Almost a year ago to the day, I suffered my second miscarriage in 8 months. Here is the back-story. Around February 2015, I found myself extremely stressed out and despite eating normally, I started gaining weight very rapidly. I had also stopped breastfeeding my oldest daughter around that time. After consulting my OBGYN and my primary care doctor, I was told that everything was normal. My thyroid was normal and my weight gain was probably due to the fact that I’d stopped breastfeeding. I even got an explanation about how some women burn more fat when breastfeeding and that my body was now gaining because I hadn’t adjusted my diet accordingly. Except, I had. After gaining 30 pounds, I gave up and just figured that maybe I was eating poorly.
My husband and I decided to start trying for our second child around August 2015. I went to my OBGYN and got the all clear. My next cycle was weird but I got a positive test the next month. Unfortunately at 5.5 weeks, I had a miscarriage. After going to my OBGYN she said what doctors say: this was likely a fluke, something was wrong with the fetus and it self aborted. We could try again after one cycle. I left her office devastated but thankful that I wasn’t further along. We continued to try but nothing happened until April. My husband had just turned 30 and we were so excited since the first time was a fluke and this one was our baby. Except it wasn’t. I had a miscarriage at 6 weeks exactly. I went to the ER knowing that they couldn’t do anything but searching for some sort of answer as to what was happening to me. I learned that my HCG level was normal for 6 weeks at 1089 and that I had a UTI with no symptoms. I left with a prescription and vowed that I would just focus on my health and worry about another kid later on. Except I got pregnant before I had my next period. Shocked. Scared. Worried. Excited. All emotions I felt when I got a positive test. I’d already had an appointment scheduled with a new OBGYN to discuss the recent miscarriage and now we would be having a different conversation. The appointment was rescheduled to a few days later. Scared and frustrated, I agreed to the change but I knew time was of the essence and I needed to see a doctor ASAP before miscarriage number 3 happened. When my appointment finally rolled around, I let it all out. I gave him a timeline of what happened and let him know my suspicions of a hormone issue after my google searching. To my surprise, he agreed and told me that he would test my progesterone levels along with my HCG levels. My HCG levels were fine, but my progesterone levels were low. After taking a progesterone supplement for several weeks, dealing with nausea the entire pregnancy, severe lower back and pelvic pain, 21 hours of labor failing to progress, and a c section, I was blessed to welcome my second baby girl. She was 9 pounds even and as healthy as she could be. I will forever be grateful for her. I named her (Chi)Zara which means God answered my prayers.
I write this post to encourage others to never stop asking questions. Too often we accept the answers and diagnosis from the doctor without question. It’s okay to want to understand and it’s okay to demand an explanation. Be your own advocate for your health and if something seems wrong or doesn’t make sense, get a second opinion. And a third. And a fourth if needed. Do research on your own and see if you can find anything that matches your situation. There is a lot of information on the internet and a good portion of it is complete crap however there is also a lot of helpful information available. When you do your research make sure the site is reputable and don’t take anything as bible.
I hoped sharing this helped someone who may be going through their own personal struggle. Whatever it may be.
PrimalMomLife 