High FSH and miscarriage

[enniroc]

Hello,

I am new to the forum.
I have been diagnosed with high FHS (22) two months ago. My level was taken only once, but DOR has been confirmed with a follow-up u/s where only 2-3 follicles were seen.
I have been pregnant twice: the first pregnancy resulted in a happy and wonderful son who is going to turn 2 in a few weeks. The second pregnancy ended in a miscarriage at 7.5 weeks 6 months ago. There was a heartbeat, but not as strong as it should have been and the fetus was behind.
We have been trying ttc since with no success, until we got the high FSH diagnosis. I had started with weekly acupuncture, which I am continuing. At the time, we also found out that DH's sperm has very low motility (first test was even 0%).
Anyhow, we saw and RE 5 weeks ago. He was somewhat hopeful given our history of pregnancy and my age (he didn't give me the ED speech at all) and we decided to undergo a Clomid + IUI procedure, that failed, although the 10 day u/s showed 2-3 mature follicles. DH's sperm volume was very low (~3M) due to poor motility and I ended up having my period only 8 days after the IUI (shortest luteal phase ever!).
We underwent the second IUI 2 weeks ago, which much better numbers from DH (16M after wash - thank you Fertility Blend!). My RE put me on 100mg of Prometrium 3x a day to sustain the luteal phase and allow for implantation.
I took a test this morning and it is POSITIVE. This is the good news, very good news. At the same time, I am scared to death to miscarrying again.
My question: am I at higher risk of miscarrying because of my high FSH (and previous history of miscarriage)? I know the research has been somewhat conflicting (some say yes, others say it is more related to age), but I would like to get your input.

Thanks a lot in advance!

[Montygat]

Hmmm... I don't know about this. I've heard conflicting things, but my doc never told me there was a higher miscarriage rate. I personally tend to believe that poor egg/ sperm quality are sometimes responsible for either no fertilization (whether in the womb or in vitro) no/ bad implantation or early (like in the first week) miscarriage/ chemical. I only say this because the egg and sperm's mitochondria are responsible for giving the early embryo its fuel source, but that fuel source only lasts the first several days (sort of like bringing your lunch along) until implantation occurs, then the embryo starts to set up shop and get its energy from the lining, etc.

I think I'll let some of the other girls pipe in. While I really don't know, please remember that once the embie implants, by that point it's got the genetic material from both parents- it's a new being- it's not solely egg or sperm anymore, so it sort of takes on a life of it's own.

Once again, this is just my thought, while based on some things I've read- it's DEFINITELY NOT the science. I'd be interested to see what others have to say...

[sdeut]

I just had a m/c at 9 1/2 weeks and my RE said that this wouldn't be from high FSH. As Monty said early on like week 4 (right around impantation and a little after) could be from bad eggs but not by the time you had a m/c at least that is how I understood what the doctor said.

Also having 1 m/c doesn't increase your risk of m/c. I was told once I had 2/3 then I have an increase risk of m/c (there is different info out their one doctor told me 2 the other 3).

Good luck!

[VioletTee]

My RE said, once i got my (1 and only) BFP, that i was "just a regular pregnant lady", implying i was not at higher risk of m/c. But another one of the REs at my clinic (whom i had to see right after my CP since my RE wasn't there) said my CP was probably b/c of a "bad egg". I'm only 33, so that was very discouraging to hear.

Needless to say, i like MY RE better.

Wishing you the best w/ your new BFP!

[private]

Congrats on your pregnancy!!

I have an FSH of 18. Once I got my BFP, they did not say I had a higher chance of miscarriage. I think there are conflicting opinions regarding this, but I went to CCRM and no one told me this. They also said once you hear the heartbeat at 6 weeks the chance of miscarriage drops drastically.

[fantesia28]

First, I wanted to say congrats on your recent BFP! I hope your little snuggles in nice and tight!

I have the same issue as you, 34 years old, high fsh and diagnosed with low ovarian reserve. I have lost three pregnancies in the past 9 months. I have seen "three", yes three different RE's. All of my testing has come out okay with the exception of high FSH/low ovarian reserve. 2 of the 3 say that my chance of miscarriage is much higher not necessarily due to the high FSH, but due to having a low reserve. The first RE that I saw who I am confident knows his stuff (but I don't agree with everything), told me I only had a 1-5% chance of having a live baby. Talk about devistating. The 2nd RE (SIRM doctor) also said I have a higher liklihood of miscarriage, but that it was good that I could get pregnant which allows for more chances. He didn't give me a %. The 3rd RE didn't agree with #1 at all - said even menapausal women have a 6% of having a live baby. So who knows.

With that being said, from what I have read there are MANY women that still go on to have healthy sticky babies! So... none of us can give up hope on that. How high was your FSH out of curiousity? Mine was 39 at the highest level.

[enniroc]

My FSH (taken only once) was 22. I am also 34.

I am still pregnant since I last posted . In fact, was Beta HCG levels are VERY high, which is of course better than low , but also makes me worried...(molar pregnancy, multiple pregnancy?):
14 DPO: 544
17 DPO: 2198

They don't seem concerned about these numbers and I simply need to schedule my first u/s for 2 weeks for now (at 6.5 weeks). So I try not to worry. Will keep you posted.

[fantesia28]

Erin- This is wonderful news!! I wouldn't be worried about too high of levels... maybe you have two in there - kind of looks like that or a nice STRONG little bean! Good luck - keep us posted!

I am praying that I follow right behind you with a sticky bean!

Oh... I meant to ask you. What did they stimulate you with for your 2nd IUI? Just curious.

[enniroc]

Thanks Fantasia!

I just took 100mg of Clomid days 2-5. Multiples is definitely an option as for the first (failed) IUI, I had 2-3 mature follicles after taking the same amount of Clomid.
I guess we'll see in our 6.5 week u/s.

[enniroc]

Update: our 6.5 week u/s went very well. Strong heartbeat and perfect size. So while we are not off the woods yet, but things look good.