QuestionThis is Carrie again in NY. I wrote last month about seeing a fertility specialist for repeated chemical pregnancies. The specialist felt I was more likely to have an antibody to HCG that was turning tests faint positive some months rather than chemical pregnancies. He refused to do labs to check specific hormone levels and clotting factors. He prescribed me Femara and wanted me to undergo IUI. We chose to skip IUI after your advice (and the fact that I feel I have been getting pregnant but not staying pregnant). Back in March, I started taking B6 because I thought it might be a short luteal phase causing my chemical pregnancies. I immediately got a faint positive, but it quickly reversed. In June I added aspirin 81 mg to my regimen in case I had a clotting disorder. Once again I had a fading positive (lab of 5 after the test started to fade). This cycle I continued to take the B6 and Aspirin, as well as Femara and guaifenesin and got a positive last Wednesday on 11 DPO. Labs that day were 10.2. I go back tomorrow for follow up labs. Tests are still dark and I am having some pregnancy symptoms. What I am wondering though is how long I should continue to take the ASA and B6 considering I started taking it without being told to and there is no proof that either are the reason I am currently pregnant. Would it hurt to continue them through the first trimester? Is there anything I should do to verify if taking them is warranted? I am thinking the Femara possibly adjusted my hormones just enough to make this pregnancy stick, but I don't know that I will ever know. I really thought it was a progesterone issue all along. Thank you for your previous advice regarding the specialist and the medications and for reassuring me that perhaps I do know best when it comes to my body and I should fight for what I believe. I wish I lived close enough to be treated at your office!
So is there harm in continuing the ASA and B6 or should I continue just in case they made the difference? Do the benefits outweigh the risks or at this point would it not make a difference. Thank you so much!
AnswerHello Carrie from the U.S. (New York),
I have my patients take the low dose aspirin until they are 10 weeks gestational age, but in patients with a history of miscarriages, I continue until 12 weeks gestational age. There is nor harm or potential harm. Hopefully this pregnancy is the real thing and will continue normally.
Good luck,
Dr. Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
for additional information check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com check me out on twitter with me at @montereybayivf and facebook @montereybayivf
