literature about whether or not stress causes or contributes to miscarriage. I'm not a researcher, but Ive read enough convincing articles to conclude (at least in my own mind) that stress can contribute to miscarriage. Here is another article which seems to support that conclusion:

Cortisol levels and very early pregnancy loss in humans (www.pnas.org)

From the article:

Maternal stress is commonly cited as an important risk factor for spontaneous abortion. For humans, however, there is little physiological evidence linking miscarriage to stress. This lack of evidence may be attributable to a paucity of research on maternal stress during the earliest gestational stages. Most human studies have focused on "clinical" pregnancy (>6 weeks after the last menstrual period). The majority of miscarriages, however, occur earlier, within the first 3 weeks after conception (5 weeks after the last menstrual period). Studies focused on clinical pregnancy thus miss the most critical period for pregnancy continuance. We examined the association between miscarriage and levels of maternal urinary cortisol during the first 3 weeks after conception. Pregnancies characterized by increased maternal cortisol during this period (within participant analyses) were more likely to result in spontaneous abortion (P < 0.05). This evidence links increased levels in this stress marker with a higher risk of early pregnancy loss in humans.

Strange Association Between Having a Boy and Subsequent Miscarriage

2011-12-28T05:00:00.000-08:00

I found this article about how women who have boys may be at a higher risk of subsequent miscarriage. Read more:

Boy babies raise miscarriage risk

From the article:

"The team at the Copenhagen clinic looked at 305 women who already had a child.

One hundred and eighty four - 60% of them had had boys.

The usual rate in a population would be 51%.

The researchers calculated women whose first child was a boy had a third of the chance as those who had had a girl of having a second baby, even after treatment.

And those women who do have second babies are more likely to have girls.

Clue

Dr Henrietta Svarre Nielsen, who led the research, said: "It is known that when a female carries a male, it is strange to her immune system.

"And up to 22 years later, you can pick up cells in her immune system which act against males.

"Carrying a male baby is normally tolerated - but in some cases, that obviously goes wrong."

She said her research was at an early stage, so had not identified what the problem might be.

But Dr Svarre Nielsen said it might be that the woman¿s body has an unusual immune reaction to the presence of male cells, which then worsens so it is triggered even by being pregnant.

She added: "The fact that we can now detect a defect might give us a clue to what happens in a normal pregnancy."

Displaced Anger After Miscarriage

2011-12-27T05:00:00.000-08:00

I remember like it was yesterday...the cold stares by the doctors and ultrasound technicians as they looked at the ultrasound monitor trying to find a heartbeat. I don't envy their job when they have to tell you there is none, but I will say that most aren't trained very well on how to deal with a woman who has just lost her pregnancy.

After suffering multiple miscarriages, I dealt with a number of doctors, nurses and ultrasound technicians' reactions. For example:

Some just stick with the facts..."I don't see a heartbeat...it does not appear to be viable"

Some go into their "professional mode" with a long medical dissertation - none of which a lay person could understand

Some give unwanted advice - "you can try again"..."have you considered adoption?"

Some engage in "total avoidance" - no eye contact...make a beeline toward the door at the first opportunity.

Out of all of my miscarriages, only one nurse said, "I'm so sorry...how are you doing?"

I have seriously thought about offering to do a free lecture at medical schools or internship programs on how to deal with a woman who has just suffered a miscarriage. I know doctors and nurses are busy, but this is part of their job.

To this day, I HATE going to OB/GYN doctors (of course, everyone hates Pap Smears), but, for me it always brings back memories of waiting for the bomb to drop then having to deal with the cold shoulder and uncomfortable silence.

Granted, there's really nothing people can say to "make it all better" when you've suffered a miscarriage, and I'm sure I'm guilty of displacing my anger about losing a pregnancy and "shooting the messenger", but a little compassion would go a long way.

Happy Holidays! Be Back 12/27/11

2011-12-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

Have A Wonderful Safe Holiday!

CLICK HERE FOR SOME HOLIDAY FUN:

www.JACQUIELAWSON.COM

Duggar's Miscarriage Memorial

2011-12-22T06:08:00.000-08:00

The Duggar's recent miscarriage memorial has stirred up some controversy because they posted some photos of the fetus (it appears it's just the hands and feet). I personally think that it's their decision to memorialize their baby any way they wish and in a way that helps their grieving. They've taken some criticism for posting these photos publicly, but I can understand their decision since they've become public figures. As always, people who suffer miscarriages get a lot of unwanted advice when all they really need is compassion. Here is their video:

Jubilee Shalom Duggar from WMtek Inc on Vimeo.

Placenta Protein Tied To Miscarriage

2011-12-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

I found this interesting article about how low levels of a protein found through a diagnostic test may be predictive of miscarriage. Read more:

www.theage.com.au

From the article:

Researchers at Monash University looked at blood samples from 300 women in early pregnancy - 100 of whom went on to miscarry.

The researchers found that blood levels of a protein called macrophage inhibitory cytokine 1 (MIC 1) were much lower in the women who miscarried.

If the findings are confirmed, they may lead to a diagnostic blood test that could predict miscarriage, or even a treatment to prevent it. The researchers say about 10 to 15 per cent of pregnancies miscarry, with no treatment available and no way of identifying women at risk.

The study's findings, a collaboration between the Monash team and researchers from St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, are published in the latest edition of The Lancet.

Stephen Tong of Monash Medical Centre's obstetrics and gynaecology department said analysis of blood samples taken each week during the women's first trimester (six to 13 weeks) showed that the levels of MIC 1 in women who went on to miscarry were 70 per cent lower.

Researchers then looked at a group of women whose blood was taken one week before miscarriage was diagnosed, and found the same low level of MIC 1.

"But even more surprisingly, we were able to identify a group who had blood taken a full three weeks before they had their diagnosis that they had a miscarriage, and we were surprised to find that levels were just about, again, 70 per cent depressed compared to normal level," Dr Tong said.

Coping With Grief Over the Holidays

2011-12-20T05:00:00.000-08:00

The article I've posted below deals with losing a child and dealing with the following holidays, but all of the things they mention can help couples going through miscarriage too. Read more:

www.pregnancy.org

From the article:

• Try to get enough rest
Emotionally, physically, and psychologically it is draining. You need every bit of strength.

• What you choose to do the first year you don't have to do the next.

• Try something different. One possibility for the first year may be to visit relatives, friends, or even go away on a vacation. Planning, packing, etc., keeps your mind somewhat off the holiday and you share the time in a different and hopefully less painful setting.

• How do we answer, "Happy Holidays?" You may say, "I'll try" or "Best wishes to you." You thing of many answers that you don't say.

What Is a "Threatened Miscarriage?"

2011-12-19T05:00:00.000-08:00

I was frequently diagnosed with "threatend miscarriage". I had some slight bleeding or spotting with all of my pregnancies including my successful one. If you have bleeding or spotting during your pregnancy, it may be called a threatened miscarriage. Here is an article that explains more:

Threatened Miscarriage

From the article:

"What is a Threatened Miscarriage?
It is extremely common to experience some type of light vaginal bleeding during the first trimester. Sometimes a reason may be found, such as an infection or irritation of the cervix. Other times no cause for the bleeding can be found.

When this unexplainable bleeding occurs during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, it is referred to as a threatened miscarriage or a threatened spontaneous abortion. While the name can sound quite scary, more than half of these pregnancies continue on normally."

Chromosomal Problems - Even In Younger Women

2011-12-16T05:00:00.000-08:00

I can't tell you the amount of literature I've read about older women, egg quality, and the higher chance of chromosomal abnormalities. Here is an interesting article about how younger women may also have a high incidence of chromosomal problems. This article talks about how embryos of younger women (ages 21-31) were examined from donor cycles. I found it interesting that it's also possible that the chromosomal problems may be as a result of the IVF procedure itself or possibly the sperm:

Young women have flawed eggs too

How Your Workplace May Contribute To Miscarriage

2011-12-15T05:00:00.000-08:00

There's quite a bit of conflicting information out there about what causes miscarriage and what doesn't. This article seems to do a good job of addressing some real workplace hazzards for pregnant women - not just chemical hazzards, but physical ones as well. Read more:

www.minnestoamedicine.com

From the article:

Physical Hazards
Women working in the manufacturing, agriculture, and service industries as well as those who work as firefighters or nursing assistants often must perform tasks that are physically demanding. Because of the physiological changes that take place during pregnancy, including increased stress on the musculoskeletal system, intensive job-related physical demands have been associated with an increased risk for miscarriage, especially among women who have had 2 or more spontaneous abortions.14 In addition, a growing body of research has linked heavy lifting, prolonged standing, working the night shift, and working long hours during pregnancy with impaired fetal growth and preterm delivery.15,16 Researchers have suggested several reasons for this: pooling of blood in the lower extremities when standing for prolonged periods, less blood returning to the heart because of the demands of the growing uterus, and interference with circadian rhythms, which ultimately affect hormone levels.

Mold Toxins and Miscarriage

2011-12-14T05:00:00.000-08:00

I live in a very dry climate, so mold has never been much of an issue. However, many parts of this country and other countries are quite humid which may encourage the growth of mold. I never knew mold toxins could cause infertility or miscarriage, but here is an article that explains how molds can affect your fertility:

Mold Toxins Can Alter DNA - Birth Defects, Miscarriages & Infertility

This article has many useful links within it if you want more information.

Infection and Miscarriage

2011-12-13T05:00:00.000-08:00

I've read a number of articles about an infection called "bacterial vaginosis" which can be treated with antibiotics. This infection has been associated with miscarriage. Read more:

Miscarriage risk cut by antibiotics

From the article:

Researchers from St George's Hospital, London, screened 6,120 pregnant women attending for their first antenatal check between 12 and 22 weeks for bacterial vaginosis or early signs of infection.

Around 480 tested positive and were either given a five-day course of the antibiotic clindamycin or a dummy pill.

The optimum time to screen and treat is as yet unknown, and in view of our present knowledge, could well be pre-pregnancy

Dr Austin Ugwumadu, ST George's Hospital
They were then monitored to see how many had experienced early miscarriage - up to 24 weeks - and premature delivery - between 24 and 37 weeks.

Overall, women who were given clindamycin had 10% fewer miscarriages or premature births than women given the dummy pill.

In the clindamycin group, 13 had a miscarriage or premature delivery compared to 38 in the group which was given the dummy treatment.

Bacterial vaginosis has been linked to early signs of endometriosis, which researchers say could adversely affect the lining of the uterus, and therefore the environment for the developing foetus.

More Evidence That Vitamins May Help Pregnancy and Prevent Miscarriage

2011-12-12T05:00:00.000-08:00

I've written before about how certain vitmins and supplements can help prevent miscarriage. The study cited below showed a 57% decrease in miscarriage among women who took vitamins before and after conception. Read more:

www.foxnews.com

From the article:

Between 2000 and 2008, Hasan's team interviewed 4752 women during their first trimester of pregnancy to determine their use of prenatal vitamins and multi-vitamins.

Overall, 95 percent of the women reported using prenatal vitamins or multivitamins at some point during the first three months of pregnancy. About half the women reported taking vitamins prior to conception.

There were 524 miscarriages among the subjects. The researchers found that the risk for miscarriage was 57 percent lower among women who took vitamins, compared to those who did not.

This reduced risk was not altered by other factors including age, hormone use, the number of prior pregnancies, smoking status, race/ethnicity, educational level, and marital status, note Hasan and colleagues.

"Because miscarriage occurs very early in pregnancy, it is important for women of reproductive age, who may become pregnant, to eat a balanced diet and use vitamins." Hasan advised.

Duggar Suffers Miscarriage On Her 20th Pregnancy

2011-12-09T05:00:00.001-08:00

On my fertility over 40 blog, I had reported not too long ago, that Michelle Duggar was pregnant with her 20th child. Sadly, it was report on 12/8 that she miscarried. Even after 19 successful pregnancies, miscarriage is still traumatic. Read more:

ontheredcarpet.com

From the article:

"Michelle is resting comfortably at home with the support of the entire family. We are grateful for all the thoughts and prayers, but ask for privacy during this difficult time."

The couple had expected to find out their baby's gender during the check-up, People magazine reported.

"I feel like my heart broke telling my children," Michelle Duggar told the magazine. "They have all been so excited about this baby and looking forward to April coming around and having a new little one in our arms. That was the most difficult. The Lord is the giver of life and he can choose when that life is ready to go on and be with Him."

People also quoted her as saying that her family will choose a name for the child after they find out its gender and then make funeral arrangements. The reality star, who had suffered complications with her last pregnancy, was in her second trimester and was due to give birth in April.

Increased Miscarriage Risk In First 3 Weeks With Elevated Cortisol

2011-12-08T05:00:00.000-08:00

When I read articles like this one, I'm amazed. Not only do they state that a huge number of conceptions miscarry before women even know their pregnant, but elevated cortisol (stress hormone) is a trigger for the body to miscarry. Read more:
www.aphroditewomenshealth.com

From the article:

Previous studies have reported that up to 90 percent of all conceptions result in miscarriage. This high figure reflects the fact that most women notice they are pregnant about six weeks after conception, but most miscarriages are known to happen during the first three weeks of pregnancy.

It was this critical three week initial period of pregnancy that researcher Pablo Nepomnaschy decided to investigate. "The only way to capture the first three weeks of pregnancy is to begin collecting their urine from before they become pregnant. That is extremely labor intensive and expensive," he explained.

In the study, Nepomnaschy found that 90 percent of the women with elevated levels of cortisol miscarried during the first three weeks of pregnancy, compared to 33 percent of those with normal levels. "Maybe increased cortisol is understood by the body as a cue that the context is uncertain, changing, or the quality of the environment is deteriorating," Nepomnaschy said. "The body's response is to stop any extra activity and go back to its most basic functions."

Nitrates And Miscarriage

2011-12-07T05:00:00.000-08:00

I remember reading about how nitrates can be unhealthy to a developing fetus when I was pregnant. I totally avoided any type of processed meat (processed meats are preserved with nitrates). Also, depending on your location, well water may be contaminated with nitrates. Read more:

parenting.ivillage.com

From the article:

Therefore, if you choose to eat nitrate-containing foods, do so in a manner that minimizes the conversion. For example, you will want to avoid using bacon dripping for cooking, or frying processed ham. It just makes sense to avoid exposure to any potentially cancer-causing compounds whenever possible, but most certainly when you are pregnant.

Although nitrates in some foods may not be a problem, high levels of nitrates in well water can be. Consuming well water contaminated with nitrates, chemicals or bacteria is particularly dangerous for pregnant women and young infants. There has been some evidence that well water contaminated with high levels of nitrates has caused miscarriages in some women.

BBT May Indicate Miscarriage

2011-12-06T05:00:00.000-08:00

I do recall monitoring my BBT when I was trying to conceive. I actually remember a drop in my temperature on one of my miscarriages. Although I didn't monitor my temperature as a primary means of determining my fertility, if you can do it accurately, you may be able to identify a problem early in a pregnancy. Read more

pregnancy.lovetoknow.com

From the article:

Miscarriage and basal body temperature (BBT) are linked together. If you understand how to read your body's basal temperature and have been keeping accurate records, you can often tell if you have had a miscarriage even before the pregnancy has been confirmed. It may also be possible to see if you are about to have a miscarriage by keeping a close eye on your BBT...

When you are pregnant, your basal body temperature will stay elevated for the duration of your pregnancy. If your temperature suddenly drops after being elevated for at least 18 days, your body may be signaling that you are about to miscarry. A drop in temperature followed by a normal or heavier than normal period can indicate that you have already had a miscarriage.

Ultrasound May Misdiagnose Miscarriage

2011-12-05T05:00:00.000-08:00

I've often wondered how ultrasounds are read...I've had quite a few in my time and I'm beginning to think I can read them better than some of the healthcare practitioners. I've had ultrasounds by PA's NP's, ER doctors, and GYNs. It's hard to believe that they're all trained in the same way. Here is an article about how some miscarriages may be incorrectly diagnosed on ultrasound:

healthland.time.com

From the article:

Typically, an embryo larger than 6 mm without a heartbeart or with no detectable increase in the size of the gestational sac between scans is assumed to indicate miscarriage, but Bourne found that it's possible that a healthy pregnancy may not grow measurably in the course of a week or so. In fact, half a percent of the women in the study — or 1 in 183 — still could have been pregnant even though scan guidelines technically would have classified their pregnancies as ended.

In the U.K., ultrasounds that reveal an empty gestational sac over 20 mm in size result in a diagnosis of miscarriage. In the U.S., the standard set by the American College of Radiology is 16 mm. Based on the researchers' findings, 8 in 183 U.S. women — or 1 in 23 — would have a miscarriage diagnosed incorrectly.

Another one of the studies found that measurements of a gestational sac can vary up to 20% depending on who does the measuring; different clinicians get different results. Say, for example, that one sonographer overestimates sac size, then a second sonographer subsequently underestimates it. The resulting confusion could result in a women being falsely told she had miscarried.

Miscarriage and Our Cruel Healthcare System

2011-12-02T05:00:00.000-08:00

Our healthcare system is rather cruel...it seems like when you can least handle the financial burden, you all of a sudden are flooded with medical bills. Here is one woman's experience trying to navigate through the hassles of dealing with healthcare providers and her insurance company after a miscarriage:

Commentary: The miscarriage that could not end
Caught between the medical bills and the insurance company, those who long to put an illness behind them are forced to relive it in ceaseless skirmishes over payment.
By EVE TAHMINCIOGLU

© St. Petersburg Times

Link Between Environmental Compounds and Autism

2011-12-01T05:00:00.000-08:00

In a world dominated with synthetic products in our homes, the air, and at work, it's no wonder our fertility, unborn babies, and children are suffering the consequences. Here is an article about how some of these chemicals can cuase autism:

greenbuildingelements.com

From the article:

Fetuses and newborns are at most risk to harmful chemicals because of the enormous cell growth. The CDC study showed that one in every 18 women of childbearing age in the United States had mercury in their bodies that exceeded the EPA’s safe levels. In their early years, children are at higher risk due to the chemicals in flame retardants, their habit of putting everything in their mouths, and crawling on the floor - and their bodies are less able to metabolize them.

One of the key elements of green building is increased indoor air quality, including the limiting of VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, in the home. These studies highlight the need for better indoor air quality measures and greater education among homeowners and product manufacturers. Additionally, the fact that hundreds of chemicals without known health effects are in widespread use should spur the CDC and EPA to push for their testing or removal from products until they are proven safe.

Immune Cells Affect Progesterone Causing Miscarriage

2011-11-30T05:00:00.000-08:00

I've heard the theory that miscarriage may be caused by the immune system attacking the embryo, but this article talks about how miscarriage may be caused by a lack of immune cells which may lead to progesterone deficiency. Read more:

www.zeenews.com

From the article:

Washington: A new study has shed fresh light on why some women are infertile and why some pregnancies end in miscarriage, after researchers found that immune cells have an important role to play in both the cases.

An international team has examined the role of a type of immune cells known as macrophages or white blood cells within the ovary, which are found in abundance near developing eggs and in hormone-producing structures within the ovary.

The researchers conducted experiments on mice and found that when these cells are depleted there's a significant reduction in the amount of progesterone the ovary produces.

Progesterone is a hormone produced by the ovary which is essential for the maintenance of early pregnancy.

"We know that the ovary requires a vascular network in order to deliver the high levels of progesterone the body requires to maintain early pregnancy. The formation of this network occurs very quickly following ovulation, and macrophages may be involved in establishing that blood supply.

"It appears that the ovary has its own specialist pathway to achieve this and that macrophages have an essential role in building the blood supply that we hadn't previously appreciated.

What Is A D&C Like and What Can Go Wrong?

2011-11-29T05:00:00.000-08:00

My treatments after my miscarriages varied by the situation. I did have a couple of D&C's since two of my miscarriages did not expel by themselves, but most of them just came out on their own as a heavy period. Here is an article from miscarriage.about.com where readers write in about their own experience:

miscarriage.about.com

How Greens and Folic Acid Can Help With Miscarriage

2011-11-28T05:00:00.000-08:00

In my , infertility-fertility blog, I wrote an article about a green cleanse after the holidays. This blog talks about the importance of folic acid (found in greens) to control homocysteine levels. Read more:

fertilekitchen.blogspot.com (Karen Reynolds)

From the article:

Homocysteine (also referred to as Total Homocysteine, or abbreviated as tHcy on lab forms) is a toxic amino acid produced by your liver and usually counterbalanced by healthy cleansing processes in your liver. High levels of tHcy are associated with risk for stroke, heart attack, and clot formation in your cardiovascular system. And in early pregnancy, elevated tHcy is associated with miscarriage.

Your body needs B vitamins, specifically folate, B12 and B6, for the conversion of tHcy into a non-toxic substance...

...Studies have shown that folic acid supplementation before conception and in pregnancy is associated with increased birth weight and longer gestational length. Folic acid also has an immensely important role in the development of your baby’s spinal cord and brain and helps prevent spinal cord problems, also known as neural tube defects.

Some things that can drive up your Homocysteine (tHcy) levels:

Vitamin B deficiency (Folate, B12, and B6)
Smoking
Excessive alcohol intake
Lack of exercise
Excessive coffee intake

What helps if your Homocysteine (tHcy) is high?

Supplement with B-Vitamins (Folate, B12, and B6)
Incorporate foods which are high in B-Vitamins into your daily diet
Address the lifestyle activities noted above

Foods high in B-Vitamins

Folate - Leafy greens such as spinach, turnip greens, fresh fruits and vegetables.
Vitamin B6 - Poultry, seafood, bananas, leafy green vegetables, potatoes.
Vitamin B12 - Animal foods are the only natural source of vitamin B12; but many products are fortified with vitamin B12. Shellfish, such as clams, mussels, crab. Fin fish, beef.

Facts about having Homocysteine (tHcy) blood levels drawn:

Ideally check tHcy levels before you get pregnant. However it’s never too late to supplement with B Vitamins. They are safe, inexpensive and easy to digest.
Draw blood first thing in morning after having fasted from food and fluids for at least 8 hours.
For menstruating women: tHcy levels are most accurately assessed prior to ovulation and not in the luteal part of your menstrual cycle (The luteal phase of your cycle is the second half which is from ovulation through menses). Ideally draw sometime on Days #1-#7 of your cycle.

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!

2011-11-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

Wishing you a safe and healthy holiday weekend.

Click Here:

Thanksgiving Animation By Jacquie Lawson

Recurrent Miscarriage May Spontaneously Resolve

2011-11-22T05:00:00.000-08:00

I have a link below to an article with some encouraging information. The article starts out talking about some possible causes and treatments for miscarriage. But the article also states some encouraging statistics for women with recurrent miscarriage

health.msn.com

From the article:

However, there’s hope. Sixty percent to 70 percent of women with unexplained recurrent miscarriages will go on to have a successful pregnancy. And, if the cause is recognized and treatable, the success rate increases by up to 90 percent.

Being Too Thin Increases Miscarriage Risk

2011-11-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

Much has been written by myself and others about the risk of miscarriage if you're overweight or obese. However, being underweight can pose a problem as well. Here is an article about the risk of miscarriage if you're underweight:

Thinness 'poses miscarriage risk'

According to the article:

"Women who are very underweight before they become pregnant are 72% more likely to miscarry in the first three months of pregnancy, a study suggests."

However, the article goes on to say:

"But the two-thirds of women who took vitamin supplements during early pregnancy reduced their risk by around 50%.

The effect was most pronounced among those taking folic acid or iron and multivitamins containing these.

Eating fresh fruit and vegetables daily or on most days was also found to halve the odds of miscarriage.

Eating chocolate every day, as half the women did, also appeared to lower the risk."

Live Birth Rate After Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

2011-11-18T05:00:00.000-08:00

I've known a number of women (and I'm always hearing about more) who experience recurrent miscarriage and then go on to have a normal pregnancy and birth. This led me to do some research on what the live birth rate actually is after recurrent miscarriage (cited in the literature as "habitual abortion" - 3 or more miscarriages). What I found is the following:

-The chance of having a live born after recurrent miscarriage is somewhere around 55-60%

-The chance of having a live born can rise to 70% if the recurrent miscarriages occur after at least one other live born

Source: www.medscape.com - from Journal of the American Board of Family Practice

The bottom line is that the majority of women with recurrent miscarriage go on to have a successful pregnancy. The odds are in your favor.

Frozen Embryos Increase Ectopic Pregnancy 17 Times

2011-11-17T05:00:00.000-08:00

Wow, I was astounded to read this article about how frozen embryos increase the chance of ectopic pregnancy. I had two ectopics, which both were the result of IVF. Statistically, there is a higher risk of ectopic with IVF, but frozen embryos have a 17 times greater risk! If ectopic pregnancies rupture, it can be life threatening. Read more:

www.independent.co.uk

From the article:

Using frozen embryos in fertility treatment raises the risk of a potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy by 17 times, researchers have found.

Using frozen embryos in fertility treatment raises the risk of a potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy by 17 times, researchers have found.

Scientists had thought that the risk of ectopic pregnancy was only slightly increased for frozen embryos compared with the use of "fresh" embryos. The American researchers said they had been surprised by the results and were not sure of the reason.

Alison Cook, a spokeswoman for the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, which regulates fertility treatment in Britain, said the study was a "serious concern". "We have never come across these figures before. We will be studying the research," she said.

When a woman first has IVF treatment, doctors usually transfer between one and three "fresh" test-tube embryos into the uterus.

In the past 10 years technology has meant that increasing numbers of couples are choosing to freeze some of the created embryos, giving them a chance of trying further IVF cycles if the first one fails. After the first attempt, women can use the frozen embryos without having to go through the painful process of hormone treatment, egg retrieval and fertilisation for a second, third or even fourth time.

Frozen embryo storage also allows patients having chemotherapy treatment and other women to create fertilised embryos and delay motherhood until they want to try for a family.

Doctors are becoming increasingly concerned at the effect of the freezing process on embryos. Last month, the fertility expert Lord Winston called for more research, and warned that some women were, in effect, being experimented on before the dangers were known.

A study carried out by Lord Winston's team at the Hammersmith Hospital in west London has shown that some types of embryo freezing may alter behaviour of a gene that supresses tumours. Delaying the transfer of embryos to a mother - another technique used in some clinics - also seemed to interfere with genes in animal experiments, he said.

The new study by scientists at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, to be presented to the annual confe- rence of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in Texas today,has revealed more concerns. The researchers compared 2,452 cycles of IVF using fresh embryos, with 392 using frozen transfers. They found that 1.8 per cent of the fresh cycles led to an ectopic pregnancy, compared with 31.8 per cent of the frozen attempts.

Can Progesterone Supplementation Reduce Recurrent Miscarriage?

2011-11-16T05:00:00.000-08:00

I have read so much conflicting information about whether or not progesterone supplementation can prevent miscarriage. When I was able to get pregnant naturally but experiencing recurrent miscarriage, I asked a reproductive endocrinologist about progesterone supplementation. He was absolutely against it. I wonder now if I should have sought a second opinion. Well, as it turns out, I was able to carry my last pregnancy to term without it, but I will always have that question. Here is an article that seems to support progesterone supplementation for recurrent miscarriage:

What treatments prevent miscarriage after recurrent pregnancy loss?

If your doctor thinks you may benefit from progesterone, inquire about bioidentical progesterone vs. synthetic.

Video On Treating Antibodies To Prevent Miscarriage

2011-11-15T05:00:00.000-08:00

Most women who have experienced recurrent miscarriage have probably been told about the possibility that they may be producing antibodies which can harm their pregnancy. This video talks about the condition and the treatment which is helping some women carry to term.

www.webmd.com

Earlier Diagnosis Of Ectopic Pregnancy May Prevent Surgery and Preserve Fertility

2011-11-14T05:00:00.000-08:00

I remember when I had my ectopic pregnancy. I had felt all along something was wrong. I felt quite a bit of pressure in my abdomen and I remember thinking, I wonder if all pregnant women feel this pain and pressure? I kept telling my doctor's office (i.e. the fertility clinic I went to at the time) and the harried nurses sort of blew me off...(another neurotic fertility patient to deal with). As it turns out I had a twin pregnancy so my HcG numbers were strong, but by the time I had my first ultrasound, I was rushed to surgery after one pregnancy was in my tube and the other died in my uterus. Ugghhh...what a mess. This article talks about earlier detection of ectopic pregnancy which could avoid surgery. Read more:

www.dailymail.co.uk

From the article:

The new diagnostic test is based on testing for eight "markers" in the blood, which show up between four and six weeks into a pregnancy.

The team developing the test is based at Queen's Hospital, Romford, Essex, led by Yemi Coker, consultant for the early pregnancy assessment and treatment unit.

He said: "This test is set to revolutionise the management of ectopic pregnancy.

"We are developing one simple test that can be done early in the pregnancy. An early diagnosis will mean that patients can be treated using just an injection, rather than having to have surgery."

At present women may need several hospital appointments to confirm an ectopic pregnancy before being admitted for an operation.

But the new test requires only one visit after which women with the condition can be treated on an outpatient basis with the fallopian tube being preserved.

It is being backed by NHS Innovations, the agency which identifies potential breakthroughs and helps introduce them into the health service.

More On Miscarriage And The EMF Debate

2011-11-11T05:00:00.000-08:00

There has been a longstanding debate about whether or not EMF's (electromagnetic fields) can negatively affect a pregnancy to the point of miscarriage. Some studies dismiss this as a risk, however other studies aren't so sure. Here is an article about monitoring EMF's in pregnant women and their risk of miscarriage:

preventdisease.com

From the article:

But the researchers did detect a connection when they looked at the highest level of EMFs that women were exposed to during the day. Women with a peak EMF exposure of 16 milligauss--much more intense than what most electrical appliances emit--were 80% more likely to have a miscarriage than women with lower peak exposures. This risk ``barely changed'' after the researchers accounted for about 30 known miscarriage risk factors.

This risk was highest during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy and it was more pronounced in women with a history of miscarriage or problems becoming pregnant.

The investigators also found that the link between peak EMF exposure and the risk of miscarriage was stronger in women who engaged in their typical daily activities on the day they wore the EMF monitor, meaning the measurements were more likely to reflect their actual exposure.

If No Clotting Disorder, Aspirin Ineffective To Prevent Recurrent Miscarriage

2011-11-10T05:00:00.000-08:00

I've frequently have heard about women taking aspirin to prevent clotting as a cause of miscarriage. If you haven't been diagnosed with this disorder, aspirin may not be effective. However, this article does not address the use of aspirin to help build up the uterine lining which is another reason it may be recommended. Read more:

insidermedicine.com

From the article:

Researchers from the University of Leiden randomly assigned over 350 women who had a history of multiple miscarriages and who were either trying to get pregnant or were less than six weeks pregnant to one of three treatment groups. The first group received a daily dose of aspirin plus daily injections of nadroparin. The second group received aspirin alone, and the third group received a placebo.

There was no difference among the three groups of women with respect to the proportion who gave birth to a live baby. Even after looking only at the women who actually became pregnant, the researchers could not find any evidence that any of the treatments increased the likelihood of giving birth to a live baby.

We spoke with Dr. Saskia Middeldorp, MD, PhD, one of the investigators of this study, who offered some further insight.

Today’s research suggests that blood thinning drugs, used either alone or in combination, do not reduce the risk of miscarriage in susceptible women who are not known to have a blood clotting disorder. If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, follow your doctor’s advice about which drugs to take or to avoid

Could A Herpes Infection Lead To Miscarriage?

2011-11-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

If you think you might have a herpes infection, of course you should see your doctor as soon as possible. Herpes is something that should be monitored in pregnancy and for delivery. Here is a site which addresses Herpes in pregnancy and when it might affect the fetus:

www.herpes-coldsores.com

From the site:

Situations in which the developing fetus may be at risk:

A severe first episode during the first trimester (12 weeks) of pregnancy, which can lead to miscarriage.

A first episode in the last trimester of pregnancy, when there is a large amount of virus present and insufficient time for the mother to produce antibodies to protect the unborn baby

If a woman has primary herpes (her first encounter with the virus) at any point in the pregnancy, there is the possibility of the virus crossing the placenta and infecting the baby in the uterus (about 5% of cases).

Mothers who acquire genital herpes in the last few weeks of pregnancy are at the highest risk of transmitting the virus.

To be infected with herpes in the last few weeks of pregnancy is rare but it may account for almost 50% of all cases of neo-natal herpes.

If the infection is a true primary (no previous antibodies to either HSV-1 or HSV-2), and a mother becomes HSV positive at the end of pregnancy, the risk of transmission can be as high as 50%. The risk is also higher if a mother has prior infection with HSV-1, but not HSV-2.

Miscarriage: Get Through It Not Over It

2011-11-08T05:00:00.000-08:00

I found this Dear Abby question and answer about a woman who had experienced miscarriage. A number of readers wrote in who had also experienced miscarriage. Some of their replies such as this one may be helpful for you:

signonsandiego.com

DEAR ABBY: “Anonymous in the North” needs to realize that her anger and bitterness are normal. You don't get “over” a miscarriage, but you do get through it – and life does get better.

What she needs to do is take care of herself, be gentle with herself. If that means avoiding or limiting her time with her brother and pregnant sister-in-law, or friends and family with babies, so be it! They need to understand that it isn't about them. It's a self-care issue. Unfortunately, family and friends can be a part of the problem.

Things not to say to someone who has miscarried:

1. “You'll get pregnant again.” (Not everyone does.)

2. “You can always adopt.” (That's a personal decision and should not be rushed into as second best.)

3. “It was for the best because it was defective, it was God's will, etc.” (Unforgivable, even if it were true.)

I will never forget my disbelief and rage when a “friend” who knew of my miscarriage, and the emotionally and financially exhausting fertility treatments I was undergoing at the time, complained of her morning sickness and said, “Aren't you glad you're not going through this?”

If you don't know what to say about a friend's miscarriage, say “I'm so sorry,” and then shut up. Don't try to “fix it,” any more than you'd try to “fix” a widow by fixing her up.

– Dana in Springfield, Mo.

Problems With Low Lying Placentas

2011-11-07T05:00:00.000-08:00

Low lying placentas can create a number of problems in pregnancy - it can even cause a miscarriage. However, many times it will resolve itself. Read more:

parenting.ivillage.com

From the article:

The upper part of the uterus is the most favorable area for placental implantation because it is rich in blood and, therefore, nutrients and oxygen. The lower uterine segment is not and, therefore, it is possible that if the baby implants too low (low-lying placenta), risks of intrauterine growth restriction and preterm labor are much higher.

If the diagnosis is made before the 28th week of pregnancy, chances are excellent that, as the uterus grows upward, the placenta will migrate (move up) with the uterus and no longer be low-lying. If the diagnosis is made in the third trimester, this migration becomes less of a probability. Then what matters is "how low is low?"

During the last trimester, and especially in the last month, the lower uterine segment thins appreciably and pulls up a bit, which is what causes cervical effacement (thinning) and early dilatation. If the placenta is impinging on the lower segment and is not up in the fundus where it is supposed to be, then part of the placenta may dislodge and hemorrhage may occur.

Miscarriage and Hot Tub Use

2011-11-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

Think twice about sitting in that hot tub. Even before you may know you're pregnant, sitting in a hot tub may increase your risk of miscarriage. Here's an article about a study which may draw a connection between miscarriage and hot tub use:

Hot tub use during early pregnancy may up miscarriage risk (www.pregnancyandbaby.com)

From the article

The study, "Hot Tub Use during Pregnancy and the Risk of Miscarriage," found that the miscarriage risk went up with more frequent hot tub or Jacuzzi use and with use in the early stages of a pregnancy. Furthermore, among women who remembered the temperature settings of their hot tubs or Jacuzzis, the study found some indications that the risk of having a miscarriage may increase with higher water temperature settings.

Natural Miscarriage Or D&C?

2011-11-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

I had quite a few miscarriages and some were natural and a few I had a D & C. There are pros and cons of each and this article talks about some things to think about:

www.my-health-n-fitness.com

From the article:

I heard many stories when a woman’s child died at 8 weeks old but doctors schedule d&c as soon as possible to avoid infections. Many patients don’t know what to do and listen to what doctor is going to tell. It’s always better to have a second opinion.

My doctor preferred natural miscarriage and I’m glad. I didn’t have any complications after my miscarriage, everything came out good and my uterus was clean naturally. Some women have to have d&c anyway after natural miscarriage if all tissues didn’t come out.

My story
Sometimes women have to have d&c done even after natural miscarriage. I’m glad it didn’t happen to me. It would be so stressful to go through both natural miscarriage and d&c also. This is why many women choose to do d&c because they want to be sure to get over it as soon as possible.
I waited about 6 weeks before my miscarriage happened. Bleeding was about one month. Miscarriage happened after 2 weeks of bleeding started and everything came out in one day. Then I had bleeding for a few weeks after that.

Some women don’t have patience to carry a dead baby for 6 weeks and wait whether natural miscarriage will occur or not. My nurse told me some women miscarry naturally, but some women never miscarry and have to schedule d&c anyway.
It was long time to wait for my miscarriage but I’m glad I waited.

Why I didn’t chose d&c operation?
I wanted to trust nature more than doctors. Sometimes doctors make a mistakes too and I didn’t want to be somebody’s mistake. There are also some complications can be from d&c, so after reading and researching about it, I decided to take a risk and try natural miscarriage first.

Morning Sickness = Lower Chance Of Miscarriage

2011-11-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

They're not sure why, but women with morning sickness statistically do have a lower rate of miscarriage. Here is an article that gives some possible reasons:

www.nytimes.com

From the article:

Studies have shown a lower rate of miscarriage among women with nausea and vomiting of any severity during pregnancy. The most recent, published in The International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2006, found that of 7,000 women studied, those who had nausea in the first three months were far less likely to miscarry. That appeared to support a study by the National Institutes of Health that found that women who had morning sickness in the first four months of pregnancy were 30 percent less likely to miscarry.

The reasons are unclear. Increased nausea and vomiting are associated with higher levels of a hormone produced by healthy placental tissue, and one theory suggests that the sickness may help women avoid foods that could harm a developing fetus.

Reduce Your Miscarriage Risk With Chocolate!

2011-10-31T05:00:00.000-07:00

This Halloween, you will inevitably be eating candy. Unfortunately, most of the candy out there is junk, but if you can get your hands on some authentic dark chocolate, you may help prevent miscarriage. It seems every time you turn around, there's something in the news about how chocolate is good for you (but only the "real stuff"-- not milk chocolate). According to the article below, chocolate can not only help reduce the risk of miscarriage, but it may help with morning sickness. Read more:

Chocolate found to reduce risk of miscarriage (newstarget.com)

From the article:

(NewsTarget) If you're pregnant, you may be happy to know that chocolate cravings may be good for you. New research shows morning sickness lowers the risk of miscarriage by almost 70 percent -- and eating chocolate daily also appears to lower the risk of miscarriage.
"Chocolate is a genuine healing food," said Mike Adams, a consumer health advocate and holistic nutritionist. "It helps prevent cancer, boosts liver function and improves moods and energy. The key, though, is getting real cacao, not the candied chocolate that's mostly sugar and milk fat. When shopping for a chocolate bar, look for a cacao content of 75 percent or higher, and always buy organic chocolate," Adams said.

Researchers from a new study said that chocolate also made pregnant women feel well enough to "fly or to have sex." When it came to morning sickness, the researchers said that the worse the nausea, the better.

Miscarriage and Occupational Hazzards For Flight Attendants

2011-10-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

If you work as a flight attendant or if you spend a lot of time flying, you should read the link below.

Miscarriage Rates Excessive Among Working Flight Attendants (www.mercola.com)

From the article written by Dr. Mercola:

"There is clearly something hazardous about flying regularly. I am convinced that for whatever reason flying is not one of the healthiest things to do on a regular basis. If you have to fly regularly in your job and you have the opportunity to switch positions I would encourage you to do that for health reasons. I am sure as time goes on the specific reasons that chronic flying is detrimental to your health will materialize. The simple and easy ones that I can think of are regular disruptions of your sensitive pituitary hypothalamic axis due to shifting time zones. Melatonin levels are clearly affected. Another possibility is exposure to radiation at 35,000 feet that we do not receive at ground level. Lastly there is the issue of breathing recycled air that may be contaminated with air borne infectious agents from some sick passengers."

Mariah Carey Talks About Miscarriage Before Successful Pregnancy

2011-10-27T05:00:00.000-07:00

I frequently write about how celebrities talk about their struggles to get pregnant and their miscarriages. Yes, it even happens to the rich and famous. This is a video of an interview with Barbara Walters where 41 year old Mariah Carey talks about her struggles to get pregnant, her miscarriage and her successful twin pregnancy after fertility treatments. It also talks about how she changed her lifestyle before pregnancy:

video platform video management video solutions video player

Grieving A Miscarriage - Support Groups Can Help

2011-10-26T05:00:00.000-07:00

The video that I've linked to below from CBS news talks about how miscarriage has been swept under the rug in the past. Friends and family sometimes say the wrong thing and your best support may come from others who have been through a similar experience. Watch the video here:

www.cbsnews.com

From the article and video:

Dr. Loh Callado explains, "I think there is more recognition and it's talked about more now. Whether you had miscarriages or fetal losses, it used to be hush, hush and don't talk about it. It will go away. The women knew. But were they ever shown the baby, was it ever discussed, were her feelings allowed to be validated? No."

Gina Kolas-Sweat notes, "It just amazed me that the same people who couldn't wait for this baby had very little tolerance for my grief and pretty much expected me to go on with my life and have another baby as if one baby could replace another."

These people have all been part of another pregnancy loss support group, this one run by the National Council Of Jewish Women.

Ed Kessel remembers, "People said all kinds of insensitive, wrong, terrible things to me and I just heard it as, like, I don't know what to say so I'm babbling."

Some of the reactions he got after losing his child were, "'It was for the best.' 'That's probably one of the worst ones.' You don't tell anyone it was for the best when they just lost a child," he says. His wife Sharon says that to her, the comments went, "You're young. You can have another."

Explanation of How Chromosomal Abnormalities Result In Miscarriage

2011-10-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

Wow... the more I read articles like this one, the more I realize how much of getting pregnant and staying pregnant involves luck. The study mentioned below looked at egg formation and the arrangement of chromosomes. It isn't a perfect process and getting the right number of chromosomes almost seems like a "hit and miss" process. Read more:

www.cbc.ca

From the article:

During meiosis, fibres called microtubules attach themselves to the centre (kinetochore) of the chromosomes. The microtubules act like fishing lines and once a chromosome is 'caught' it is pulled to the opposite side of the cell from its partner.

But, before the microtubules hook the chromosomes, the researchers noticed that they herd them together into the centre of the cell. Despite this repositioning, almost 90 per cent of chromosomes were let off the hook only to be re-caught.

"We saw that they [the microtubules] have to go through several tries before getting the connection right," says Ellenberg.
Third time lucky

In fact, some chromosomes were released up to six times, though most averaged three. Ellenberg says this means that the pathway that corrects the errors by uncoupling the chromosome and the microtubule is therefore heavily used and thus more prone to making mistakes — resulting in too few or too many chromosomes in the egg.

"Our findings provide a plausible explanation for the high rate of errors during egg formation."

Ellenberg adds that their observations make error correction proteins good candidates for age-related infertility.

"They form the basis to focus our future work on age-related female infertility, as it seems very likely that a component of the pathway that corrects these errors will be involved. The individual proteins that make up the machinery to correct the errors may simply not have a sufficiently long life-span to function well in very old oocytes," he says.

Enzyme SGK1 May Explain Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

2011-10-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

If you've never heard of SGK1, you're not alone, I hadn't either. But, apparently, this enzyme in either high or low quantities may explain both infertility and miscarriage. Read more:

esciencenews.com

From the article:

Researchers from Imperial College London looked at tissue samples from the womb lining, donated by 106 women who were being treated at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust either for unexplained infertility or for recurrent pregnancy loss.

The women with unexplained infertility had been trying to get pregnant for two years or more and the most common reasons for infertility had been ruled out. The researchers discovered that the womb lining in these women had high levels of the enzyme SGK1. Conversely, the women suffering from recurrent pregnancy loss had low levels of SGK1.

One Woman's Struggle to Handle the Medical Maze After Recurrent Miscarriage

2011-10-21T05:00:00.000-07:00

picture: cnn.com
Here is a story about a younger woman who continually miscarried and had trouble finding out the answer why. She had to weave her way through the medical system to try to find the underlying cause. She finally carried to term after finding out she had a genetic problem that was corrected with baby aspirin. Read moreL

When a miscarriage isn't a fluke (cnn.com)

From the article:

Finally, her phone calls worked: She found a doctor who would do the testing in Houston, not far from her home in Spring, Texas.

"The nurse told me to come in, and I said, 'You mean, you're going to accept me as a patient?' and she said, 'Yes, sweetheart. Something's wrong. It's not normal to have four miscarriages, especially at your age,' " Arnold remembers. "I cried out of relief and happiness and hope for this baby I was carrying."

That doctor found that Arnold carried a genetic mutation that some researchers say is linked to miscarriages. She was prescribed baby aspirin to prevent clotting.

On Monday, Anthony Arnold was born full term, weighing 6 pounds, 12 ounces.

"I was very grateful that Darci encouraged me to fight," Arnold says.

Pregnancy Loss Study Participants Needed

2011-10-20T05:00:00.001-07:00

I am posting this request on behalf of Drexel University:

If you have experienced a pregnancy loss (stillbirth or miscarriage) in the past 6 months to 4 years, we want to hear YOUR story.

Drexel University is conducting a research study to learn how women healed and moved on from the grief of their loss. You are eligible if you:

1. Are between the ages of 19 and 50
2. Live in the United States
3. Identify as either White/Caucasian or Black/African American
4. Experienced a miscarriage or stillbirth any time between October, 2007, and April, 2011.

The study is confidential and secure- your identity and medical information will be not be shared with anyone outside the research team at Drexel University. Your answers will not be linked to your name or identity.

The study takes approximately 30-40 minutes to complete, and can be done online or over the phone (you can choose how you want to participate). As a "thank you," we are offering a choice of a small "care package" (of lotion, chocolate, and tea), or a Dunkin Donuts gift card (both are worth approximately $5) to women who participate.

Please email us at drexel.pregnancy.loss@gmail.com if you are interested in volunteering for the study. Thank you- we are looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Miscarriage Diagnosis May Be Wrong On Scan

2011-10-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

I dealt with quite a few health care professionals when I was trying to conceive and when I had my miscarriages. I think I can read an ultrasound better than many of the physician assistants out there and some of the non-gyn physicians working in ER's. There can be quite a high error rate when interpreting ultrasounds as this article explains:

medicalnewstoday.com

From the article:

If the doctor is not 100% sure he/she should measure the gestational sac again with seven to ten days to either confirm a miscarriage or rule it out.

Tragically, according to this latest study that looked into 1,000 miscarriage diagnoses, the error rate is so high that a significant number of perfectly viable babies are being destroyed.

The authors believe up to 400 viable pregnancies are being diagnosed mistakenly as miscarriages annually - that is 100 more than the number of cot deaths in the country each year.

A follow-up scan should be carried out ten days after the first scan "in all cases", Professor Borne said.

Ruth Bender Atik, of the Miscarriage Association, a UK charity, said:

"Most women who have bleeding or pain in pregnancy are very anxious to find out if all is well or if they are miscarrying. They usually expect an ultrasound scan to provide a definite answer, but this research shows how crucial it is to repeat the scan if there is any possibility of error. It can be a very anxious wait but it will ensure that mistakes aren't made."

The Miscarriage Association says that although waiting for a repeat scan might mean a long period of uncertainty and worry for the mother, it will reduce to a minimum the chances of harming a viable pregnancy.

Preventing Miscarriage and Pre-term Birth with Good Dental Hygiene

2011-10-18T05:00:00.000-07:00

The first time I heard about the connection between good dental hygiene and pregnancy complications I almost didn't believe it. I thought maybe it was a ploy by the dental industry to drum up business! But after I reading about it, everything seemed to make sense. Even though your mouth is a long way away from your reproductive system, what goes on in it can affect your entire body. Here is an article that tells more:

Reduce Risk for Preemies and Miscarriage with Good Dental Hygiene

From the article:

"It has been suggested that a labor-inducing chemical found in oral bacteria called prostaglandin, may trigger early delivery. High levels of the chemical are found in women with advanced periodontal disease. A study recently published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology suggested that some bacteria associated with periodontal disease actually increased the risk of premature deliveries. In the same study the presence of certain oral bacteria had a protective effect against early delivery or low birth weight babies."

Supportive Care Can Help Women With Recurrent Miscarriage Carry To Term

2011-10-17T05:00:00.000-07:00

I used to think that a doctor or nurse's "bedside manner" really didn't mean much. I just wanted good care. But this article talks about how support from your health professionals can actually have an affect on pregnancy success rates. Read more:

Importance of a Supportive Doctor After Recurrent Miscarriages
Having a Caring Physician Might Improve Chances for a Successful Pregnancy (miscarriage.about.com)

From the article:

In the first study in 1984, researchers screened 195 couples with recurrent miscarriages and found identifiable causes of the miscarriages in 56%. In the remaining couples with no abnormalities, 86% of couples receiving counseling and support carried their pregnancies to term as compared to 33% who received no special care.

Could a Gene Be Responsible for Recurrent Miscarriage?

2011-10-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

I found this interesting article about how some women who seemingly have no reason for their recurrent miscarriages may have a "gene variation" which predisposes them to this condition. Read More:

Foxnews.com

From the Article:

"The researchers compared 105 who had recurrent miscarriages to 91 postmenopausal women who had given birth at least twice and never had a miscarriage. They found that the women who had miscarried were more likely to carry the NOS3 gene variation.

Interestingly, drugs that help improve blood flow to the uterus or decrease the likelihood of blood clotting are already used to treat recurrent miscarriage. This research helps explain why this approach works.

According to expert Andrew Toledo, MD, who also reviewed the study for WebMD, "most of us that do work in repetitive miscarriage have always felt that in unexplained couples, ... there must be a molecular, genetic component to this." Toledo, a partner at Reproductive Biology Associates in Atlanta, specializes in reproductive endocrinology, infertility, and recurrent miscarriage.

Both Yemini and Toledo agree that this research opens the door to potential new treatments for unexplained miscarriage. These treatments might target the NOS3 gene variation directly or focus on improving blood flow to the uterus.

Perhaps the most important aspect of this new research is that it offers hope for women who continually have miscarriages, adds Yemini.

"Often, you see women who have had three, four, or five miscarriages who say, 'I cannot handle it; I'm not going to try anymore'", he says. "On the other hand, you see patients who somehow manage to have the courage not to give up. The ones who don't give up, in my experience, eventually have babies. But sometimes it's a very long road."

Things That May Surprise You About Miscarriage

2011-10-13T05:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a good article from miscarriage.about.com about some of the misconceptions about miscarriage. Many women haven't ever gone through a miscarriage so when they have one, they rely on what they have heard which many times isn't accurate or may not be applicable in their case. Read more;

miscarriage.about.com

From the article:

Information about miscarriage is far more readily available than it used to be, thanks to the Internet, but some aspects of the experience still may come as a surprise. The following are 10 things that are good to know if you are having symptoms of miscarriage or have been recently diagnosed with a miscarriage.

1. Pregnancy Bleeding Does Not Always Mean Miscarriage
Bleeding in early pregnancy is often the first sign of miscarriage, but it doesn't always mean miscarriage -- even when the bleeding is heavy and red. If you are in the first trimester, your doctor should be able to run some blood tests or use ultrasound scans to figure out what's going on. Always call a doctor immediately for second and third trimester bleeding.

2. Miscarriage Diagnosis May Take Up to a Week
In the early part of the first trimester, doctors frequently cannot confirm a miscarriage in a single day. You may need to have at least two blood tests or ultrasound scans spaced several days apart in order for the doctor to get enough information to determine whether the pregnancy is developing properly.

3. The Emergency Room Is Not Always the Best Place to Go When Having Symptoms
In the first trimester, a doctor can't do anything to stop a miscarriage that is in progress -- and as stated above, you may not be able to get a diagnosis in a single visit anyway. Always go to the emergency room if you are concerned about ectopic pregnancy, if your bleeding is extremely heavy (soaking a menstrual pad in under an hour), or if you have any concern that your health is otherwise at risk. But absent those concerns, the E.R. probably won't be able to do much for you, and it's probably better to call your regular doctor.

Follow the above link for more.

Treatments For Miscarriage May Have No Effect

2011-10-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

Before I gave up on fertiity treatments (after having experienced a number of miscarriages), I was offered a whole series of immune screening test which, of course, my insurance wouldn't pay for. It was then that I gave up on the medical establishment for helping me get pregnant. It was probably a good thing since this article talks about how some of these treatments are ineffective. Read more:

Women with recurrent miscarriage and infertility are undergoing tests and treatments that have no scientific rationale (www.news-medical.net)

From the article:

Fertility clinics are increasingly offering women tests to measure the number and activity of natural killer (NK) cells circulating in their blood. These cells are found in the womb (uterus) and accumulate in large numbers during early pregnancy, but their function is completely unknown.

The tests are based on the speculation that women with recurrent miscarriage and infertility have raised levels of NK cells. As a result, many women are offered powerful treatments, such as steroids or immune suppressant drugs, to reduce the levels of NK cells.

But the authors argue that, not only do these tests give no useful information about what is happening in the uterus, these treatments are not appropriate for use in reproductive medicine without shown benefit as they are associated with known risks to mother and fetus.

Secondary Infertility and Repeat Miscarriage

2011-10-11T05:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a Christian women's site which deals with secondary infertility and repeat miscarriage. As the author of the article suggests, your doctor should be in the loop when investigating the cause of recurrent miscarriage. Read more:

From the article:

www.leahafterjudah.com

I have learned about some things that can contribute to early miscarriage. Please take these suggestions under advisement with your doctor, and do not suppose that I know the magical answer.

Blood sugar imbalances - Even minor ones can cause faulty implantation with someone whose system is prone to early loss anyway. High blood sugar reduces blood flow to the uterus.
High number of pregnancies - A woman's uterus just becomes a less favorable environment after many pregnancies.
Certain vitamin or mineral deficiencies - Be careful here, because too much can have the same effect! Make sure that a deficiency actually IS at fault before taking a supplement.
Anemia - Can interfere with implantation or nutritional support of the baby.
Circulatory problems - Same as with anemia, interferes with good blood supply to the uterus.
Chemical exposure by the mother or the father - Either one can introduce genetic abnormalities which prevent survival of an embryo.
Hormonal Imbalances - Many kinds of these, and they require diagnosis and treatment from a medical professional.
Immune System Malfunction - Again, there are multiple ways in which this can result in miscarriage, which require diagnosis and treatment from a professional.

Recurrent Miscarriage Caused By Fibroids

2011-10-10T05:00:00.000-07:00

I've always known that fibroids can hurt fertility, but until I read this article, I didn't know that fibroid removal can be key in preventing recurrent miscarriage. Read more:

www.express.co.uk

From the article:

British researchers found that removing benign tumours called fibroids from the womb can slash the risk of recurrent miscarriages to zero.

Women with fibroids that distort the womb cavity are almost three times more likely to suffer miscarriage in the second trimester – weeks 13 to 28 – of pregnancy than those without.

The study, following 20 years of research, is the first firm evidence that fibroids could be the cause of recurrent miscarriages.

The study of women who had suffered three or more miscarriages found that removing fibroids could lead to a future successful pregnancy – doubling the live birth rate.

One in four pregnancies in the UK ends in miscarriage – around a quarter of a million each year – with the majority occurring in the first 12 weeks.

Fibroids are composed of muscle and fibrous tissue and are estimated to occur in three to 10 per cent of women. Recurrent miscarriage is rare, affecting only one per cent of couples. The study found the rate of fibroids in women experiencing recurrent miscarriage was 8.2 per cent, although not all fibroids cause problems.

Removing submucosal fibroids – those growing in the middle of the womb – appeared to improve the birth rate. In the study 25 women with submucosal fibroids had them removed while 54 women with other fibroids had no surgery. A group of 285 women whose recurrent miscarriages were still unexplained acted as a control group in the research at the recurrent miscarriage clinic at the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals.

In the 25 who had surgery, miscarriage rates during the second trimester fell from more than one in five – 21.7 per cent – to zero per cent according to the study, published in the journal Human Reproduction.

Anandamide May Predict Miscarriage

2011-10-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

Until I read this article, I had never hear of anandamide. Apparently high levels of this substance may predict miscarriage risk. Read more:

www.4ni.co.uk

From the article:

Researchers at Leicester University carried out a study, which found that women who had a particular, naturally-occurring molecule in their body were likely to suffer a miscarriage.

The study involved 45 women who were bleeding in the early stages of pregnancy and showed signs of threatened miscarriage.

The women who had higher levels of anandamide went on to lose their baby, while 94% of the women that scientists predicted would go on to have a living baby, did not have a miscarriage.

Professor Justin Konje from the university said that he was excited by the results of the study. He said: "If the results are replicated, we would eventually be able to reassure women who present with bleeding in early pregnancy about the outcome of their pregnancies."

Michele Bachmann Talks About How Miscarriage changed Her Priorities

2011-10-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

(Credit: AP Photo/CBS news)
I think we all know that miscarriage can change your life. Miscarriage can happen to anyone and this article talks about how Michele Bachman had a miscarriage which changed her priorities:

www.masslive.com

From the article:

"After our second was born, we became pregnant with a third baby," she said. "It was an unexpected baby, but of course we were delighted to have this child. The child was coming along, and we ended up losing our child. And it was devastating to both of us, as you can imagine if any of you have lost a child."

She said the experience led her and husband Marcus to re-evaluate their priorities.

"At that moment, we didn't think of ourselves as overly career-minded or overly materialistic, but when we lost that child it changed us, and it changed us forever," she said. "We made a commitment that, no matter how many children were brought into our life, we would receive them because we are committed to life."

Liklihood of Miscarriage By Week Of Pregnancy

2011-10-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

Miscarriage can be quite common, especially in those very early weeks past fertilization when you probably had no idea you were pregnant. This site gives some statistics for miscarriage in your first pregnancy and subsequent pregnancies:

www.pregnancyloss.info

From the article:

For most normal, healthy women in their first pregnancy, the statistics look like this:

Week of Gestation
Percentage Likelihood
of Miscarriage

1-2 (You do not know you are pregnant)
75% (this includes eggs that never grow past fertilization, and it would have been impossible to know you were pregnant; after implantation, which occurs 7-10 days after ovulation, the odds go down to 31%)2

3-6
10% (after home urine test is positive at 14 days post ovulation when hCG levels reach 50-80)2

6-12
5% (or less if heartbeat heard)

2nd trimester
3% (considered stillbirth after 20 weeks)

3rd trimester
No longer considered miscarriage once fetus is beyond one pound (500 grams) around 24 weeks gestation. Stillbirth rate is 1%.

H1N1 Vaccine and Miscarriage

2011-10-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

Of course you should talk with your doctor before taking any kind of drug or getting any type of vaccine when pregnant. However, this article talks about the increase in miscarriages in women who took the H1N1 vaccine. Read more:

H1N1 vaccine linked to 700 percent increase in miscarriages

From the article:

the numbers clearly show that along with the rise in vaccinations due to the H1N1 scare came the sharp increase in miscarriages, including a slew of actual reported adverse events.

But the CDC does not seem to care about the facts, as numerous reports indicate the agency has failed to report any of this vital information to vaccine suppliers. In fact, when presented with the data for the third time, Dr. Marie McCormick, chair of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Vaccine Risk and Assessment Working Group, actually had the audacity to claim that there were no vaccine-related adverse events in pregnant women caused by the vaccine.

"This baseless and fallacious assessment by the CDC assessment group has given the green light to the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to continue their recommendation to give the 2010/11 flu shot to all people, including pregnant women," explained Eileen Dannemann, director of the National Coalition of Organized Women, presenter of the information.

"This upcoming 2010/11 flu vaccine contains the same elements that are implicated in the killing of these fetuses, the H1N1 viral component and the neurotoxin mercury (Thimerosal). Additionally, it contains two other viral strains -- a three-in-one shot for all people."

Overall, the number of vaccine-related "fetal demise" reports increased by 2,440 percent in 2009 compared to previous years, which is even more shocking than the miscarriage statistic. Meanwhile, the CDC continues to lie to the public about the vaccine, urging everyone, including pregnant women, to get it.

Progesterone Supplementation To Prevent Miscarriage

2011-10-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

I recall having my progesterone tested when I was going through fertility treatments. It did test a little low on the last half on my cycle. When I underwent fertility treatments, I received progesterone shots, but I miscarried anyway. When I finally got pregnant with my daughter, I was somehow able to carry my pregnancy to term with no medical intervention. I guess that's one illustration why progesterone supplementation is controversial. Here are a few articles on the subject:

babymed.com

www.naprotechnology.com

Obesity Significantly Increases Risk Of Recurrent Miscarriage

2011-09-30T05:00:00.000-07:00

Most of us know obesity can be a risk factor for infertility and even miscarriage. This article quotes a study which explains that obesity may also be a risk factor for recurrent miscarriage. Read more:

www.medicalnewstoday.com

From the article:

For the study, clinical nurse specialist at the hospital, Winnie Lo, and colleagues, examined 398 women who had been attending the hospital with their partners for unexplained miscarriages between 1996 and 2006. They then followed them on their next pregnancy and also put them into four groups depending on their Body Mass Index (BMI). When they analysed the data they adjusted the results for potential confounders like age, a well know risk factor for miscarriage.

The results showed that:
1 per cent of the women were underweight (BMI under 18.50).

49 per cent were of normal weight (BMI 18.50 to 24.99).

34 per cent were overweight (BMI 25.00 to 29.99).

16 per cent were obese (BMI of 30.00 and over).

0.5 per cent of the women who miscarried in their next pregnancy were underweight.

44.9 per cent of the women who miscarried in their next pregnancy were of normal weight.

33.3 per cent of the women who miscarried in their next pregnancy were obese.

Compared to women of normal weight, obese women had a significantly higher risk of miscarriage (odds ratio 2.3).

The figures for overweight and underweight women did not show a signficantly increased risk of miscarriage.
The authors concluded that:

"This study demonstrated that women with unexplained RM [recurrent miscarriage] who are obese (BMI greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2) have a significantly increased risk of miscarriage in future pregnancies compared to those with a normal BMI."

"These women should be counselled regarding the significant beneficial effect on pregnancy outcome to be gained by weight loss," they added.

An obesity specialist told the BBC that it could be dangerous to lose weight while pregnant, suggesting the advice of this study should be treated with caution. Dr Nick Finer, an endocrinologist with an interest in obesity who is based at Addenbrooke's Hospital near Cambridge, called the findings "unsurprising".

Fisher said scientists already knew that increasing BMI is linked to reduced fertility, increased risk of fetal malformation and other adverse pregnancy outcomes. While it was not clear why obesity should cause these problems, he suggested perhaps it had something to do with increased inflammation.

Fisher said while there may be good reasons for obese women to lose weight before getting pregnant, doing so once pregnancy is established could cause problems.

"Effect of body mass index on pregnancy outcome in women with unexplained recurrent miscarriage."
Lo, W; Rai, R; Hameed, A; Marikinti, K; Al-Ghamdi, A; Regan, L.
Abstract number FC6.06
BJOGVolume 115 Issue s1, p 32-66 (September 2008)
DOI:10.1111/j.1471-0528.2008.01888.x
Presented to the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology's 7th international scientific meeting in Montreal, 17 - 20 September, 2008

The Genetic Factor In Miscarriage

2011-09-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

ArticleCity.com Videos

Traffic Pollution Increases Miscarriage

2011-09-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

When I was pregnant, walking through a parking lot would immediately make me gag and sometimes throw up. The smell of car exhaust was obviously quite toxic to my body. There may be a good reason why as this article explains how traffic pollution can increase the risk of miscarriage. Read more:

www.medindia.net

From the article:

The study, which included 400 women having IVF treatment in Brazil, found that those who became pregnant in winter, when pollution levels are particularly high, were twice as likely to miscarry in the first eight weeks as those who conceived at other times of the year.

Paulo Marcelo Perin, from the University of São Paulo, presented the finding at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine conference in Atlanta, Georgia, reports The Times.

The expert said that females exposed to levels of PM10s only slightly above the recommended safe limit (50 micrograms per cubic metre) had a greater chance of losing a baby.

"We saw a significant increase in the miscarriage rates in winter," he said.

"There was a 2.5 fold increase in pregnancy loss [in women] exposed to high levels of pollution.

"Our previous studies have shown higher implantation failure rates when women are exposed to pollution. Our latest study found that air pollution significantly decreased the cell population.

"When you have a decrease in cell mass you compromise embryo viability. Because diesel is a major component of air pollution we can assume most of the effect is from diesel," he added.

Unresolved Miscarriage Grief May Affect Next Pregnancy

2011-09-27T05:00:00.000-07:00

This article from ABC News rang very true to me. It goes through the long lasting effects of miscarriage and how women may bring some of the long-lasting effects into their next pregnancy. Read more:

Unresolved Miscarriage Grief Can Lead to Parental Anxiety - ABC News

From the article:

Lisa Goodwin, of Houston, remembers December as the first time she had to go in for a dilation and curettage, a D&C, to remove the remains of her first miscarriage. Her third pregnancy also ended in miscarriage.

"I told all of the downtown medical center," said Goodwin, who was excited that she got pregnant relatively quickly after battling endometriosis -- a condition that often leaves women infertile.

"I had to tell people [about the miscarriage] for a solid year," she said. "If it came up at work I would have to just go and bawl and I'd have to wear waterproof mascara."

Goodwin has two sons now, ages 7 and 3, and each Christmanremembers the two pregnancies that ended in miscarriage.

Overweight Women More Likely To Miscarry Normal Babies

2011-09-26T05:00:00.000-07:00

Most people know that being overweight is a risk factor for infertility, but it is also a risk factor for miscarriage - even when the baby is normal. Here is an article that talks about possible reasons:

www.ivf.net

The California researchers tested DNA from 204 fetuses miscarried in the first eight weeks of pregnancy. They compared the rate of chromosomal abnormalities in the fetuses from women with a normal body mass index (BMI) with the rate of abnormalities in fetuses from women with a BMI that classified them as overweight or obese. They found that 53 per cent of babies lost by overweight women had no chromosomal abnormalities compared to just 37 per cent of babies lost by women of a more healthy BMI.

Dr Inna Landres, who led the research team, said that these findings indicate that 'obesity predisposes women to miscarry normal babies.' The reason for this is not yet understood, but Dr Landres suggested that one explanation could be altered levels of hormones such as oestrogen and androgens seen in overweight women. She emphasised: 'It's important to identify elevated BMI as a risk factor for miscarriage and counsel those women who are affected on the importance of lifestyle modification.'

Determining A Miscarriage By Body Temperature

2011-09-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it's hard to know what is going on in your body when you're pregnant. There are some outward signs that a pregnancy might be in trouble, but this article talks about how you may be able to determine a miscarriage by tracking your body temperature. Read more:

www.usmomssite.com

From the article:

What Temperature Indicates a Miscarriage

What are the signs of a miscarriage? Do you see where your basal body temperature comes in now? So yes, you can use your basal body temperature to determine a miscarriage in the first trimester. If you do continue to chart your basal body temperature during your first trimester and it goes down to pre-ovulation temperature(below cover line) this could be an indication you are about experience a miscarriage. If your temperature drops to below your cover line, if you tracked your basal body temperature you know what your cover line is, for more than two mornings than you should give your doctor a call as he or she may decide to use progesterone supplements to attempt to void off a miscarriage. If you do not know your cover line the average is about 97.5F, meaning if your temperature is lower than 97.0F and you do not know what your cover line is than you should also give your doctor a call.
-
When Will My Temperature Not Indicate a Miscarriage

You can not, however, use this technique to determine a missed miscarriage(for more information see types or miscarriages) because your progesterone levels are still high when you begin to bleed thus, so would your temperature. Remember here that it is when your progesterone levels fall that your body knows to start shredding your uterine lining(bleeding). During a missed miscarriage your body does not yet know that the pregnancy is not viable. Missed miscarriages are usually determined via ultrasound where no heart beat is detected. Your progesterone and temperature would still be elevated during this situation.

Your doctor will only recommend taking a progesterone supplement if he or she suspects that the miscarriage is caused by low progesterone. If that is not the cause the chances of saving the pregnancy is slim as genetic factors can not be fixed with progesterone. If genetic factors are the case you need to just remember that miscarriages are extremely common; happening in about 75% of pregnancies, known or not. You also need to remember that taking progesterone supplements against what your doctor recommends could just be slowing down the process.

How PCOS And Miscarriage Are Linked

2011-09-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

How Pcos And Miscarriage Are Linked

Guest Post by Author: Jennifer Koch

As if it was not hard enough to get pregnant when you have been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome there is also a link between miscarriage and PCOS that you need to worry about.

There is no single culprit but rather a combination of factors that lead to this incresed risk:

Blood Clots

A major cause of PCOS is an imbalance in hormones and thids may lead to the formation of clots. If clots are choking the arteries, there is a chance that the embryo will get far less nutrition from the blood than it needs and a miscarriage may occur.

Luteinizing Hormone Hypersecretion

All this means is that there is too much of a certian hormone being produced. This happens when the egg is being released from the ovary and causes it to happen too soon which results in defects in the egg which the body rejects during pregnancy causing a miscarriage.

Protein Deficiency

It has been discovered that the levels of two specific proteins tend to be lower in women diagnosed with PCOS. Where PCOS has been linked to miscarriages in studies done, a common element was found to be low levels of these two particular proteins. For the healthy development of the embryo it is important that mothers maintain normal levels of these 2 proteins

To prevent a miscarriage from PCOS there are a range of natural treatments that will help you alleviate the symptoms by targeting what actually causes the problem.

If you are sick of the issues caused by PCOS and want a way to totally cure this condition naturally then click below for more information on PCOS and miscariage

http://www.pcosnomore.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/womens-health-articles/how-pcos-and-miscarriage-are-linked-1829741.html

About the Author

http://www.pcosnomore.com

Estrogen and Miscarriage

2011-09-21T05:00:00.000-07:00

I've done much reading on how progesterone helps to maintain a healthy pregnancy. However, it appears that estrogen may be another key piece of the equation. Here is an article that tells more:

Lack Of Estrogen Causes Miscarriage: Restoring Normal Estrogen Levels Maintains Pregnancy

From the article:

"Estrogen's role in maintaining pregnancy has long been debated. Some scientists point out that women with a mutation in their estrogen receptor have a 50 percent miscarriage rate, indicating the importance of estrogen. Others say the fact that pregnancy has been maintained in women whose estrogen levels were low proves that the hormone plays no essential role in the physiology of pregnancy. Albrecht and Pepe, who have been working for more than two decades to piece together the estrogen-in-pregnancy puzzle, previously showed that estrogen plays at least two vital roles in what they call "the fetal-placental dialogue that goes on during primate pregnancy:" It regulates the production of another essential hormone, progesterone, and promotes normal development, maturation and function of the placenta and fetal adrenal glands. A fetus's adrenal glands produce cortisol, a steroid hormone that is critical to maturation of the lungs, liver, and other developing organs and tissues.

Their research was funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development of the National Institutes of Health."

Chromosomes and Pregnancy Loss

2011-09-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

I think most of us know that chromosomal disorders can lead to miscarriage. The disorder I've heard the most about is "trisomy 21" which is an extra 21st chromosome which causes Down Syndrome. Here is an article about "chromosome 16" disorders which can lead to fetal abnormalities or miscarriage. Read more:

Chromosome 16 Disorders

Woman Didn't Know She Was Pregnant After Miscarriage

2011-09-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

I have frequently watched the show: "I didn't know I was pregnant". This video talks about an episode where a woman lost a twin pregnancy, but later found out that only one baby was lost, and the other survived:

Miscarriage Three Times More Likely In Stressed Out Women

2011-09-16T05:00:00.000-07:00

There's no surprise to me here, stress increases miscarriage risk - especially in early pregnancy. Here is another study that shows a correlation between stress and early pregnancy

www.umich.edu

From the article:

Stressed out women more likely to miscarry early

ANN ARBOR, Mich.—Women who exhibit signs of stress are three times more likely to miscarry during the first three weeks of the pregnancy, a recent study of a small population of women found.

Pablo Nepomnaschy and a group of University of Michigan researchers measured the cortisol—a stress induced hormone—levels in urine samples taken three times weekly for a year from 61women in a rural Guatemalan community. Nepomnaschy conducted the fieldwork while he was a Ph.D student at U-M both at the Anthropology Department and the School of Natural Resources and Environment. He is now a post-doctoral fellow at the Epidemiology Branch of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

The Guatemalan study is the first to link increases in cortisol levels to very early-stage pregnancy loss.

According to previous scientific reports anywhere from 31 percent to 89 percent of all conceptions result in miscarriage. Most studies begin when women notice they are pregnant, about six weeks after conception. Most miscarriages, however, are known to happen during the first 3 weeks of pregnancy.

Case Study on Recurrent Miscarriage

2011-09-15T05:00:00.000-07:00

Here is an article in it's entirety about one couple's experience and treatment of recurrent miscarriage:

__________________________

How To Overcome Recurrent Miscarriage--A Case Study PART 1 OF 2, by gabrielarosa

*Susan and Peter Smith (names have been changed for privacy reasons)

FIRST VISIT:
Susan, BMI 21 (30 y.o, oil painter) came to see me on her own after having suffered her third consecutive miscarriage. She was understandably discouraged and very upset by this as her most recent miscarriage had only happened 5 days prior.

1st Miscarriage 1990--6-7 weeks--no D&C required
2nd Miscarriage 2002--8 weeks, blighted ovum--D&C, conceived again 1 month later.
3rd Miscarriage 2003--9 weeks, blighted ovum--D&C

Susan had regular periods that ranged from 32-35 days, normally would bleed for 5 days and considered her bleeding light, varying from bright to dark blood, with no clots. Ovulation was occurring in most cycles between days 17 and 18. She had been on the oral contraceptive pill from the ages 18-25yrs old and experienced an absence of periods for some time post cessation. Susan usually experience moderate to severe pre-menstrual symptoms such as fluid retention, PMT, fatigue and food cravings (sweets).

Other general symptoms she complained about included: palpitations, sinus congestion, numbness and tingling of extremities, occasional migraines (which had been particularly bad on the pill), skin rashes and hives (particularly following neurofen). In the previous year, she had had two elevated Gamma GT results (GGT--liver enzyme).

Susan had many investigations following her third miscarriage. I asked her to bring in those results with her next time. I also asked her to make an appointment with one of the doctor's at the centre as we would need to do some further investigations for heavy metals and genito-urinary tract infections.

TREATMENT
Discussed the need to avoid radiation, electrical appliances in the bedroom, chemicals of any type, especially cleaning products and this included a break from painting for at least 120 days (fortunately she could do this) as well as flying (this would be more difficult for her husband as it was part of his job) and anything else that could be detrimental for general health. I advised her and her husband to avoid alcohol and caffeine completely (they didn't smoke or use recreational drugs so, this was one less thing for them to do!)

Detoxifying, low allergenic (dairy and gluten free) organic diet wherever possible (particularly meats). She was to base her meals on vegetables and good quality protein sources and avoid processed, refined, fermented and sugary foods. Susan also needed to make sure she was drinking plenty of filtered water, at least 2L daily. She was already exercising and sleeping well.

SUPPLEMENTS:
Individually customised supplementation regime for Susan.

HERBS:
Individually customised herbal medicine prescription for Susan.

I asked her to bring her partner along next time and for him to have a sperm analysis through a specialist fertility clinic in the interim. I also asked for her to bring along any results she may have to her next visit. She would also begin charting her cycle.

SUBSEQUENT CONTACT:
Susan called me to let me know she had thrush. I dispensed herbs for her to taken internally and do sitzbaths/douches daily, followed by local yoghurt and acidophilous applications.

SECOND VISIT:
Susan brought in her husband and all results from previous investigations. She was starting to feel better now, felt unwell in the first 2-3weeks after her first visit. Susan was able to implement all the lifestyle changes I suggested to her in the initial consult. Her temperatures were good, mucus changes were undetectable and she was not ovulating.

RELEVANT FINDINGS FOR SUSAN:
:: Normal chromosomal assessment of parents and products of conception post D&C
:: High positive IgA + IgG for Candida.
:: Positive IgM for Cardiolipin antibodies
:: Positive Antinuclear antibodies (ANA)
:: Very high prolactin levels (1886 mIU/L)
:: Decreased haemoglobin
:: Elevated globulins (GGT had gone back to normal) (liver function test)
:: Low B12
:: Low day 21 progesterone
:: Positive Gliadin Antibodies (EIA) (gluten intolerance)
:: High fasting blood mercury levels (later established mercury and lead--heavy metal toxicity)

Peter, BMI 30 (31 y.o. General Manager--Retail) accompanied Susan, he was able to bring his blood results as well as sperm analysis and completed questionnaire.

RELEVANT FINDINGS FOR PETER:
:: Overweight
:: Stressed
:: Nutritional deficiency symptoms
:: Indigestion
:: Constipation
:: High cholesterol
:: High insulin levels (pre-diabetic state)
:: Elevated liver enzymes
:: TSH low end of the range
:: Sperm analysis surprisingly good, despite some sperm clumping and low levels of sperm antibodies being detected.

TREATMENT:
They were both to follow the diet. Peter needed to detoxify, exercise, implement some stress management techniques, which were discussed and lose some weight. He was able to decrease the amount of interstate flying every month.

Susan and Peter needed to undertake some further heavy metal diagnostic tests and Susan's integrative medicine doctor already started her on oral chelation therapy to detoxify from heavy metals.

SUSAN'S SUPPLEMENTS:
Individualised, high quality, therapeutic 'practitioner only' nutrients including and not limited to a good multi vitamin, fish oils, antioxidants, probiotics and more.

SUSAN'S HERBS:
Susan had lots of immune system related issues, and was given another customised herbal formula to address these issues in detail. In addition Susan as also prescribed another hormonal balancing mix focusing on liver health and eradicating high levels of candida from her system based on her blood tests and had had thrush soon after our last visit.

PETER'S SUPPLEMENTS:
Peter's supplements were also Individualised, high quality, therapeutic 'practitioner only' nutrients focusing on overall metabolic health to optimise fertility including and not limited to vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, magnesium and chromium--these will also help to normalise his weight and blood sugar level issues.

PETER'S HERBS:
Peter's customised herbal medicines were primarily focused on optimising liver health, prostate and sperm function, general wellbeing, energy levels and decrease stress.

About the Author

Leading Sydney-based natural fertility specialist, researcher and author Gabriela Rosa is devoted to helping bring healthy babies into the world and empower individuals through better health. Boost your natural fertility, get pregnant fast, increase the odds of IVF, prevent miscarriages and take home a healthier baby--click here for FREE fertility advice and your FREE Natural Fertility Booster ezine subscription.

Article Source: Content for Reprint

Miscarriage Caused By Too Much Oxygen To Fetus?

2011-09-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

I usually think of too little oxygen as a problem in pregnancy. However this article talks about how too much oxygen can be just as problematic - especially in early pregnancy. Read more:

news.bbc.co.uk

Too much oxygen may be a significant cause of miscarriage in early pregnancy, say scientists.
One in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage and 15% of miscarriages occur between eight and 12 weeks after conception.

Half of early miscarriages are thought to be due to abnormalities in the foetus, but little is known about what causes the other 50% or about late and recurrent miscarriages.

Researchers at Cambridge University say they believe a major reason for early miscarriages could be that foetuses receive too much oxygen at a time when they are not developed enough to withstand it.

Toxic effects

They think there are two stages to pregnancy and that in the first stage the oxygen supply to the foetus is deliberately restricted.

Women who miscarry in the first three months may pass to the second stage too quickly.

Dr Graham Burton, who is leading the research, said: "Oxygen can be quite toxic. It contains free radicals which cause premature ageing.

"It may well be that during the period of early development in the womb the tissue is particularly susceptible to the toxic effects of oxygen and that too much oxygen kills it.

Gums and Miscarriage

2011-09-13T05:00:00.000-07:00

Mums and Gums: Cause of Miscarriage and Premature Births

Guest Post By Judy Ford

After I had my first child, my dentist complained that I hadn't been looking after my teeth and gums. I was sure that I hadn't been doing anything different from usual. He then went on to complain that all pregnant women and new mothers neglected their teeth and gums. I believe that he was wrong when he suggested that pregnant women suddenly change their oral hygiene habits. But he was correct that the dramatic hormonal changes during pregnancy can greatly affect the gums. If the gums aren't healthy to start with then this seemingly irrelevant problem can seriously baby's growth and health in the womb.

It is now shown beyond any doubt that maternal gum disease causes premature labour. One study performed prospectively in North Carolina looked at the effect of dental health in 812 women. Each woman's dental health was assessed at 26 weeks and then within 48 hours after delivery. The researchers examined both the rate of premature births (less than 28 weeks) and low birth weight (less than 1,000 gms). Their data was adjusted for race, parity and gender. 1.1% of the group with healthy gums (201 women) had premature births. This rate greatly increased in the 566 rated as having mild gum disease to 3.5% and was 11.1% in the 45 women with moderate to severe gum disease. The rates were slightly more dramatic for birth weight. No women with healthy gums had a baby that weighed less than 1,000 gm. Six per cent of the women with mild disease had a baby with low birth weight and 11.4% of those with moderate to severe disease had a low birth weight baby. Studies from Poland, France and Brazil showed similar results.

This research applies equally to second trimester and later miscarriages as well as prematurity at term.

Gum disease might cause low birth weight and prematurity in more than one way. Gum disease allows oral bacteria to move from the mouth into the blood stream. These oral bacteria can cause clotting and are known to be a major factor in strokes. They are also cause endocarditis, a potentially lethal infection of heart valves and inner lining of the heart. Periodontitis, serious gum disease in pregnancy might act through clotting or infection itself.

The great news is that early attention to periodontal (gum) health can reduce these risks.

A study from Chile examined the oral health of 400 pregnant women, aged between 18 and 35, before 28 weeks gestation. Dentists immediately treated periodontal disease in 200 of the women. They treated the other 200 (the controls) only after delivery. The rate of pre-term, low birth weight delivery was 1.8% (3/163) in the treated group and 10.1% (19/188) in the untreated group. Low birth weight and prematurity was 5.5 times more likely in the untreated group.

Prematurity and low birth weight together greatly increase the risk of a baby's death. There are also a large number of other important problems that occur as a result of prematurity. It is sad that it has taken so long to recognise this easily preventable cause of problems.

Let us hope that doctors and dentists will soon work together to prevent the problems in the future. In the meantime, inform every pregnant woman that you know.

Dr Judy Ford is an internationally respected geneticist who has undertaken considerable research into the cause of miscarriage, cause of infertility and cause of birth defects. She believes that most problems are preventable through changes to healthy lifestyles and healthy habits. More information can be found on her website http://www.itsnatural.com.au

You are welcome to reuse this article or post it on your site as long as you include these details and credit Dr Judy Ford with authorship.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Judy_Ford

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A Reflexologists Home Remedies To Avoid Miscarriage

2011-09-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

I found a site of a reflexologist who gives a number of "old home remedies" for a number of physical ailments including miscarriage. Of course, I always recommend (as does this site) checking with your doctor before taking anything in pregnancy. Read more:

www.old-home-remedies.com

Here are a few from the site:

Combine a teaspoon of fresh amla juice and honey. Take this every morning during pregnancy to avoid miscarriage. This is one of the efficient home remedies for preventing miscarriage.

Prepare a brew from safflower foliage. This is also useful in the prevention of early miscarriage. It is a good home remedy for preventing miscarriage.

Take Ascorbic acid of about 6-10 grams for 5-10 days. It also helps in reducing the chance of miscarriage.

Apply a cold compress to the perineum, internal portion of the thighs and the lumbar region during the first trimester of pregnancy. This is also one of the beneficial home remedies for preventing miscarriage.

In 1/2 cup of milk boil 1/4 teaspoon of ground bay leaf. Let it get cool. Drink this 2 times a day to protect the foetus. This is one of the successful home remedies for preventing miscarriage.

Apply a hot compress to the feet.

Thyroid Antibodies and Miscarriage

2011-09-09T05:00:00.000-07:00

I've always known that hyper or hypo thyroid can contribute to infertility and miscarriage, however this article talks about a number of studies which link miscarriage with thyroid auto-antibodies. Read more:

www.medindia.net

From the article:

Study reports indicated the results of 30 articles with 31 studies (19 cohorts and 12 case-controls) which involved 12,126 women and assessed the association between thyroid auto-antibodies and miscarriage. The association with pre-term birth was evaluated in five studies involving 12,566 women. Out of the 31 studies evaluating miscarriage, 28 showed a positive association between thyroid auto-antibodies and miscarriages.

Meta-analysis of the cohort studies showed a three-fold increase in the odds of miscarriage with the presence of thyroid auto-antibodies. For case-control studies the odds ratio for miscarriage was 1.80, 1.25 to 2.60; P = 0.002. There was a significant rise in the odds of pre-term birth with the presence of thyroid.

Two other randomized studies evaluated the effect of treatment with levothyroxine on miscarriage. Both showed a decline in the rate of miscarriage and the meta-analysis showed a 52 percent relative risk reduction in miscarriages with the use of levothyroxine.

NSAIDS Significantly Raise Miscarriage Risk

2011-09-08T05:00:00.000-07:00

If you're anything like me, NSAIDS like ibuprofen really help with menstrual cramps. But there's one problem, early pregnancy can cause cramping and you may not know the difference between a period cramp and a pregnancy cramp. The study cited below showed double the risk of miscarriage in women who took NSAIDS. I never took ibuprofen unless I had actually started bleeding when I was trying to conceive. Read more:

www.guardian.co.uk

From the article:

Women who take any amount of ibuprofen in early pregnancy could have more than double the risk of miscarriage, new research has suggested.

A class of painkillers known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) increase the risk of miscarriage in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, experts said.

Previous studies have shown inconsistent results when examining the effect of NSAIDs on pregnancy.

The new study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, examined a number of commonly-used NSAIDs including ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac. It found that women who took any type, and any dose, of NSAID had a 2.4 times higher risk of miscarriage than women who did not miscarry.

Overall, 4,705 cases of miscarriage were analysed, of which 352 (7.5%) involved women taking NSAIDs. Women in the entire sample were aged 15 to 45, and they were compared with women of a similar age who did not suffer a miscarriage (of which 2.6% had been exposed to NSAIDs).

The highest risk was for diclofenac when used alone, while the lowest was for a drug called rofecoxib, which was withdrawn in 2004 over safety concerns.

Stillbirth From A Geneticist's Own Experience

2011-09-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

The following article below details one geneticist's own experience with stillbirth and his subsequent commitment to research why it happens. Read more:

At A Loss

Fish Oils May Prevent Miscarriage and More

2011-09-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

Fish Oil For Pregnant Women - Discover the Positive Health Benefits

Guest Post By Susan M. Taylor

Opinions vary about the value of omega-3 fish oil for pregnant women. Yet, a growing amount of research provides evidence that the benefits are all positive. Here you will learn what the researchers are reporting, but first a little background.

Omega-3s are a specific group of fats that are "essential" to the human diet, meaning that they are necessary for bodily functions, but the body cannot produce them. So, they must be present in the foods that we eat.

There is no way to determine how many people are suffering from omega-3 deficiencies. There is reason to believe that the number is very large, indeed. It's just that the deficiencies do not cause acute or immediate symptoms. They cause, or at least contribute to, diseases associated with aging, including heart disease, some types of cancer and arthritis.

When the deficiency is present during pregnancy, infancy or childhood, there are increased risks of learning disabilities, visual impairment, asthma and allergies. The nutrients are essential for normal brain development and function.

So, the value of omega-3 fish oil for pregnant women is to support the developing baby and to reduce his or her risk of chronic conditions like asthma. But, there are other values.

Research indicates that a high omega-3 intake reduces the risk of miscarriage and premature delivery. There may be a reduced risk of post-partum depression, too.

Post-partum depression is typically blamed on sudden hormonal changes, but those are natural changes that should not place undue stress on the body. Nutritional deficits are likely to occur during the last trimester and following delivery as essential nutrients have been directed to the baby's needs. Research has shown that a woman's DHA blood levels may be particularly low after delivery.

The nutritional value of fish oil for pregnant women or for anyone has to do with two unique omega-3s called Docosahexaenoic acid or DHA and Eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA. DHA and EPA are present in other foodstuff. They are only found in some species of fish.

At one time, wild game and even farm animals may have contained DHA and EPA, but today, the only omega-3 that those foods provide is alpha-linolenic acid or ALA. The body can, if it must, convert some ALA to EPA and then to DHA, which is why severe deficiency symptoms are not seen in people that do not eat fish or take a supplement.

It's just that the amount of ALA that is converted to DHA is very low, less than 4%. An alternative to fish oil for pregnant women that are vegan is marine algae. But, be sure to check the label for DHA and EPA content, no matter what kind of supplement you are about to buy.

Despite all of the research, some doctors may still have reservations about suggesting fish oil for pregnant women, but any doctor would agree that the supplement is a good idea for those that are planning to become pregnant.

After all, the brain and central nervous system start to develop before a woman even knows she is pregnant. In short, good nutrition is always important.

I have found a pure pharmaceutical grade fish oil product that is naturally high in DHA and EPA and also high in anti-inflammatory properties that comes from the world's most pristine oceans. See my website for more details of omega 3 fish oil products - the key to optimal health.

To learn more about choosing the best fish oil product on the market today and the one I personally use and recommend to keep your mind and body young and active visit my website: Omega 3 fish oil supplements

Susan M. Taylor is a passionate advocate of preventative health care. She likes sharing information on her research and educating the public about the numerous benefits of omega 3 fatty acids.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_M._Taylor

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Happy Labor Day Weekend!

2011-09-02T05:00:00.000-07:00

Have a Safe Holiday Weekend