Factor V Lieden

[terese17]

Does anyone have this or has heard of it?

[neverdoingitagain]

I found out I had it with my first pregnancy after I developed deep vein thrombosis in my left leg. I took an anti-couagulant called low molecular weight heparin until I was 36 weeks pregnant then I was put on regular heparin. Afterwards I was on coumadin until 6 weeks post-partum.
With my second pregnancy I was on low molecular weight heparin throughout my pregnancy. I had an uncomplicated natural childbirth while on LMWH.
Did that help?

[moonjunio]

Yes, I was tested for this because it runs in the family, but happily I'm in the clear. I think it's definitely important to know about when pregnant.

[A&A]

I have it, but had two completely healthy pregnancies/births (without blood thinners.)

Have you had any blood clots?

FVL has incomplete dominance--which means that it may, or may not, actually result in blood clots.

[teeg1973]

I don't have Factor V, but do have several other blood clotting issues/thrombophilias. I wasn't diagnosed until after my 4th missed miscarriage (I do have one DD that was born after the 1st, before the last 3 with no problems).

I am on a low molecular weight heparin for this pregnancy and will be for several weeks post-partum.

Tracy

[taffywelsh]

I have Factor V Leiden...but I am heterozygous, not homozygous. The difference is that in hetero, the gene is expressed only once and in homo it is expressed twice. Heterozygous people have much, much less to worry about in terms of blood clots. My dad is homozygous and has been hospitalized and put on warfarin, and he has a strict diet to follow.
For me, the OB only recommended a couple of extra ultrasounds to check on fetal growth in the third trimester. I am not on heparin or any other drug, but I do take fish oil which thins the blood, and I drink red grape juice every day (well, I've been bad about that lately), which contains resveratrol, a substance that also keeps blood clots from forming.
Anyway, I was pretty upset when I learned that I had Factor V Leiden, but it is fairly common (10% of Americans supposedly have it) and, if you are not homozygous, minimally dangerous. Also you can take some natural remedies that may possibly lessen its effects.
Good luck!!

[terese17]

I have not been tested but both my parents are carriers as my sister is homozy-however you say it. Are there any other dietery things someone can do?

[neverdoingitagain]

http://www.fvleiden.org/publications/midwife.html
this is a wonderful article about it.
Hth