SusanM

I suffered from an inability to become pregnant and spent years undergoing infertility treatments in order to have children. During my infertility testing I was found to have very high antiphospholipid antibodies (anticardiolipid IGg type--the ones most likely to cause problems). I also had a positive ANA. Lupus had been mentioned to me by my primary care doc, and I had some other tests, but the rest were negative. I did not have "classic" lupus symptoms like fever, joint pain etc. so for the time being the idea of lupus was dismissed, and I went about trying to get pregnant.

THese lab findings were actually found between child one and child two. During my second pregnancy I was treated with baby aspirin during my first trimester, and nothing else. I began to experience daily, around the clock contractions at about 5 1/2 months. I was not dialating so I declined meds to stop the contractions. I continued to experience the contractions, but had a full-term pregnancy.

When I initially found out about the antiphospholipid antibodies, I was told that doctors were cautious about prescribing the heparin because it can cause harm to the mother. A woman had been reported to have had a brain bleed while receiving heparin, and since I had not had any miscarriages it was not recommended.

I wanted to add that todate I have not been diagnosed with "clinical lupus", but I definately have an autoimmune problem. I had autoimmune thyroiditis following childbirth, and I suffer from multiple neuropathies (spelling?), and I recently tested positive for antineuronal antibodies. These antibodies are positive in CNS lupus, and I am being referred to specialists because of this. My mother and my sister have SLE. I suspect that I do too.

My advise is take the baby aspirin, and follow your doctors orders, I would at least want a consultation with a doctor who specializes in high-risk pregnancies, if not be followed by one. My sincere best wishes to you, Susan