Pulmonary embolism (PE) in Pregnancy

[RPS19]

Hi- I am wondering if anyone who has experienced PE during pregnancy can help.
I am 36 weeks pregnant.
I had a VQ scan two days ago after fainting on Wednesday and being very breathless. Unfortunately I have PE (two blood clots in my lungs).
I am now taking two Clexane injections daily.
Despite this I am really worried I may faint again, or the clots may travel to my heart or brain. I am also worried about the birth.
It would be really helpful to hear how anyone got on with the treatment (if breathlessness continued or they fainted) and if there were changes to their birthing plans?
Thanks so much

Hi, I had all the investigations whilst pregnant, I didn't want to run and not reply, I found a few posts - best way to do it is search using Google, things like ' pulmonary embolism and pregnancy Mumsnet' you seem to get more results! Anyway I found this thread, VQ scan in pregnancy - pulmonary embolism www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/4227314-vq-scan-in-pregnancy-pulmonary-embolism

P.s you'll be on therapeutic dose blood thinners now, they'll get to work straight away, I've done a lot of research on it now, I had an elective section and was advised to stop 24 hours before section... then started back on them a few hours later, you'll get looked after really well, please try not to worry x

Just realised that thread isn’t the best one as it doesn’t really answer your questions but I’m sure you’ll find loads more, I had a lot of hits when I typed in, in my experience thougj everything was fine on the blood thinners, just the minor inconvenience of jabbing myself and finding enough new places to bloody jab! Breathlessness did continue for a while probably a good month, but no fainting or anything - hope this helps a little bit x

@FF821 thank you so much for your reply. Pleased to hear that the blood thinners helped you, hopefully it will be the same for me. I’ve had a google as you suggested above and found some really helpful and settling articles. Thank you

Ive 2 friends that had clots in pregnancy. One in the leg, the other in the lungs.
Both mums and babies were fine. Try not to worry.

I had a PE at literally 4 weeks pregnant back in April. I had a 2 night hospital admission with weird shoulder/underneath the breast pain and quite breathless. My heart rate was also quite high. I’d a VQ scan. I’d just done an IVF cycle to get pregnant so they feel it was hormone provoked. Was quite breathless for a while and still am at times but that could be pregnancy too (it’s twins). I’m still on a high dose of tinzaparin at night. Only saw the haemotologist last week. So she’s happy enough to keep going as we are. I’m 32 weeks now. Asked her is there follow up after babies- she said no, not unless I was doing IVF or became pregnant again. I’ve to avoid oestrogen based medication like the pill and HRT when it comes to menopause time. But me and both babies are doing fine. Best of luck

Hi OP, sorry to hear you’ve had a PE. It is impossible though now for the clot to travel to your heart or brain. It has already travelled through your heart to get to your lung and the way the vascular system works it would be impossible to get to your brain.
I’m currently taking blood thinners in pregnancy - it’s no big deal. You’ll be fine x