AboutSarah Conlon Expertise I can answer questions about to trying to conceive, as well as infertility related questions, pregnancy issues and emotional issues that coincide with all of the above.
Experience I am a licensed psychologist and have personally dealt with infertility and pregnancy loss. I would like to share my knowledge, psychological training and personal experience to help others.
Education/Credentials Master's Degree in psychology
Expert: Sarah Conlon Date: 7/1/2008 Subject: Recurrent miscarriage
Question I am 27 yrs old and have had three early miscarriages in the last year. I was at a practice with 9 doctors where they pass you around, so I saw a different doctor each time. Each treated the miscarriages as if it was something that just happens. I had to beg for further testing to look for a reason. I did not have any blood related issues such as a clotting disorder, however they never checked my progesterone level. I moved myself to a specialist who came highly receommended. The first thing he wanted to test was my progesterone. It came back at 2.2 which of course is very low. His answer is Clomid. My husband and I feel strongly about not doing any extraordinary fertility treatments. We feel like Clomid is handed out to any and everybody without sufficient monitoring. In my opinion Clomid is for people who can't get pregnant b/c they don't ovulate. I have never had an ovulation problem since I have always been able to get pregnant when I tried. Do you think Clomid would be helpful in preventing an early miscarriage, or would it only be helpful in conceiving?
Thanks!
Answer Hello Amber. I am very sorry to hear of your losses. I have also experienced miscarriages and know how frustrating and difficult it can be. After 3 or more miscarriages, doctors usually do what is called a "recurrent loss" group of tests which mostly includes several blood tests, including chromosomal and genetic testing to see if that is the cause. Usually early miscarriages are the result of chromosomal abnormalities, but other causes may exist. I understand your hesitance to try Clomid, as it is handed out too frequently, and many people who ovulate normally are prescribed it. The only other benefit to Clomid that may help you in your case is that I have heard that it corrects something called luteal phase defect. This is basically where there is not enough time for the fertilized embryo to successfully implant in the uterine lining before a period starts. I'm not sure if this is the cause of your losses, but it's worth looking into. If your doctor has not fully explained this, or evaluated you for recurrent losses, I would seek our a reproductive endocrinologist, who would be able to do these things. To answer your last question, Clomid will not prevent miscarriage, but will help you conceive, and make sure there is enough time in the cycle for the embryo to implant. Best wishes.
