Extremely Low Platelet Count??

[AwwABaby]

I'm currently 16+3 and I have a low platelet count. I had a low count before getting pregnant and I did not realise how dangerous it can be. I'm currently at 68 which is quite high for me I have been known to drop to 40 at times. I'm seeing a doctor at the hospital for the low count on a regular basis but he doesn't want to interfere with me whilst I'm pregnant unless I fall to a dangerous level 20 or lower I think. Nowmy midwife has sent me for a further set of hospital appointments as I may have to have a controlled birth as there may be complications. This is my first baby & I am terrified. Anyone in a similiar position?? I know its common in pregnancy but is anyone as low as me?? Or suffered from this before getting pregnant??

Sorry, just refreshing the thread..... Anyone?? :-).

Really hoping someone sees this and can relate? So far not so good!!!

Went to see specialist yesterday and was told that they will need to monitor me closer to the birth time.

They will have my blood on stand by, and are hoping that I do not have to have c-section as I will have to have a transfusion at the same time. If my count drops below 30 I will have to have a c-section for safety reasons anyway but they are hoping this won't happen.

Also I can't have an epidural if my count is below 80 which it is bound to be as I have never been higher than 68.

Would really love to chat with someone who is going through, been through or knows someone with this problem? :)

Hi. I didn't want to read and run. I don't really have much advice but wanted to offer some sympathy.

I was born with low/no platelets. So for the first few weeks of my life I nearly died due to my blood not clotting. My skin bruised if I was held even gently. Miraculously, by platelets just improved and now I'm fine. It was a huge worry during my first pregnancy (I'm pregnant with DC2 now) so I got platelet testing often. I was within normal range though. I was however given an injection during labour and nobody noticed but I bled all over the bed from the injection site. It didn't occur to me at the time but perhaps this was due to low platelets. So I'm going to be vigilant this time. Obviously if you have low platelets this is a huge concern for giving birth. But as you are being tested frequently and there is a plan in place (section and transfusion if very low) I think that you are in good hands. I won't say n

Sorry I'm only iPhone. I won't say not to worry, but just try to not worry too much. The medical staff know you're situation and will be capable of handling it. It doesn't matter how you give birth, so long as you and baby are healthy.

I can imagine the thought of a section and a transfusion sounds very scary and I'm sure I would be scared too. But as I said before, it's good that there is a plan in place.

Good luck. xxx

Hi ReadySteady,

Thanks so much for getting in touch, was feeling a tad lonely on here :).

That's awful your parents must have been terrified, sounds like you were a little miracle with the recovery you made, it's great that you haven't suffered as you were growing up.

I bruise easily even now, my major concern is that there's a 40% chance my baby could have it but doc said my hubby's blood is perfect so hoping his will have taken over (fingers crossed), although after your story even if baby does have it there's always a silver lining as doc's will know from early on and can treat it or the body will come back fighting.

Everything you said makes perfect sense even the doc said don't worry were here to keep you and baby safe, which was really nice of her, but it's just so daunting. I know I'm in good hands and I need to stay calm but I was bloody terrified enough about giving birth never mind about the added stress :(.

I've been told epidural will not be available for me, did you manage without for DC1? My reaction was HOLY SHIT, OMG!!!!!

I need to man up and focus on my little bump so can't wait to have her/him. Good luck with DC2, your a pro now so you should go drug free and let me know how you get on??? Lol :), thanks again xx

My platelet count wasn't as low as yours, it hovered around 115 for most of my pregnancy, but that was enough for the docs to want to take repeated blood tests and make worrying noises about what kind of birth I would or wouldn't be allowed to have.
In the end, it actually seemed to go up towards the end of my pregnancy to around 130, and I was able to deliver naturally (albeit with an epidural) . The best explanation anyone could give as to why platelets drop during pregnancy is that there is a big expansion of blood volume at the beginning, and platelet production doesn't necessarily keep up.
From my own birth experience, I would say that the whole thing is unpredicatable at best, and even if you had a high platelet count, something might happen during labour that would completely unravel all your birth plans. The only thing you can really do is be as informed about the situation as you can be, keep an open mind and trust your doctors. The fact that you are being so closely monitored is a good thing! And platelet counts seem to fluctuate from one week to the next, so you might get lucky and be at the high end of things by the time you get around to birth.

Hi AwwABaby,

It was a very worrying time for my parents especially as this was 30 odd years ago. I was given steroids and after a few days my platelets just kicked in. At least your doctors are aware.

I did have an epidural, but I didn't want one and the only reason I was coerced into it was I was in pain as they didn't give me gas and air early enough. So this time, I am demanding G & A early and am refusing an epidural (I didn't like having a tube in my back, I wasn't mobile, couldn't have a water birth, had to have a catheter etc.).

I can understand a first time labour is already daunting without this added pressure. But you're in good hands and will be in the best place. Good luck. I have my fingers crossed your baby inherits Daddy's blood.

P.s. I still bruise really easily!

Xxxxx

I had low platelets but I think my lowest reading was 68 and that was at 38+2. I had another blood test on the Thurs ( 38+5 ) and saw the Consultant on the Friday at 38+6. Luckily my platelets had gone back up to 117 so the Consultant said I was ok for the Birthing Suite as long as they stayed above 100. She also gave me a very thorough sweep and DC2 was born that evening. I had been advised to have a managed third stage due to the risk of bleeding (?) but DD was too quick and took the MW by surprise so she hadn't got the injection.

I didn't suffer from low platelets in my first pregnancy. Both births were straight forward, natural deliveries. I'd highly recommend the birthing pool if you can but not sure if you can opt for a more MW led birth if your platelets are too low? I managed on G&A both times. I had blood tests every 2wks. The bruises were interesting. My platelets went back to normal after giving birth.

I hope your platelets keep up.

Thank you for all the info, I'm really really hoping they go up to 90 towards the end and stay there, that way I can deliver naturally and have an epidural if I want one. It sounds very common in pregnancy and as my good old mum keeps telling me, I'm not the first per4son with this issue to have a baby and I won't be the last, bless her.

Thanks ladies, I feel a bit better. Wish me luck :) x