Heparin in pregnancy- does this make it a high risk pregnancy?

[fuckityfuckfuckfuck]

I'm 32 weeks and I've had an xray taken today because of chest pains last night and difficulty breathing. A blood test showed a problem with clotting. The xray showed no clot, but I have to go back every day for a heparin injection until they can fit me in for a more detailed scan next week. With painkillers I can now breathe much more easily, despite being a little breathless still. But does this mean I'm now considered a high risk pregnancy? Everything's been fine up until now and I was still mulling over the possibility of a homebirth. I certainly wanted to give birth in the midwife led unit if that wasn't possible, but now I don't know if this will make a difference. I'm so far resisting the urge to google. Everyone at the hospital has been absolutely fantastic today but this is the one thing I didn't think to ask.

yes - if you need to take heparin, you will need to have a hospital birth i'm afraid and you wont be able to be in the nice birthing centre bit either.

sorry

this will also have implications on pain relief (epidurals etc) as you are at higher risk of bleeding,

hope it turns out not be a blood clot and you are ok.

I am not a medic of any kind but I do take heparin daily in pregnancy for clotting issues. I'm seen as high risk due to many reasons and risk of excess bleeding is one of them. I'm not sure if this alone would make you high risk. Hope the clot goes and you and baby are healthy and well. Did they say which form of heparin they will give you?

Hi, fuckity. I had a similar experience with my first pregnancy- at about 28wks they suspected a clot on my chest- it's horrible that pain when you try to breathe. Like you I had heparin (but only 2 doses) before going for a VQ scan (where they inject some substance into your blood stream and make you breathe in some kind of isotope- not very nice, but apparently the best way of seeing a clot) By the time they did my scan, there was no evidence of a clot, and I didn't get any more heparin, so it didn't affect the birth at all. Obviously if they have to keep giving you heparin that would be different, but noone even mentioned it to me at the birth. Hope you feel better soon.

Jooly that sounds positive thank you. When I asked why I still needed the injection if the X ray was clear they said the blood test can be unreliable in pregnancy as apparently the levels of somehting or other will rise anyway, so I think they are being extra cautious. I do feel a bit gutted that so far this pregnancy has been the one where I've felt fine and now I feel like this has come out of nowhere and spoiled things. Last night was absolutely horrible, the pain was unlike anything I've ever experienced. I am hoping that the scan will find nothing and the injections will stop but I just can't see how pain like that can't have a very real cause iyswim.
I don't know what kind of heprain it is, I have to go back tomorrow so I'll get them to write everything down for me. My pulse has been very high today, over 110 each time it's been taken but my temperature and ecg were fine (am still covered in electrodes. Even on my legs ) Is it normal to just take heparin til the end of pregnancy or if a clot is found will I be on it for a while? I bled an awful lot with both previous births, just shy of a PPh both times but enough to cause concern. I don;t relish the thought of being at extra risk of that :(

I had a big clot during pregnancy and took warfarin for it. For the last month I took heparin which stops affecting your blood after about 12 hours. I injected myself everyday so didn't have to go to doctor daily. When you go into labour you're not to inject so the herparin can leave your body & your blood will thicken. Hospital will have your blood type on standby just in case, but all was fine for me .

Why do you only have to inject during pregnancy? Does the clot just go after that? And is this just something that can heppen in pregnancy? Have I done something to make this happen?

Oh lovey. It's not your fault! Clots are caused by a variety of things, occasionally pregnancy. After childbirth I went back on warfarin. Its a tablet, but you have to go for regular blood tests. That thins your blood to make the clot dissolve. I didn't need heparin as I didn't need my blood to thicken again so quickly in a hurry (like for labour).

Your doctors haven't even found a clot yet so don't worry. If they were really worried they'd admit you to hospital. If you've any other questions ask away. Do ring the doctor if you have breathlessness/if the pain worsens.

Ah ok, so the heparin is used because it lasts relatively little time? That's why I need it every day? That makes sense. I'm clearly going to have to talk to my midwife as this is all completely alien to me. They told me to call 999 if I need to which I know is them being cautious but now I'm stewing on everything that could go wrong. I think the thing to do is have a quick bath and go to bed. I'm exhausted which can't be helping.

Nothing you have done caused this. I inject a form of heparin daily due to several early pregnancy losses. Some ladies only suffer blood thickening issues in pregnancy and it can strike at any time. Docs recommend 12/24 hours drug free before labour due to bleeding and pain relief options. I had pre eclsmpsea last time too so extra high risk. I also took it for 6 weeks after delivery as I had emergency section (not heparin related) keep posting lots more heparin users about on mn. They might offer more advice x

Exactly. It lasts little time. You inject it every day because yesterday's dose has 'worn off'. When labour is approaching you need to be able to reverse the affects of heparin to avoid risks of bleeding in labour.

Seriously, do not worry too much. Heparin and warfarin are fantastic drugs, with no major side effects, and save lives. My clot was massive and travelling in my blood stream. I'm perfectly healthy now . However, the doctors were being serious when they said to ring emergency if you worsen. Now you're taking the heparin you are looked after, however clots are to be taken very seriously. Do u have someone with you, supporting you?

Oh yes, dp has been bloody fantastic today (every day but today I really appreciated him) and my friend who looked after the dc has been brilliant also. I can honestly say I've been very well looked after today, I cannot fault all the people I saw in hospital, they were very reassuring. I sent dp to his parents house to get some sleep a few hours ago (I kept him awake all night and he looked exhausted) under much protest but tbh I might get him back here. I know he's worried and I think I will actually feel better if he's here, lack of sleep be damned.

Yes, i think it would be no harm to have him back tonight, especially until you have the ct scan. Just for peace of mind. If you get the all-clear after tests then you can relax more and he can catch up on sleep then.

Feeling much more positive about everything this morning. I slept well, didn't need any painkillers since about 5 yesterday afternoon, and can actually breathe. So keeping my fingers crossed the scan appointment will come through quickly and show nothing. But even if something is found, just feeling better has made me feel more positive. I thoughtid be feeling awful and struggling for breath for days. If I have to have these jabs but still feel normal then I suppose that's not too bad. Will I be allowed back on the pill after this pregnancy though? I'm guessing not.

Glad you're feeling more positive. I really beg you not to worry too much. You'll feel better when the scans are done; whatever the outcome things will be clearer.

If you don't have a clot I don't know what'll happen. If you do then yes, it's possible that you won't be allowed take the pill anymore. I'm not.

How are things Fuckity?