Yes, you can have a safe and healthy pregnancy!
Baby clothes, nursery painting and choosing a baby name are in the forefront of you mind. While this can be very exciting, we need to get down to business for a successful pregnancy. Women with sickle cell disease will need a team of doctors that will work closely to together, to achieve this goal. These doctors are an internist, a hematologist and perinatologist. The internist is your primary medical doctor and should be comfortable treating sickle cell disease.
The hematologist is a doctor who is an expert in blood conditions and have the experience of performing blood tests and managing treatments. Every woman with sickle cell disease should have an existing hematologist because they are qualified to do blood transfusions and many other medical treatments. A perinatologist is a physician who has completed specialty training in obstetrics and gynecology and additional training in high-risk pregnancies and fetal abnormalities. A perinatologist may also be called a maternal-fetal medicine specialist.
“Did you know early prenatal care can increase your chances of having a healthy pregnancy by 95%?”
― Michelle Dixon-Moore
Because you have sickle cell disease, your pregnancy will be labeled as high risk. These pregnancies are at increased risk of obstetrical and fetal complications, as well as medical complications of SCD. You will undergo a series of tests with your perinatologist and your partner will be tested to see if he is carrier of sickle cell trait. Although most pregnancies complicated by sickle cell disease, they are likely to result in a livebirth.
You made it through the series of bloodwork, blood transfusions, sickle cell crisis, hospitalizations and the anesthesia. Your body will be back to feeling its normal self and the doctor has given you the okay to go home with your baby. Let’s celebrate on the wonderful little one, who made it through this journey. If you have any questions, concerns or just need to chat we are here to help.
