My dad's DVT means I'm now "Medium Risk". Seriously?

[RunAndBeMum]

I had a normal healthy pregnancy and labour first time round. Now I'm pregnant again and was hoping for a home birth. But because my dad suffered a blood clot after a long haul flight I'm now medium risk, have to see a consultant and probably inject myself with drugs after birth.

I KNOW they are the medical professionals and I'm just an annoying pregnant woman querying their judgement, but seriously? Is this really necessary?

I am slim, fit and healthy with an active job and no health problems. Do I really need to waste NHS resources seeing a consultant?

And does anyone have experience of this? Do you think I will still get to have a home birth?

It does sound a bit OTT and I'd suggest trying to find out more yourself, do you have a helpful GP?

But at the end of the day, your and baby's safety is most important. My blood is sometimes a bit slow to clot, so I've had to have all 4 DC's in hospital - would have loved homebirth but after a bleeding problem with just one decided not worth it.

You're right though to query their judgement - your decision.

Can you speak to your MW? My Dad had a DVT between my pgs and although I mentioned it, I don't think it had any bearing on my risk status (although was having VBAC anyway so that increased my risk) and as far as I can recall there was no talk of any injections after the birth (I think you get them routinely if you have a CS mind you). HTH

My mum died of a blood clot on the lung, and the midwife did write to the consultant to check whether I would need to be seen- the letter came back with "No." written across the top.

I do know I had a range of blood tests done years ago, before going on the pill, to see whether there was any hereditary risk of blood clotting- might be worth talking to your doctor about.

Oh I haven't yet mentioned my Dad's DVT to my midwife, just didn't think about it! He had his after he was immobilised so I just didn't think it would be anything to affect me. I'll mention it when I see her though.

My mum has had two, and though they've done a thrombophilia screen on me this time round (nothing happened with DD pregnancy), registrar said there was no question of going on clexane or anything else unless screen was abnormal. I'd get a second opinion if I were you!

I injected from for 6 months. It's no drama once you get the hang of it. I had a Pulmonry Embolism. Forgive me if that is spelt wrong and believe me if there is even a slight risk.....you don't want one of those.

My mum had a DVT after my older sis was born so I was put as high risk and saw the consultant. He downgraded me.

My mum had a dvt when she was pregnant with me nothing was done on my first pregnancy at all. Then when pregnant with ds2 they did a blood test to see if I had sticky blood which I did so I was put on low dose aspirin and given support stockings after the birth. Same with ds2 and I had a home birth with him. I also saw a consultant twice with both pregnancies.

*ds1

I would think you need to find out more from your doctor - certain clotting disorders are hereditary and obviously if he has been diagnosed with one of those then its probably a very good idea to listen to the doctors advice..

But if your Dad's dvt was purely down to being immobilised on a long flight and there's no background medical reason - I don't see the point in worrying you about it as it wont have any bearing at all on your health ..

Sounds OTT but best to go to consultant appointment and hopefully he'll (be able to do tests or otherwise agree that you are not high risk after all.

Yes could be serious. I had my daughter perfectly normally but with my son developed a clot that ended up with me losing him at 24 weeks, not only did I lose him I nearly lost my life. The situation could have been very different if I had taken blood thinners earlier on in the pregnancy. Take it seriously and be thankful you are under the care of a consultant.

Agree Loubilou09

Agree with others that it is well worth seeing a consultant just to rule out the possibility that your Dad's DVT was caused by anything hereditary; this wouldn't necessarily affect how slim and fit and healthy you are feeling atm. Woman I knew thought she was in perfect good health until she lost two babies in succession. Turned out there was a hereditary problem that only turned into a problem in pregnancy.