Low platelet count making me nervous!

lke17

I'm 35 weeks and last week my platelet count was 83. As my due date nears I am becoming increasingly nervous as the number has consistently dropped since I was at 128 at 8 weeks pregnant. With still 5 weeks to go I'm afraid how much farther they will drop and I'm even more nervous about hemorrhaging after the birth and bleeding out. If anyone could give any insight on these low platelets and anything that will make me feel a little safer I would greatly appreciate it!

bellie1223

Sounds nerve-wracking! I would definitely be asking my doctor a million and one questions. Good luck to you!!

lmyrmo

If your platelets get too much lower, your provider may offer steroids to temporarily boost them up for delivery. They probably are thinking of medications to minimize postpartum bleeding. And you probably should be talking to anesthesia to discuss options. They can also offer transfusion if needed.

LauraK33

I have low platelets also. My dr has me working with a hemotologist and I have a meeting with an anesthesiologist next week. The options we've discussed are prednisone and/or platelet infusions. I'd ask to speak with a specialist, it's given me more peace of mind!

Froggie1986

So my sister went through this and found she had a rare condition called ITP she had to take steroids and also had to have c sections they told her it's a condition that goes away after pregnancy but for her it didn't hers got down to about 40 thousand and so the c section was safest it is possible to get them back up with steroids so if they give them to you definatly take them.

lke17

LauraK33 said:

I have low platelets also. My dr has me working with a hemotologist and I have a meeting with an anesthesiologist next week. The options we've discussed are prednisone and/or platelet infusions. I'd ask to speak with a specialist, it's given me more peace of mind!

Do you mean specialist such as a hematologist or something else? I should have mentioned I have been going to a hematologist since I was 8 weeks pregnant. I like the idea of talking to an anesthesiologist I'm going to get that set up thanks!

lke17

Froggie1986 said:

So my sister went through this and found she had a rare condition called ITP she had to take steroids and also had to have c sections they told her it's a condition that goes away after pregnancy but for her it didn't hers got down to about 40 thousand and so the c section was safest it is possible to get them back up with steroids so if they give them to you definatly take them.

I looked into ITP apparently my hematologist doesn't think I have it but I'm starting to wonder if I do and I just never knew before that I had low platelet counts. Why would a c section be better? I thought that would be more blood loss.

LauraK33

lke17 said:

Do you mean specialist such as a hematologist or something else? I should have mentioned I have been going to a hematologist since I was 8 weeks pregnant. I like the idea of talking to an anesthesiologist I'm going to get that set up thanks!

 

Sorry, spelled it wrong, but yes, a hematologist. It just makes me feel better to know all of my doctors are working together and will have a plan in place when it's time for delivery. Takes some of the pressure off of me if that makes sense.

drowe214

lmyrmo said:

If your platelets get too much lower, your provider may offer steroids to temporarily boost them up for delivery. They probably are thinking of medications to minimize postpartum bleeding. And you probably should be talking to anesthesia to discuss options. They can also offer transfusion if needed.

Basically all of this. A c-section is a good option if your platelets are under 80 bc most hospitals won't do an epidural under 80 so your only option would be an unmedicated vaginal birth. With my son, my platelets were 60 at 36weeks and they put me on prednisone to try to boost but a few days later I developed pre-eclampsia and needed a fully anesthetized c-section. I did have an anesthesia consult prior to knowing I needed a c-section and it was extremely helpful in preparing me for what my options are and what to expect.

So far this pregnancy my count has been stable in the 120's and we are just monitoring them closely. I'm just trying to stay focused on the present and not worry too much about delivery. I want to remain flexible and just make decisions as needed.

Froggie1986

lke17 said:

Froggie1986 said:

So my sister went through this and found she had a rare condition called ITP she had to take steroids and also had to have c sections they told her it's a condition that goes away after pregnancy but for her it didn't hers got down to about 40 thousand and so the c section was safest it is possible to get them back up with steroids so if they give them to you definatly take them.

I looked into ITP apparently my hematologist doesn't think I have it but I'm starting to wonder if I do and I just never knew before that I had low platelet counts. Why would a c section be better? I thought that would be more blood loss.

She didn't have low blood platelets til she became pregnant that's when she got diagnosed when she saw someone for the platelet count because it kept falling, she would have nose bleeds and brushing it took them forever to say she had itp as well. It was suppose to be curable after pregnancy but she found out hers is chronic not trying to scare you but she had her baby 3 years ago and she just had to have a platelet transfusion because Dr's herded her around so much definatly demand answers. A c section is better because you can't have an epidural and also because that way they can pull the placenta and everything out and not have to worry about how much you will bleed out vaginally they can go in get the baby out quicker and close you up and also have blood on stand by incase you need a transfusion.

lke17

I'm hoping to kind of start this up again now that I'm closer to my due date. Anyone that had to take prednisone before having the baby to help raise the platelets? How long after you started it did you have the baby? Was it induced so that the medication's affects didn't wear off?

Froggie1986

Prednisone is the steroid they put you on for the low platelets it works but u have to stay on it, but your platelets can drop again a few days after you go off it. Your Dr will take more blood and monitor you.

drowe214

drowe214 said:

lmyrmo said:

I

With my son, my platelets were 60 at 36weeks and they put me on prednisone to try to boost but a few days later I developed pre-eclampsia and needed a fully anesthetized c-section. I did have an anesthesia consult prior to knowing I needed a c-section and it was extremely helpful in preparing me for what my options are and what to expect.

This time they've been hovering around 120's but last week were down about 95k, so I am being monitored weekly. This week they were 100k. Because I had a previous c-section I can't be induced. We may try prednisone again if they drop below 80k.

Good luck!

MaeMae91

Can I ask you guys a question? Why were your platelets tested? Was there a specific symptom or was it just as a matter of course? My midwife hasn't tested mine, and I'm just curious

lke17

MaeMae91 said:

Can I ask you guys a question? Why were your platelets tested? Was there a specific symptom or was it just as a matter of course? My midwife hasn't tested mine, and I'm just curious

It was just part of a routine blood test for me and it was noticed very early on in my pregnancy so it continued to be monitored. We just discovered I've probably had it even before pregnancy, so I probably have ITP.

GoogleMD

MaeMae91 said:

Can I ask you guys a question? Why were your platelets tested? Was there a specific symptom or was it just as a matter of course? My midwife hasn't tested mine, and I'm just curious

Platelets are included in the CBC which you generally get in the first tri and again in the third tri. If your doctor hasn't mentioned them, then yours were likely within the normal range.

Pontot31

They usually test your platelets along with your glucose test in the 3rd tri.

drowe214

MaeMae91 said:

Can I ask you guys a question? Why were your platelets tested? Was there a specific symptom or was it just as a matter of course? My midwife hasn't tested mine, and I'm just curious

Yours were probably tested In your 1st trimester blood work but if there isn't a problem you won't know. Like pp's it's included in a routine CBC.

ooooner

MaeMae91 said:

Can I ask you guys a question? Why were your platelets tested? Was there a specific symptom or was it just as a matter of course? My midwife hasn't tested mine, and I'm just curious

I didn't know my platelet count was dropping until I came in for an NST at 37 weeks and was not feeling well, explained my symptoms and the doc ordered a blood draw to rule out "hidden pre-eclampsia" - the nurse called it. To state the obvious, if you are feeling strange or sick or just "not right" it's always a good idea to talk to your doctor and see what diagnostics can be done. I didn't ask for the blood test but I'm glad I mentioned how I was feeling so they ordered it.

drowe214

Good luck to all of the low platelet mommas! Found out yesterday that my platelets were at 95k and trending down. Can't be induced due to previous c-section so Dr scheduled me for today, since I am 37w4d and we want to avoid full anesthesia like last time.

jscasher

I was induced at 34w5d due to low platelets and high blood pressure. My number got down to 76 I believe. We ran baseline labs just to make sure everything was OK and that's how they found it!

tmandato123

My platlet count is abnormally high and my doctor hasn't said anything about it.