ANA and Miscarriage

[mimcal]

Wondering if anyone else out there has come back with a high positive ANA on a blood test and been told they are likely to miscarry?? I've always had ANA come back positive on my blood tests but now the doctor says that my levels are really high and there is a high chance I will lose the baby. Just wondering how common this is and if anyone has gotten that result and still carried to term.

(If you haven't heard of ANA that's cause it's not a test they usually do in pregnancy and they wouldn't be likely to look into it unless you had it before you got pregnant.)

Thanks in advance for any replies.

[Rianna]

Hi Mimcal,
I had a low positive ANA result which was found after I miscarried twice last year. I posted a thread about it last year and got some really helpful responses.
http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?t=44651

The research around the contribution of positive ANAs and miscarriage is very inconclusive but I feel that it probably did contribute at least to my second miscarriage and as such I am taking a low dose of aspirin every day during this pregnancy (17 weeks so far- fingers crossed!) Please feel free to PM me if you need any more information or some support.

[mimcal]

Thanks so much for your reply Rianna. Was starting to think I was alone in this. That old thread you pointed me to was very helpful. The problem for me is that because it is my first pregnancy they are with-holding any treatment and want to take the old 'wait and see' approach to see whether i miscarry or not. But personally if I can avoid it or at least reduce the probability then I don't quite understand why they can't give me the treatment!!!!

Very frustrated....:banghead:

[Towie]

Hi Mimcal,

I like Rianna, also have ANAs in my blood. My results have varied between high and low (1/160 through to 1/2650). I had four miscarriages related to this, but as Rianna says they can't get a definitive link. They know ANAs can cause miscarriage but that's about it. Some people have ANAs and carry to term, others don't - it seems it is a very random antibody. I also took low dose aspirin during my pregnancy with my daughter (who is now 7 months) and I believe it was the only thing that kept the pregnancy going.

Do you have a private obstetrican or are you a public patient? It might be worth seeking a second opinion or ringing the Womens' hospital in your state. It must be very frustrating not taking action where there may be a risk. How far along are you?

I do know that there can be risks with self-medicating aspirin whilst pregnant if it's not required, so it's important that you only take aspirin if your doc recommends it. One of the risks is haemorage (which is why the aspirin should be stopped at 36 weeks).

Good luck with it, I really hope the pregnancy goes well.

Rianna, congrats on your pregnancy, 17 weeks is great! Well done - will keep my fingers crossed for you.