Platelet count is low side of normal

In my 1st tri my doc told me my platelet count was on the low side of normal at 134. At 23 weeks I had more bloodwork and they're now 125. She didn't seem concerned and said they will retest me at 36 weeks. If they go below 110 then I would not be cleared to use the hospital's birth center which would bum me out.

Has anyone had similar numbers (low side of normal but not alarmingly low)? How were your numbers by the end of your pregnancy? I don't even know if this is something that tends to decrease as the weeks go by, but that is what I'm nervous about.

Re: Platelet count is low side of normal

With all three of my pregnancies I have had gestational thrombocytopenia. With my first, they never mentioned it until I asked for an epidural during my induction. I found out I was not eligible for an epi and did not ever plan for anything else. I had a bad experience but I learned a lot prior to my second birth. I kept track of my numbers for 2 and 3 and it was the same thing, low side of normal and then plummets toward the end. You can read my birth stories on the birth story board if you search my name.

What's important here is that you educate yourself on pain management techniques. I switched from an OB to a midwife for my 2nd and 3rd to help me labor naturally and I had wonderful pain med free experiences both times. I know firsthand that pitocin makes contractions much more intense (but not necessarily more effective) so I avoid that. I know that lying in bed is the most painful way for me to labor and the midwives encouraged me to labor any way I wanted. You need to have the options if you can't get pain meds. I'm curious why they won't let you in the birth center? I delivered at Stony Brook so the midwives had access to OBs if needed. Feel free to FM with any questions!

Re: Platelet count is low side of normal

Hi, I also have a low platelet count, at 14 weeks it was 139, and 19 weeks it was 101, tomorrow I am going for my glucose test and they will also do a platelet count. My doctor said if it dips below 50 that's when they get concerned, i was also told that natural birth is actually more likely to happen because they don't want you on drugs if your count is that low, OR another option is to be fully put under while having a c-section, which i want to avoid. I am curious to hear from others who have had this issue because there seems to be contradiciting info,.

Re: Platelet count is low side of normal