Guest Blogger - MOM!

Oh Meghan.... it's a very dangerous thing to ask your mom to write a blog for you! I was given strict orders to not tell any embarrassing stories, that's no fun since I have plenty of them. I suppose that means I can't tell everyone about the time Meghan decided to make home-made banana pudding in a glass bowl on a gas stove which caused the glass bowl to explode spreading shards of glass and home-made banana pudding all over the kitchen, since that would be considered an embarrassing story. My, that's a long sentence, but it's not a story.

Meghan did ask me to pass along her latest result from the 13 vials of blood taken from her last week. It seems Meghan has a copy of the MTHFR Gene. What in the world is that? This is something Meghan has limited knowledge about. She is asking for those of you who have this or have information about it to comment. I guess I better get online and research.

I've been keeping up with Meghan's blog since she started it. (it's a mom thing) I've cried for her and for each of her followers who have not been successful in getting pregnant. While I can't relate to Meghan's or other's infertility I do know what it looks like on the other side. By that I mean, infertility affects more than just the infertile couple. It affects family and friends as well. Nothing is worse than watching someone you love endure suffering. My heart has been broken countless times as I watch Meghan suffer physically and mentally. While I've always been proud of Meghan, sometimes I think I will burst with pride as I watch her use her own grief to minister to others.

One day I'll be bouncing like tigger when I learn I will be queen grandma.

Comments

Michele said…
How sweet and how true. I know our parents and close friends have done this IF ride with us and their hearts break with us and soar with us, too.

Some sites:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pregnancy-info.net%2Fmthfr.html&ei=0FNTSr2mLseMtgfWxoCbCA&usg=AFQjCNEqSvsRebLH75lnPoD-NteahjxqZQ
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=2&url=http%3A%2F%2Fghr.nlm.nih.gov%2Fgene%3Dmthfr&ei=0FNTSr2mLseMtgfWxoCbCA&usg=AFQjCNHbfxccnBlQ701v6bRGzKHq4-LNaA
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=3&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FMethylenetetrahydrofolate_reductase&ei=0FNTSr2mLseMtgfWxoCbCA&usg=AFQjCNHoPrLh6gU4a7qfvUWlzF08q_CqFA
Making Babies said…
I have read about MTHFR before. I would just need to go find it again.

I'm really glad you didn't tell the story of the banana pudding :)

haha
squirrelgirl said…
What an awesome post. Thanks for sharing, "mom". Does Meghan get to show pics of you being Tigger when the time comes??? We'd love to see that!
Cubbie said…
Meghan - I have MTHFR too. This is what Dr. Witten thinks contributed to my 2 m/c's. Do you have just one copy of the mutation or 2? Good news is it's very treatable. They will give you a script for Folgard which is a high dose of B vitamins and folic acid. Basically MTHFR is a problem processing folic acid. That's a big problem for developing follies if you don't have enough folic acid. They may put you on a baby asprin a day as well. My guess is as soon as you get your thyroid regulated and start the folgard you will be well on your way to a happy and healthy 9 months! You can PM me on tww.com if you want. Best Wishes, Traci AKA Cubbie
Anonymous said…
Hi Meghan -

Found your blog through a Twitter search for MTHFR, which I just found out today that I have (homozygous, 2 copies). My doctor explained that if left untreated, it can adversely affect proper implantation of an embryo into the uterine wall (and thereby lead to miscarriage or other nasties, such as severe placental insufficiency, growth restriction, stillbirth).

The good news is that it's treatable. In addition to the Folgard already mentioned, my doc said that next time I get pregnant, she'll treat me with a blood thinner starting at 4-6 weeks of pregnancy. This should, she said, improve implantation and placental formation, and significantly drop the risk of miscarriage or pre-eclampsia.

If you're MTHFR homozygous, ask your doc about this - or make a trip out to San Francisco to see the Maternal Fetal Medicine team at California Pacific Medical Center. My doc showed me a wall of pictures of healthy babies, most of whose moms had received this treatment.

Hope this helps,
- Billie in the SF Bay Area
Twitter: @synaesthete

PS - my thyroid is also completely shot... life has been much better post-Synthroid! Another thing you might ask your endocrinologist about is insulin resistance, which often goes with hypothyroid, and can impede fertility (I know several people who couldn't get pregnant until they were treated for that, too).