Blood testing-to ascertain risk of blood clot whilst pregnant

[usandbump]

My mum had a stroke at the age of 33 and because of this I had an appointment to see the registrar.
Discussed stroke and family history of pre-eclampsia at this appointment and the registrar explained that she wasn't too worried and would refer me back to midwives to monitor every 4 weeks and then a bit more often towards the end. Came out of this appointment feeling reassured but then recieved a letter the next day saying after I had left the clinic the registrar had discussed me with the doctor and they had decided I should have blood tests carried out to find out if i am at risk of developing a blood clot during my pregnancy. I haven't been able to ask any questions because this has all been done by letter and I am now worrying a little.
Has anyone had these tests carried out? I don't get the results for 3 weeks. What happens if results prove I am at risk? Is there at treatment? Will results show if I am at risk generally or just in the next few months?
I'd be very grateful if anyone can share their experience/knowledge of this

I imagine (I'm no doctor) they will want to look at the thickness of your blood. It is quite straight forward - I understand that thick blood is more likely to clot and thinner. There are blood thinning drugs that can be taken if so. My Nan has regular tests as she has a clotting history. Hope this helps - try not to worry - best wishes xxx

more likely to clot than thinner blood - sorry typos!

I'm waiting for the results of these tests myself. I'm 30 weeks pregnant now and last month I had what they think is a "mini Stroke" but might have been a migraine (they cant tell them apart without a brain scan that they odnt like to do when you are pregnant). The tests are quite simple, just a variety of blood tests that focus on the clotting aspect of the blood. There are blood thinning drugs you can take whilst pregnant. The best thing about it all is that they will be keeping a good close eye on you in your pregnancy. You might receive slightly more regular scans (always lovely imo) to be sure that no clots are forming in the placenta and that the blood flow to the baby is top notch.

There are a few things you can do to cut your risk of a blood clot:-

1. never cross your legs when you sit down
2. drink lots of water and juices to keep blood hydrated
3. take a daily walk to keep blood flowing through your legs
4. elevate your legs when sitting or lying
5. keep an eye on any red lumps, hotness or veins in your legs and see a GP if you are concerned. (my friend has good blood but terrible varicose veins and she had support tights prescribed during her pregnancy to maintain the veinous flow to the heart).

Hope that helps. I'm sure the consultant will keep you well informed when you see him or her and the tests are just regular blood tests so painless. I hope it goes well for you and the results come back tickety boo for you.

I had the test after I had a dvt in my first pregnancy. They look at the blood to see if there is any tendency for blood clots to develop. If they find that there is, they will put you on blood thinning drugs through and after your pregnancy. The risks of a blood clot are higher when you're pregnant/flying/on the pill etc. Some people do have to take warfarin the whole time if they are found to be high risk.

thank you all for your help and advice, I have found it reassuring. Like you say there is medication I can take and I will be kept a close eye on if the results aren't good.
Had a terrible nights sleep last night and I think I had too much time to think so was a bit of a wreck this morning You have helped me put things into perspective x

Hi,I had blood clots in my lungs 6 years ago (nothing to do with pregnancy, never found out why.) I had to take warfarin for a few years as I had the clots more than once. Now, as a precaution, I take heparin at times of potential risk, pregnancy being an obvious one. Its one injection a day that I do myself thru pregnancy and for 6 wks after. (I didn't think I could d the injections, but you get used to it!) On my 2nd pregnancy now, let me know if you want to know anymore. Good luck x

I have secondary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, purely as a consequence of pregnancy (which only affects me while pregnant). It's an autoimmune disorder, covering a number of antibodies, primarily the lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibodies. It makes me extra clotty and was discovered because I had three early miscarriages. (It's apparently the biggest single cause of recurrent miscarriage in this country.) It can cause calcification of the placenta and puts sufferers at higher risk of pre-eclampia.

I took low dose aspirin from the moment of ovulation and low molecular weight heparin by self injection from six weeks pregnant until six weeks post-partum. DD was born in October, happy and healthy.

I don't know how pregnant you are. Or if the blood tests you've had are for antiphospholipid wotsits.

Autoimmune disorders tend to run in families, so I wonder if your family history of stroke and pre-eclampsia might be something to do with this?

It is possible to have primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, which is with you all the time and not just during pregnancy. It's also called Hughes syndrome. This is their website.

If this is what they've done tests for, I have loads of information on it (mainly accrued to stop my medicated pregnancy becoming over-medicalised - but that was purely my preference).

They found out I had sticky blood during my pregnancy with ds , they decided to test because my mum had had a DVT during her pregnancy with me, I had to take 75 mg of asprin throughout the pregnancy to thin my blood. Unfortunately they didnt test me with my first pregnancy but luckily that was fine but i had a mc in between probably due to this so wish they had thought to test me earlier.