Planning a Baby  Discussion Forum

Archie,

First of all, greetings of the season!

Just to recall, I am the one with the 17 week fetal demise in August. AFter a two month stay with my mother in India I am back and feeling very much recovered. I visited the peri. He said that my post-delivery workup was very extensive.

1) If you recall, my AFP test had very high levels of HCG and inhibin but the baby was fine chromosomally. Acc. to him the high levels could indicate that the placenta might not have functioned properly.

2) My protein S levels were very low during induction but back to normal 6 weeks postpartum. He said there was no need for blood thinners during the next pregnancy since the levels were normal postpartum (personally I would rather take the blood thinner if it can prevent a repeat). Acc. to him there are side effects of the blood thinners.

His recommendations:
1) Take a baby aspirin once I know I am pregnant
2) More ultrasounds in the next pregnancy. In the earlier pregnancy my first ultrasound was at week 17.
3) maybe some tests on the placenta to see if things are okay.

You've been such a support through my ordeal that I feel you should know all my updates! Is there anything you can recommend regarding the baby aspirin? Anything I should keep in mind as I start to TTC?

Thanks, Aarti Aarti replied. I really don't know how you get the time to patiently respond. Thanks a lot. I will keep you posted :) archie replied. Dear Aarti,
Thanks for the wishes and I here by reciprocate sentiments.

Aarti, you would not require to take blood thinner before you know you are pregnant. Taking baby aspirin would help that once you discover about pregnancy.

I would definitely recommend an ultrasound after you complete 7 weeks. If placenta is positioned well then no ultrasound until you come around 20 weeks, if placenta is low lying or some trouble repeat of ultrasound each 2 weeks until all is fine.

I don't think however placenta trouble would repeat in your case.

I would also want you to do one more blood test before getting prengant, thyroid levels.

hCG you should get reviewed at least two time soon after you know you are pregnant, space these two samples by 2 days so we know exact progress.

I like when one updates, helps analysing case in future. It's always good to update than raising concern directly, where in I think sometime best could not be offered. I am glad you are keeping all concerns at bay before getting in to it again.

Did you experience any addicted near by you or in environment you live. Say drug or nicotin addicted, smoker, these are bad factors for a pregnant women even if she isn't primary smoker or addicted one!

Keep relaxed and remember to eat folic acid from your luteal phase of the cycle you try to conceiv.

Good luck
Archie