Antinuclear antibodies positive - advice please

[mariafresnel]

Hi everyone,

SOme of you may know me through bubhub where I've shared my baby stories.....our first, Sophia is our first and she is 15 months. We were in and out of hospital for the first 12 months with her - life was tough, but much better now. When Sophia was 7 months we fell pregnant with her brother Perri. Perri is no longer with us, due to some very misinformed test results, we terminated him due to genetical issues where they told us he was so abnormal he would not survive the pregnancy. We terminated his pregnancy when I was 5 months, this August. Life was sad, and especially more so when we found out that the test results were incorrect, and baby Perri was normal - pure devastation. 3 months afterwards, in October I fell pregnant again. This represented hope. Unfortunately, at 6.5 weeks, red blood and clots signified the end of this pregnancy and the hope of a new life.

After visiting two obs after this second life lost, I have had two independent opinions by two reputable GYN/OB. The first, a professor, said 'you've just had a whole bunch of bad lunch, I'm not going to run any tests, because it's normal for 50% of pregnancies to end in grief!'......( a man!)

The second, another reputable GYN/OB, (a woman), was very compassionate, has 3 children of her own, and agreed to run a whole bunch of tests. Reluctantly because you would ordinarily have these tests after two miscarriages, and technically I had only had one. I told her that I didn't want to loose another, as I feared that I would hate to live.

The tests revealed that everything was normal, except for my anticulear antibodies, which are positive. Antinuclear means that when there is virus or bacteria in your body it fights the invaders, instead the ANA in my red blood cells, (in my words) eat other good red blood cells. So when it comes to implantation, there is significant mistakes happening where my ANA affects the implantation by fighting the cells as they create the embryo and the placenta.

HERE's THE QUESTION - to anyone who has had or has ANA + and has tried to fall pregnant, and has had a successful pregnancy, did you take any medication?
Did you take low dose asprin? If so, did you take it prior to conceiving, or did you take it the first day taht you missed your period? Did you take any other prescribed medicatioN? If so, what was it? Was it for ANA+? when did you take it? Did you have your ANA tested every so often? Did it go down? Did you fall pregnant with ANA+ and was it a successful pregnancy? Was your baby ok?

Any advice, knowledge, real life personal experience would be so appreciated, as I've had conflicting advice, and I'd like some of my bubhub mates to help me out!

I'm really looking forward to your responses!
Maria

[stevesamantha]

I am ANA positive and have had 3 miscarriages (no pregnancies have been successful). I lose all around the 6 weeks mark - although the last pregnancy loss at 6 weeks didn't actually result in a miscarriage until weeks later, even though we'd been told the baby's heart had stopped "flickering" around 6 weeks. I still held onto the hope, but it wasn't to be.

I didn't take low dose aspirin and I feel guilty because maybe it would have made the difference.

I don't have any of the answers you seek, but I can say that NOT taking aspirin seems to be a big mistake.... I'll definitely be trying it next time, even though it makes me feel like ****. If no aspirin results in 3xMiscarriage, then maybe us ANA girls would be better off trying the aspirin (even though it's usually not recommended in a "normal person's" pregnancy).

Good luck for both of us in the future huh? It ain't easy being a girl.

[nicki_mara]

Hi Maria,

So sorry to hear of your losses. I have a medium positive ANA reading and am currently 32 weeks into my eighth pregnancy (which will hopefully result in our first baby).

I attended the Recurrent Miscarriage Clinic at the Royal Women's in Melbourne and this was where my positive reading was discovered. I was initially put on 100mg aspirin daily which I had to start taking BEFORE conception so that it was in my system. This however was not enough for me to sustain a pregnancy so this time I am taking the low-dose aspirin and also heparin which comes in the form of an injection. I take the aspirin in the morning and inject myself with heparin once a day at night. I started the heparin at around 6 weeks. I continue both the aspirin and heparin until 35 weeks into the pregnancy and then I can stop. I can't answer whether the baby will be ok but from the ultrasounds all looks good.

I hope this helps and if you have any questions just let me know.

Take care, Nicki :hugs:

[mariafresnel]

Hi there, (Sorry I don't know your name),

Well thanks for your email, albeit a sad topic - losing our babies. We've lost 5 (4 miscarriages and one still birth). We are incredibly grateful to have two live children on either side of all our angel babies, Sophia 4 and Sienna-Rose 1. It's with Sienna-Rose that I chose to do things differently. That's when I found out about ANA. I think the reality about the medicine is 'who' you speak with. One OB suggested Asprin (Carita?), and then when I told my OB through IVF (That's what I mean we even thought that 'more of the same will give us more of the same, so we had our last baby via IVF, which left minimal chance for loss, and maximum chance of 'getting the best of the best') she said that she had seen it many, many, many times before, and basically the ANA prompts our bodies to almost clot the placenta as it is creating itself, and therefore resulting in a non viable baby. So she scoffed at asprin, and once I was pregnant I had to inject myself every day for the first trimester with a blood thinning medicine called CLEXANE. It was managed, and only needed for the 1st Trimester, because that's when the placenta is forming itself. Didn't need it before falling pregnant either. The other things I did before falling pregnant this last time was see a fertility acupuncturist to help prepare my uterus for 'keeping the baby', and a naturopath to provide the best herbs and vitamins based on my blood work which told her my deficiencies. Also I took 5mg Folic Acid prior and during, as well as Iron. I also changed my diet and only ate organic food. Fool I know, but it's worth it.

So if you need any other information, let me know, I'd be more than happy to share any experiences and/or information/knowledge I have with you. I feel so much for you as I do really know how much it hurts to be so excited and after losing so many, you become so scared until you reach each milestone to see what will happen next. Please know that your pain and shear disappointment is raw and meaningful, it's part of your history and part of your journey - it's a horrible journey to get something you wish and want for so much, and after 3 years of losing babies, and holding our little boy in our arms, that was the fire in my belly I needed to say to myself, ' I need to find a doctor that wants this as much as me, and not treat me as another number, with another miscarriage'....and I found her, Devora Lieberman and Sydney IVF, who manages the IVF Miscarriage clinic. When I fell pregnant her clinic monitored my bloods every week for the first trimester to make sure the progesterone was increasing, and everything was fine, if it wasn't she would do something to make sure the baby would stick. She made the difference for us.

With love and sympathy for your losses,
Maria

[vernisse]

Dear Maria

It has been many years since you started this thread. I have been just diagnosed with Antinuclear Antibodies after multiple miscarriages and was googling the condition. Maybe you will still receive this message, if not, someone else might find it useful. I was especially moved by your tragic story of the misjudged diagnose of baby Perry. My pregnancy story started 2,5 years ago. Until the 26th week everything seemed to be going fine. Apart of all day morning sickness i felt great. But during the 5th month scan a fatal abnormality had been discovered in our baby boy - a severe case of hydrocephalus. We decided to terminate the pregnancy. This was a very emotional and sad experience. After this it seemed I could not fall pregnant again. However soon I discovered, that I do fall pregnant, but each time I miscarry at around 3rd week of pregnancy. The last miscarriage which happened 2 months ago was different though - I felt very positively pregnant. At 8th week of pregnancy I went for the first scan... but only to discover the little one had died at 6th week... This was a definite signal to finally get all possible tests done and soon after I found out I have an autoimmune disorder with Antinuclear Antibodies being too high (antinuclear antibody titre 320). I am still not too sure how this can be treated. I am googling the options. I know there are bigger clinics in Australia and US which treat this condition allowing a successful pregnancy. But I currently live in Malaysia and clinics tend to be smaller here and have less specialists. The doctor at the fertility clinic I had my tests done admitted he does not have the relevant experience.

Apart of the uncertainty how to treat the autoimmune condition in pregnancy, another question comes to my mind - WHERE DOES IT COME FROM??? Could it possibly be the body's reaction to a traumatic experience like loosing a baby? Obviously doctors will say 'no' but but clearly it is something I developed after the first pregnancy. And my gut feeling is that my problems do have emotional roots.

all the best to all of you guys!

v.

[mariafresnel]

Vernisse,

Thank you for writing. I'm sad for you, and all that you have had to go through to realise your dream of having a baby. Please, know that there are possibilities, and that with a lot of positiving thinking, the right medical team, and the right diagnosis, falling pregnant and going on to have a live healthy baby, may really be a dream that can happen.

As you know I experienced a medical tragedy mis diagnosis, then 4 miscarriages. I went to several obgyn before I used a three pronged approach.
1. Natural Fertility centre to help me get my body(inside) to be the best it could be to nurture a conception.This included getting the right vitamins and minerals (according to blood tests identifying my deficiencies), chinese herbs, acupuncture to help the blood flow through to the uterus. I had weekly acupuncture visits to ensure that my uterus blood flow was in top form.

2. I found a fertility expert at Sydney IVF to help me manage my pregnancy. There is a team at Sydney IVF dedicated to people who have miscarried. They know how to help people just before they conceive and immediately after for the first three months. In my case, I had to inject my self every night for the first trimester to get around the antinuclear antibodies. The problem with the ANA, is that it clots, and does not allow a placenta to form, thus resulting into a miscarriage. The drug I had to use was Clexane, it is used to thin the blood, so that the placenta had the best opportunity to form. My weekly visits to the IVF centre meant that they were taking bloods to check my HCG level, and that it was increasing, and that my Progesterone levels were also increasing. Both HCG and Prog, have to demonstrate an increase in order to manage a successful pregnancy. The benefit of weekly bloods was that in the event my progesterone was low, the doctor would prescribe an injection of progesterone (for some women a pessary which is inserted).

3. I found an obstetrician that was empathetic to my history, and I described myself as a 'high maintenance' client, and that I would need a lot of attention because of the losses, and that I wanted to know that someone was on my side. All in all, the combination of the above, allowed me the opportunity to provide for the best outcome. If Ihad not changed anything i.e. not go to IVF, not take vitamins, not take clexane, not do the acupuncture, I think that it would have resulted in my 5th miscarriage. So my thinking was 'more of the same, will give me more of the same, so something had to change to have a dramatic difference'.

As far as where ANA comes from, I don't know, but once you find out you can't change it, it's in your blood. My titre was about 420.
Vernisse, please let me know if you would be interested in anything further please let me know. Thinking of you, for a very bright and productive future.....dream of the possibilities, and let the possibilities, become your reality.xxxxx

[vernisse]

Thank you so much for your reply! It means so much to know I am not alone. When I first lost my baby, there was't many people around me with whom I could talk about it. How can you explain how it is to give a birth when you know that the baby is going to die. How can you explain the feeling of holding the miniature dead body in your arms, a miniature palm on your finger while saying hello and goodbye at the same time. My heart bleeds every time I think about your Baby Perri, because I can remember my own baby and you have been through so much more difficult times.


I read your message and previous posts very carefully. I took notes. I want to make informed decisions when finding and choosing my doctor. You are absolutely right, it must be a person who will care and who will be on my side. When will doctors realise how important the psyche is in treatment!? This applies to all disciplines, but ESPECIALLY to fertility treatment. In fact I read yesterday that in Japan and some European countries the first treatment which is offered to recurring miscarriage women/couples is counselling and therapy!


Yesterday I received a medical opinion from a reputable doctor in Poland (where I am from), that my antinuclear antibody values are not that high. He says that of course it can be treated medically. He still wants the kariotype results from my and my husband's blood. I will also look for acupuncturist and try to find a therapist, as well as research about the appropriate diet and herbs (maybe will look for a good Chinese doctor). In fact I am not very much into medication, but in this case I don't dare to take any risks and rather combine all possible ways. I still believe that the most important is the mindset, but I think I've already made a progress by taking actions and genuinely believing that I CAN BE PREGNANT AND HAVE A HEALTHY BABY :) Thank you soooo much for your support! I will keep you posted - all the best to you and your family :) xxxx

[nataliewattam]

hi vernisse ,
i am sorry for your losses but feel i can possibly give u some information , i was randomly searching on google about antinuclear antibodies as im considering a second pregnancy in the future ..
anyway im from the UK so not close to you but you say you are polish so this is not to far from here !! in 2009 i had a miscarridge then again another one and two more in 2010 i was seen by nhs ob/gyn expert who did all relevant tests and checked for adnormalities and was all normal , apart from being ana positive with a speckled pattern dont ask me the titre i aint got a clue !!! lol anyways he did not think this was the reason for miscarridge , i had my fourth miscarridge and thought enough is enough so i started doing some research and come across dr shehata a fabulous ob/gyn in london he runs the misscarridge clinic in london harley street , we booked to see him privately and after one look at my blood work he said he could help , we started his programme i had to take steriods (pred) baby aspirin and hormonal pesseries for the some vitamins before conception and for the first 12 weeks , and now i have a beautiful baby boy who is 6 months old , you may wonder why im telling you this well like you probably do spend hours trowling the net for women in your shoes reading the success stories , and wondering when it will be your turn , it will be one day i got there in the end , i hope i have helped give you some hope if u want more info im happy to chat over email or something ,,

dont give up

natalie xx:)

[felicita]

This is going to be a lesson about the immune system, since that's where ANAs come from.

The immune system is quite complicated and beautiful. It is made up of the WHITE blood cells. (Red blood cells have nothing to do with it.) There are many different types of white blood cells, each with their own specific roles to play.

For ANAs we need to know about B cells (and a little bit about some T cells).
B cells make antibodies.
One function of antibodies is to stick to nasty things like bacteria. Sticking antibodies onto a bacteria flags it as something that needs to be destroyed, and other parts of the immune system come along to do that.
Another function of antibodies is to physically get in the way, like a bumper bar on a dodgem car. Your antibodies to the tetanus toxin physically block the toxin from binding to nerve cells so that it can't do any damage before it gets cleaned away.

Every B cell makes an antibody to just one target. So the B cell that sees part of the tetanus toxin doesn't recognise anything else as its target. It doesn't recognise bacteria, viruses, or even a different part of the tetanus toxin. In order to make sure we can fight off many different targets, we need lots of B cells, each one able to recognise something different to the rest. Sometimes it's described as being like a lock and key. Every B cell has a different key and keeps trying to find its matching lock. By vaccinating we present the immune system with things we want it to recognise, the cells that are able to see the vaccine components (match the correct lock and key) multiply and mature into effective fighting cells, and cells that aren't able to see any vaccine components are unaware that anything has happened. So after a vaccine we now have lots of cells that can fight a particular disease if it ever comes along. An effective fighting B cell makes lots and lots of its antibody and dumps it into the bloodstream, or breastmilk, or intestines, or wherever else you've heard antibodies mentioned. Some B cells go your entire life without ever seeing their target, so they just quietly continue to wander around your blood and lymph system minding their own business and doing nothing.

The B cell keys are created randomly. They have the potential to recognise just about anything. This means our bodies need to use a couple of methods to prevent autoimmune diseases caused by having B cells that recognise parts of our own bodies.
The first method, is that immature B cells are given a little test to see if they react to your own body. If they do react they are supposed to die. Our bodies know that if they set this test too hard then all the B cells will fail and die, so the bar is set much lower. It's actually so low that quite a lot of B cells with keys that fit things in your own body are let loose. These are potentially autoreactive B cells, i.e. they have the potential to react to your own body.
So then a second method needs to make sure the autoreactive B cells don't start causing trouble when they match their key with the lock. Since the lock for the autoreactive cells is a part of your own body, it's only a matter of time until they find their match.

So if a B cell finds its target, it is not allowed to just go ahead and attack. It has to go to your spleen or to find a lymph node and ask another cell for permission to become armed. The cells which give B cells permission to fight are CD4 T cells. T cells live by the same sort of lock and key recognition system as B cells do, but the autoreactivity test for a CD4 T cell is much, much harder to pass.

Even though it's harder to become a CD4 T cell, some autoreactive cells still sometimes sneak through the system, and may then give a B cell permission to start attacking your own body. This can lead to autoimmune disease.

But there's another, more accidental way, for B cells to get permission to attack your body.
So, we've got a B cell that had matched its key with a lock, and so it heads off the the spleen or a lymph node for permission to become armed and fight (i.e. to make heaps and heaps of antibody). In the spleen or lymph node it doesn't find a correct T cell to give it permission, but it happens to be standing right next to a different B cell that is receiving fighting permission and overhears it and thinks it now has the OK to go and fight. This is called the bystander effect. The autoreactive B cell was being kept under control, but because you happened to have another infection happening at the same time (e.g. a common cold) that had B cells correctly seeking fighting permission, it overheard someone else's instructions as being permission for itself.

The antibodies made by B cells are referred to as anti-whatever antibodies. So anti-nuclear antibodies (ANAs) are antibodies against nuclei of cells (where the DNA is kept). Every cell (except red blood cells) has a nucleus, and so are potentially a target of the antibodies. Fortunately, under normal conditions, antibodies have a hard time getting inside cells to where the nuclei are, so don't cause much problems. When a cell is dying or damaged, it won't keep its "walls" intact properly, so then an antibody has a chance to get in and stick to the nucleus.

Having ANAs might indicate that your permission systems don't work properly, either because your B cells are too eager and don't wait for proper permission (e.g. as happens in lupus), or because your body sets the T cell test too easy. But it most likely to just be a one-off bystander effect accident.

Now remember back to the functions of antibodies, being to stick to nasties and label them for destruction. There are small chemicals in the body (complement proteins) that recognise when antibody has stuck to something and these chemicals then start causing inflammation, and recruiting other parts of the immune system to destroy the nasty. One of the effects of inflammation is the tendency for blood to clot.
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When the placenta (or chorionic villi) is first implanting into the uterus, as well as all the cell division and growth happening there will also be some cell death or destruction. This cell death can give the ANAs a chance to cause trouble. If they find a nucleus they will start causing inflammation. If they start causing inflammation there will be blood clots. A teeny-tiny new placenta is entirely for the extraction of goodies from mum's blood to give to bubs. If you start blocking the pipes with blood clots it's not going to work and bubs will die. The smaller the placenta (i.e. the earlier in the pregnancy) the more susceptible it is to the bad effects of clots. Once you've got a big healthy placenta it doesn't matter so much, because if you get a blood clot over there you can still use all the placenta over here to nourish bubs.

Treatment for autoimmune disorders that affect TTC include steroids and anti-inflammatories (like aspirin) to make it harder to start an immune response. This won't be as effective against antibodies, because the problem antibodies have already been made, they're just hanging around waiting to cause a problem (although they believe they're helping against the "nasty" nuclei).
So the next treatment is to make blood clots no problem. Heparin is a blood thinner, which means it helps to stop blood from clotting. Clexane and Fragmin are types of heparin with fewer side-effects than whole heparin. (Just like aspirin has fewer side effects than willow bark.)

[ibav]

Hi all,

:hugs:you all, nthanks for sharing.

Yes Im ANA positive! Had 3 miscarriages and now im pregnant again. No moreexcitement feeling after saw the 2 lines on urine test strip!!

Im staying in Singapore and I dont get proper advice from doctor in Woman'shospital. I just feel that they dont care about my condition or maybe they haveno experience. In fact, i have to ask them if they want to try Aspirin on meduring my 3rd pregnancy!

We did 3 round repeated blood tests incl miscarriage profile just to confirmthe ANA. And couple more blood tests to check if I have other problem.Basically my problem is just ANA, I don't know the reading, but they said itsborderline.

After the 3rd miscarriages I continue to see doctor at hospital, and they stilldidnt advise if i should take Aspirin, Heparin or prednisone prior toconception. I did asked them, but dont give confident answer. They just ask meto continue folic acid. I did went to private gyne, also no help... tell me to keep trying as she said my ANA is not that high.

I had clot blood discharge last week so I went to ER. They did ultrasound, cansee the pregnancy but unable to see the baby, it could be very early stage.They give me injection, ask me to take Aspirin and Duphaston for 2 weeks andgive me appointment to see gyne for another ultrasound on 1st week of June.

3 miscarriages already hard enuf, I dont want to face it again. :no:

Its safe to do acupuncture during 1st trimester? What are the other thing do ineed to do or is there any medicine or vitamin that i need to take to save thispregnancy?

Look forward to your reply.

Thank you.

IbaV

[vernisse]

Dear IbaV!

A couple of months ago I posted a message here regarding my ANA positive results (I had 320 titre and speckled pattern). Before taking the test I had about 4-5 very early miscarriages (at 6 week or earlier).

Soon after posting my message I got pregnant again and THANKS FOR THE ADVICE I FOUND HERE! - I was able to choose the medication together with my doctor in Malaysia. I am now 12 weeks pregnant and everything looks great, the baby is developing well! :) I take CLEXANE injections once a day (0.2ml), 100mg aspirin once a day, I also take Duphaston - just in case (and of course folic acid). I had weekly ultrasounds during the first trimester to monitor if everything was ok.

FIRST - I think it is very important that you find a good doctor in Singapore. There must be one, if Malaysia has them! If you want, I can ask my doctor Patrick Chia - he is a leading specialist in the country - if he can recommend any specialist in Singapore for you.

SECONDLY - I've experienced that the state of mind is very important when it comes to pregnancies and miscarriages. Support groups or cauncelling, and BELIEVING YOU CAN HAVE A HEALTHY BABY - is very important.

Big hugs!

[ibav]

Dear Vernisse,

Thank you so much for your reply, it mean a lot to me. And congratulations on your pregnancy!!

Dear, may I know do you take the medications prior to conception or once you are pregnant?

Yes please, if you could kindly ask your doctor for referral in Singapore. I urgently need a knowledgeable doctor to help me to make this pregnancy successful. Thank you. If he dont have contact in Singapore, do you mind to share with me your doctor's clinic address n contact. If i can't find the doctor in Singapore, I dont mind to travel to Malaysia n visit his clinic.

All my previous pregnancies I missed miscarriages between 6 - 11 weeks.

Thank you for your sharing... it give me hope.

Thank you very much. :hugs:




Dear IbaV!

A couple of months ago I posted a message here regarding my ANA positive results (I had 320 titre and speckled pattern). Before taking the test I had about 4-5 very early miscarriages (at 6 week or earlier).

Soon after posting my message I got pregnant again and THANKS FOR THE ADVICE I FOUND HERE! - I was able to choose the medication together with my doctor in Malaysia. I am now 12 weeks pregnant and everything looks great, the baby is developing well! :) I take CLEXANE injections once a day (0.2ml), 100mg aspirin once a day, I also take Duphaston - just in case (and of course folic acid). I had weekly ultrasounds during the first trimester to monitor if everything was ok.

FIRST - I think it is very important that you find a good doctor in Singapore. There must be one, if Malaysia has them! If you want, I can ask my doctor Patrick Chia - he is a leading specialist in the country - if he can recommend any specialist in Singapore for you.

SECONDLY - I've experienced that the state of mind is very important when it comes to pregnancies and miscarriages. Support groups or cauncelling, and BELIEVING YOU CAN HAVE A HEALTHY BABY - is very important.

Big hugs!

[stevesamantha]

Hi,

I posted back in August 2008. I'm really happy to say that finally, after 3 miscarriages, our 4th ANA pregnancy was successful! We have a beautiful 2 year old girl, and we're going to try for another baby to complete our family - fingers crossed (although we're so blessed by our daughter - she's more than enough to love if we can't have another baby). What I did differently in the 4th pregnancy is I took 100mg of Aspirin every day from conception until 32 weeks. I always lost my babies at 6 weeks, so it was important to be on the Aspirin just after I ovulated (Aspirin can inhibit ovulation, so take it after). Also I was on 5mg of Folate (a mega dose) but that's because I have a history of anecephaly (neural tube defect) in my family but I don't know if it helped me keep the pregnancy going. But they were the only 2 medications I was taking and we ended up with a full-term, very healthy baby. My message is: Do whatever it takes, Don't give up, It is worth the heartbreak in the end, If you don't like what your doctor is saying please change doctors.

Good luck with your journey, I know how devastating it can be but I promise it's worth it if you can just be brave "one more time" and don't give up.... there is light at the end of the tunnel even if you can't see it yet. To keep going shows a courage and strength beyond belief. I think only us couples who lose their babies truly know how deeply we have to dig to keep going. My friend is on her 7th pregnancy, and at 9 weeks it's the furthest she's ever been. She had given up but I said "No you don't!!" and here she is pregnant and healthy (although she's on antidepressants for all the losses she has suffered in the past). This time she's on Aspirin, which she'd never tried before. Please try it, ANA girls. It might just be what gets you over the line. My heart is with you. I hope to be reading your success stories in the near future.

[ibav]

Dear stevesamantha,

Thanks for sharing... awesome!

During my 3rd pregnancy, I have to open my mouth to ask for Aspirin... i started late, after 6 weeks! I can see baby's heartbeat for the 1st time at ard 8 weeks. Strong beat, everything look normal but i miscarriage at just before turning 12 weeks! Earlier pregnancy w/o Aspirin, 1st pregnancy doctor can see the heartbeat but it was weak, 2nd pregnancy we cant detact the heartbeat at all! I guess Aspirin helps if we start taking at right time.

Now my 4th pregnancy, I started taking at ard 4+weeks. Guess i started late again. The thing is that i dont get proper advise from the hospital. Irritating!

BTW stevesamantha, did your ANA reading change after you gave birth?

[stevesamantha]

Hi ibav,

They didn't test my ANA after the birth, although I have always wondered if it changed.

I started taking Aspirin at about 4 weeks and it worked, so you might find it works for you this time. Some ladies need to take Aspirin AND have a daily injection of blood thinners (I think it's called Heparin). The Aspirin I think gives you a 40% chance of the pregnancy working, and the Aspirin and Heparin together give you about a 54% chance. Please forgive me if those figures are incorrect, I haven't had time to double check them but I think that's right.

Taking the Heparin also is a bit more risky for you, because you could bleed a lot more in an emergency. So usually a doctor will try Aspirin first, and if that doesn't work, then with the next pregnancy they will try both medications together.

How many weeks pregnant are you now? I really, really hope this works for you this time. Also, how old are you if you don't mind me asking? I was 36 when my daughter was born and I'm 38 now trying for our next baby.

Good luck, I will watch this thread to see how you are going.

Samantha xo

[ibav]

Dear Samantha,

I went to see private gyne yesterday with all my medical report for his opinion on my case.

We did ultrasound saw the baby with the heart beat n can hear it too... OMG... I cried a lot in his clinic. Im always feel presure when come to ultrasound. From the ultrasound, can tell that Im at 7 weeks today!

Im 31yo. My ANA is 1:400 (weak positive), it consider low but can cause trouble to the pregnancy.

However this gyne gave me 2 jabs of steroids and asked me to stop the Aspirin for 3 days then resume back this Friday on alternate day. Sound so strange, I have no choice but to trust him. He also ask me to take 2 type of vitamin n continue the Duphaston. Going back to see him next week.

I still follow up with the hospital too... my previous pregnancy check-up, all the blood test n D&C done by them but till now they unable to give me proper advise on the treatment for my case. They kick me from 1 doctor to another. This Thursday im going to see them again!

Good luck on your TTC, are you taking aspirin earlier this round?

~IbaV~



Hi ibav,

They didn't test my ANA after the birth, although I have always wondered if it changed.

I started taking Aspirin at about 4 weeks and it worked, so you might find it works for you this time. Some ladies need to take Aspirin AND have a daily injection of blood thinners (I think it's called Heparin). The Aspirin I think gives you a 40% chance of the pregnancy working, and the Aspirin and Heparin together give you about a 54% chance. Please forgive me if those figures are incorrect, I haven't had time to double check them but I think that's right.

Taking the Heparin also is a bit more risky for you, because you could bleed a lot more in an emergency. So usually a doctor will try Aspirin first, and if that doesn't work, then with the next pregnancy they will try both medications together.

How many weeks pregnant are you now? I really, really hope this works for you this time. Also, how old are you if you don't mind me asking? I was 36 when my daughter was born and I'm 38 now trying for our next baby.

Good luck, I will watch this thread to see how you are going.

Samantha xo

[vernisse]

Dear Ibav!
Sorry I haven't replied to you immediately, I went for a weeks holiday. I hope all is going well, it is amazing news you could see the baby's heartbeat, it is a huge step! I took 100mg aspirin as soon as I suspected I was pregnant. I had the first scan at 5th week and continued with the aspirin as well as started the daily clexane injections. My doctor in Malaysia is Patrick Chia at FETAL MEDICINE & GYNAECOLOGY CENTRE, in Petaling Jaya in Kuala Lumpur - tel. +6-03-79563887, enquiries@fmgc.com.my

All the best! Stay positive!!!
p.s. I just got the blood test results and my antinuclear antibody count went down to normal! So it is something that can change and even go away!

[vernisse]

Hi Ibav

My doctor has recommended Dr Douglas Ong in Mount Elizabeth, who he says is an excellent obstetrician and a friend. His clinic number for appointments is 67338880. My doctor said he will take good care of you. I hope all is going well with you and the tiny one! Big hugs!

[vernisse]

Hi Samantha!
I am also 38 and now at 13 week of pregnancy. As I explained before on this thread, I have been diagnosed with ANA positive (titre 320, speckled pattern) just before this pregnancy. That's why I am now on clexane injections and 100 mg aspirin. But ANA can change! I just had another blood test at the first trimester check-up and the count of my antinuclear antibodies seems to be normal! So I would recommend for you to make a new tests for ANA if you are trying for another baby - it well may be that you don't have the problem anymore!
All the best!
weronika (vernisse)

[ibav]

Dear Ibav!
Sorry I haven't replied to you immediately, I went for a weeks holiday. I hope all is going well, it is amazing news you could see the baby's heartbeat, it is a huge step! I took 100mg aspirin as soon as I suspected I was pregnant. I had the first scan at 5th week and continued with the aspirin as well as started the daily clexane injections. My doctor in Malaysia is Patrick Chia at FETAL MEDICINE & GYNAECOLOGY CENTRE, in Petaling Jaya in Kuala Lumpur - tel. +6-03-79563887, enquiries@fmgc.com.my

All the best! Stay positive!!!
p.s. I just got the blood test results and my antinuclear antibody count went down to normal! So it is something that can change and even go away!



Dear Vernisse,

Thank you so much for the clinic information.

Great to know your ANA is now back to normal. How frequent do you need to do the blood test for this pregnancy. Since now your ANA is normal, do you still have to continue the daily injection and aspirin?

Im currently seeing 2 gyne. A team gyne from hospital and also a private gyne.
(Actually now I got myself confuse after both side advise on the medicine intake. eg hospital told me to take aspirin daily while private gyne after gave me 2 steriod injections then asked me to stop aspirin for 3 days and resume on alternate day.)

I requested from hospital to start me on Heparin/Cleaxane. So now I have started to inject myself every morning. Today is my 3rd day.

Last week I also took another round of ANA test at private gyne clinic. Later im going to see him for the result and ultrasound. I feel so presure when come to ultrasound.

[ibav]

Hi Ibav

My doctor has recommended Dr Douglas Ong in Mount Elizabeth, who he says is an excellent obstetrician and a friend. His clinic number for appointments is 67338880. My doctor said he will take good care of you. I hope all is going well with you and the tiny one! Big hugs!


Dear Vernisse,

So nice of you. Thank you very very much!
:hugs:



Ibav

[vernisse]

Hi Ibav!
My doctor recommended a new ANA test at the first trimester check-up. It is important to monitor it, because if the count is growing, a bigger dose of clexane/heparin might be needed. In my case everything seems to be ok, but I am still taking daily clexane injections, at least until my next visit which is in 2 weeks. The same with aspirin. I know what you feel when you go to the scan. It is nerve wracking. I have the same feelings. I lost my first pregnancy (2,5 years ago) at 25th week, when everything seemed to be developing perfectly. But during the ultrasound the doctor discovered a severe problems with our baby's brain... we lost our little boy. From now on I have ultrasound fobia. But don't worry, everything will be fine eventually!! :)




Dear Vernisse,

Thank you so much for the clinic information.

Great to know your ANA is now back to normal. How frequent do you need to do the blood test for this pregnancy. Since now your ANA is normal, do you still have to continue the daily injection and aspirin?

Im currently seeing 2 gyne. A team gyne from hospital and also a private gyne.
(Actually now I got myself confuse after both side advise on the medicine intake. eg hospital told me to take aspirin daily while private gyne after gave me 2 steriod injections then asked me to stop aspirin for 3 days and resume on alternate day.)

I requested from hospital to start me on Heparin/Cleaxane. So now I have started to inject myself every morning. Today is my 3rd day.

Last week I also took another round of ANA test at private gyne clinic. Later im going to see him for the result and ultrasound. I feel so presure when come to ultrasound.

[ibav]

Dear vernisse,

My ANA result also came back negative. Its the steroid that clear my ANA. My doctor says this ANA can come back, reading may change. Probably we will do the blood test every 3 months.

I closed my eyes during ultrasound. I only see the screen after heard the heartbeat =). Yesterday measure abt 8 weeks. Everything look fine, but doctor increase Duphaston to 3x a day.

Hope we all will have a successful pregnancy this round. =)




Hi Ibav!
My doctor recommended a new ANA test at the first trimester check-up. It is important to monitor it, because if the count is growing, a bigger dose of clexane/heparin might be needed. In my case everything seems to be ok, but I am still taking daily clexane injections, at least until my next visit which is in 2 weeks. The same with aspirin. I know what you feel when you go to the scan. It is nerve wracking. I have the same feelings. I lost my first pregnancy (2,5 years ago) at 25th week, when everything seemed to be developing perfectly. But during the ultrasound the doctor discovered a severe problems with our baby's brain... we lost our little boy. From now on I have ultrasound fobia. But don't worry, everything will be fine eventually!! :)

[vernisse]

Hi Ibav! That's fantastic news! I am so happy for you :) I am glad you found a caring doctor. Now you need to relax and enjoy your pregnancy! I hope you don't have too much morning sickness? Mine has gone away only recently araound 11th week. Big hugs!

[ibav]

Thanks vernisse :hugs:

Arggh... I think I can only feel relax once I reach 12 weeks! Now worry mode still on! Coz all my previous ended early, the latest was just before turning 12 weeks :(

My morning sickness is bearable but looks now it happens at night too.

Do you drink milk for pregnant mum? I got few sample from the clinic, wanted to try but worry of the milky taste.

BTW, how frequent is your appt with your gyne? Currently my private gyne ask to come weekly but he mentioned after next week maybe can come every 2 weeks, alternate week with my hospital check up.

You are now on 2nd trimester? more exciting right? ;)



Hi Ibav! That's fantastic news! I am so happy for you :) I am glad you found a caring doctor. Now you need to relax and enjoy your pregnancy! I hope you don't have too much morning sickness? Mine has gone away only recently araound 11th week. Big hugs!

[vernisse]

Hi Ibav! Take it one step at the time. The main thing is your antibodies are in check and will not cause the inflammation of placenta anymore, which leads to miscarriage by cutting off the blood supply to the baby. My morning sickness was all day every day. It was very uncomfortable, but it is a good sign. I don't take any milk, I don't believe in other supplements either (i did give up to the doctor and my husband on taking folic acid though :) instead I trust one should eat healthy food (eg. fresh uncooked green vegetables, leaves and herbs can be much better source of calcium than milk). My appointment with the doc used to be once a week to begin with, and then every second week. Yes, I am now in the beginning of 2nd trimester and my belly has started to grow :) Take good care of yourself! xo

[stevesamantha]

I've been away for a week, and I'm happy to come back to this great news! It sounds like everything is going well Ibav.

Vernisse it's so sad that you lost your baby at 25 weeks. I had an ultrasound phobia too, but I was very lucky I didn't lose any babies so late in the pregnancy. My brother's first child died at about 39 weeks gestation so although it hasn't happened to me I understand it's shocking and dreadful. I couldn't relax until my baby was a few days old, I was so convinced something bad would happen even after she was born. I was scared to love her on the day she was born in case my heart got broken.

Good luck for both of you, it sounds like it's going very well.

I am trying to get pregnant again as of yesterday, so hopefully I will be joining you soon with my pregnancy story. I have been taking 5mg (5000mcg) of folate daily and I will start aspirin the day I get a positive pregnancy test. I will ask my OB/GYN if I can get a new ANA test. Thanks for telling me it changed for you because I didn't think it was likely, but now I'll ask for the test.

Good luck, enjoy your pregnancies (and hope you don't keep feeling so sick). I look forward to checking this thread from time to time to see how you're both going.

[vernisse]

Good luck Samantha!
Yes, my ANA is totally GONE!!! Today I got the paperwork back from the lab and it says: Antinuclear activity not detected. Anti-nuclear Antibody titre<80 (4 month ago it was titre 320, speckled pattern, this was shortly after I had a miscarriage at about 6th week). All the best to everyone!

[Maxxinn]

Hi Vernisse,
Quick question about ANA, btw I found the thread very interesting and hepful! Many thanks everyone sharing!
I also haveANA plus unfortunately Thyroid Antibodies as well, both have been the reasonfor my previous miscarriages probably (I have been diagnosed only recently...)
Anyway, my question is: did your doctor have any hesitation re giving Clexane?My OB is against blood thinners and I am preparing myself now for abattle...gathering all posible info about ANA and clexane.
I am now 6 wks pregnant and I am desperate not to lose it!!!! as you can imagine...
If you could let me know what arguments did you use with your OB or if you knew about some research that would be great :wave:

PS I am also from Poland but living in UK :) pozdrowienia

[vernisse]

Czesc Maxxinn!! :)
My doctor didn't have any hesitations against blood thinners, he claims they are safe and harmless. In fact I was was more hesitant myself, especially that there are many blood thinners and anti-inflammatories readily available in nature (ginger, turmeric, pomegranate and many more). But I didn't have time to search for alternatives as I was already pregnant and did not want to take a slightest risk. It seems that OB/gyns around the world give women aspirin and clexane (or equivalent) to avoid an early miscarriage. Maybe you should talk to another doctor, if that is possible? All the best and stay in touch!

[Maxxinn]

Czesc Vernisse :wave:
Many thanks for the info! Yes, I have noticed on various forums that doctors prescribe that treatment but not sure why my OB and Endocrinologist both have said: you do not have symptoms to qualify for blood thinners and we would not recommend adding another medicine to your protocol.... Maybe because I am on thyroxine already.. not sure. But as my ANA are positive I feel I have to do something about it. On some forums I read about people who had regulated their thyroid (my case) but then had a later miscarriage because of antiphospholipid antibodies for instance. Good luck to you and keep in touch! :fingerscrossed:

[ibav]

Hello!!

Hope everyone is doing well...

So long didnt login here... kinda busy with work!

Im on 11 weeks n did ultrasound at private clinic yesterday. The image didnt look normal... i mean it look flat, i can't tell which is the head or body!! I didnt see the hand n leg too. The heart is still beating and baby grow double from 2 weeks ago! Doctor said everything look fine, he more concern to check the heart beat n the growing... He said if im worry, then next visit can do vaginal scan to see clearly!! hmm.. i dont know if its just me or doctor not telling me the truth :(. Since everything look fine, he now going to see me monthly.

Next Monday will be routine check-up at hospital. I hope can see the image more clearly. Im so worry!! :( And next Wednesday they going to run Down syndrome test on my baby. Its still so small i dont know how they gonna do it!

This is really not easy!

~ibaV~

[vernisse]

Dear ibav,
I really don't think you should panic. The ultrasound image is not always clear, everything depends on how the baby and your intestines are positioned that day. If the heartbeat is strong and the baby is growing then everything is looking good. There is no reason why a doctor would not tell you the truth. Maybe they should have made the vaginal straight away, if the belly examination was not clear enough. Well, you will have another scan next Monday anyway. Drink lots of water before the visit, so the ultrasound should be clearer against your full bladder. As to the down syndrome test they can assess the risk by measuring the baby's neck (ultrasound) and testing your blood. Keep calm and don't stress, it is not good for the baby! :)

[vernisse]

Dear Maxxinn!
Maybe your doctors don't want you to take too much medication. Do you know what is your ANA's titre and pattern? I still believe you can successfully thin your blood and prevent clots without medicines. You can also take 100 mg aspirin daily without a doctor's prescription. I really hope all the best for you and the little one! In my case I was safe once I got beyond the 6th week. Did you have many miscarriages before? At which week did you miscarry? v.

[ibav]

Dear Vernisse,

Thank you. Nice to hear from you.

Yup i shouldnt panic! I can't wait for Monday scan, hope hubby can come along this round! Hope everything will turn out well!

How are you? Are still continue the Clexane?

Im still continue all the medicine including Duphaston. After the negative ANA, they still ask me to continue with the 0.4ml Clexane daily.





Dear ibav,
I really don't think you should panic. The ultrasound image is not always clear, everything depends on how the baby and your intestines are positioned that day. If the heartbeat is strong and the baby is growing then everything is looking good. There is no reason why a doctor would not tell you the truth. Maybe they should have made the vaginal straight away, if the belly examination was not clear enough. Well, you will have another scan next Monday anyway. Drink lots of water before the visit, so the ultrasound should be clearer against your full bladder. As to the down syndrome test they can assess the risk by measuring the baby's neck (ultrasound) and testing your blood. Keep calm and don't stress, it is not good for the baby! :)

[vernisse]

Hi Ibav,
Yes, I still continue clexane injections 0,2 mg daily, as my doctor encouraged me to do so despite negative ANA. But I want to gradually get off it, by doing the injections every second day and then stop altogether. Fingers crossed for your Monday scan! I also have a visit on Monday!! - hope everything goes well!

[Maxxinn]

Hi Vernisse,
Sorry I am answering only now. I was away. My OB gave me Clexane in the end, 0,2ml. I started last wk. Re your questions, I had two miscarriages wk 10 & 5. Although knowing my own body I think I had more very early once. Unfortunately this time it does not look like good news either. I did a scan on Tue and was told that the baby was too small for wk 7 as CRL was only 4.6mm and heartbeat only 81. So basically they told me to prepare for another MC. I have found plenty of info about misdiagnosed MCs and how somehow embryos managed to grow at the end and people had healthy babies but not sure what to think. Quite sad, sorry to sound like that. I hope all is fine with you and all the best!


Dear Maxxinn!
Maybe your doctors don't want you to take too much medication. Do you know what is your ANA's titre and pattern? I still believe you can successfully thin your blood and prevent clots without medicines. You can also take 100 mg aspirin daily without a doctor's prescription. I really hope all the best for you and the little one! In my case I was safe once I got beyond the 6th week. Did you have many miscarriages before? At which week did you miscarry? v.

[vernisse]

Hi Maxxinn
I am sorry to hear the worrying news, but still hope for the positive outcome. Antibodies cause inflammation of the placenta so the blood flow to the baby is obstructed which stops it from growing... that's how I understand this process. That's why it is important to take anti-inflammatories and anticoagulants immediately after a positive pregnancy test but hopefully it is not too late and the baby starts growing and catching up. Please stay positive, big hugs, v.

[Dlouise87]

Hi everyone,
I guess a bit of background info to start off with would help.
5 years ago I lost a baby at 19+6wks. We found out at the morphology scan that the baby had died. After giving birth, one of the nurses did a whole heap of blood tests and it came back positive for ANA and also anti phospholipid syndrome, which causes my placenta to clot during pregnancy.
A year later i had a hard but successful twin pregnancy and was on aspirin and clexane from very early on in the pregnancy. The twins were born 6 weeks early due to small gestational size and the placenta had stopped working and the babies had stopped growing.
Fast forward to today- I'm currently 9weeks pregnant with a single baby and in aspirin daily. I've been referred to mater mothers hospital as a high risk patient but got declined as they didn't have the space. So now I'm stuck going to Redlands which my go isn't happy about at all. Despite it stating on my referral form that I have these conditions and the doctor stating I need to see an obstetrician ASAP Redlands still doesn't want to see me until I'm almost 17weeks pregnant. How do I know that the aspirin is enough until then? I don't think it will be and I have a horrible feeling about it all. If anyone has any advice that would be great. Thank you

[vernisse]

Hi Louise, what country do you live in? I suggest you go to a good private specialist clinique/doctor (sadly the public health system cannot be always relied on even in the most developed countries) You surely need to have the blood tests done to check the ANA and anti-phospholipid syndrome levels again. I also believe that clexane or heparin can hugely help to prevent blood clotting in placenta.

[Dlouise87]

Hi. I live in Australia. Brisbane to be exact.
I have had a successful twin pregnancy using clexane but just can't seem to get anyone to take me seriously on this pregnancy. I can't afford to see anyone privately and as this pregnancy was unplanned I didn't have the proper appointments before hand to make sure I was on all the right medications. I'm still waiting on an answer from my local hospital as to whether they can get me a much earlier apptment. I'm just afraid that the longer I wait the worse off its going to be for this baby in the long run.

[stevesamantha]

Hi Dlouise87. I don't know of anyone in Brisbane to help you. But while you're waiting on the public system to look after you, you could go to the pharmacy and get some Cartia tablets, which is 100mg of aspirin and costs about $4 for 28 tablets. Take one tablet per day at about the same time each day. Aspirin works as an anticoagulant (blood thinner) and can help in some pregnancies. If you've taken Clexane in the past then I am guessing you would need something like that again in the future - but I'm not a doctor so I'm only guessing that. I believe Clexane is a much "stronger" drug than aspirin, but aspirin might get you out of trouble while you're waiting for the medical system to get their act together and help you. The low dose is also known as "baby aspirin". It's 100mg in Australia, I think it's about 81mg in the USA, but basically it's a very low dose (which somehow works better on pregnancies than a higher dose, so don't be tempted to take more). I'm pretty sure you'd be safe to take that until you get in to see a doctor. Start taking it today if you can. I used it from the first day of my positive pregnancy test with my daughter (about 4 weeks pregnant), after losing 3 previous babies NOT using aspirin. I think it's a miracle drug. Take care, and good luck. Post again so I know how you're going, I'll be thinking of you :)

[peas sew]

:wave: Hello everyone..

Ive got just one of my tests back claiming im borderline positive for antinuclear antibody.. so after much searching on net (bad mistake) i found you guys and your thread. I also had a friend claim its inflammation of the uterus preventing any embroyo from planting itself in the lining, so basically my body is getting rid of each pregnancy :(
but this would explain why my 4 cycles of ivf havent worked in the past, 2 miscarriages that i know of.. but doesnt explain my one only pure miracle bub - which is now 5.5 years old worked.. (more and more i learn the more i learn he is pure miracle baby)

i see our FS in few weeks time, since i had a curette last week and lapscopy surgery done, periods arrived monday (this week) and still have clots (large) and lots of bleeding and pain.. kind of wondering if my curette worked??

so wondering - did you guys have clots with your periods?

but was so nice to read that the treatment asprin and clexane worked and you guys have pregnancies - happy news..

i hope that might be the case for us too?? and we too be on our way to extending our lil family.. thanx for posts guys :)

[vernisse]

HiPeas! The immune system and the antibodies are one big mystery for the medicine so far. For me a very small amount of aspirin and clexane during the first weeks of pregnancy worked. I had many early miscarriages before then. I am now in my 27th week of pregnancy and the baby is developing perfecly! I stopped taking both aspirin and clexane around the 20th week, after my blood tests proved my antinuclear antibodies had gone from title 320 to normal. I think reading online can be confusing, but in my case internet provided more information than any single or collective doctors could. I wouldn't know about clexane and aspirin if not for this thread. So all the best for you and remember that another effective medicine is to stay happy and to believe/know that you are perfectly capable of having healthy pregnancies!!! All the best!

[peas sew]

thanx vernisse - good to hear that clexane and aspirin worked for you :) and thanx for replying :) congrats for your pregnancy..

not sure what my count is, was just told i am borderline - what ever that means?

[lonelyplan]

Hi Natalie,

I love your sucess story. It's great to hear it.

I am also in London. I have PCOS and I lost my first baby at 5 weeks in Feb this year. One month after my miscarridge, I got my ANA test result: 1:640. It was high.

I want to keep positive but I am very hard to get pregnant as I only have 3 periods in one year. And I am 35 already.

The RE found my high ANA level advised me to take Clexane from day 1 till 36 weeks. But she was on leave for long time. So I turned NHS for help. However, same as your case, NHS doesn't think ANA was the cause for miscarridge.

It's great that I found your post. I will look for the private clinic for help. Thanks for giving me the hope.
here, I would like to ask a few more questions if it's ok for you:
1. how long the programme lasts? before conception till the delivery?
2. how oftern did you see the docor?
3. if you are ok, may I know roughly how much the cost was for the whole programme?

Many thanks in advance

Helen xx


hi vernisse ,
i am sorry for your losses but feel i can possibly give u some information , i was randomly searching on google about antinuclear antibodies as im considering a second pregnancy in the future ..
anyway im from the UK so not close to you but you say you are polish so this is not to far from here !! in 2009 i had a miscarridge then again another one and two more in 2010 i was seen by nhs ob/gyn expert who did all relevant tests and checked for adnormalities and was all normal , apart from being ana positive with a speckled pattern dont ask me the titre i aint got a clue !!! lol anyways he did not think this was the reason for miscarridge , i had my fourth miscarridge and thought enough is enough so i started doing some research and come across dr shehata a fabulous ob/gyn in london he runs the misscarridge clinic in london harley street , we booked to see him privately and after one look at my blood work he said he could help , we started his programme i had to take steriods (pred) baby aspirin and hormonal pesseries for the some vitamins before conception and for the first 12 weeks , and now i have a beautiful baby boy who is 6 months old , you may wonder why im telling you this well like you probably do spend hours trowling the net for women in your shoes reading the success stories , and wondering when it will be your turn , it will be one day i got there in the end , i hope i have helped give you some hope if u want more info im happy to chat over email or something ,,

dont give up

natalie xx:)

[Happy2be3]

I have high ANA but no other health issues (auto immune etc) except for Polycistic ovaries (not the syndrome, as I don't have enough of the symptoms). I have never miscarried to my knowledge and have had one successful healthy baby.

Good luck to all of you on this journey. It is something I had never heard (nor had doctors mentioned) that Ana can correlate to pregnancy etc etc

[ibav]

I’m glad that with Aspirin and Clexane I can reach thisfar. I’m now 32 weeks!! Hope this gonna be successful!

Look like both clinics not going to re-do any blood test on my ANA. They willjust ask me to continue both blood thinners until about time to give birth.

The private gyne did mentioned to consider induced / c-section at around 37weeks. While the hospital say they won’t consider induce / c-section unless ifthere any complication.

I’m actually thinking of natural / gentle birth. Or should I consider takingout the baby as soon we reach the safe zone e.g. 37 weeks? This baby is soprecious... this is the 1st time I can reach this far after 3 miscarriages.

[vernisse]

Hi Ibav!!
That's great you are already 32 weeks!! Everything is going to be fantastic! :)
I stopped my Clexane and Aspirin at 28th week. Now I am starting 39th week and our baby girl is going to jump out any time :) I am going for natural gentle birth with some great midwives. All the best, big hugs!!!

[ibav]

Hi Ibav!!
That's great you are already 32 weeks!! Everything is going to be fantastic! :)
I stopped my Clexane and Aspirin at 28th week. Now I am starting 39th week and our baby girl is going to jump out any time :) I am going for natural gentle birth with some great midwives. All the best, big hugs!!!

Hi Vernisse!

Awesome!! Wishing you a smooth delivery and a happy, healthy baby!

For my next appt I will try to ask to re-do my ANA blood test, if possible I also want to stop Aspirin & Clexane!

All the best to you n big hugs :hugs:

[munchkin859]

Hi All,

I know that this thread is quite old but thought I'd add to it.

We lost our little girl at 26 weeks on 21/11/12. Results of my blood tests came through and yesterday we found out that I had ANA of 120...which my OB said is not very much at all, in fact not enough to have been the only cause of our loss.

We are still awaiting post mortem results but it's nice to know that others that have been in this situation have been successful (or are on their way to having their baby).

Wishing you all the best for your pregnancies to go full term and be happy and healthy.

[ibav]

Without re-do ANA blood test, doctor advised me to stop both Aspirin & Clexane as off today at 37 weeks!!

From my understanding we have to clear from blood thinners at least 72hours before labor.

Since we dont know when baby decide to come out, I actually kinda worry to stop both blood thinner now. I have no more stock for Aspirin so I have to stop Aspirin as of today but I still inject myself with Clexane and I still have 10 more injections at home!! and seriously, im thinking to continue the injection until i feel labor pain *gulp*

If my ANA is negative ofcoz I will stop the blood thinner, but now I dont know if ANA is still there or not and if the reading increase or not.... haiz!!

Another thing, my HGB blood count is kinda low, 11-11.02

Worry!!

[munchkin859]

Without re-do ANA blood test, doctor advised me to stop both Aspirin & Clexane as off today at 37 weeks!!

From my understanding we have to clear from blood thinners at least 72hours before labor.

Since we dont know when baby decide to come out, I actually kinda worry to stop both blood thinner now. I have no more stock for Aspirin so I have to stop Aspirin as of today but I still inject myself with Clexane and I still have 10 more injections at home!! and seriously, im thinking to continue the injection until i feel labor pain *gulp*

If my ANA is negative ofcoz I will stop the blood thinner, but now I dont know if ANA is still there or not and if the reading increase or not.... haiz!!

Another thing, my HGB blood count is kinda low, 11-11.02

Worry!!

Why wont your doctor do another ANA test to check? I'd be demanding another test to check.

If you do have the baby anytime from now though, anytime from 37 weeks is classed as normal timing so I doubt there should be many problems, if any.

[ibav]

Why wont your doctor do another ANA test to check? I'd be demanding another test to check.

If you do have the baby anytime from now though, anytime from 37 weeks is classed as normal timing so I doubt there should be many problems, if any.

They just refused. They say no point doing it now as whatever the result is I will still have to stop both blood thinners as baby already reach full term. If im worry, they can schedule to induce or do C-set to take the baby out now!! I prefer to have natural birth. They say if I want to do another test for ANA maybe best to do it in 3-6month after giving birth!! :rolleyes:

[munchkin859]

That's unfair on you. I'm sorry that they aren't doing what you ask of them.... You're 38 weeks now... You must be getting super excited...
Wishing you the best of luck! I hope labour is not too bad for you!

[Woody1982]

Is there anyone here that was taking aspirin for ANAs and had to get a cervical stitch? Ill need a stitch at 13 weeks but I'm worried about bleeding while taking aspirin?

[munchkin859]

Is there anyone here that was taking aspirin for ANAs and had to get a cervical stitch? Ill need a stitch at 13 weeks but I'm worried about bleeding while taking aspirin?

Woody I'm no help but just wanted to say that the doctors surely wouldn't do it unless its safe...?

[Woody1982]

Woody I'm no help but just wanted to say that the doctors surely wouldn't do it unless its safe...?

Yeah I need to speak to my ob but I'm so stressed about it all- i don't believe I will make it to 13 weeks (only just got a positive hpt), I feel like I will jinx myself by making an appointment. I wish this could just be an exciting time :(

[munchkin859]

Yeah I need to speak to my ob but I'm so stressed about it all- i don't believe I will make it to 13 weeks (only just got a positive hpt), I feel like I will jinx myself by making an appointment. I wish this could just be an exciting time :(

Stay positive! Make that appointment as it'll be better to know your options sooner so you can make more informed decisions...

[Woody1982]

Stay positive! Make that appointment as it'll be better to know your options sooner so you can make more informed decisions...

Thank you. He's on holidays so will call me on Monday to answer my questions :)

[munchkin859]

Let us know how you go! Good luck!