TTC after bilateral PE

[Maya15]

10 months ago I was hospitalized with bilateral pulmonary embolism. I was very ill for several months and it took me a while to recover. I have also been taking warfarin for until very recently. I have been recovering well this year and I got the all clear last week (hurrah). I nearly feel like my old self again and slowly building my fitness levels up again (initially I couldn't walk for more than 100 meters).
I would like to start TTC very soon and my doctors have asked me to wait for one more test result before starting. Has anybody got any experience with pregnancy after PE or blood clots or any tipps for me?
I am 31 btw.

Hi Maya15
I'm currently 6 weeks pregnant and have had a DVT and PE before. It's no different to flying really in that when I fly or when I'm pregnant I have to have blood thinning injections (you probably had them in hospital in your tummy when your PE was first diagnosed).
I had to tell epu (early pregnancy unit) as soon as I had my first positive test. Then the next day I collected my prescription for the injections. It's not pleasant and you end up covered in bruises but by gosh it's worth it!
Around your due date they try to work it so that you stop the injections at least 48 hours before delivery so that you don't bleed excessively after baby is born. They'll do other things like put you in those sexy stockings when you're laid up or not moving much ie during labour and after baby is born etc but once you're fully mobile again you get to remove them :)

I have a DS aged 5.7 and I had the injections with him and all went great so hopefully this baby will too.

I'm pleased you're feeling much better and hope you have an easy conception and a safe pregnancy/birth. Sending baby dust and lots of luck :)

I had a pe and was diagnosed after that with Hughes syndrome so will be on warfarin for life.

I have 2dds under 5 and currently 27 weeks pg with a ds.

Heparin injections twice a day, baby aspirin, extra scans, consultant led pg care and inductions at 38 weeks. It's different to 'normal' but absolutely fine.

Good luck!

Many thanks to you both for sharing your stories and encouraging me.
Good luck with your pregnancies and hopefully i will be able to get pregnant soon too.

Absolute pleasure Maya. Good luck ttc. If you need any advice I'm practically an expert now after 5 years trying for DC2 ;) lol

A great book to read is Toni Weschler's Take Charge Of Your Fertility. I think every woman should be given a copy on the NHS and in school as it's great for planning a baby and preventing a pregnancy.

Baby Dust

Thanks so much.
I have started to read What to Expect Before you are Expecting and started eating more healthily and taking vitamins and folic acid. We are planning to start TTC in August, as I need to wait for one more test result. I have been thinking of starting measuring my temperature in the morning and I have started noting my periods. Anything else I should do (apart from the obvious)?

You could try OPKS to see if they work for you? You could also start noticing if you have any ovulations signs at all such as cramps or spots or something (these are mine!)?

Best thing to do is the obvious every other day after the end of your period until a few days after you think you ovulated.

Have fun :)

If you try opks (ovulation predictor kits) then I'd advise getting them from eBay or Amazon. Depending on who you buy from you could get a mix of 50 pregnancy/ovulation tests ie I got 30 ovulation tests and 20 pregnancy tests. You'll be sorted then for when you're addicted to POAS. They cost me £7 for the 50 tests which is better than paying £21 for 7 ovulation tests from boots or supermarkets etc then upto £10 for each pregnancy test! Hopefully you'll be where I am soon enough and feeling rough but still enjoying the pregnancy. Must admit though that I'd rather be 17 weeks than just 7 weeks! Lol

Thanks all for your advice. Hope your pregnancies are going well.
I found out recently that I have tested positive to AN antibodies and have to see the hematologist before TTC. It looks like I might have to start the herparin or aspirin before I fall pregnant.