Sickle cell trait - Pregnancy/ miscarriage

[fstar321]

Hello,
Has anyone had any pregnancy/ miscarriage issues which could be linked to sickle cell traits ?

I’ve had multiple miscarriages from IVF and I’m trying to investigate if there could be a cause.

I have a sickle cell trait and recently found out there is a double chance of having blood clots than the standard population and I also can’t give blood anymore due to some sickle shaped blood which blocks the filters.

I know some people with sickle cell take blood thinners in pregnancy due to clotting risks and this can help reduce the chance of miscarriages as well.

I’ve asked the GP about this and they are clueless and I can’t find anyone who may have experience around sickle sell traits and the impact it can have on pregnancy.

Just looking to see if anyone has any knowledge or experience in this area.

Thank you

I was about to say how I disagreed with the post…. When I looked this up and surprisingly found this is true, we are more prone to blood clotting. I learnt something new today!

So sorry to hear about your losses, maybe it is worth sending an email to the Sickle Cell Society and ask them? Another idea would be to contact the hospital haematology team that contact you when you become pregnant and confirm that you have sickle cell. They might have more information about this and may suggest something to the doctors?

Would like to know about this myself, out of curiosity. I think there are other things that maybe we aren’t aware of as sickle cell carriers.

Good luck.

The Sickle Cell Society is useless.

Members of my family have a few blood disorders and the best way we found information is by connecting on the internet with people around the world. (Sorry can't remember specific forums but will ask.)

If your IVF is funded privately ask the doctors of it is worth taking a blood thinner or even low dose aspirin. They will look it up for you as they want a successful outcome. If they say 'yes' then get them to tell your GP to prescribe it.

Btw you can give blood but it would have to be at a regional centre that is permanently there all the time, and not at one of those mobile locations. Though if you are having IVF don't until you are done having children.

Hi OP,

I'm sorry to hear about your miscarriages.

Can I please clarify, do you mean 'Sickle cell trait' as in being a carrier so having inherited the gene from one parent?

When I was pregnant with my first dc, a routine blood test showed that I am a carrier (one parent os from the Mediterranean region). I was completely surprised to say the least, my parents tested and my dad turned out to also be a carrier.

I had several miscarriage when trying for dc2, most pf them in week 5 or 6. I was referred to the recurrent miscarriage clinic and given blood thinning medication for several weeks and delivered a health baby.

So maybe a blood thinning intervention could work for you, as well as taking progesterone in the first 8-12 weeks?

Not wanting to derail but what other health issues are linked with being a carrier? I just believed what the NHS website says, that being a carrier means that you don't suffer any issues.

I am now wondering if my recurrent MC were due to the SC trait?

Apologies for the silly typos.

I know couples who have had Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, and a quick Google with links to Greek Cypriot and Nigerian sources throws up you can have it for trait.

I have suffered with the worst heavy painful periods all my life unless I was on a birth control pill. I now wonder if there is any connection as I have had a few investigations and don't have endometriosis or PCO.

My dad (who we found out is a carrier too) has a sister who had a still birth and subsequently only one child. I don't know if she is a carrier but I'm now wondering.

OP, I hope you will get the necessary support with the recurrent MC.

My dd is also a carrier, so this is something I'd like to inform myself about.

Any links to studies or resources regarding being a carrier and associated health problems would be very helpful. I will also have a look around.

@SinceBefore sorry for your losses, but glad to hear you went on to have a successful pregnancy :) . Yes exactly, I inherited the gene from my dad. My blood donation ID has been 'blocked' so it seems I can't use it anymore.

When you went to the recurrent miscarriage clinic, did the results come back with any blood issues like APS? i've been tested for APS which came back negative.

My GP and fertility clinic haven't been helpful at all, I did however pay to speak to a recurrent miscarriage speacalist in London who prescribed me Clexane and Asprin to see if that could help.

Most of the studies i've come across are from America and i've read a lot that more studied need to be done.

However, here are a few links i've found useful:
https://bloodclot.org/how-does-sickle-cell-trait-affect-blood-clots/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6557623/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18364614/

If anyone is interested….

It is strange that people say we don’t have any extra health issues, but this has been disproven. For instance it says -

• Rarely, people with sickle cell trait can have similar symptoms as someone with sickle cell disease. This typically happens under extreme conditions, such as:
• Are at a very high height (altitude).
• Have low oxygen from extreme exercising. This could be something like military boot camp or training for an athletic event.
• Don’t have enough water in your body (severely dehydrated).
• Go deep sea or scuba diving.

That is why some sports athletes have been keeping their SC trait secret in America as they are more likely to suffer during training, and are less likely to get places or funding.

I was also told that during emergency surgery they have to give extra oxygen as a precaution during general anaesthetic.