Dear all,

On Monday before I found out their was anything wrong the midwife was going through my blood test results.  As I had had so many miscarriages before they tested me for all sorts at 13 weeks.  In my results it showed that I had antibodies for parvo virus?  i.e. slapped cheek syndrome.  It wasn't until I was thinking about everything yesterday that I thought about the fact that I had had that blood test at 13 weeks which is when they say the baby had died.

I know that this virus can cause miscarriage and I have never had the virus before?  I am a teacher so I am always in contact with kids.  Do you think this could be the reason?  I really want it to be so that in the future I know that the clexne and aspirin will work.

Sorry for rambling.  I had the op yesterday so I didn't have to wait till Friday, we paid to go private.  My husband and family are being graet but I find this board so supportive.  Thank you for your kind words and hugs.  Much appreciated.

Pen xxxx

Hi Pen,

I'm so sorry to hear what you have been through.  My losses were all before 12 wks so I can't imagine what you must be going through at the moment but my heart goes out to you and your DH.

As for the slapped cheek syndrome, it's impossible to know for sure whether this was a factor.  The information I read said it causes mc in 9% of women who catch it so it is a possibility.  If this isnt the reason for your loss then it doesnt necessarily mean that the treatment you're on won't work.  I know it would be easier if you knew what caused this as one of the hardest parts to cope with is not having any answers.

I hope you're recovering OK after the op.  I know there are no words which will make you feel better right now but please feel free to post here if you need us.

Sending gentle (((hugs))) and thinking of you today

Dear Pen,

I'm really sorry to hear your pregnancy story and about your latest loss. Life can be so cruel. My losses were all early at 7 weeks and I cannot imagine what it must be like to lose something so precious so late. I was also at St Mary's and after five miscarriages had a successful pregnancy - the first time I'd taken aspirin and clexane together.

A few thoughts, maybe they might help...

At 13 weeks the placenta takes over total blood supply of the fetus, if there is anything wrong with the developing placenta it might cause a miscarriage at this time? Have you had the placenta looked at - it might be worth it.

There is a lady on my mum's club board who caught the parvo virus at 20 weeks and her little girl was born at 24 weeks I think. Her sign in name is mum of four boys and a girl. She's very knowledgeable about the parvo virus now and she might be able to help you. It's mum's club September 2009. I know if she knew anything she'd be happy to help you.

Also, have you checked in with the ladies on the late loss board? They are excellent at giving support and advice and someone there might be able to help on this question.

Finally, ((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))) to you honey. I hope you get over the physical aspects of this quickly. You're such a brave lady, I really admire you.

hugs

sweetgingercat and Joseph

Thank you.

I am really worried that the clexane and aspirin didn't work.  I was doing so well and all the scans had shown everything was fine including the nuchal fold scan.  I was so convinced it was all ok now I was on the drugs that I actually started to enjoy the pregnancy.

Do you think the drugs will work for me next time?

Will st Marys see me quickly or will I have a long wait again?

Sorry for all the questions but I'm just depreate.

Pen xxx

Hi Pen,

This is the frustrating thing about RMC, sometimes things work and sometimes they don't and it's not clear why. Did you get the remains of the pregnancy tested? I know it's difficult to make that decision, but often this can throw up clues. I once had remains tested for NKC cells and it came back negative which was very helpful.

All of the women I know who took clexane had babies (there's a thread, in the pg after rmc section of the board on what women took when they had successful pregnancies - you'll have to hunt for it, but it's pretty clear on that thread). But it also depends on what blood clotting condition you have. I have a raised teg, which does not need clexane, just aspirin, but that didn't work. I was abroad when I got pregnant this time and was prescribed clexane as well. There are two other ladies on the board with the same condition who are in their third trimester - one on aspirin alone, the other on clexane like me. Doctors at St Mary's still don't know why clexane worked in my case and some of them were reluctant to have me on it at all although others said I should definitely take it again if I get pregnant again. I did read about one woman who took aspirin and clexane and it didn't work and then she gave up. I felt terrible when I read that, because I really wanted it to work 100 per cent! On the other hand, I don't know what blood clotting problem she had, or how bad it was. And I know two women who had blood clotting conditions and only found out after successful pregnancies - one of my closest friends was diagnosed with APA, but only after she'd had an mc at 13 weeks, a late loss at 24 weeks and a successful pregnancy. So it can work both ways.

I never had to wait for an appointment at St Mary's after the initial (long) referral wait. I just rang up and told the receptionist that either I was pregnant, or an appointment was made for me after losses - both were discovered at St Mary's. I'm sure if you ring them up, they'll give you an appointment. I don't know who you saw there when you went? I've seen all of them, but the one I found most supportive and most willing to discuss my case was Dr Horner - reading around it seems he's quite popular.

hugs

sweetgingercat