Has anyone had pulmonary embolism in pregnancy?

[ThatOneHurt]

Just wanted to talk to people who had and wondered how their births went.

I've been admitted to hospital with suspected PE, I've had heparin and X-rays and CTGs and waiting for scans.

I was just bored out my brain waiting wondering how it may effect the birth.

It's going to be a while until I see any doctors again, I was here to rule out PE but the more tests I have the more it points to PE so now I'm wondering about the birth and no idea when I'll next see a doctor. Not until tomorrow I don't think.

Had PE though not while pregnant (after surgery) but did not want to leave you with no replies.

You will need a scan to confirm PE and if it is confirmed you will be given blood thinners, probably heparin, which is given by injection.

I'm afraid there will be lots of hanging around whilst the doctors work out the optimal dosages for you, but heparin was very effective for me and I have no continuing medication. I would imagine they will try to manage the does down as you get towards delivery - it wears off quite quickly.

Hopefully someone will be along shortly with more relevant experience.

Thanks. They have tried to get blood from my arteries but failed.
Tomorrow they are going to put dye in my vein before they scan me.
Did you have the dye as well?
I have fluid in my lung membrane. And given my symptoms and ecg results I would actually be worried if they sent me home telling me everything is ok.

I'm actually more worried about the scan being clear, as ridiculous as that sounds! I guess it's because it's in case they miss something and send me home without the thinners.

Sorry should have mentioned, I've already had heparin as a precaution. Which has put my mind at rest!

They have been amazing but I have a thousand questions most of which can't be answered yet because I haven't had all the relevant tests.

How strange, I have spent the day in hospital today with suspected PE too, I'm 15 weeks pregnant. The pain is horrific isn't it?! Codeine isn't even taking the edge off.
I am also having the scan with the dye tomorrow, and had to inject myself this evening which was interesting.
I don't have much more information as it seems we are in the same boat, but wishing you the best of luck!!

I had all that faff with the tests for PE when I was 7 months pregnant. Turned out I had flu instead (despite the jab). I felt like I was DYING.

I was totally fine about two weeks later.

Fx it might not be PE!

Not during pregnancy but shortly after it. I would be shocked if they sent you home but @newmumFeb17 seems to have been sent home?? That's awful! When I had it I wasn't allowed to move off my bed by myself and had to be taken in a wheelchair to the toilet and a nurse stay with me while I peed!

The dye scan was fine, no pain at all from the dye or scan (but I found it agony to lie down with the PE) just a feeling that you've peed yourself near the end lol, you haven't though, it's just a sensation that happens as the dye settles in your bladder (I think).

Hope you get your answers soon and take care of yourself, you too newmum!

I had mine while in labour. Had emergency c section then rushed over to the main hospital after birth. I was put on Clexane injections for weeks. I had to do these at home once discharged. They are no walk in the park and if you don’t bruise you certainly didn’t do it right! After I had a few check ups and some more scans.

Yes they have sent me home, I've got to go back there tomorrow. Yes, it's absolute agony to lie down!
It's not fun. Was really hoping for a lovely peaceful water birth this time round too!

Thank you @HippoLatte ❤️

Oh weird I'm not in any pain. I have some discomfort and some occasional sharp pains on my chest on the left but I'm symptoms are tachycardia, breathlessness, palpitations, dizziness.

No ones following me to the toilet and I'm allowed out of bed. Obs are only every 4 hours. I think it's because PE hasnt actually been diagnosed yet.

I'm glad I had the warning about the bladder sensation after the dye!

I hope your scan goes well NewMumFeb17.

@newmum17 and @hippoLatte can I ask you about the pain you experienced?

After yesterday posting on here and saying I'd experienced practically no pain, when I went to sleep last night I had really really bad chest pain. It radiates through my back (by the bottom of my left shoulder blade) and through the centre of my chest meeting in the middle and it feels like a horrible twisting crushing pain.

I've actually been getting it at night for a couple of weeks but had totally forgotten that I had until last night and the pains came on. I thought if you to saying that you had experienced pain laying down and I wondered if it was the same?

I can only really remember it being like trapped wind for the first few days. A discomfort that turned into pain. But what I vividly remember is the pain when lying down. It was a crushing pain in my left shoulder right through to the back and it was awful. It does sound similar to yours. Have they not got back to you at all yet with whether you have one or not?

That's exactly what I'm experiencing as well. I've been putting it down to indigestion before this.

I'm all set up for the VQ scan, cannula in. I'm going down at 9am, appt at 9.30 then back up here to review.

Yes sounds like the pain I've been having. Mine has been constant though, sharp pains with every breath. It's really horrible.
Good luck with your scan

Thank you. I'm going down in a minute.

When is your scan?

Tonnes of luck - I had one, not in pregnancy but post surgery. Hopefully, as you are allowed out of bed and they don't seem to be rushing around too much, that yours is not too serious. Mine was diagnosed with a CT scan with contrast, plus my ECG was off the wall as my right heart had swollen up with all the pressure. I was in the ICU for about four days and then the main ward for about another two weeks and they placed an IVC filter in my main vein (inferior vena cava) to stop any more of the clot travelling up to my lungs but that's now been taken out. Was on daily injections of unfragmented heparin until discharge and then put on oral blood thinners for another four months and wasn't allowed out of bed for 2 weeks. Touch wood pretty much recovered now.

They sound like they've got things under control with you, and you're already on the right treatment.

Do let us know how you get on and tonnes of positive vibes going your way.

Thank you, I'm back and it's just waiting now.

You're definitely sounds way more severe than mine. My ECG was normal apart from one small blip they picked up, I think it was the T wave invert or something along those lines.
And my lunch showed fluid in the membrane. I'm hoping to be home today. I've got uni work to do!

My lunch 😂😂😂

yes, a negative t-wave is abnormal in some leads (normal in others). I became a bit of an expert in reading ECGs over the monthst after my PE!

Hopefully you're feeling better now and they've got you home.

Thank you, I'm home now as the VQ scan ruled out PE.

they are doing some more tests on my heart but I can do outpatients for that .

Thanks for your help and info.
Newmum17, I hope you're scan went well.