Ian

The story of Ian is just as much about infertility as it is of thrombophilia. I first learned I had factor V Leiden (heterozygous) when I was 21 years old. I was tested after my mother was found to have FVL due to a history of phlebitis (which also affected her father). I was on birth control at the time, so my family physician recommended testing. Once I was found to be positive, I went off the pill. Through that experience, I learned that I didn't have monthly cycles on my own and probably wasn't ovulating.

After 3 years of marriage, my husband and I began trying to conceive. After a year without success, we started on Clomid. I was unresponsive to Clomid so we met with a reproductive endocrinologist to discuss next steps. For me, this included gonadotropin injections. Knowing as much as I did about FVL and hormones, I was very worried about using the shots, as I knew my estrogen levels would go sky high. Fortunately, I had already established care with a knowledgeable maternal-fetal medicine specialist, so I met with him and he agreed that I could consider using low-molecular weight heparins during my hormonal stimulation cycles. In the months that ensued, I was injecting myself a lot---with hormones and blood thinners! Unfortunately, we had 4 tries of shots with insemination and still no pregnancy!

We then elected to do in vitro fertilization. I had a good stimulation cycle and we implanted 3 good quality embryos! After weeks of nervous waiting we got the news that we were pregnant with one baby!!! I will never forget that first sonogram when we heard Ian's rapid heartbeat! I was so delighted to be pregnant after thinking it wouldn't be possible!

The pregnancy progressed pretty smoothly! I somehow survived the intramuscular progesterone shots (making LMWH look easy!). I was blissfully happy all through pregnancy and was even able to exercise until 30 weeks! Unfortunately at that time, they realized I was starting to dilate and have preterm labor (contractions) so I got put on bedrest.

5 1/2 weeks of bedrest was rough. I struggled to keep myself entertained, but did so thanks to the Internet and watching my belly move! But I still remember that during that time, I was sent a web link about a woman very similar to myself…29 years old, pregnant, healthy and on bedrest. The difference was that she had already delivered her baby by C-section, and on the way to see her daughter 2 days after the birth, she passed out in her wheelchair. They later found she had a PE, attributable to bedrest, surgery and (unrecognized) FVL. My heart ached for her family and husband. Here was this beautiful baby girl without a mother and a father left alone. Such a senseless death. That reminded me just how grateful I was to know I had FVL and could be treated. Who knows what could have happened had I gone through injections and bedrest, all without any anticoagulation.

Ian is a true blessing and I am grateful every day I get to wake up and look at him. He has brought more joy to my life than I could ever have imagined.

I am in touch with many women with thrombophilia who have traveled down what can be a difficult road to pregnancy. Many women are fortunate and have no problems-I wish that for everyone! But for those of you in whom there is a different plan, I hope that these stories can inspire you to keep hope and faith alive.

Best of luck and many blessings to each of you.