Factor V Leiden and pregnancy can be a terrifying time as I was about to find out for the second time. I do believe this strain caused me to fall victim to postnatal depression and I wanted to share my story with you.
Finding out your pregnant is meant to be the best experience ever, but for me it was the scariest time in my life. My first baby was born at 24 weeks I had Factor V Leiden and pregnancy caused complications. Once born my newborn had to stay in hospital for 6 months.
I suppose looking back I did suffer from postnatal depression, but I never had it treated.
My partner was over the moon as this was his first biological child; he had taken on my first like he was his own.
Having to tell people was the hardest thing ever. I wondered daily if everything was OK with my baby as I didn’t have any sickness or cravings.
Having to wait for that first scan to come was like waiting for ever.
The day come when I went up to the hospital and waited to be called in to have my scan. Thoughts ran widely through my head ‘ what if the baby doesn’t have a heartbeat’ but everything was fine.
The pregnancy went slowly but with loads of consultant appointments due to the complications with my first. Thankfully I didn’t get high blood pressure I just had regular scans to check on the growth of my baby. I had a blood test to see if I had a condition called Factor V Leiden that had caused me to have my first baby early.
I did. I had Factor V Leiden and pregnancy became a nightmare time again and I was terrified.
I was put on daily injections and aspirin to help stop me from getting any blood clots. This condition is with me for life.
I wanted the wanted the pregnancy to be over, I wanted my baby to be here but I was grateful that my second baby was still ‘cooking’ and getting bigger with no complications.
I was in and out of hospital with lack of movement.
At 39+4 weeks I had a bath with lavender oil which set me off into labour.
I went 12 hours without pain relief and then I had an epidural, child birth is an amazing experience which I want to do again.
After I had my little girl Erin-Grace, I was taken onto the ward.
The following day I was feeling really ill, weak and tired. I was given a blood transfusion and felt much better. My partner and mum could tell I was feeling down. I didn’t want to feed Erin, not wanting to be left alone with her.
I was scared and lost.
I hadn’t taken a baby straight home from hospital before. What If I didn’t know what to do?
Weeks past and my partner had to go back to work as his month holiday had come to an end. I would send him abusive text messages when he went to work. He stood by me through all of this.
I started to get really bad headaches where I couldn’t sit I had to lay down with helped the health visitor was concerned.
The day come where my partner had a day off and made me make an appointment to go to the doctors to get this sorted. That day is still in the back of my mind. I was diagnosed with postnatal depression and was given anti-depressions.
I am now a changed person, I am back to my bubbly self and I can look after the children, no longer sending nasty messages and hopefully one day will be off them.
Dealing with Factor V Leiden and pregnancy I am sure is what caused me to fall victim to postnatal depression.
This inspirational post was written anonymously. I have full permission to share the story and it is true to the best of my knowledge. If you can relate to this post and would like to share your own anonymous story please Contact Me.
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Thank you for sharing your story…. So glad you are back to your bubbly self and slowly getting better… i wish you all the best in your recovery xxx
I’m glad tour back to your self onwards and upwards xx
Thank u so much for sharin ur story with us babe m’just so happy to here ur back to ur normal bubbly self best of luck to u in the future
xx
so happy to hear your now back to your normal bubbly self hun big hugs and thanks for sharing your story xx