Any tips for coping with anxiety during high risk pregnancy?

[TaytoCrisp]

I am 40 and have one beautiful dd. We would love another child but have had two losses in the past year (at 23 wks and then at 14 wks). Tests have been inconclusive, outside of the fact that I have factor v Leiden (thrombophilia) which may have been linked with sudden bleeding in both miscarriages. I was on heparin and aspirin for my last pregnacy but it didn't work and our consultant said there was nothing new that would be offered were I to become pregnant again.

I am very fortunate in that conceiving has never been a problem for us and I'm now trying to decide if we should try one last time. Dh is keen, but also anxious and not sure how he could be supportive if I got pregnant again. I know that any future pregnancy would be very hard, as I would continuously be checking for sudden bleeding in second and third trimesters.. I have been to counselling following the second late mc which was helpful, and could go back there if I needed. However I'm wondering if anyone has any advice on managing anxiety in this type of situation - unfortunately the very thought of pregnancy makes me nervous right now but I feel its now or never so we either try one last time(and prepare for the journey) or accept our family as it is (and be thankful for what we have).

Thank you for reading. Any thoughts/suggestions would be very welcome.

RaRaZ - are you trying to make us more anxious? You are completely ignorant re anti-coagulants in pregnancy. There is a strong evidence base for their use.

No I'm not, Holeyghost. I'm not an expert, but because of my job, I'm not 'completely ignorant' - there are risks. I'm just curious as to why they were used, which the OP was kind enough to explain. I then suggested regular scans/accupuncture/counselling as a way of reassuring her through a high-risk pg. That was intended to be helpful - I don't see how it could've been taken any other way really.

OP, I've just come through a high-risk pregnancy, my "last chance saloon" baby DD is sleeping peacefully next door.

I had her at 41. My 1st pregnancy ended at 29 weeks due to severe PE & HELLP syndrome. DS survived (just) & had a long NICU stay & complications related to his prematurity.

After 2 different consultant opinions on future risk, we decided to TTC. I got pregnant & had a m/c, which was subsequently diagnosed as a molar pregnancy. Then another MMC at 11.5 weeks.

We decided to give it 1 last try. I was advised to take 75mg aspirin from BFP (in terms of PE risk).

I can't say it was easy. Psychologically, it was really tough. I took it a day at a time & couldn't see past a week or so, couldn't plan ahead. I really struggled. But I expected up, if that makes sense? I just accepted it was going to be crap.

I got to nearly 36 weeks this time. It was such a relief to have dd out safely & I could relax again. I will never do it again. I do not think I could cope.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Hi sorry for your losses. I have factor V Leiden and two other thrombophilia issues and was on heparin throughout my pregnancy. One mc and one beautiful ds and 7 yrs to get there. It is hard. And scans although nice are only as good for me as the day they are on.

Am ttc again but no joy which has its own anguish. It is hard. A good dp and some distraction is what for me through the anxiety. There was no magic cure. What I realised is people do get anxious, it was not just me.

Hi ladies, I had my first Consultant Clinic appointment today and hearing them all talking about me behind closed doors has made me worry more. I'm currently 13 weeks and all 4 scans I've had so far have all been fine and I heard the baby's heartbeat today. I've been referred to a Foetal Development Centre for all further assessments and scans, which I will be having every 4 weeks once I get to 24 weeks gestation. My Downs Syndrome testing has come back as very low risk so that's one less thing to worry about. I've had to have a shed load more bloods done today and my blood pressure and heart are are also high. The Consultant I saw today is going to write to my Cardiologist and ask him to review me again in terms of my pregnancy. I've got my appointment with my Epilepsy Nurse in 2 weeks to review how my drug levels are coping with the increased blood volume etc so I'm pretty anxious about that too. I'm trying to stay focused on all the positives though

Stay strong everyone x x x