older mums TTC after miscarriage

It's probably a bit early for me to be posting this - only had my D&C on Friday - but with so many questions swimming around my mind I just have to ask and see what you might think.

When we went for our 7wk ultrasound, and after the sonographer confirmed a blighted ovum, she asked to measure my ovaries. I was so numb from the sad news that I didn't really respond, but it has stuck in my mind since and I wonder what is the significance? I haven't been to see my doc since the D&C so we haven't had a de-brief but my mind is going over little details of the pregnancy and my previous IVF treatments and history and so I'm wondering and reading online.

I have only one ovary that works after lots of endo and cysts and it's remarkable really that the one I have working is still going! From what I've read, the ovaries produce the progesterone we need to maintain a pregnancy. Given that egg production drops as you get older, I wonder if progesterone does too and whether I don't have enough to keep the pregnancy going.

I was taking Clexane from the day of the transfer until we found out that the embryo hadn't grown and I wondered why my doc didn't think to put me on progesterone support. I didn't have my levels checked at all after the BFP (which I was told was a strong result at 180 but now I read it can go up to 400 so not even sure I'm convinced about that) so I don't know if my levels dropped or were low.

Sorry to be long winded but wondering if anyone here who is older and TTC and/or has been through IVF, and miscarried, knows anything that might help when I see my doc next. I so wish I'd been more proactive and researched more before this time. 41 seems so late to be learning all of this.

Any info you can share would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Alice x

Hi Alice,

I am very sorry for your loss..I hope you're doing ok.

Firstly, whether you were more proactive or not, it would not have changed this outcome.

I will so it is usual for Progesterone support after an IVF transfer, but again, would not have changed things this time. IVF clinics in Australia do not tend to measure progesterone levels on a regular basis. They do the levels with the 2 betas you have.

I wish I could give you more information, but I cannot.

Hope you have something in the freezer for an FET...if not, I know this sounds so heartless right now...but would suggest you get right back on the horse if you intend continuing IVF. It's all the age thing you know...so crappy.

Lulu

Thanks LuLu - and I'm sorry for your losses too.

No, it's not heartless, it's realistic and we probably will try again soon but need to see what the doc thinks when we see him. No snow babies I'm afraid so would have to start the whole thing from scratch.

Are you still TTC? My sister in law did her first IVF at 44 and my niece is now 7 months old! She had 2 mc before the IVF but no other health problems. I couldn't believe it after all our years of trying but at the same time it makes me hopeful things aren't all over yet (plus I adore my little niece!). I see you have PCOS...not fair, is it?

Thanks for replying.

Bye now,
Alice