 |
Shannon ReedBritish woman with antiphospholipid syndrome that caused her five miscarriages
Country:
 Great Britain |
Content:
- A Grieving Mother's Unwavering Hope
- Medical Enigma
- A Path to Diagnosis
- Antiphospholipid Syndrome: A 'Sticky Blood' Condition
- A Glimmer of Hope
- A Longing for Motherhood
- Devastation and Loss
- The Gift of Healing
- Embracing the Future
A Grieving Mother's Unwavering Hope
At the tender age of 23, Shannon, a British woman, has endured the devastating loss of five babies in six years due to an underlying medical condition known as antiphospholipid syndrome. Hailing from Prudhoe, Newcastle, Shannon's journey to unravel the mystery behind her inability to carry a child has been fraught with anguish and heartbreak.
Medical Enigma
For years, Shannon's first four pregnancies ended in the tragic loss of her fetuses, none surviving past six weeks. When her fifth pregnancy dawned in the spring of 2017, she clung to hope, as her baby miraculously reached the 12-week mark. However, fate dealt another cruel blow, leaving her shattered.
A Path to Diagnosis
The emotional trauma of yet another loss led to the end of Shannon's relationship. Determined to find answers, she sought further testing, which finally revealed the culprit: antiphospholipid syndrome (APS).
Antiphospholipid Syndrome: A 'Sticky Blood' Condition
This autoimmune condition, often referred to as 'sticky blood,' causes clots to form in arteries, veins, and the umbilical cord, potentially leading to complications such as miscarriage and stillbirth.
A Glimmer of Hope
"If I'm fortunate enough to fall pregnant again, I'll have to inject myself daily with blood thinning injections," Shannon bravely shared after choosing to speak out about her harrowing ordeal. "Finding out the cause, and the fact that there is a treatment, gives me some comfort, although I'm still very scared. But I'm determined to try again in the future. I feel more positive about things now."
A Longing for Motherhood
Shannon's fifth pregnancy in May 2017 filled her with overwhelming joy. "I can't tell you how happy I was," she recalled. "I was nervous to start with, but after passing the six-week mark, I started getting hopeful because I'd never got that far before."
"In July, I went in for my first scan. I was filled with such love and pride when I saw my baby for the first time. Every night, I'd talk to my tummy, thinking 'this is it, this is when I'm going to be a mammy.'"
Devastation and Loss
But in August, Shannon experienced severe bleeding and was rushed to Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary. Tragically, she had lost yet another child. "My whole world fell apart," she confided. "I couldn't be comforted. I felt so lonely and lost."
The Gift of Healing
It was only after her fifth miscarriage that Shannon finally discovered the reason behind her pregnancy troubles. The cause: antiphospholipid syndrome.
Experts are unsure how many people worldwide are affected by APS, but it's estimated to be responsible for around 15% of recurrent miscarriages. While in the hospital, Shannon was given a 'memory box'—a keepsake for bereaved parents—from the charity 4Louis. "This isn't what I wanted," she said. "I wanted my baby."
"I sat looking at the box, thinking, 'What am I going to do with this? Is this going to make me feel better?' But I forced myself to open it, and there was a little letter inside from my mam, who'd helped to pack it. It was so beautiful. It made things a little bit easier."
Embracing the Future
Shannon plans to take part in a Christmas fundraiser for 4Louis at Prudhoe Community Club on December 9, 2017. Antiphospholipid syndrome, also known as Hughes syndrome, can cause blood clots in arteries and veins.
It's considered a leading cause of recurrent miscarriages and can also cause strokes in young adults. APS can lead to high blood pressure in pregnancy, which can cause premature birth, severe pre-eclampsia, stillbirth, and pregnancy loss.
The condition occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks proteins that are part of the body's natural defense system against blood clots, causing the clotting system to become overactive. Treatment involves medications to prevent blood clots and complications in pregnancy.
