the details

I wanted to take a minute to share all the details of our pregnancy for those that are praying for us.  We've seen numerous specialists and the consensus seems to be that they don't believe our miscarriages are connected to Gabriel's passing, but since we don't have any exact reasons why we've lost any of our babies there is still that possibility.

After our miscarriage in January I started developing some strange symptoms (chest pain, heart palpitations, joint pain, rash etc.).  After several months of numerous specialists I was diagnosed with Lupus.  After my diagnosis made by my rheumatologist based off of a skin biopsy, I was sent to a specialist at Duke.  She is also a rheumatologist, but specializes in pregnancy.  She felt that my Lupus was not systemic and only tumid Lupus of the skin (which would leave all of my other symptoms unexplained) and that the Lupus was not responsible for our losses.  We were so hoping for some clear answers, but left with more unknown.  There is a blood clotting disorder called APS which is also an autoimmune disease and is strongly connected to Lupus.  I was tested twice for APS and both times it was negative, but because Gabriel's profile fits APS cases they are going to treat me for APS and test me again while pregnant.  There are cases of women that only test positive while pregnant.

The following are the recommendations of our RE (Reproductive Endocrinologist), MFS (Maternal Fetal Specialist), and Duke specialist.

-In May I began Plaquenil which is a medicine to help keep the Lupus flares at bay.  It takes several months for Plaquenil to build up in your system so now that I've been on it for 6 months it should be working at full capacity.  Plaquenil is safe in pregnancy and if pregnancy is inducing flares it should help control them.

-I also began a baby aspirin regimen in May for the treatment of APS.  This is in addition to the blood thinner (heparin shots) that I will begin once my pregnancy is confirmed to be progressing by my bloodwork.  More on that in a minute.

-I also began a progesterone supplement two weeks ago and will likely stay on this for the first trimester.

-This is all in addition to my prenatal, dha and vitamin D supplements.

Currently I am under the care of my RE and will be there until after our first ultrasound.  If we have a successful first ultrasound we will be released to my OB, but will be monitored by our MFS.  I would also see the Duke Specialist and Nephrologist once a trimester.

Right now the RE wants to see an appropriate rise in HCG (pregnancy hormone).  I had blood work done on Wednesday and the results were 12.6 which seems low, but it was the same morning as my first barely visible pregnancy test so it is in the normal range.  My levels should double every 48 hours so they need to be at least 25 at Friday's blood draw, but hopefully higher.  If my levels double I will go on Monday to get an APS extended blood panel drawn.  These have to be sent to an immunologist in TN so will take about 2 weeks for results so they will go ahead and begin treatment (heparin shots) on Monday.

So our first prayer is to see appropriate blood levels Friday.  With all of our pregnancies we've had appropriate climbing HCG up until at least 6 weeks so I feel pretty confident that this won't be a problem, but every step is important.

Thanks to all of you that are praying for us and this little bean :)