taking heparin during pegnancy

[lizziedibs]

hello
have just found out I am pregnant (7 weeks) and have come off wafarin fast, and now self injecting heparin daily...
is there any body out there with dvt history or factor 5 leiden?
I really need to discuss my concerns, as this is my first pregnancy...and seems too early to tell people?

[Katsma]

Hi lizzie, congratulations!

I have a clotting history, 2DVTs and a PE, but having had thrombophilia screens, no cause has been found.

I also did the heparin injections through my pregnancy (my first), having come off warfarin. Stings doesn't it!

Was well worth the discomfort (and worry), as I now have a happy, healthy 11mo DD. Am also planning to do the whole thing again and try for number 2.

I told people early (when I found out I was pg at 8 weeks). I was concerned about anything happening and nobody knowing I was taking the heparin, so I let everyone know just in case. The downside to this was that my pregnancy seemed to last for ever. As people don't usually let on till 3 months, people were saying 'Haven't you had that baby yet, you've been pregnant for years!'

HTH

If you have any specific concerns, post them, and I will try to address them. I also know there are others currently posting who are in the same situation as you.

If you search threads for 'clexane', I think you'll pick up some useful threads. Sorry, would do you links, but am crap at them.

[lizziedibs]

thank you so much katsma....will look for the clexane threads now...everything you said is so true!!

will be posting other questions no doubt...

good luck with number 2!!

[MrsMcJnr]

Hello I'm factor II and have been injecting heparin (Clexane) since 5 weeks, now 23 weeks, welcome to the gang! This is my first baby too and I only found out about the blood clotting issues 2 weeks before I got my BFP so it was uphill and scary at the beginning so I'll support you all I can - ask away

[Gumbo]

Hi Lizzie, I'm Factor V and also came off Warfarin as soon as I fell pg to start self-injecting. I had excellent care all the way through - DS is now 21mo and healthy, so it was worth all the drama..

Good luck and congrats!

[lizziedibs]

ah thanks gumbo, Mrsmcjnr et al!!!

have just got back from the anticuagulation clinic....the Dr said Im probably only 5 weeks? so we have caught it early...I feel much better....was so worried, having a read a little too much information on the internet re-warfarin caused birth defects etc......
also, nurse said I couldnt inject into my tummy? but the doctor has said I can so my poor bruised thighs are happy....
I have another appointment in 3 weeks, with first anti-natal appointment soon after....

thanks again for the threads....congratulations and best wishes to you all.....
x

[Gumbo]

Lizzie, I tended to alternate my thighs; I was injecting twice a day, so tried to remember where exactly I had injected last, then went a couple of inches away from it. When that thigh was too bruised (ideally 5 or 6 days I'd swap to the other one to give it a rest.

But there shouldn't be any reason you can't inject in you belly - I did loads of times!

Oh - and DON'T read about the Warfarin-related birth defects any more - it'll freak you out completely! The chances of anyhting being wroing due to the Warfarin are truly negligable. (I got scanned all the way through my pg for specific birth defects - there were none.)

[MrsMcJnr]

That all sounds good Lizziedibs I think the earlier you can start on the heparin, the better the chance of success! I?m still injecting my tummy, it is getting harder to grab flesh but I much prefer it to the thigh personally.

Gumbo ? twice a day! Ouch! I?m lucky, I just inject once.