Low platelets?

[bellainthemiddle]

Does anyone know anything about the issues of having a low platelet count in pregnancy? I'm 15 weeks and had a blood test last week which showed a very low platelet count (as well as anaemia and low WBC count). I've started iron tablets for the anaemia and apparently the WBC count is unlikely to be concerning, but my midwife was concerned about the platelets and wants me to repeat the blood test this week.

Does anyone know anything about this? I can sort of figure out why it might be an issue later in pregnancy, but I cannot find much info!

Thanks :)

I had this. I wanted to have a home birth and wasn't allowed due to the platelet count. This is due to the fact that there is a greater risk of haemorrhage. I had normal births, but in hospital. Everything was fine.

That's reassuring, thank you!

I had low platelets and iron levels in 3 of my 4 pregnancies. All were sections and not because of the platelet count and both my bosses at the time did not even raise an eyebrow when i told them my platelet count and the fact that the midwifes were worried, one boss was a surgeon, the other was an anesthetist.

This is all very reassuring! Do they have any idea what caused it, or does it just go back to normal after pregnancy?

I had a problem with platelets die to a childhood illness. Mine dropped below 100 while pregnant. I sort of expected it. I suspect for normal people they can drop also as I am sure I was told that generally they drop. Depending on how low you should get a delivery plan in place with a consultant to discuss things like ruling out forces delivery (asbaby may have low playlets as a result- my son did for a few days then his count was ok). My advice is asked to be under care of a consultant now

Sorry lots of typos above - on a train

Thanks - your situation sounds quite scary, I'm glad that everything went well! I'll hope mine might be improved when I have my blood test this week - but it's good to know that it's not a disaster if this isn't the case!

No it’s not a disaster at all. Just make sure there is awareness of it by everyone.

Really reassuring to know, thank you!

I had a nosebleed last night which was incredibly heavy and went on for about an hour! I do get a lot of nosebleeds, but I've never had one that wouldn't stop for so long! Could that be a platelets thing?

DP is away for work and I got a bit panicked by myself. I ALMOST went to A&E, but fortunately it stopped :)

My illness (ITP) meant that as a child I had no platelets at all. I brushed heavily abs was told I could get heavy nosebleeds but never did. If I bleed it took a little bit longer to stop but was never out of control. The big thing was to avoid being hit by anything due to risk of internal bleeding. I am not sure of what you cou t is but if close to 100 I would not worry and just enquire after some specialist care to ensure your are monitored and that there is a plan for the birth (so from memory mine was to avoid forceps and also I had a pre-meet with an anetiest to discuss the birth with low platelets so that approach was recorded for whomever was going to be with me at the birth). As it turns out I tore and bleed with the birth and so went to surgery fast and was stitched up. They didn’t muck around once I was bleeding I was taken to surgery very fast. There is no shame in seeking medical advice at anytime of anything worries you - even a nose bleed. It is better to get things checked out x

*bruised (typos again!)

Sorry to hijack this thread, what is considered low platelets? I got a letter to say mine were 231 but doesn't say if that's good/bad/average?

Under 150 is low but you wouldn't really worry majorly unless under 50

Mine were 95 last week, but I've just redone the blood test so we'll see if there's any change! I'm hoping it's just a weird anomaly and they'll go back to normal :)

Vika1985 don't feel you're hijacking the thread! I think 230ish is bang on in the middle range, so you should be absolutely fine!

Thanks! I just wasn't sure what the numbers meant. Sorry to those of you who are not well - how do they fix that?

Mine have been going down steadily during pregnancy, I'm having repeat bloods done every 4 weeks to keep an eye on them and have already met with a consultant who was not concerned, just said they wouldn't want to offer a home birth and if for any reason I need a c section it may affect they anaesthesia they can offer. Generally no one seems that worried though so I'm not overly concerned. Hope yours don't cause you any issues!

Unfortunately you can’t fix it (unless medicine has changed). I used to get blood transfusions but the effect was always temporary. Over time the problem tends to dissapear of its own accord - in my case it was my own immune system destroying them. One option was spleen removal. The upside is that I am a healthy mum now and it is all in the past for me. 95 is not horrific just drifted into a bit low. I hope your next results improve x

Thanks for sharing your experience, it's been really helpful for me! The blood test came back the same (a tiny bit lower) the second time, so I'm getting it redone again tomorrow and depending on that we'll apparently make a "plan of action". I'm feeling totally fine though, the only thing I've noticed is that I'm bruising quite a lot!