TOPIC:

Did you have a c section or vaginal birth? I've been getting mixed answers from drs and was just curious how you guys did it. And also were your babies born with itp?

Kelli - you might not get many answers, so I'll give you my thoughts. I would think the delivery method would depend on the counts and the situation at the time of the birth. You might plan for things to go one way only to have to go the other route.

As for babies being born with low counts, there have been a few. They have all been fine after a few weeks once the antibodies cleared their bodies.

Wanted to let you know that I ended up having a c-section. Looking back I wish I would of done natural birth but all ended well.

I realize this thread is old, but thought I would answer it anyway. I have been away from the boards for quite some time.

all three of my boys were born with Neonatl ITP. for some reason, my platelets increased during my pregnancies but would drop soon after giving birth. because my platelets were rising, my ob didnt feel it necesarry to test the cord blood. my first son was in breech position and I didnt not feel comfortbale delivering vaginally so had a csection. his counts at birth were 33 and dropped to 20 two days later. he needed IVIG, but it only improved slightly. he then received two doese of IVIG in a row and then the counts started to come up. he was also born with a congenital heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot ( hense the user name tofmum)

my twins came a year and a half later and the docs felt that histroy usually repeats itself where ITP is concerned and so another csection was scheduled. their platelets at birth were 19 and 15 and both dropped to 6 in two days. they also needed multiple IVIG infursions and also IV Prednisolone. they were in the NICU two weeks and then came home. again my own platelets rose during pregnancy.

my kids are now 19 and almost 18. they have been fine platelet wise since about three months of age when it resolved on its own, with them developing their own immunity and antibodies.

hope this helps anyone out there.

Tofmum - thanks for adding your story.

I found this very interesting because my counts were in the 30's & have risen to 60-100 in pregnancy. I'll be pushing hard to get the blood from the cord checked after reading your experience!! Did you breastfeed - just wondering whether you did or didn't based on itp?

I breastfed all my babies. my oldest BF until about a year old and I had to add formula for my twins at about 4 mths of age, just couldnt keep up for both of them but they did BF at least twice a day for a few months more.