Christina

Christina was born in the stone age of thrombophilia. There was not a test for any forms in the 80's. My legs were swollen the whole pregnancy. Especially the last month. I had high blood pressure (which I normally don't have), but I played tennis until my 9th month when I couldn't see the ball anymore. I was in college so I went to classes and came home. My labor was only 4 hours. The quick labor is probably what saved both of us.

During delivery my blood pressure shot through the roof and I heard the intercom call for a doctor or something. I can't remember as I was knocked out by whatever drug the doc gave me. There was a lot of commotion in the room. I just thought it was normal for a delivery -since it was my first I had no idea what went on. I ended up in ICU for a few days and Christina was ready to go home without me. I was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia. After a week of drugs I was finally allowed to go home. Instead of taking care of a newborn I had to take care of both of us.

It took me eight years to get pregnant again (still in the stone age of thrombophilia -pre1994 when the test for FVL came out). I knew something wasn't right. I kept telling the doctor I didn't feel well. She just said each pregnancy is different. Being too young I didn't question it. Although looking back I don't even know if the protocol for LMWH was out then. The babie's umbilical cord had clotted and I ended up very sick in the hospital. After the D/C the explanation was never given to me (until much later).

After my stroke and I was told I had thrombophilia, it was suggest rather adamantly that I not get pregnant again as the pressure of a baby might make me stroke again. Since I had a couple years of rehab to get myself back to normal, the decision was made that I would not try again.

Christina is 27 now. We graduated from the same college and she lives in the Bay Area. She teaches art to middle school children.