1 Successful Pregnancy then 3 Miscarriages...Can you help?

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Reply 1 Successful Pregnancy then 3 Miscarriages...Can you help? Posted on: Jul 7, 2011 at 8:12pm
Dear Dr. Braverman,
My husband & I are both 36. In early 2007 we conceived our now 3 yr. old son on the 3rd month trying. The pregnancy was ideal and he was born a few days late. He was positioned face up so after several hours of pushing I had to have a c-section since he became stuck in the birth canal. When he was 13 mos. old my period returned. The following month we tried to conceive and I became pregnant again; however, at the 8 week ultrasound we discovered the sac was empty. About two weeks later I began miscarrying naturally. It was an extremely traumatizing event for me & I lost a great deal of blood. I also weened our son from breastfeeding around the same time. My body seemed to go into shock or a hormonal meltdown of sorts & I began having panic attacks, my thyroid was out of balance & I started having a lot of what I've since learned are menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, etc. I went from doctor to doctor & no one knew how to help me. Finally, about 9 months later we decided to try and conceive again. I conceived two months later. At the 8 week ultrasound the tech said there was no heartbeat. This time I opted for a D&C and they also tested the fetus & found it chromosomal issues. During both of these pregnancies my HCG & progesterone levels were normal. A couple of months later we decided to try and conceive again. It took about two months & I conceived again only this time my period came a few days late so I guess it was a "chemical pregnancy". We are now nearing our 12th month trying since this last miscarriage & I haven't conceived since. I've tests for all sorts of blood clotting disorders, thyroid antibodies, lupus antibodies, folic acid deficiency, a sonohysterogram & my husband & I have been tested for balanced translocation and everything has been normal. I have had psoriasis since I was 5, but I have an extremely mild case. However, I've been wondering if perhaps there is an auto-immune or immunity type of issue going on. I've also been concerned that perhaps the D&C did some damage to my uterus since I haven't been able to keep a pregnancy or even conceive in almost a year. I live a very healthy life with little to no alcohol, no caffiene, never smoked, do yoga, meditate, etc. but I fear time is running out for me age-wise and we don't have a lot of money at our disposal. I wondered whether you feel my case warrants further investigation? Thank you in advance for your time.

Dr. Braverman

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Re: 1 Successful Pregnancy then 3 Miscarriages...Can you hel Posted on: Jul 8, 2011 at 2:56am
Your presentation and your history clearly dictate an immune workup. It is also more commone to suffer repeated losses after a first born male child. There are certain HLA genes that predispose to this. The history of Psoriasis is also a signal that this could be immune as well. I would be happy to guide you in the workup and I would not despair as this is a very common presentation to my practice.
Braverman Medical Team
Braverman Reproductive Immunology P.C.

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Reply Re: 1 Successful Pregnancy then 3 Miscarriages...Can you hel Posted on: Jul 8, 2011 at 6:01pm
Many thanks for your quick reply, Dr. Braverman. Would my next step be to fill out the new patient questionnaire and make an appt. w/ you? Does your patient consulation by phone include any testing? I just ask because I am on an HMO plan that won't pay for any doctors out of network nor will it pay for anything it considers "infertility" although I'm clearly not infertile. Thank you again for giving me some hope.

Dr. Braverman

2026 Posts
Re: 1 Successful Pregnancy then 3 Miscarriages...Can you hel Posted on: Jul 9, 2011 at 2:58am
If you call the office and ask for Stacy she will go over the entire consultation process with you. Yes also fill out the questionairre and send it to me as well.
Braverman Medical Team
Braverman Reproductive Immunology P.C.