I am a 38 yo mother of 3 healthy boys conceived when I was 31, 33, 35. All 3 pregnancies were normal, uneventful. I passed on all optional procedures and used a midwife for delivery.

This year I conceived again and was due in January 2004 but miscarred in June. The preganancy was marked from the beginning by spotting, no pregnancy symptoms, a pregnancy test that reluctantly showed positive and heavy bleading which began in what should have been 8. 5 weeks. The ultrasound showed no heartbeat and the baby measured 7 wks. "implanted in the uterus." I had a D&C.

I conceived again in August. This time the pregnancy test was boldly positive, no spotting, but I experienced none of the pregnancy symptoms that I have normally had. At what I determined was 7.5 wks. I began to bleed heavily and went in. There was a heartbeat and the baby was "a viable pregnancy in the uterus." However, the measurements did not coincide with the dates. The baby measured 6.5 wks. I was scheduled to return a week later to measure growth, but the bleeding continued and 2 days later I returned to the office - no heartbeat and another D&C.

My doctor indicated that the rate of miscarriage does increase with age and that miscarriage is "nature's way" of treating an unhealthy baby.

I have never taken birth control and don't desire to. Conceiving does not seem to be a problem. I would welcome ...yes, celebrate more children. My reading leads me to believe that my hormone levels have not been sufficient for the two pregnancies. If this is accurate, will all future pregnancies end in miscarriage without homonal intervention?

I have an appointment with my Dr. on monday for a consult, so I can discuss future pregnancies. FRankly the Dr. is simply the physician that I had to have with the Midwife, so we don't have much of a relationship. I'm disappointed that my Dr. hasn't initiated any of this discussion in my appointments, but we'll see where we go with this on Monday.

I need feedback on all my musings.

Thank you.