Anti-coagulation tests: ask for testing !!!

[Ecologic]

I thought I would share my experience with all of you ladies who have had unexplained miscarriages.

I am really mad because I discovered this week that I have a mutation that could explain at least 2 of my 3 miscarriages. The gene is: MTHFR and the mutation is: A1298C (I have 2 copies). This mutations make the blood coagulate less well and also you need to take a huge amount of folic acid (I am now taking 4g of folic acid). For my current pregnancy I took a baby aspirin on my own from the beginning of the pregnancy and that may have helped me not miscarry. I need to discuss with my high risk doctor if I should be switched to heparin.

After my 2nd miscarriage, I had some tests done, among them Factor V Leiden but not the MTHFR. Why? I'd like to know!!
Here is a list of tests that were done recently to look for potential coagulation problems:
- lupus anticoagulation reflex
- MTHFR
- antithrombin III, func/immunol
- factor V Leiden mutation
- anticardiolipinAb, IgG, Qn

Ask for these tests and don't hesitate to see a high risk pregnancy doctor: they're used to deal with us 'older' ladies!

[adgal]

I am so glad you have some answers, although I wish you hadn't had to go through what you did to get them.  Knowing what the problem is means you can receive the best possible medical care, and I have no doubt this little one will be just fine.  I know your scared, anybody would be in this situation, but hang in there hon, it will all be good, I just know it!!  (((hugs))

[Ecologic]

Ita: I think it's a good idea to be retested, whatever the results I think it's best to know if there can be a problem to be prepared for potential problems.

Waitn: I keep my fingers crossed that the heparin work for you! It's really at the beginning of a pregnancy that the heparin or aspirin is most needed, you're doing everything right!

[waitn838]

thank you for mentioning this...i had a mc at 18 weeks 3/4/08 and demanded answers from my doc...i was hospitalized for 10 days following the mc...need a D&E and almost hemmoraged to death....it didnt seem right....after lots of tests i finally came back positive for factor v ledien...

i got preg again 11/08 and mc in dec...too early to know what happened there....

i am now preg again EDD 9/29/10.....and scared very much...i have a team of doctors including a regular ob, high risk ob (at fetal medicane building) and my regular doc....the team has to watch the baby as well as me...i just start heparin yesterday and im staying hopeful that i do not have another loss....

its been a long road and a sad road....but as you mentioned ladies should demand testing for multiple mc's and if your doc wont do it...find one who will...best of luck to everybody

[ita17]

thanks for sharing, I'm sure your fine, sounds like you are/have been on top of things:)

I had a bunch of testing done 11 months ago, some I guess were done wrong, & I was supposed to redo them, & I never did.  I've mentioned this to both my OB, & RE & they seem to not be concerned, BUT I have been, I go to trigger tomorrow & I'm going to ask them.

[Ecologic]

I am 25 weeks, I was living my pregnancy very peacefully since the 1st ultrasound at 9 weeks but I have to say I am freaking out since I learned I have this coagulation problem!!

My ob-gyn acted as this was no big deal telling me that because of this mutation I have a higher risk of pre-term delivery but that's no big deal because at my age anyway I have a risk as well. Well that's a big deal to me!

I have made an appointment with the high risk group of doctors that also follow me (yes these doctors are really great!), but that won't be for at least a week and I may be out of town then so it could be longer before I see them. We'll discuss if I should be switched to heparin.

[TreeFrog7]

Thanks for the info!
~Wendy

[anxi]

I have both Factor V Leiden and MTHFR.  for this pregnancy I have been on Lovenox from the moment they saw a heartbeat about 5.5-6 weeks on which was a bit early for heartbeat if i remember correctly.  A baby aspirin from the beginning and of course the extra folic acid.  They did not switch me to heparin until recently .  Currently I am at 37 weeks and touch wood have not had any of the devastating complications of my previous pregnancies so far.   I do see a high risk maternal fetal medicine doctor and have been monitored very closely  They is a huge difference between the care you get from a high risk OB than from a regular OBGYN.  Of course there are some great OB's out there but my experiances  with them were not so great.
Good luck to you and here's hoping everything will go great for us all