low platelets/referral to hematology

ktjruss03

At my OB appointment today, the doctor mentioned that my platelets are quite low and have been dropping throughout this pregnancy.  He was concerned that the doctor I saw previously (there are 5 total in the practice) hadn't mentioned it yet.  He is sending me to a hematologist to make sure there isn't any underlying cause such as "ITP".  He said it shouldn't affect my pregnancy, but may in fact affect my delivery and what sort of anesthesia I can have.  I am wanting a RCS, but if my platelets drop too low, they will put me under general and not do a spinal.  I do NOT want that!  At this point both babies are transverse and have been for the last 8 weeks, so it's looking like a RCS is the way to go anyways.

Just wondering if any of you have experienced this with the low platelets, hematology?  

HattieDornbush

I had a low platelet count with my twins. My doctor said it was due to HELLP Syndrome. I ended up having an emergency csection at 36 weeks 4 days. Thankfully they were able to give me a platelet transfusion to raise my count enough to get the spinal, instead of being put under. Hope everything goes well for you.

ktjruss03

HattieDornbush:

I had a low platelet count with my twins. My doctor said it was due to HELLP Syndrome. I ended up having an emergency csection at 36 weeks 4 days. Thankfully they were able to give me a platelet transfusion to raise my count enough to get the spinal, instead of being put under. Hope everything goes well for you.

Did you have other sx of HELLP besides low platelets?  I had PIH with my first, and have been checked 3 times in the last 6 weeks due to wacky B/P and other sx.The only abnormal lab value has been the platelets.  I am hoping that I just have gestational thrombocytopenia and that there isn't another cause for concern!  Thanks for your response.  Glad you were able to make it that far and get a transfusion! 

palm513

I have a platelet horror story and looking back I would have rather had the general and a doctor concerned about my blood. Which was also caused from HELLP syndrome which I wasn't told I had until after I had the twins. But when I came out of surgery my platelet count was so low they were shocked I was able to sit up on my own. 

My doctor only checked my platelets three days before my scheduled Csection and didn't care that they were horribly low did the surgery, with a spinal. And I had a total of three transfusions before my blood was in a low acceptable level and I refused any more, cause as long as they were giving me blood I had to be in my room in my bed incase anything happened and the twins were in NICU because of TTN.