Hypothyroidism, pregnancy and childbirth... Can anyone tell me why I am high risk?

[Beccadugs]

Evening ladies!

Google has failed me. I have found LOTS of info about the risks associated with an underactive thyroid and getting pregnant, and also the increased risk of miscarriage in early pregnancy. However, very little that I could find on second trimester onwards risks, and nothing about childbirth risks.

If this is the case, why am I consultant led, but not seeing a consultant until 24 weeks, and have already been told (11 weeks) that I will only be allowed to give birth in the consultant led unit. No chance of MLU...

Thanks if wise MNers!!

Evening.

I belive its because a lack of thyroxine can cause growth and development issues and baby may b affected by this or be born with thyroid issues.Thyroid is part of endocrine system, all hormone and growth regulating.

U might be watched more carefully, growth monitored, size of baby looked at etc. Consultant will do extra blood tests to check thyroud levels are ok as u may need even more thyroxine as mpregnancy progresses. I did. Dose adjusted and was fine.

I too am hypothyroid...infact my entire endocrine system is broken. But my DD was healthy tall and an 8lb 6oz baby delivered at 37 weeks so u'll b fine.

Consider it a watchful eye on u. More svans etc equals more chances to see and hear baby before they arrive!

Take care jjjx

I have hyperthyroidism (diagnosed after my 3rd mc) I am now 39+4 and have seen the endocrinologists and had bloods taken every 4 weeks to have my thyroid levels monitored.
I saw my consultant obstetrician at 21 weeks but bubs was fine no concerns so can have MLU birth although I still have a named consultant (unless I need inducing then it will be delivery suite).
As far as risks etc for me it seems meds can be passed through placenta and can cause thyroid issues to bubs but there should be no issues with childbirth. It may be different for hypothyroidism though. It may be worth a call to the consultants secretary or midwife to clarify your issues.
Good Luck

I was diagnosed as having an underactive thyroid in May. I found out four days later i was pregnant.

I was seen as an emergency by an endocrinologist & put on 150mcg of thyroxine. Im currently having blood tests done every 6-8 weeks.

From what I've been told once your levels are stable and low you actually have very little risks.

Im not having any extra scans. I will be passed to midwife led care at 20 weeks. The consultant said she was quite happy for me to use the MLU. This is my 6 th baby just to throw a bit more risk in!! i have two extra appointments with the endocrinologist at 20& 34 weeks.

As long as your levels are low, your med adjusted as necessary you are at no greater risk then anyone else.

Have you had your med adjusted or extra blood tests? if not request it asap. Untreated or badly managed thyroid conditions can have awful consequences for the mother & child.

Good luck.

Thyroid requirements can change in pregnancy so you should ideally have your levels checked once per trimester (more often if any dose changes are needed). Have they been checked at all since you have been pregnant? If not I'd make an appointment with your GP to ask about it.

I am also hypothyroid and was asked at my third trimester consultant appointment whether I wanted to deliver on the MLU or remain under consultant care. It's odd that they are insisting you deliver on the MLU as if your levels are stable and all is fine, your actual delivery should not be affected. Who has said there's no way you can delivery on the MLU? If an MLU birth is what you want, do ask the consultant when you see them at 24 weeks. I hope all goes smoothly for you.

I've had an underactive thyroid for 5 years and am currently 15+6 with DC1. At my booking-in appt my midwife told me i was considered high risk because of my thyroid. However, I saw the endocrinologist last week and he said "We need to monitor your levels every few months to make sure they're stable. However, other than that, you should consider this a perfectly normal pregnancy and ignore any scaremongering midwives who classify you as high risk because of your thyroid."

I think so long as you're taking your thyroxine and getting your bloods checked regularly, there's no issue. You may find they increase your dosage whilst you're pregnant, but that's fairly typical. I wouldn't worry about the 'high risk' thing - I think some medical staff have a tend to get paranoid....