2 Chemical Pregnancies - Why is this happening?

[kellym]

I have now been through 4 IVF cycles, two of which have resulted in a chemical pregnancy- the most recent one I found out today. Why would this be happening? Has anyone had multiple chemical pregnancies and then had success? How long did it take?

I am trying to figure out what to do at this point. Is this a sign that my body isn't meant to be pregnant? Is my body's way of telling me to go down a different road? I am so confused and find that the doctor's don't have any answers.

Help!!!
Kelly

[shanbeanie]

Hi Kelly
I am sorry to hear of your chemical pregnancy. I too am on my fourth round of IVF, and I too, had a chemical pregnancy with my first cycle. My Re could not really enlighten me with any definitive reason as to why it happened, other than that there was probably something chromosomely wrong with the embryo that was transferred. I have known two co workers one of which had a chemical preg followed by succesfulll FEt, and one who's best friend did also, and just deleivered twins. So dont give up!!! My Re was very optimistic with me when I had the chem. pregnancy. I was ready to throw in the towel after that first time...........but then you think what if it happens next time????? Just keep PMA, and hang in there. This forum is a wonderful resource for alot of unanswered questions!!!!
Take care,
Shan

[denee]

Hello,

I've had 3 surgeries and 4 ivfs. One was a chemical. I was told the Chemical is a good thing that it means you have a chance of success. It' just takes one good embryo.

I'm wonder to....it my body meant to be? When you really think about it. It is medically possible but we just feel like that because we have never carried a pregnancy full-term.

It is posible, unfortunately each time you do a ivf cycle it's like flipping a coin. 50/50...That is the reality.

Wishing us both a bfp in our near future.....

D

[kellym]

Thanks so much for your responses. While I don't wish my situation upon anyone, it is comforting to know that there are others out there that can relate to what I am going through. I guess I will wait to meet with my RE and see what she says. I do wonder if after 2 chemical pregnancies whether I'll be considered "suspectible to miscarriages" and be moved into a different category of success. Who knows. My husband and I are now considering surrogacy as an option. At least then we would have a chance of having our own biological children.

Best of luck to you both! When will you start another round of IVF? I think we'll be back at it in May assuming my REgives the go ahead.

Thanks for the support!
Kelly

[jen779]

Hi Kelly!
I recently had a chemical pregnancy. My RE said it could be one of many factors: infection, structural (your uterus, etc..), endocrine, thyroid, prolactin, ovarian aging, placental issues, autoimmune disorder (thrombophilian testing), or genetics of the embyro.

If your RE hasn;t tested you of all of these things, maybe they should. If the miscarriage was too early they can't test the genetic make-up of the embyro, but they can test you and your husband.

I had a thrombophelian test done on me and indicated that I have a blood clotting disorder that can be corrected with meds. So it can be an easy fix. Also, my body doesn't absorb or circulate folic acid...also an easy fix. I just need Vit B12 injections.

So there is hope...I would definitely ask your RE about some of these things that I mentioned and get tested. Let me know how it turns out! Good luck...

[kellym]

Thanks Jen,

Thanks for the information. I have printed out your posting so that when I get to meet with my RE I have those factors in front of me. For my first chemical pregnancy (I was at a different clinic) they did no testing on me because they said it was quite common to have a chemical pregnancy, but given that it is now my second I wonder what my new clinic will do.

I didn't realize that there were so many things that could possibly cause a chemical pregnancy. What impact do the blood clotting disorder and the vit B12 deficiency have on pregnancy? When will you be trying another round of IVF?

I appreciate your advice and would love to hear about your success in the future.

Kelly

[jen779]

My RE said that the blood clotting disorder can cause there to be a lack of oxygen and blood supply to the placenta...therefore causing the miscarriage. The Vitamin B12 deficiency cause your body to not be able to absorb or circulate folic acid.
I am trying to get in to see a Hemotologist this week to find out what other meds I need to be on before proceeding with my IVF in May. My RE has already put me on Lovenox, which is a blood thinning med, similar to heparin. She wants to be sure that there is nothing else that I need to be on in conjuction with that. I am scheduled to have my next IVF around May 16 or 17th...it just depends on my next period.
Apparently, this disorder is very common in women and should be an easy fix!
I am glad that I could help! That is what these threads are for. Let me know what your RE says...I am just curious. When is your next appointment? Good luck...I am here if you have any other questions!!

[cookholmes]

My first IVF cycle my Dr had me on dexamethasone (an anti rejection drug), but I finished the prescription before we got our pregnancy result. It turned out that it ended up being a chemical pregnancy. I my heart I knew that the dexamethasone is what allowed us to get that faint postive in the first place (I have never before been pregnant), so for the FET I asked my Dr if we could continue the dexamathasone for the recommended 10 weeks. We did and we have gotten a very stong BFP! If you have any gut feelings or want any changes in your procedure, just tell your Dr, worst case scenario, you find a Dr who will listen to you so you can get your BFP!

"Dexamethasone Therapy
Steroids are believed to act by inhibiting the cellular immune process, thereby helping to prevent immune rejection of pregnancy. We routinely prescribe 0.75 mg of oral dexamethasone daily, commencing about ten days prior to initiating treatment with fertility drugs. It is continued until pregnancy is diagnosed. These patients continue treatment with dexamethasone through the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. In the event of a negative pregnancy test, the dosage is decreased over a period of seven to ten days and then discontinued. "