Any kind of birth control that uses hormones (estrogen and/or progesterone) presents a clotting risk if you have a blood clotting disorder. I'm not familiar with MTHFR, but if it is a clotting disorder you should never use any kinds of birth controls except barrier methods. I recommend seeing a hematologist as perinatologists and OB/GYN's are by no means experts in the clotting fields. In fact, my OB never told me to be off the pill. I found out from my general practitioner, then I went to see a hematologist.

Thanks, Laura, for the sites-very imformative! Josie, I am still researching taking the pill after having HELLP.

Nancy-35
dh-34
ds-8yrs
dd-7yrs
Scott-born 05-14-99 @38 weeks-PE
Janie-born 05-12-03 @37 weeks-PIH, small for gestational age (oligo and low blood flow)
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/4/4lbs/

You know, I don't know a lot about how the whole clotting/pill thing works- but it seems to me that the hormones in the pill enhance whatever clot-causing factor that is effecting you.

When I first started taking the pill years ago, I was a smoker, and I got a stern 'talking to' about it, and the risks smokers have with clots and the pill- enough so that it was almost a contraindication- a reason not to take it.

Since you know that MTHFR is a risk for you, and that strokes run in your family, it would probably be wise to talk with your doctor about how you should manage your long term health in light of your clotting disorder. Here's a site on thrombophilias : http://www.fvleiden.org/

an article on mthfr (it's relation to homocystene levels and folate)
http://www.fetal-medicine.com/MTHFR.htm

good luck!


Laura-28
DH Jack-30
Allie 5-13-98 (35 weeks-pre-e)
Baby Camille 4-17-03 (36 weeks- htn and oligo)
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/c/camilleandallie/

Hi I was reading the links about using an iud because of the risks of clotting with the pill. It has me interested because I had severe pre-e and hellp with our daughters pregnancy and during our son's pregnancy was told that I have a defective MTHFR(?) gene. When I mentioned this defective gene at our son's pediatrician appointment I was told that I should be taking folate for the rest of my life because of my increased risk of clotting. This was the first I have heard of it. I have had the implanon contraceptive implant put in this time, but I was thinking about getting it removed to go back on the pill as the irregular bleeding with this implant is driving me nuts.
As an aside my father has had several strokes so I am not sure if that is where I inherited this dodgy gene from.
Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks

Josie

Ryleigh Kate 23 Dec 01 36 wks (Pre-E &HELLP)

Harrison James 7-7-03