on blood thinners whilst ttc baby no2

Butterfly134 · 2023-08-19T11:01:01+00:00

Hi, I have been on blood thinners (Apixaban) after my pregnancy with my daughter, 2 years ago left me with a large blood clot in my IVC. I still have the clot and therefore I have been told that once I start ttc again I will need go onto injectable thinners as Apixaban isn’t safe for baby. Has anyone had any experience of blood thinners whilst ttc and any information on how being on blood thinners would affect pregnancy/labour? Just to add, my worst fear is suffering another haemorrhage as this is what happened after my C-section my last pregnancy. Just wanted some stories on how anyone else experienced this. Thank you.

StoriesAboutJanuary · 20/08/2023 16:16

I’ve been on Clexane from Day One (IVF pregnancy). Blood thinners, in my case, help rather than hinder - it allows for easier blood flow to the baby as Oestrogen causes the maternal blood to thicken. I imagine that you’d be on a therapeutic dose. Your doctor will know what’s best for you.

Sell123 · 20/08/2023 16:57

I am on warfarin which is also bad for pregnancy. I have been referred to antenatal haematology clinic. I asked my gp for the referral. I haven't had the appointment yet.

CR7 · 20/08/2023 18:22

I was on inhixa for the first 12 weeks of my pregnancy x

Undercoverunicorn · 20/08/2023 18:37

I'm on fragmin (deltaparin) thought my entire pregnancy following a post natal PE. No risk to baby from them. In terms of labour, my consultant midwife has said they ideally like 12 hrs between the last injection and delivery of the placenta, so if I went into labour to not do that days injection. However I am having a c section - also had a hemorrhage last time - so if goes as planned then I won't take my injection the night before. Due to the location of my placenta I'm at increased risk of bleeding so they will cross match my blood before hand and will have units of blood on standby in case of another hemorrhage.

As pp have said your Dr's will know what's best for you and your circumstances so talk to them about all your worries.

Fullofthejoysofspring · 20/08/2023 18:37

I had pulmonary embolisms with DD2 so was put on clexane with DD3 as soon as we realised I was pregnant (5 weeks), and remained on it for 8 weeks post birth.

Fullofthejoysofspring · 20/08/2023 18:39

Forgot to say, my C-section with DD3 was perfect. I came off clexane 12 hours before the planned section and blood loss was minimal. I also had a haemorrhage with DD2 so completely understand your concerns. Good luck

Houseonthehills · 21/08/2023 21:28

Can I ask about your experience with PE? I have been diagnosed with one and waiting for referral to consultant and haemotology and feel like I’ve been left with no info and so scared x

maria2bela1 · 22/08/2023 08:48

I am also about to start clexane due to previous PE 3 weeks postpartum. It is a very scary diagnosis to have and recovery takes a while. Also a bit anxious about how blood thinners affect pregnancy as didn't have them with previous pregnancy

Houseonthehills · 22/08/2023 12:22

Sorry to hear to also had a PE… I’m 28 weeks pregnant with one abc two weeks into fragmin injections. Struggling big time, wondering when and if things will improve

Undercoverunicorn · 22/08/2023 17:03

Sorry to hear others suffering with PE. In terms of treatment when I had mine, I was on a high dose of fragmin - intially for 3 months (but ultimately extended to 6 due to some other issues they picked up and I was investigated for lung cancer also). The blood thinners stop any more clots forming, and your body does the work of dissolving the clot. This can take a while plus being pregnant or post parturtum doesn't help with feeling better quickly. I found it gradually improved over time. I was reviewed by the hematology team, but it was covid times so a lot of it wasn't in person which I imagine might have changed now.

@maria2bela1 the blood thinners shouldn't affect your pregnancy. Puts you at slightly higher risk of bleeding but you should be on a preventative rather than treatment dose to minimise the risks.

Original poster

Butterfly134 · 22/08/2023 23:15

Fullofthejoysofspring · 20/08/2023 18:39

Forgot to say, my C-section with DD3 was perfect. I came off clexane 12 hours before the planned section and blood loss was minimal. I also had a haemorrhage with DD2 so completely understand your concerns. Good luck

Thank you, I really am nervous but I know I'm in the best hands when it comes to those making decisions about my blood thinners etc.

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Original poster

Butterfly134 · 22/08/2023 23:17

Houseonthehills · 21/08/2023 21:28

Can I ask about your experience with PE? I have been diagnosed with one and waiting for referral to consultant and haemotology and feel like I’ve been left with no info and so scared x

Mine is actually a blood clot in my ivc and was only picked up once I was in unbearable pain and rushed to A&E. All doctors suspected kidney stones but turned out to be an extensive ivc thrombosis. I was out on heparin and then I have been able to be on Apixaban following that. The pain is now manageable and the recovery has been slow but steady. I will most likely be on Apixaban for life and I have been told to limit some activities.

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Original poster

Butterfly134 · 22/08/2023 23:19

Undercoverunicorn · 22/08/2023 17:03

Sorry to hear others suffering with PE. In terms of treatment when I had mine, I was on a high dose of fragmin - intially for 3 months (but ultimately extended to 6 due to some other issues they picked up and I was investigated for lung cancer also). The blood thinners stop any more clots forming, and your body does the work of dissolving the clot. This can take a while plus being pregnant or post parturtum doesn't help with feeling better quickly. I found it gradually improved over time. I was reviewed by the hematology team, but it was covid times so a lot of it wasn't in person which I imagine might have changed now.

@maria2bela1 the blood thinners shouldn't affect your pregnancy. Puts you at slightly higher risk of bleeding but you should be on a preventative rather than treatment dose to minimise the risks.

Thank you for sharing your experience. It's hard sharing but it's so comforting knowing I'm not alone in feeling this way when planning a pregnancy. I have been given the go ahead to start ttc baby number 2 but I am still so nervous that I have asked DH whether we can ask for another opinion from a private vascular consultant. I know my clot is in my ivc and I'm not sure how a pregnancy would affect this. Wishing you good health xx

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