Low Platelets anybody else had this?

[Linnet]

When I was at my dr on Monday for my check up (17 weeks 5 days at that point) she told she'd had a letter from the hospital saying that my platelets were low and she needed to do a blood test.

I had to phone for the results today and was told that I have to go back for another blood test in 4 weeks as I was still testing low. They said the reading was 103 incase anyone knows what that means. I thought they only worried if the reading was below 100 but please correct me if you know more about this.

anyway I'm not overly worried but just wondered if anybody else has had low platelets and how it was treated during pregnancy etc. she told me it was something to do with the clotting process but didn't go into to much detail. Anyone out there had experience of this please let me know

Thanks

[Santiago]

I had low platelets last pregnancy they dipped to about 127 but I was admitted to a birth centre with no problems and had a water birth with no intervention. Almost 6 years later I have same problem, but due to age - almost 42 - I have consultant who insists I go to the delivery suite and won't hear of a water birth as platelets are now 112 - opinions seem to differ as to the cut-off point and I feel he is being over-cautious especially as the birth centre is now one floor below the hospital delivery suite. Any advice?

[Linnet]

Whilst looking up info on low platelets last night on the internet I found a reference to how Vitamin K is good for Blood Clotting. So having had a look at the list of foods with Vitamin K in them I've decided to eat lots Broccoli, eggs and cheese just to see if that helps. So long as I don't go overboard it won't do any harm will it?

[mears]

It is not uncommon to have low platelets but the reason needs to be ascertained why they are low. The haematologist will check the bloods and advise the obstetrician. Platelets less than 80 can be a concern and depending what the cause is, they may need to be replaced at the time of delivery, especially if a caesarean needs to be done. Low platelets is not a reason for C/S delivery though. Shouldn't cause much of a problem Linnet.

[Jimjams]

No low platelets make no difference to c-section. I had a section first time round for failure to progress(after 18 hours of strong contractions not even 2 cm). Secnd time round it was a section as ds2's head was on the 98th centile. DS1's had been 95th centile and it was thought that he hadn't descended into the birth canal because of his head. C-section was seen as the safest option. Not sure it was the right choice 2nd time round, but still, he's here and he's well I guess.

They told me that its only when platelets get to below 20 that people usually have a potential bleeding problem. I don't know why they kept such a close eye really. It was weird. Anyway I swapped notes with people afterwards and I think I loast one of the smallest amounts of blood so they didn't affect me at all.

[2under2]

Linnet, I had this too in my 1st pregnancy (somewhere around 100 I think) - nobody seemed concerned really, just kept an eye on it. Dd was born the conventional way. I did have a pph, but that was due to my uterus not contracting rather than anything to do with clotting.

[Linnet]

Interesting Jimjams, thanks for that. I'm getting my 19 week scan next week and I was told that I get my copy of my notes when I'm 19 weeks. Will check to see if results are in there if not I'll ask someone.

Would Low platelets make me more likely to need a c-section? Or did you have the sections for reasons not specifically connected to your platelets?

[Jimjams]

I had it in both pregnancies. They did the same with me "oh we only worry if it goes below 100" then mine did and they said "oh we only worry if it goes below 50".

Basically platelets are involved in blood clotting. the normal figure is 150-300 (ish - can't remember exactly). They always drop during pregnancy as your blood becomes a bit more diluted. Ask what your booking in figure was- mine was 153- so I was only just in the normal range before getting pregnant. The consultant said I must just be very efficient at blood clotting.

My notew were referred onto a haematologist but he didn't want to see me, unless I went below 50 (I went down to 80). I saw the consultant at each antenatal check and was induced (partly because platelets were dropping and partly for a big baby) at 40 weeks. Ended up with an emergency section and lost hardly any blood. With ds2 platelets dropped again (but stayed above 100 I think) - again was seen by consultant regularly but no heamatologist referral this time. Elective section- next to no blood loss again.

Good luck! Ask waht your booking in reading wasif it was 150ish then its almost certainly normal for you.