Expecting Mom Miscarries 5 Times Before Discovering Clotting Disorder

HENLEY, UK – Emma Taylor is expecting the birth of her second child any day now, but she is unsure that the birth will actually take place.

“I still don’t really believe it’s going to be a baby. I’m naturally apprehensive.” she told the Henley Standard.  Its easy to understand why after learning of her five miscarriages.

Between 2008 and 2014 she miscarried a total of five times before being diagnosed with Factor V (five) Leiden a genetic mutation that, in pregnant females, can cause blood clots in the umbilical cord or placenta that may or may not restrict blood flow to the baby.

Taylor miscarried once before giving birth to her daughter, Lila (now 5 years old) and four more times before this most recent pregnancy.  She now receives daily anticoagulant injections that keep her blood thin enough to avoid a clotting problem.

Factor V Leiden has also been linked with other complications for pregnant mom and baby including: high blood pressure (preeclampsia) brought on by the pregnancy, slow fetal growth, and early separation of the placenta from the uterine wall.

Check out this video from our friends at
Comprehensive Bleeding Disorders Center in Illinois on Factor V Leiden

Once she gives birth Taylor’s doctors will need to keep an eye on her because of the increased risk that people with Factor V Leiden have of developing a Deep Vein Thrombosis – not only because of the mutation but because she will likely be in a bed for an extended period of time.

Mrs. Taylor’s experiences have given her a unique perspective on the care that mothers who are miscarrying in the United Kingdom receive.  She has since become an advocate with Mumsnet and is urging for change in the way that miscarriages are approached.

“Early on people don’t see them as babies. Staff working in that arena have a duty of care to assume that every person in there feels it is the loss of a baby and appreciate it from that viewpoint because it doesn’t cost them any extra time to be compassionate and say, ‘I’m really sorry for your loss’ and to mean it.

“If we don’t talk about it or know about it, it brings with it an element of shame almost. Women sometimes feel ashamed that they have had a miscarriage.  We need to get it out in the open and for it be a normal part of life — people are woefully under-prepared.”

Remarkably, that is our hope here at webleed.org for people with bleeding or clotting disorders and their families.  We wish the Taylor family a smooth birth with no complications and a bright future.

Image Credit: Henley Standard

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