Multiple Miscarriages and APS
If you have suffered multiple miscarriages, especially in the first trimester, you may want to ask your doctor to do a blood test for antiphospholipid syndrome. This is an autoimmune disease that causes blood clots in the placenta, which reduces or cuts off blood flow to the fetus, resulting in fetal death. I know more about this condition than I would like to know: I have it, and I lost 3 babies because of it.
With APS, the body mistakes normal parts of blood or cells for foreign material, and produces antibodies against them. (Your body is basically attacking itself). These antibodies can cause infertility and miscarriages in women, (and in both men and women, heart attacks and strokes). This condition can be detected with a blood test, but it is not until after two, or sometimes even three miscarriages, that this condition is suspected.
Here are a few pertinent statistics from the APS Foundation of America:
- 10-25% of women with recurrent miscarriages have APS.
- APS is a major women's health issue: 75-90% of those affected by APS are women.
- 40-50% of patients with lupus also have APS.
APS is sometimes called "sticky blood", and while there is no cure, treatment involves blood thinners, such as Heparin, usually along with a low dose aspirin. After I was diagnosed with APS, I was put on Lovenox (a low molecular weight Heparin) for the next pregnancy. I had to give myself an injection in the belly every day for the duration of the pregnancy. I carried to 38 weeks, and I had a healthy baby boy. Women with APS have a 80% chance of a carrying a baby full term if they are on a anticoagulant therapy for the duration of the pregnancy.
If you are put on any blood-thinner (Heparin, Lovenox, etc), be sure to do the following:
Get a medical bracelet (you can order one at www.medicalert.org); keep a note in your purse and one taped to the dashboard of your car stating what blood thinner you are taking, along with the dosage. If you are in an accident, and you are bleeding, you will be bleeding A LOT. If you cannot speak, it will be very important that the people on the scene are aware that you are on blood-thinners, or you could bleed out, (um, yeah, bleed to death).
Categories: Overview
Support Groups: Antiphospholipid Syndrome, Infertility, Infertility, Secondary, Lupus, Miscarriage
6
thanks for the article. After much bloodwork the Doctor finally found that I have two copies of MTHFR and one copy of PAI-1 4G/5G. Both of which can be a cause for recurrent losses. I also find it disheartening that drs wait until 3 losses before doing basic tests but even after my fourth loss my RE didn't feel it wasn't necessary to do the more detailed testing. Its bloodwork so I'll never understand. For my next cycle ttc I will also start lovenox after ovulation.
By angelh721 July 17, 2008 10:03pm
5
your information and story have been helpful, Thanks so much for taking the time to share. good luck to you :-)
By Atypicaljayne July 13, 2008 9:02pm
4
My mom has APS; I was tested for it when I was pg for the 3rd time, after 2 m/c - 1 with a known cause and 1 w/o. I tested negative. . .my mom suggested that I could still develop APS with subsequent pregnancies. I have m/c again with no known cause but have not pursued APS since my neg test a few years ago. Should I be worried about this?
By wolfemom July 12, 2008 3:27am
3
Thank you for sharing this information. I am sorry for your loss. Our RE has me take a baby aspirin each cycle. I think it is to try and avoid this.
By Lioness816 July 11, 2008 11:24pm
2
Thank you so much for the article. I was diagnosed with APS not to long ago after suffering 3 miscarriages myself. I am fortunate to have a son, who is a miracle because this was before my diagnosis. I am now seeing a reproductive endo. who has me taking heparin from day 5 post ovulation until menses, just to make sure the medication is in my system if pregnancy occurs.
It's very sad to me that it had to take THREE miscarriages before my regular OB ran the proper tests... chances are they could have easily been avoided which is so sad to me.
Thanks for your article,
Stephanie in Texas
By stephwhit July 11, 2008 9:04pm
1
I have one almost six year old, and have had three miscarriages following her birth, and my RE started me on baby aspirin. I also have a double copy of the MTHFR gene. My mother also carries two copies of this gene, this did not however seem to affect her pregnancies as she has two children and never miscarried. Should I also be tested for APA and be on heparin as well?
By sweetpea68 July 10, 2008 7:18am