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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Clexane advise

15 replies

supergreenuk · 07/05/2011 19:59

I am 16 weeks into my second pregnancy. While pregnant with DD I started clexane around this time and took it until 6 weeks after I had her.

My history is that I had various blood clots on my lungs (PE) in 2000 due to surgery from a broken ancle.

Last time the consultant started me on clexane and referee me to the blood specialist who said that he wouldn't have started me until I had her and then continue for 6 weeks. He left it up to me as to if I wanted to stop taking it. I chose to carry on as i was fully in the swing of things.

Well the same thing is happening again. Consultant has told me to start. My blood specialist isn't until august and frankly I've been there before and know what he will say.

WWYD?

OP posts:
midori1999 · 07/05/2011 21:12

I would take it. I had PE's in a pregnancy last year and have been on clexane (and asprin, but that is to prevent miscarriage/keep the placenta in good condition as I have a clotting disorder) since I got my BFP.

According to the haematologist I see, risk of clots is the same throughout pregnancy, from start to finish and then there is a bit more risk after the birth, hence continuing for six weeks post birth.

Borisneedsahaircut · 07/05/2011 21:18

I would take it too. I just saw the consultant yesterday at 16 weeks (previous DVT after first pregnancy) and he told me to start taking 40mg a day to be on the safe side. He is referring me to the haemotologist though again and said the haemo might change dose depending on what they thought.

My last haemo though ( who I saw when I wasn't pregnant) had said that I would 'at least' have to go on heparin after the birth but we didnt discuss any further and we moved location which is why am being referred at new hospital.

Borisneedsahaircut · 07/05/2011 21:21

It could be also that because your clots were from a specific cause (you having surgery) it is less likely to reoccur than if you had had one without any specific cause or with a blood disorder iykwim? You are still at risk though from having preious and being pregant.

VivaLeBeaver · 07/05/2011 21:29

Pregnancy increases your risk, a previous pe increases the risk. The research and nice guidelines say women in your position should take clexane.

Boogiemumma · 07/05/2011 21:31

Hi, I'd take it it's not likely to cause a problem but could prevent one. You're much more likely to clot in pg I've been on clexane since wk 13 and will continue til the end of pg (35 weeks now).

Original poster
supergreenuk · 08/05/2011 09:37

Thanks guys. Yes I have no clotting problems and the cause was clear but your right I am at greater risk. It won't hurt to start.

OP posts:
Borisneedsahaircut · 08/05/2011 19:00

:) good on ya! Better safe than sorry. I find it a bit strange why they would wait until after the birth though as I thought the risk was the same throughout pregnancy. x

midori1999 · 08/05/2011 19:44

The risk is the same trhroughout pregnancy, but goes up slightly after the birth as the blood becomes more 'sticky' then apparently. (according to haematologist)

Borisneedsahaircut · 08/05/2011 20:34

Oh ok Midori (changed my name btw bearslikehoney) Thats interesting I didnt know that, maybe thats why my last haemo said what she did.

VivaLeBeaver · 09/05/2011 10:24

I don't think your haematologist is right. There is a 10x higher risk of a pregnant woman having a VTE as compared to a non-pregnant woman. So the raised risk is there in pregnancy.

Last time you had a VTE yes there was a reason for it - the ankle surgery. But most people who have ankle surgery don't have a VTE, you did. So this could suggest that you're more prone to them than the average person. On the other hand it could have been a one off and bad luck and you'd never have another one. But I wouldn't risk it.

midori1999 · 09/05/2011 10:42

I may not have been clear in what I was saying. I was told the risk is the same throughout pregnancy as in the same from the start to the end of pregnancy, it doesn't go up throughout pregnancy or anything, not that it is the same in a pregnant woman as a non pregnant woman. However, that the risk then increases further for 6 weeks post birth.

I'm still not sure I've explained it very well... Blush

mumofethan · 09/05/2011 11:01

Hi my haematologist said women who either have one abnormality predisposing you to blood clotting plus one previous episode of clotting would result in the use of clexane. Or alternatively two abnormalities (which is what I have). So if that is the Haematology general consensus then I would think it unlikely that you do need clexane. However I would still take it until told otherwise, even though it is horrible!

mumofethan · 09/05/2011 11:05

Yes midori that makes perfect sense :-) and is the reason that with this pregnancy I have been taking clexane as soon as I saw the consultant. With my last pregnancy I didn't start until 2nd trimester as the advice was that you were more at risk from that point onwards whereas they now believe it is the same (higher) risk throughout pregnancy!

Original poster
supergreenuk · 09/05/2011 19:15

I understood what you were saying midori

OP posts:
chocolatehobnobs · 09/05/2011 20:17

You do need to take clexane. Have a look at NICE guidance on VTE prophylaxis (NICE CG92).

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