So, It Turns Out I'm a Mutant!

I found out yesterday that I am a mutant. And it was actually good news... LOL!

A little background: I have experienced Pregnancy Induced Hypertention, Preeclampsia, and/or Eclampsia in all of my 5 births and I've also experienced repeat miscarriage. My last birth came very, very close to killing me and my baby [mostly due to idiot mismanagement by my OB team, but that's a long story....]

I've just gotten some news that has my head spinning.

I am active on the Preeclampsia Foundation Forums, and I found out there that in almost ALL cases of mothers who have Preeclampsia in subsequent pregnancies [it is very common in first pregnancies, very rare in subsequent pregnancies], there is an underlying disorder that causes it. After 5 pregnancies with PIH/PE, nobody had EVER tested me for these. I finally went in to my new doctor last month with a list I got from the PE forum and ASKED her to test for them. She did.

I just got my test results back. I have a genetic mutation called MTHFR. It causes problems with blood clotting, which causes both PE and miscarriages. The doctor felt this was definitely what has been going on with me. She is sending me to a hematologist because she thinks I need to be on blood thinners. She also feels other members of my family need to be tested for this mutation.

My brain is spinning out of control right now with so many emotions - relief that they finally looked and found what caused all these horrible pregnancies and what almost killed me this last time; anger that NOBODY bothered to look for this before *I* brought the list in from the PE forum - even when I had presented with PIH/PE pregnancy after pregnancy; and excitement that maybe they can treat this...

I think the possibility of treatment is what has me the most hopeful, anxious, and excited. If they can *treat* this, it may be possible for me to go on to have normal pregnancies! [Did I mention that I am *despising* total abstinence and finding it so difficult? :) ].

We wanted 6 children [at least] and I had TOTALLY given up on this possibility after what happened with my last birth [my children deserve a live mother]. But if there is this possibility of treating the problem... geez! That could change everything...