Hello Again!
I was just wondering if anyone has this or has any info on it. It's a gene mutation disorder called MTHFR. After having 4 miscarriages one before my 2 year old daughter and 3 after her my doc finally ran some tests and she said this one came back slightly abnormal. There are two parts to it and one is great and the other is a little off. She told me it could cause miscarriages. So she sent me to see a specialist in Florence. He told me it does NOT cause miscarriages but told me to continue taking the extra folic acid and baby aspirin. Which didn't make much since to me if it didn't cause miscarriages. He reassured me that it didn't. He ran some other tests on me and my husband but I haven't heard anything yet. I went to my follow up appointment with my regular OBGYN and decided to ask her (not the same doctor but in the same office) again if it caused miscarriages and she said no. Everything I read online says it does. I don't know what to believe. I desperately want another baby but I hate going through all the heartache over losing it. My first miscarriage was a missed miscarriage then I got pregnant right after my next period my 2nd one was at about 5 or 6 weeks my 3rd one was another missed one that resulted in a D&C (only one) and then I got pregnant again before my next period even came. I started bleeding and my doctor was just getting my results back from the MTHFR and she started me on my meds right away but my pregesterone levels were low so she started me on meds for that. They had never been low before. I heard and saw the heartbeat at 7 weeks and had a miscarriage that same night. I really want another baby but I want to know as much as I can about this. I've read where you can have late miscarriages even stillbirth, down syndrome, the spinal thing. I don't understand why my doc says it doesn't cause them. Maybe cause mine wasn't that bad. I don't know. If anyone can help me out. It would be greatly appreciated. I'm also hypothyroid which I don't think I was before my daughter. I was diagnosed after. But my doc also said that as long as I was on medicine for it that it wouldn't cause miscarriages either!
Thanks!!!
I never heard of this . but I suggest you try looking into talking with a genetic counselor. I'm new to GA so I can't reccomend one, but you can ask you OB. That way you can stop guessing what might happen and talk with someone who might be better to shed some light and ease some fears with all the uncertainty. Hope this helps.
G.--
I too have MTHFR, and the reason this causes miscarriages is that blood clots may form in the uterus, or the lining may shed too much to allow for implantation. I had 3 miscarriages before I finally went the IVF route. So yes, MTHFR does cause miscarriages! I saw the drs. at Greenville Hospital System; I highly recommend them if you are in that area! I also agree that you must give your body time to heal in between--three periods is the rule of thumb--the waiting is the hardest part, but it's well worth it in the end.
I also have MTHFR with 1 copy of gene mutation A1298C. Did they tell you which extra copy you have? The "A" copy is better than the "C" copy. And having 1 copy of either is better than having 2 copies. I had two miscarriages before using Gonal-F and IUI to become pregnant with my twin boys. I think the MTHFR played a role in my miscarriages, but I also think my eggs weren't developing enough to maintain a pregnancy past the 1st trimester. My progesterone always petered out.
I think you need to see a reproductive endocronologist. I saw the doctors at the Greenville Memorial Hospital. Dr. Miller is very good, and Dr. Forstein is the doctor who specializes in recurrent miscarriage.
Here's their website. http://www.ghs.org/171/
I wish I had advice or some knowledge on the subject. I really just wanted to say that your story touched me and I will be praying for you. I know you must be confused and frustrated at this point and could use the prayers. God always seems to have a funny way of showing us that he is in control and that all we can do is trust in him. He'll take care of you and everything will work out the way it's supposed to, whatever that may be. I actually lost my son to leukemia (almost 3 yrs ago) and am still trying to cope with that loss. It's hard to understand why people who want and love children so much can't have them in their life when they want it so badly. I just try and believe that their is a reason for everything that happens and that in the end, God knows what he is doing. I wish you luck and keep us updated!
S.
Hey G., I don't know anything about this specific dissorder, but I have a cousin who has 6 children all under the age of 13. She had a miscarriage between each one. She was not giving her body enough time to heal between pregnancies. You should definitely get a second or maybe even a third opinion from doctors who are not in the same office as your current doctors. Maybe even see a fertility specialist. Give your body time to heal before you try to get pregnant again. You are in my prayers. Good luck!
~L.
What a total pain! The discovery of the MTHFR gene is fairly recent and there's still a BUNCH of debate about it. Some doctors say it has nothing to do with anything and others think it does.
I had a stroke recently and the only cause they could find for it was the MTHFR mutation. My family history is that everyone has died either of stroke or blood clots, so my family got tested for the gene and, sure enough, every last one of them has it. I am also unable to get pregnant and my GYN seems to think the mutation contributed to that.
I was told (by 2 doctors) to take 800 mcg of folic acid, 1 full-strength aspirin and a daily B-complex and my chances of having another stroke become unlikely. I would suggest you do the same and hopefully you will be able to carry to full-term whether your doctors believe in it or not.
I know personally how devastating it is to not be able to have a baby but have discovered that I can love an adopted child every bit as much as I would a child I conceived. Please don't rule out that option either.
Good luck with everything!
There is a condition that runs in my family that causes similiar symptoms. It is caused by elevated anti phospholipid antibodies and is autoimmune. It is a clotting disorder that, among other things causes the blood supply to the baby to clot and causes miscarriages. Several of my cousins have this. The treatment during pregnancy is a blood thinner shot several times a day.
Hi G.,
I don't know anything about MTHFR but I do have hypothyroidism and I know that once you get pregnant you HAVE to keep it in range. It is extremely important for your baby. I was told that when I got pregnant that I had to be tested monthly to make sure my meds were correct and that my thyroid function was within normal limits. If they weren't and didn't get corrected it could lead to neurological problems for my child. The OB/GYN docs aren't the best to deal with your thyroid. I would definitely see a specialist, either a Reproductive Endocrinologist or just a regular Endocrinologist. Good luck!
Hi G.,
I also have MTHFR. I had only one miscarriage, but my doctor said the MTHFR probably did cause it. He said that, without the proper treatment, women with MTHFR will miscarry about 50% of the time. My sister also has it. She has had 3 miscarriages and also has 3 healthy children, so that goes right along with what my doctor said.
I now have 2 healthy children, ages 3 and 5. During both of these pregnancies, my doctor had me give myself shots every day of a blood thinner. It sounds awful, but it really wasn't hard to do and rarely ever hurt. It's amazing what you will do for a child when you really want to have one. It was totally worth it.
You already know the answer to your question. Your gut is telling you that this is what is causing your miscarriages, and I believe a mother's intuition is often more accurate than what a stranger will tell you about your own body. My advice is to go to a different doctor, one who specializes in cases like ours. I had a wonderful doctor in Jacksonville, Florida. Without him, I don't believe I would have either of my precious boys. Let me know if you would like his contact info.
Blessings to you. I hope you find a wonderful doctor too, who will help you with this.
I didnt know about this disease until now, but your case seems to be more about miscommunication with your doctors, maybe you need to tell them to lay it on the line for you and really tell you what is going on... You have been through so much you need them to explain this condition to you (as it applies to your case)as well as possible, hope to hear more from you and Glod bless!
I surehope your doctors are not Dr. Wright or Dr. Nyugen in Warner Robins. I had real problems with them that led to have to go to a specialist in Columbus, Ga. Please, Please, go to a specialist doctor about this problem of yours.doctor that really knows what treatment you should get to conceive again. i will keep you in my prays and sure hope you get your baby.
