Pregnancy symptom

I am so sorry. Since you have experienced a miscarriage before, do you know why your doctors treated this situation different (as you said, usually they would test you again, to make sure your hormone levels are down). Did your doctor perform an exam to look at your cervix? Do your doctors know if there is still tissue left in your uterus? Did your doctor provide any resources to help you with the emotional grieving process, and/or to find a doctor specializing in fertility?

There are many reasons that women have miscarriages, and please do not blame yourself. There is likely nothing you could have done to prevent this miscarriage, and finding out more about the possible reasons/causes for why women have miscarriages may help you answer the question "why?".

I am sure you know this information, so please let us know what specific questions you have. The causes of miscarriage are most often due to fetal development ("more than half of the miscarriages before 13 weeks are due to the fetal chromosome development"), according to ACOG defined below or the woman's health (again...nothing you did caused the miscarriage, but there are factors including infection, diabetes, illness or other conditions that could be a risk factor for miscarriages).

There are no daily activities that you could have done to cause a miscarriage. However, I do need to mention for other women reading this: lifestyle factors that can cause an increased risk for miscarriage include smoking, drug and heavy alcohol use.

I am not sure of your age, lifestyle factors or any medical conditions that you may have, but there are some risk factors that you can read about at the Mayo Clinic site.

You may be interested in reading about Reproductive Medicine, and what health care professionals are able to do, as far as testing and treatment. Since you mentioned that you do not have health insurance, it is important that you know that most health insurance companies do not cover the costs of fertility diagnostic testing and treatment, anyways. It can be costly, and something most women and/or women and their partners must pay out-of-pocket for.

The ASRM (defined below) has a fact sheet for "Recurrent Pregnancy Loss" (opens pdf at the site), and says, "Recurrent pregnancy loss is a disease distinct from infertility, defined by two or more failed pregnancies. When the cause is unknown, each pregnancy loss merits careful review to determine whether specific evaluation may be appropriate". This online brochure offers many possible reasons for multiple miscarriages, and the good news is: "a couple may be comforted to know that the next pregnancy is successful in 60% to 70% of those with unexplained recurrent pregnancy losses." However, it does sound important to have a medical evaluation, and I am not sure if you are financially able to do this, at this time? You can find a doctor at the ASRM site, and call the doctor's business office to inquire about pricing. (Side note: I do not have maternity coverage, and have had to discuss payment options with every doctor, hospital and service, called "self pay", in which I receive a 20% discount on services...similar to what patients with health insurance receive).

Does any of this help?

Resources:
-American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), Early Pregnancy Loss online brochure
- American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), Patient Resource page

I know how you feel. I also have a 3 year old son, and I thought I would be much wiser the second time around! (I'm sure we are; sometimes it doesn't feel like it). I didn't realize how much I was worrying about exercising (or not) and what I was eating (or not) until I hit the "magic 13-week" mark and now looking back at the first 12 weeks, I realize I am feeling more confident. I will be sending good wishes your way for a healthy pregnancy.

Sometimes I think we can read too much medical information, and worry ourselves sick. Does that make sense? I hope you are able to relax and enjoy your pregnancy. Are you doing anything good or special for yourself, in these first weeks?