It is important to discuss the issue of fertility and pregnancy with your haematologist. Many of the drugs used can be toxic to sperm or to an unborn baby.

There can be a high chance of thrombosis in pregnancy and there is further risk with an addition of an ET diagnosis. The pregnant woman with ET can be more susceptible to miscarriage. There may be a risk of growth problems in the later stages of pregnancy.

Although the platelet count will reduce during pregnancy, the use of interferon alpha for the management of ET in pregnancy is considered especially if your the platelet count is greater than 1000 -1500 million per ml, or where there is a history of thrombosis or a serious complication in the current or previous pregnancy.

During and soon after pregnancy, there is an increase in the risk of thrombosis. Low dose aspirin is usually given throughout pregnancy and heparin is usually used after your baby is born for 6 weeks but may also be used in pregnancy.