Hi

I have tested positive for low levels of cardiolipin IGG and low levels of Protein S. Still waiting for my specialist (high risk obstetrician) to contact me. She put me on low dose aspirin a week ago. I am 14.2 days pregnant. Am not sure if I will need to go on heparin.

I know all of these tests are to identify whether a person suffers from a clotting factor problem. There are various different mutations. The majority of them are inherited/genetic. It is quite a complex area and there is a lot of reading out there on the subject.

Our blood clots when we cut ourselves to due to many specialised proteins and amnio acids that work with each other. In Hemophillia people lack a clotting factor and therefore bleed too much.

With phoso/cardiolipid antibodies it means bascially mean that the blood may clot more easily than it should do and it can be aproblem in pregnancy as the developing embryo needs to be able to establish a good blood supply in the early days for implantation and subsequently requires good blood supply through the placenta for continued growth.

My PAPP-A blood test was very low which indicates potential placental growth restriction. It also put me at high risk for downs syndrome (1 in 5). We are waiting as long as we can to do an amnio due to fibroids putting me a greater risk.

My sister has positive phosopholipid antibodies and despite 8 "A" grade blastocyst transfers was not able to become pregnant.

Since finding out about my blood tests I have been researching medical journals and the literature out there appears to indicate that early detection of these syndromes and appropriate medication (ie aspirin, corticosteroids and/or heparin) can greatly reduce the chance of problems.

So maybe I will go on heparin shortly. If I need to then that is ok. I am just going with the flow.

Tucs