factor v leiden

[MarilynnRae]

I am about 7 weeks pregnant now. My mom was diagnosed with Factor V Leiden 2 months ago and i had to get tested for it since its genetic. My results came in two days ago and the tests say that i do have it. I read a little bit about it but dont quite understand what it is. Also, they said different things can trigger it like birth control pills, surgery, and so on..but pregnancy was one of the things that can trigger blood clots and you have 4 times the risk of something bad happening. Does anyone know anything about this? I am just worried i dont want to have complications. I have had a miscarriage before and now they say the miscarriage could have been from this blood disorder. Any advice?

[Glenda306]

Like you, I lost 2 babies (m/c at 10wk & 8 1/2 wks in 2003 & 2008) before I was dx with MTHFR and Factor V Leiden.  I had a healthy baby in 1998 and another in 2001.  My m/c in 2003 seemed to be a "fluke" and was probably a blighted ovum.  I had another healthy baby in 2004.  After my sister developed a blood clot in her lungs and I had my 2nd (unexplained this time) m/c, my OB tested me and found the disorders.  I am now on low-dose aspirin and TTC#4 (or #6 depending on how you look at it).  Hope everything is going well for you.

[mommy2amiracle]

i have lost 2 babies one in 2001 at 22 weeks and one in 2006 at 20 weeks and just with the last one i was diagnosed with factor 5, i will be taking heprin this time (i am 7 weeks pregnant) but the crazy unanswered question to me is in 2003 i delivered a healthy baby girl who is now 4 1/2 and did not know anything about this disease at that time, i was not aware until 2006 so i am unsure how 2 out of 3 of my babies have died but i have never had medication?!! i wish you luck and hope that all goes well. it is good that your mom was diagnosed and you found out early enouph.
it is probably the cause of your other miscariage. my last son was found to have passed away due to a blood clot in the placenta...caused by factor 5.

[lilcountriegal]

Well, Factor 5 Leiden will definitely make you a high risk pregnancy.  Unfortunately, many women with Factor 5 will miscarry due to clots in the placenta, umbilical cord, etc., HOWEVER, just as many will and do carry normal pregnancies.  It may have caused your previous miscarriage, however, at least now you are diagnosed and can be treated.

Treatment will most likely consist of a low dose anticoagulant, Lovenox/Heparin.  You need to be aware of many things with Factor 5, the most significnat of which is clotting.  Watch your legs for tenderness, swelling, pain that does not subside.  Any signs of  pulmonary embolism (shortness of breath with pain,
localized pain that does not subside, a 'bruised' feeling on deep inhale) you need to get checked out ASAP.  

You will most likely have to wear a stocking type thing on your legs when you are further along in your pregnancy that help prevent clots.  Also, try and stay active... any time the blood "sits still" is when clots will form.  

Google Factor 5 Leiden and pregnancy and you will come up with alot of information.  Just keep in mind that women can and do have normal pregnancies with this disease.

good luck!