MTHFR

Lesley - posted on 03/05/2010

I have the same diagnosis. I did not find out until my 5th pregnancy. I had a stillbirth with my first daughter at 41 weeks (due to clots in the placenta) and then 3 sons who were very small at birth all around 5 lbs full term. It wasn't until I had to see a perinatologist because of my history and age (36) that they started to research why I had so many issues in my past. They started me on a regiment of Lovinox (cost $3k a month) for the rest of my pregnancy and a large amount of folic acid. I ended up having having my last girl at 32 weeks through an emergency c-section because of a clot in her umbilical cord. Anyway, what I was told is that this mutation in the gene causes clots in the placenta and prevents the baby from getting all of the nutrients it needs to thrive. This sometimes results in miscariages and small birth weights. I never understood why I ate very healthy during my pregnancies and gainedd 20 - 25 lbs and I had such small babies. It wasn't until I had this baby that I new the answer. Anyway, the blood thiner I was on has a large enough molecular weight that it cannot cross the placenta. I guess that is why I ended up with a clot in the umbilical cord. I have heard that some women are put on a baby aspirin a day for this disorder as well. I was told that I had to stay on the blood thiner or anti coagulant for 6 weeks after I gave birth so that I would not form blood clots since woman more prone to them after giving birth. I was also told that I would not be a candidate for hormone replacement therapy.

Melissa - posted on 03/05/2010

Oops... I forgot to say, that they believe this is why I miscarried. That because of the MTHFR, it had actually clotted off the placenta.

Melissa - posted on 03/05/2010

Hi! I was also found to have the same gene. I had a lot of problems conceiving my daughter (who is now 12 1/2), and when I finally did get prego with her, I began bleeding wround 6 weeks. This was just prior to having my first ultrasound. Because of the amount of blood I had passed and with the tissue (sorry if TMI), they believed that I had miscarried, however, when they did the ultrasound about a week later, there she was. They believe that Lauren was actually a twin, due to my numbers dropping. Anyway, I had pregnancy issues with her. Preterm labor starting at 25 weeks. I was able to hold out to just under 36 weeks!!! YAY! So fast forward several years.... I lost three babies in two years. I again got prego, but this time, had a different OB. She ran a lot more tests then I had, had before and found the MTHFR. She put me on extra folic acid and aspirin daily. At ten weeks, I started bleeding pretty bad, but my little man hung on!!! At 22 weeks my pressure went through the roof, began to swell and was diagnosed with severe Pre-E with superimposed hypertension. Hospitalized, meds, daily ultrasounds... you get the point, but I started to have problems with blood flow in the umbilical cord, he quit growing, my pressures were stupid insane... On the day that I made it to 27 weeks, I was found to be in HELLP syndrome. There was no more waiting. Pressures were now reversed in the umbilical cord and my pressures were not anywhere near being able to be controlled. They took him soon after that. I am no longer able to have children. In talking with my OB, the MTHFR played a part in my complications the night I had him. I know that other then the aspirin and folic acid, they can order more significant blood thinners, for example Lovenox. I actually had daily injections of it after I had him to help me. I clotted severly the night I had him to the point that I quit bleeding and it was pooling inside... MESSED UP is all I can say!!!