Introduce routine APS and Protein S testing for pregnant women
The Issue
I will never forget the moment I lost my daughter, Arabella, at just 28+5 weeks into my pregnancy. It was a heartbreaking experience, one that no mother should ever have to go through. After her untimely death, I was diagnosed with obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Reflecting on my pregnancy, there were clear warning signs: fetal growth restriction, high blood pressure, and concerns about a possible blood clot. Unfortunately, APS was not considered until it was too late.
Arabella's loss opened my eyes to the urgent need for change. APS, also known as Hughes Syndrome, is an autoimmune disorder that significantly raises the risk of blood clots. Protein S is also a blood clotting disorder During pregnancy, it can lead to severe complications, such as pre-eclampsia, placental insufficiency, and stillbirth. What's particularly frustrating is that APS affects approximately 1-5% of the UK population, yet many pregnant women are not routinely screened for it despite the high stakes involved.
Current NHS guidelines fall short in recommending APS testing only under specific conditions and not as part of a routine check, even when warning signs like mine are present. This oversight needs to be addressed urgently to prevent any more unnecessary tragedies.
By introducing routine APS and Protein S screening for pregnant women displaying symptoms such as fetal growth restriction, pre-eclampsia, high blood pressure, or suspected blood clots, we can save lives. Early diagnosis and treatment, such as anticoagulation medications, could drastically reduce the risks associated with APS / Protein S during pregnancy.
We've lost Arabella, but we cannot accept that other mothers must endure the same heartbreak before APS is even considered as a possibility. The time to act is now. We urge the NHS to revise their protocol and make routine APS testing the standard care for at-risk pregnancies.
Please sign this petition to support the implementation of life-saving APS testing in antenatal care and ensure no family has to experience the avoidable loss of a child due to undiagnosed APS. Let us bring change in memory of Arabella and countless others.
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The Issue
I will never forget the moment I lost my daughter, Arabella, at just 28+5 weeks into my pregnancy. It was a heartbreaking experience, one that no mother should ever have to go through. After her untimely death, I was diagnosed with obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Reflecting on my pregnancy, there were clear warning signs: fetal growth restriction, high blood pressure, and concerns about a possible blood clot. Unfortunately, APS was not considered until it was too late.
Arabella's loss opened my eyes to the urgent need for change. APS, also known as Hughes Syndrome, is an autoimmune disorder that significantly raises the risk of blood clots. Protein S is also a blood clotting disorder During pregnancy, it can lead to severe complications, such as pre-eclampsia, placental insufficiency, and stillbirth. What's particularly frustrating is that APS affects approximately 1-5% of the UK population, yet many pregnant women are not routinely screened for it despite the high stakes involved.
Current NHS guidelines fall short in recommending APS testing only under specific conditions and not as part of a routine check, even when warning signs like mine are present. This oversight needs to be addressed urgently to prevent any more unnecessary tragedies.
By introducing routine APS and Protein S screening for pregnant women displaying symptoms such as fetal growth restriction, pre-eclampsia, high blood pressure, or suspected blood clots, we can save lives. Early diagnosis and treatment, such as anticoagulation medications, could drastically reduce the risks associated with APS / Protein S during pregnancy.
We've lost Arabella, but we cannot accept that other mothers must endure the same heartbreak before APS is even considered as a possibility. The time to act is now. We urge the NHS to revise their protocol and make routine APS testing the standard care for at-risk pregnancies.
Please sign this petition to support the implementation of life-saving APS testing in antenatal care and ensure no family has to experience the avoidable loss of a child due to undiagnosed APS. Let us bring change in memory of Arabella and countless others.
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Petition created on 22 August 2026