QuestionHello sir. First to answer your question I am writing from Fort Hood, TX. (I am origanlly from Gastonia,NC).
To give a little history before my question I am a 28y/o female. I have 2 healthy children ages 10 and 5 that my husband and I had no trouble conciveing. We convieved again in May of this year but the pregnacy ended up being a blighted ovum. I had to have a D&C because my body did not want to "let go" of the pregnancy. I was 10 weeks. The D&C was done on July 2nd. I bled off and on mildly until Aug 11th. At this time my gyn decided to put me on 50mg of Clomid. I took the Clomid from Aug13-Aug 17. I informed her we have never had trouble getting pregnant and that the miscariage was our first. She said it was safe to be on and just wanted to "insure" that we concieved. My husband is leaving for Iraq in early Nov. I had some very light spotting on Aug. 23 and again on the 28th and then again today. None of the times was the spotting even enough to have to worry about using any type of feminine products. I have taken HPTs and they have all came up negative. The most recent being today. (sept 8)
So my questions are: 1) Is it really safe for me to be on the Clomid if I have no problem concieving on my own?
2)Could I be pregnant and it just be too early to test?
3)Can the Clomid have caused the very light spotting and my period to be some what late? I know postpartum and post miscarriage cycles can be thrown off but mine always returned to normal like clock work after both of my children that were born.
4) When should I be really concerened and go see a dr.?
5) Should I continue seeing the same gyn that wants me on the Clomid or request to see a diff dr.?
We really do want to be pregnant before he leaves, but not at the risk of my health. I have had no period or prenancy symptoms as of yet other than the mild spotting. Sorry for such a long message but I figure too much info is better than not enough and playing email tag to get all the answers. I look forward to hearing from you and thank you in advance.
Amanda
AnswerHello Amanda from Texas,
Thanks for your questions. Let me take your questions one at a time:
1. Clomid is relatively safe but the biggest risk is that you could ovulate multiple eggs (two or more) and thereby end up with a multiple gestation (two or more). I'm not sure that I would recommend it in your case. It does nothing to increase your fertility other than increase the number of eggs ovulated since you already ovulate on your own.
2. Blood pregnancy tests are pretty sensitive, but it is unlikely.l
3. No this is not a side effect of Clomid. The biggest worry about starting so soon after a miscarriage is that your body probably has not reset from the pregnancy. Despite the D&C, it can take up to 6 weeks before your body will reset and you will have an ovulatory cycle. It is possible that the bleeding you are experiencing is dysfunctional bleeding because of the miscarriage. I know you want to become pregnant soon, but you have to wait for nature to take it's course.
4. You have to wait at least until you start having regular cycles again then see what happens.
5. I don't agree with your current doctor's treatment plan. I think that once your body gets back to its normal self, pregnancy will ensue on it's own. So, I'm a little leery about seeing this doc and continuing this plan. Fertility medications should only be used for that purpose.
One option you have since your husband is being deployed (give him my best wishes and prayers for a safe return#, is to have him bank his sperm at a sperm bank. You can then do IUI #insemination cycles) if you want while he is away to get pregnant.
I hope this helps,
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 facebook and twitter with me at @montereybayivf.
