I’m a ‘high risk’ pregnancy and looking for information

[Flyylf]

Hey MN,

im 5 weeks pregnant (I’ve had two mc before and no children). I have stage 4 endo and bowel disease both of which are fine and hasn’t caused any issues with getting pregnant. Both issues are under control. I also have vitiligo which I didn’t realise was an issue to a pregnancy until the midwife pointed it out 🙄

After investigations the hospital found I have Antiphospholipid syndrome plus I am older at 41 (don’t feel it).

Due to my medical history the consultant said that it will be a doctor led pregnancy with additional tests and scans. I am also injecting myself with heparin.

I have my first appointment with the specialist and a scan in early Jan.

I just wondered if any other mums have experienced mainly Antiphospholipid syndrome whilst pregnant and if you got more scans and how many and how often?

it’s a total unknown until I go to my appointment. I am very positive and of the mind set what will be will be having gone through terrible anxiety with my second pregnancy/miscarriage i realise it’s out of my control.

however if anyone has had experience of being a high risk pregnancy have you got any insight into what I should expect?

thank you ❤️

Congrats OP x
I'm afraid I have no info on the antiphospholipid syndrome, but your age alone would be classed as high risk, not just your other medical problems. I saw my notes once and read 'geriatric pregnancy' 😬

I don't have any living children unfortunately, despite 12yrs TTC and multiple losses. If you find the heparin injections sting, you can buy a local anaesthetic cream called Emla which numbs the skin beforehand and really helps. Only a pea sized blob and leave sitting on the skin, or cover with a dressing for at least 30-60mins before wiping off before injecting.

Sorry if TMI, but if you did sadly loose this pregnancy, they should offer to do genetic testing on the pregnancy. They can't always find a cause for MC, but in my case, they could tell me the exact genetic issue which caused it. You can buy sterile jars from pharmacies to take the products to the EPU- but best to ring beforehand to check that have the facilities for genetic testing.

Sorry I can't help, but wishing you all the best and a hopeful bump for you x

Hi OP, congratulations on your pregnancy and wishing you all the best.

I am 42 and 26 weeks pregnant and also consultant led for age and a couple of other reasons- I was also high risk in my last pregnancy 4.5 years ago.

I don't have any information about your medical conditions or circumstances but my experience as consultant led last time was that I got some extra appointments with the consultant and I had an extra scan around 32 weeks. As it happens, I had some other issues in pregnancy later which ended up meaning more frequent monitoring, scans and appointments over and above what I was scheduled to have.

I think in each case, you have the initial consultants appointment then they make a personalised plan with you depending on your own circumstances. It can always change as time goes on depending on how the pregnancy is progressing.

Thank you so so
much for your replies, that is super helpful. I’m being given an early scan and then hopefully I’ll know a bit more of the plan.

i just hope there is some plan as I like to know what’s going on x

Good luck @sel2223 I know hearing the term geriatric is insane 😆
my midwife friend says that it’s now the norm to see lots of mums over the age of 40. And that even though we’re older it’s not an outlier

@JC03745 Thank you 🙏 the injections do sting so that’s really good to know. X

Congratulations OP. I have got anti phospholipid syndrome, diagnosed after multiple losses.

Advanced maternal age was the label given to me back in the day (37 at the time).

Were you diagnosed before you became pregnant/on the heparin before conception?

I had a high risk pregnancy at 41. Risk of rupturing womb so C-section needed. A few extra appointments, blood tests but not any extra scans. If anything, it was reassuring to have a consultant led pregnancy.
I wish you all the best. x

Thank you for sharing your experience. I agree, part of me feels reassured.
I know that I’ve got the support.