Expert: Pat G - 3/2/2010

Question
Dear Ma'm,
I'm 33yrs old female and had one abortion 3 yrs ago with our own choice and do took contraceptive pills for about a year and 2009 took no pills and had unprotected intercourse since may-june.

I had a miscarriage twice (2jan and 21 feb 2010)in a row with immense pain in the lower abdomen area though didn't had too much bleeding and the bleeding lasted for next 4 days.i exceeded 20 days from my periods (mensuration cycle)before miscarriage.

consulted with  gynecologist and done Ultra Sound -TVS Test/Endovaginal Sonography and report says, Uterus is Normal but mildly thickened endometrium approx 8.7mm.Ovaries are Normal.No e/o free fluid seen in pelvis.

Then gyne told me to do the urine test (home pregnancy test)and no intercourse for next month and half + don't try to get pregnant for another month and half(total 3 month precaution for next pregnancy.Though i'm feeling good with my health.

Please advise me.
i'm kind of confused that what should i do?
What and why it's happening?
what all precautions to take?
do we wait for some more time for intercourse?
should we try for baby little later?
should we go for more test suggested by gyne like thyroid/ semen of husband, hormone test, Torch test,blood sugar etc.

Answer
Hello, shashi,

Your question was in the question pool rather than addressed specifically to me, and I just saw it.

Either the abortion or the contraceptive pills could have damaged your body so that you will have difficulty carrying a pregnancy. But in order to figure that out, I am sure that more tests will be required. That said, as you know, these tests are expensive. I would recommend you follow your doctor's orders, and wait to try again. Don't try to use a condom. They're not reliable.

Normally, doctors won't try to run expensive tests until a couple has been trying for at least a year. However, there are some things you can look at that may help. A thyroid test would be a good idea. They should test both T3 and T4. Also, your diet may need improvement. If you are a vegetarian, this could be a problem, because vegetarianism causes malnutrition. A woman needs to get some animal products in her diet. It can be meat, milk or cheese, or eggs. Many times, a vegetarian's nutritional status is so poor she won't get pregnant in the first place.

The only thing I can tell you is to be patient. If you have repeated miscarriages, further tests would be a good idea. But if you do get pregnant, you may be OK this time, and we can hope and pray this will be the case. Good luck. Feel free to write back.