Dr. Appointment

I went to see Dr. Kaufmann today and basically I didn't learn anything new but I did get reassured that it would be okay and I could have a perfectly healthy pregnancy if I maintain my treatment regimen. I was told to begin a daily baby asprin today and to take one every day for the rest of my life. I was also instructed that at the first sign of pregnancy I am to begin Lovenox (blood thinner) injections which will continue through the pregnancy. At the end of the pregnancy they will switch meds with a smaller half life to make it safe for me after delievery. I will be monitored pretty closely to make sure I don't form clots and everything is developing correctly. This condition does affect other aspects of my life and I was advised to meet with a hemotologist/oncologist for more specifics; however, since it has not caused me problems until I was pregnant I should be fine. Though, knowing is half the battle because it is treatable! I feel relieved and happy that we have the answers and we have a plan. It is not going to be an easy road but then again the last 5.5 years of trying to concieve hasn't been easy so it's not surprising. I am optimistic about the future and I feel confident that one day Josh and I will hold the baby of our dreams in our arms and we will one day meet our little Alan angel in heaven. God provides when you give it up to him!!!

A little info on Antiphospholipid Antibodies

Who Has Antiphospholipid Antibodies?
Though they can cause problems, surprisingly, 2% to 15% of the healthy population actually has antiphospholipid antibodies in their blood. However, these people have very low levels of the antibodies, and therefore they don't really cause a problem. It is only when they are at high levels that the antiphospholipid antibodies begin to make trouble.

Antiphospholipid antibodies are also commonly found in people with:


•unexplained infertility
•Lupus
•Migraine headaches
•Deep vein thrombosis

Complications Caused by Antiphospholipid Antibody
There are a number of complications associated with high levels of antiphospholipid antibody. These include:


•blood clotting
•stroke
•heart attack
•miscarriage

Infertility and Antiphospholipid Antibody
High levels of antiphospholipid antibody are often associated with unexplained infertility including:


•recurrent miscarriage
•stillbirth
•placental insufficiency
•implantation failure
•increased rates of IVF failure.

It is thought that antiphospholipid antibodies compromise the placenta which nourishes your baby. Because the antibodies cause clotting, the embryo is cut off from oxygen and nutrient support. As a result, spontaneous miscarriage or fetal death can occur. Clotting can also cause distress to the placenta, making it difficult to have a successful implantation.

Treatment
If you do test high for antiphospholipid antibodies, you may decide to try to treatment. Treatment is aimed at reducing the number of clots in your blood, and restoring blood flow to the placenta. Low-dose aspirin and the anticoagulant Heparin are often recommended.

What happens most frequently in APS is blood clotting. Pregnancies are lost because blood clots form in the placenta and starve the baby of nutrition. Treatment is the use of anticoagulation. In pregnancy, heparin is used. This gives the fetus an 80-90% chance of survival, a drastic improvement from the 1980's when fetal survival was around 20%.

However, pregnancies are not normal. Normal pregnancy is 40 weeks. In APS, it is more common to deliver the baby between 30-35 weeks, and between 3-5 pounds. Heparin protects the placenta partially, but not fully so that the baby gets enough nutrition to survive longer in the mother. Once born, the babies do fine.

We have answers...

Dr. Kaufmann called me yesterday and asked that I come in for a consult to discuss my blood test results. Apparently, my Factor 5 test came back negative; however, my Antiphospholipid Antibodies test came back positive...thus my miscarriage. I feel a little relieved to finally have an actual medical reason for the death of my child; however, I'm pretty nervous about my appointment on Monday. I just don't know what to expect. The unknown worries me. I've spent all day reseraching and speaking with people who are familiar with, or work with, or even know others who have this condition during pregnancy. It's helped some but I'm still not going to fully understand until I ask questions and Dr. Kaufmann explains it to me. I do know that as part of the treatment plan I would need to do daily injections of a medicine called Lovenox along with baby aspirin to thin my blood and prevent clots. I was nervous about that medicine not being covered by my insurance policy but I looked it up and luckily it is!!! What a relief that is to me. I will keep you all updated after my Monday afternoon appointment. Prayers are always accepted and GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!

First Day of Spring

Today was the first day of spring... It was FREEZING outside!!! My sister sent me this picture of her backyard... I returned the text with a picture of my backyard...
I love Texas weather!!! Oh, in case you were wondering...I live in Fort Worth and she lives in Rockwall...not a big enough distance to have such a drastic difference to the start of Spring!

The New Bed

The bed arrived!!! And we bought a new comforter set and new sheets!! Now all I have to do is paint the room a new color to match the new bed set. Teal anyone??

My Random Husband

We had enjoyed our food from Central Market the other day so much we decided to do a little grocery shopping there and sneak by the cafe again. I went to get ready to go and I walked into the living room to this lovely sight: Then this happened:
I wish I could blame any type of alcohol for the cause of this video; however, I cannot. This is just a typical day in the Youngblood household!!!

Alan Patrick Youngblood

My genetic testing results came back and everything was healthy/normal. There is still no reason for the miscarriage. My heart still hurts and time hasn't helped it any. I know we will hold a child of our own one day but finding out today that it was a little boy breaks my already fragile heart into million pieces all over again. Josh and I decided since we found out it was a boy that we should name him: Alan Patrick Youngblood.

http://www.aplacetoremember.com/remembrance/remember_view2.asp?id=14926&index_letter=Y


IN MEMORY OF

ALAN PATRICK YOUNGBLOOD

miscarried February 12, 2010.

Remembered by Josh & Julie Youngblood:

Your Dad and I struggled for 5 1/2 years to create you. We never gave up hope that one day you would enter our lives and fill our hearts with joy. The day we found out you were coming was the best day of our lives. You entered our world and made everything so thrilling and so new! Pure excitement and elation poured from our hearts as we shared the news with everyone we knew. You were prayed for from that moment on. You were our first baby, and though we never got to hold you, we will continue to hold you in our hearts forever. We loved you from the beginning and our love for you will never end. You are our “Baby Youngblood.“
They say there is a reason,
They say that time will heal,
But neither time nor reason,
Will change the way we feel,
For no one knows the heartache,
That lies behind our smiles,
No one knows how many times,
We have broken down and cried,
We want to tell you something,
So there won't be any doubt,
You're so wonderful to think of,
But so hard to be without.

With all our love,
Mom & Dad
XOXO