Curious about something

Why do they wait for 3 miscarriages to start testing for things?

This just doesn't sit well with me. I read that once is common, 2 can be a coincidence... and 3 then you know there is a possible problem. But I can't help but think that after 1 miscarriage... if they did more testing then there wouldn't be a 2nd or a 3rd for most people.... those problems would be solved sooner. At least some blood testing.

Didn't they used to do blood testing before you got married years ago? Maybe I'm stupid... but I always thought that was to test for possible reproducing problems.

I mean I can see not doing extreme testing until it happens more than once.... but why not some blood work?

I was never tested for a single thing. The doctor never even drew blood from me on the first or 2nd appt. I don't even know if my hormone levels were good.

Am I naive to think just some blood work could be useful to foresee a potential problem?? Is it dumb for me to question the possibility of being tested sooner for things??? Like after the first miscarriage? They are doing the genetic testing... which I don't have results to just yet.... but I hear a lot of girls saying "genetic results were just fine and showed nothing".... well then CLEARLY something else went wrong bc the end result was a miscarriage. So what was it???

what do you guys think??

Oh and come to think of it... my doctor never told me a single thing to avoid or to do (other than take the rx pre natals), knowing I've never been pregnant. I've learned more from these boards than from going to his office.

Message edited 2/1/2010 5:30:58 PM.

Re: Curious about something

I have the same frustration, why not test after one? It's not the doctors who get put through the ringer with this. I think each RE is different though, I've had 3 and NO testing at all so I'm changing doctors.

I learned most of everything that I know from researching. The dr just prescribed folic acid and that was it. Each time we have conceived I've played it safer and safer because the dr was so vague about everything.

Are you seeing a RE? If not, maybe go ask for testing.

Re: Curious about something

I think it truly depends on how far along you were when you miscarried. If you were say in the 2nd trimester they may be more "willing" to do tests, because that's not as common. But before 12 weeks, it's sadly fairly common.

I also think it has to do with insurance companies not wanting to pay for "unnecessary testing." They don't want to pay for said testing until they deem it necessary, which I think it just wrong.

Blood tests from years ago was to make sure that you were not related when getting married.

Of course bloodwork might forsee a problem, but it might not. It might of just been a fluke.

My doctor did take some tests after I miscarried, just bloodwork. But my numbers were rising and then dropping then rising, it was very emotional for me, and confusing for my doctor. They wanted to make sure it wasn't a molar or ectopic pregnancy.

Have you voiced these concerns to your doctor? Ask them if there were certain blood tests they could do.

I'm sorry you had to go through this, and I hope that maybe you won't need to have any tests done, and that you have a healthy pregnancy soon

Re: Curious about something

Re: Curious about something

Posted by mrspalomino148

I think it truly depends on how far along you were when you miscarried. If you were say in the 2nd trimester they may be more "willing" to do tests, because that's not as common. But before 12 weeks, it's sadly fairly common.

I also think it has to do with insurance companies not wanting to pay for "unnecessary testing." They don't want to pay for said testing until they deem it necessary, which I think it just wrong.

Blood tests from years ago was to make sure that you were not related when getting married.

Of course bloodwork might forsee a problem, but it might not. It might of just been a fluke.

My doctor did take some tests after I miscarried, just bloodwork. But my numbers were rising and then dropping then rising, it was very emotional for me, and confusing for my doctor. They wanted to make sure it wasn't a molar or ectopic pregnancy.

Have you voiced these concerns to your doctor? Ask them if there were certain blood tests they could do.

I'm sorry you had to go through this, and I hope that maybe you won't need to have any tests done, and that you have a healthy pregnancy soon

Re: Curious about something

Most OBGYN will tell you to wait till it happens a 3rd time. However most RE's will start running tests after the 2nd miscarriage.

The really will not do any tests after the first b/c it's so common over 25% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage. They are more willing to tests after a 2nd or 3rd.

I saw my RE after the second.

Unfortunately, OBGYN are usually not very helpful when it comes to TTC. Mine basically gave me a prescription for Prenatals...and told me to call when I was pregnant.

Oh...and a RE is a Reproductive Endocrinologist...which is the same thing as Fertility Specialist. I just learned that not to long ago too.

They can probably do the basic testing on someone after the 1st miscarriage. Like CD3 bloodwork which checks your hormones.

The other tests they wait till atleast 2 or 3 miscarriages. Prob b/c it is a lot of tests and bloodwork and can be very expensive. You eventually end up giving close to 40 or 50 vials of blood over the course of a few weeks. So they wait till the second or third miscarriage for prob that reason. Also b/c unfortunately they are so common...the often look at a 2nd miscarriage as possibly really bad luck.

Hope that helps!

Re: Curious about something

OK.. so these RE's.... do you go to that type of dr instead of an OBGYN? Or do you go to both? I'm assuming just the one.

I don't mean to sound dumb... i really just don't know much at all about this stuff.

I have a friend who recommended her dr and she did say he specializes in miscarriages and high risk pregnancies. Would that be an RE?

I want to switch doctors the next time around.

Message edited 2/1/2010 9:41:51 PM.

Re: Curious about something

Re: Curious about something

I LOVE my OB but facts are facts; no OB is going to do anything. Its up to us.

My OB did nothing for the first m/c; chalked it up to bad luck. This time around they did the genetic testing and the recurrent m/c panel. However, neither of those revealed anything so I left off with him that Id see him when Im pregnant again.

I took it upon myself to see an RE. The problem has been solved because I took the initiative. Figuring out these losses is NOT an OB's job. Even after 3 losses, they will only TELL you to go to an RE; the OB isnt actually going to do anything.

Unless your insurance requires a referral, anyone can go see an RE, even after just 1 loss. And to answer your other question, when you see an RE, you also need an OB. You need to see both because an RE wont treat you the whole pregnancy or deliver the baby.

If your insurance covers it, Id make an appt. If I had done that after my first loss, Id still be pregnant right now.

Re: Curious about something

Re: Curious about something

RE= Reproductive Endocrinologist

Re: Curious about something

Posted by seasaw

RE= Reproductive Endocrinologist