What to ask!

[Tnmagnet]

I have got my 1st appointment with the pre pregnancy planning clinic next Friday 22nd September. I am very excited yet overwhelmed.

After 3 miscarriages and one having to be a TOP due to not passing I am slight traumatised.

The midwife has called me a few times and sounds lovely, Rheumatology, haematology, OBGYN and Respiratory will all be present.

(SLE, antiphospholipid syndrome and a dodgy asthma )

My mind is a blur where do I start what do I ask.

I know about stopping my acenocoumarol and going onto Injections. And being a high risk pregnancy .

Any help or advice would be appreciated thank you x

[Tinkabell555]

Hey, sorry to hear about your very difficult time so far and understandably trauma you feel about continuing your maternity journey. I have SLE and antiphospohlipid and mild asthma too. I have had two complicated pregnancies but fortunately resulted in two beautiful children. I was under close obstetric care through out and took a range of meds and the blood thinning injections. I took asprin 150mg from the beginning which helped with some of the risks. Also have u been tested for anti rho and anti la antibodies? I have these too and they can have implications so I required a fetal echo scan too. I just want to reassure u it is possible with the right care and sending u best wishes.

I also work in maternal mental health services which are services to support with complex maternity journeys, loss, trauma etc so it sounds like they would be a good service to support your emotional well-being through this time - depending on your geography they are developing all over the country. If you would find that helpful why not ask if your local team know of these services in your area?

Happy to chat further if you have any questions about what my pregnancies needed etc and again lots of best wishes

[Tnmagnet in reply to Tinkabell555]

Thank you so much for you reply and sharing your experiences.

I am based in Birmingham but originally form London so have contacts there still. I will be under Birmingham Women's Hospital but cause I still do Bank at the Evelina Children's hospital will have all information shared with St Thomas’s Hospital.

My partner has a daughter and had a horrible birth and NICU time with her so MMH service would be a very good shout! As he still hasn't fully gotten over it even 8 years later,Thank you.

I am not sure I have been tested for anti Rho and anti La, so I will ask.

Unfortunately I am allergic to Asprin so will have to be heprin based injections.

So to ask.

Baseline bloods

Bloods including anti la and anti rho

MMH services

Thank you x

[Tinkabell555 in reply to Tnmagnet]

Aw no problem at all, sorry to hear about your partners difficult experience too! Our son was born 5 weeks early and needed nicu support for a week but although difficult wasn’t too bad, the staff were great and we came out the other side relatively unscathed, just to offer a different perspective that it isn’t always a really awful experience if your baby needs some medical help when born! Best of luck and if u need any moral support along the way drop me a message!

[Tnmagnet in reply to Tinkabell555]

Thank you. I am a senior sister in paediatric A&E and did 10 months on nicu as a baby nurse so obviously I go to the worst place but also have trust in the teams. I really appreciate the support

[Tinkabell555]

That’s a great but tough job I admire you! of course I’m the same I think working in healthcare sometimes gives us too much info doesnt it n we see the negative skew of things going wrong. Best of luck with your consultation