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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Deep vein thrombosis in pregnancy

45 replies

newbishad · 21/03/2008 11:13

Hi there,

I have just been diagnosed with DVT in the left leg. I am 30 weeks pregnant and have to take Clexane by injection twice daily for the next 6 months. The labour has to be carefully planned because of the risk of heamorrhage while I am taking the drug. If anyone has any experience I would really like to chat with them about it. It all happened bery suddenly and I am a bit confused and stressed.

Talk soon

NS XXXXX

OP posts:
ItsMyBirthday · 21/03/2008 11:29

I think you need RubySlippers, or Lulumama I think they have both had DVTs although I could be wrong, and may not have been during pg.

SparklyGothKat and LisaD123 were both on clexane whilst pg last year I think so may have some help re labour on clexane.

Original poster
newbishad · 21/03/2008 11:53

Thanks It's My Birthday,

Cheers,

NS XXXX

OP posts:
7monthsplus · 21/03/2008 19:58

hi, I had a DVT before pregancy and have to take asprin in pregnancy and then clexane post partum for 6 weeks. this is the best thing for DVT risk and fine for the baby.. If they are aware you have had a DVT things should be fine as the drug is great at prevention and getting rid of clots.

I am just pleased I knew about having DVT before hand and that I have factor five leiden as this helps me prepare (and the medical team) for any operations or impending pregnancy I have.
good luck

xx

Original poster
newbishad · 21/03/2008 22:00

Thanks 7monthsplus,

I'll write more in the morning.

NS XXXX

OP posts:
SparklyGothKat · 22/03/2008 18:51

HI What I was told was if you think that something is happening do not inject. I went into labour at 8am so didn't do my clexane that morning. What times are yu dooing the clexane?

camillathechicken · 22/03/2008 18:54

my sister rubyslippers had this, and was on clexane. do a search for her posts under the name taylormama which was her old name..... i did not have DVT< i had protein S deficinecy and a suspected blood clot, i was advised to take low dose aspirin for the last trimester and first 6 weeks after birth. had average blood loss and no complications.

Ruby had a perfectly straightforward birth, no heammorhage but some bleeding after birth when being stitched, but nothing really out of the ordinary

3littlefrogs · 22/03/2008 19:01

The clexane will stop the clotting process so that the clot will break down and be reabsorbed. It is very important to keep injecting. However, you must withhold the injection and call the labour ward if you think you are going into labour. Tell them you are on anticoagulant injections and the date and time of the most recent dose. They will advise you.

It is common practice to offer induction of labour at 38 weeks so that labour can be planned and the injections stopped 24 hours beforehand. this is to reduce the risk of bleeding. Clexane is quite short acting, so gets out of your system quickly once you stop the injections.

If you are considering an epidural, you must tell the hospital well in advance, and the anaesthetist will need to know when you last had an injection.

DVT is not uncommon in pregnancy. It is good that it has been diagnosed and treated.

You should be referred to a haematologist asap, and it is very important that you go for your post natal appointment with the haematologist so that your management in future pregnancies can be discussed.

HTH

Original poster
newbishad · 22/03/2008 22:27

Thanks all,

NS XXXX

OP posts:
Original poster
newbishad · 23/03/2008 10:57

Hi everyone,

I thought I'd write a longer message today as I feel a bit better. I've been very breathless in this pregnancy with occasional faintness so I had to be checked out for pulmonary embolism yesterday. Luckily everything is fine. (I had a chest x ray with protective shield for baby.)

I am greatful to know how you managed your DVT's. Obviously I don't like being on medication in pregnancy although I have been assured it's safe. I will know in a couple of weeks about the question re induction. I have an appointment with the thrombosis team who will write out a birthing plan for me. To be honest I really don't mind. This is an IVF pregnany and I am so keen to have a baby I don't mind whether it is a natural birth or not. I have heard that they don't give epidurals for people on clexane because of the risk of bleeding.

I am delighted they picked it up and I am getting over the shock of having it. There are problems with the communication system in the hospital (it takes ages to get information) but they are swift in diagnosing conditions. Best of luck to you all and I hope you have an excellent Easter.

Cheers,

NS XXXXX

OP posts:
7monthsplus · 23/03/2008 14:57

Good luck I will be thinking of you. I know how you feel you dont mind how it happens just glad to be PG I too was told I would never have a baby and at 38 here I am with first due in about 12 days!!
I have not been told you cant have an epidural though even though I have a consultant so I would check this out.

Original poster
newbishad · 23/03/2008 18:11

Dear 7monthspregnant,

I am delighted for you. Congratulations. I'll look out for you on the birth announcement board.

Did you conceive naturally or did you have assisted conception.

Best of luck. I guess it's any day now! Do you know the flavour? We weren't told because the cord was in the way.

NS XXXXX

OP posts:
mamalovesmojitos · 24/03/2008 18:37

hi ns. just saw post. i had dvt during my pregnancy. was a bit scared as it was my first (and only so far!) pregnancy. never been sick or admitted to hospital before that.

thought it was just leg cramps until the day i literally couldn't walk and was rushed to a & e. they found a huge clot, my leg was so swollen. had to take oral and intravenous blood thinners for a a week.

took warfarin throughout pregnancy and was injecting heparin for the last month and the day i felt i was going into labour i just didn't use the injection.

everything was fine. well, labour not so good! episiotomy and vacuum delivery but the clot didn't cause any problems thank god.

when first diagnosed the docs made a big deal of it; danger in birth, risk of haemorrhage etc but really i forgot about the clot when i was in there!

best of luck!

Original poster
newbishad · 24/03/2008 19:04

Mamalovesmojitos,

Thank you ever so much for writing to me. I don't feel quite so alone.

I too am scared because this is my first pregnancy and it's an IVF conception after 4 1/2 years of infertility and 2 ectopic pregnancies.

Glad to here you were fine. What would I do without Mumsnet. I hope you don't mind my asking but did they give you any advice about further pregnancies?

NS XXXXX

OP posts:
mamalovesmojitos · 24/03/2008 19:31

oh sincerest congratulations, you must be really happy!

dont let this overshadow the pregnancy. enjoy it as much as you can. they didn't give me any advice on further pregnancies. perhaps because i was nineteen at the time! and not planning any more immediate ones...

they didn't know what caused the clot. it could've been as simple as a hard knock to the leg. however i did smoke (though absolutely not when pregnant)and was on the pill for years due to very painful and heavy periods. tmi??

they can give you some blood tests to see if you have a predisposition to clots and my results said i didn't, thank god.

however i still get nervous when i feel any pain in my legs.

hope this info has been of some help to you. i know you must be anxious.

3littlefrogs · 24/03/2008 22:13

Hello again newbishad. The usual advice is to have injections to prevent thrombosis in future pregnancies. The preventative dose is smaller than the treatment dose. the drug used varies from hospital to hospital.

Where I work we use a type of anticoagulant injection that only needs to be given once a day. I happen to be studying the use of these drugs in pregnancy and the evidence is that it is much better to give them to prevent a clot in future pregnancies than to risk a further clot. It is recognised that once you have had one clot, you are at risk of having another. However, many women simply don't turn up for their follow up with the haematologist - I know it is difficult once you have a new baby etc, but it really is important.

HTH

Original poster
newbishad · 25/03/2008 10:51

Hi all,

Thanks for your advice. I read somewhere that although DVT is more common in pregnancy there is still only an incidence of 1 / 1000 so it's great to talk to people who have either expereienced it or treated it.

Marmalovesmojitos you were uncluky to have one at such a young age. Do they scan you from time to time to check if you have a clot or if the old one dispersed. You didn't mention if you have become pregnant again but I suppose they will keep a closer eye on you now.

3littlefrogs Have you any experience of advice given to women who have had DVT but can only get pregnant through IVF? I am on a higher dose of Clexane at the moment because I have a clot.
I understand lots of women won't turn up for appointments but I definately will. I have had too many health problems over the last 4 years to take risks...but thanks for thinking of it. Between infertility, ectopic pregnancy, IVF and now this there has hardly been a month when I haven't been in a hospital for something. My DP always says that I have a tendency to try out differetn hospitals across the country.

Thanks once again and look forward to talking

NS XXXX

OP posts:
tjacksonpfc · 25/03/2008 11:42

newbishad i had a big dvt with first pregnancy and a small dvt with second im just taking dd to nursery and will write more when i come back

7monthsplus · 25/03/2008 16:34

Hi Newisbad,
Natural conception! was climbing in Scotland and felt ill.. guess why!!! she is strawberry flavour..
lovely as I am so happy with my lovely fiance and this is the icing on the cake.. though I am 38 so its an aging cake.. but all things come to they who wait it seems.. Will look out for your announcment too..
xxxxxxxxxbest to luck

Original poster
newbishad · 25/03/2008 17:01

7monthsplus,

That sounds lovely. I wish you all the best. You must be so excited. I'm counting the days.

NS XXXX

OP posts:
3littlefrogs · 25/03/2008 19:57

I have not had any experience of IVF. I know that fertility drugs can be an issue with history of DVT and use of anticoagulants. You will need proper advice and planning before considering another pregnancy - ideally in partnership with your obstetrician and obstetrician. I don't think there would be any major problems though.

3littlefrogs · 25/03/2008 19:57

Sorry - i meant Haematologist and obstetrician....

Original poster
newbishad · 26/03/2008 11:44

Thanks 3 littlefrogs. v. useful to have this information. Good luck with your research.

Cheers,

NS XXXX

OP posts:
tjacksonpfc · 26/03/2008 11:49

hi newbishad sorry for the delay but with a 2 and 3 yr old things are hectic lol. I got diagnosed with a huge dvt when 34weeks with dd it littrellay came up over night and was right in my groin stopping blood flowing back up my leg so had a huge leg i got put staright on to heparin jabs for a week whilst they monitered me and then i got induced at 35 weeks as it was a case of baby out or my leg off no choice really i was then put on to walfarin for 9 months after having dd when to see the specalist when i came off and all test were fien when i fell for ds i went and saw the same dr who had moinitered me through my first preganacy and said if i was to fall preganant again he would deal with me he immediatly put me on to heparin again for the whole of my preganacy and for 6 months afterwards as i didnt get on with the walfarin. all the test i had have shown that i am clear it is just something that i am suseptable to during preganacy surfice to say im not having anymore. i was advised to wear those really sexy stocking when ever i fly and to take asprn the week before i fly but other than that nothing. please dont worry about it, it is really easily treated nowadays. and at the end of teh day you will have a lovely dc to take your mind off of things it just means they will monitor you a bit more. and in my case i still hold the record at salsibury general hospital for being the youngest perosn they have seen with big dvt and the biggest measurement as my leg at the height of it measure 72cms round. something to telll the kids about. lol wishing you all the besy with your birth hope all goes well keppe us informed x.

woops bit of a long reply lol

Original poster
newbishad · 26/03/2008 13:04

Dear tjacksonpfc,

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I don't think I've quite got to your record. What a nightmare for you...real worry. I'm so pleased it all worked out for you in the end and you have two DC's. Some of my worry has been all the hype that goes with it. The doctors are right to warn you about pulmonary embolism but with everyone mentioning it (and me suffering from anxiety as well) I thought for a moment last week baby and I were on the way out and every pregnancy symptom I suffered seemed to be connected with the DVT.

I haven't broken any records in the hospital. Mine was caught early on I think, though it's been hard to get information from the doctors on the size, only one vein is involved, just above the kneee. I knew what to look out for because my sister had one a few years ago and they run in the family, so it was probably caught in the early stages. I am just counting the days until I have baby. I have waited so long for the child. Twice daily injections of Clexane for me...DP does them.

Thanks once again for replying to me. It is so helpful to speak to people who have been through it. I will keep you informed.

NS XXXX

OP posts:
Mikafan · 26/03/2008 13:19

I was diagnosed with a DVT at 9 weeks of pregnancy and had to inject myself twice a day for the rest of the pregnancy and 6 weeks after