Travelling whilst pregnant and taking Clexane injections

[LouDew]

Hello,

I’m just looking for a little advice if possible or at least some sensible opinions!

I’m currently 6 weeks pregnant with hopefully our second child, although this is my seventh pregnancy. After a number of lost pregnancies, I was diagnosed with anti-phospholipid syndrome and given a medicated plan to follow in subsequent pregnancies. In 2020, I fell pregnant with our daughter and, following the plan, we now have a beautiful 4 year old. Since then, I have lost another pregnancy and we decided we were perfectly happy as a family of 3. Cue 2 weeks ago when I found out I was unexpectedly pregnant. Whilst not planned, we are over the moon and this would be a wonderful final addition to our family.

Last year I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and tried various medications to keep it under control, unfortunately none of those are advised to take during pregnancy so as soon as I found out, I stopped taking them. This has caused some nasty withdrawal symptoms but 2 weeks on, I seem to be over the worst and am feeling a little better. I have also been taking the medication prescribed back in 2020 for a pregnancy - cyclogest, aspirin, extra strength folic acid, Clexane injections and promethezine. I have a scan booked in at the EPAU next Friday when I’ll be around 7 weeks - keep everything crossed! Although I’m not naive, we’ve seen a heartbeat at 7 weeks before and gone on to lose the pregnancy.

Besides the general anxiety about pregnancy, plus the added anxiety of pregnancy after loss, I’m also starting to fret about a holiday we have booked for 3 weeks time. A family member is getting married abroad in Kos, Greece, and we have booked a weeks stay in a lovely hotel. We’re so excited, it’s a long needed holiday after a tricky winter getting to grips with Fibromyalgia etc. and our daughter can’t wait to fly on a plane! However, I’m now worrying about whether going abroad at 9/10 weeks pregnant considering my history and medical background is sensible and safe? I know that if something is going to happen, it will happen whether I’m in the UK or not. I’m just worrying! We’ll be travelling with most of my family so will have lots of people nearby if the worst did happen (not that we’ve told anyone yet) but I’m working myself up about it.

I’m then getting stressed about the injections and having to take them on a flight. I’ve read you need a letter from your doctor so have requested one today - even though I feel that’s assuming the best and that everything will be ok. We’re travelling out with family so will have to tell some of them as it’ll be obvious at airport security. I’m then worrying about what to do with the used injections. Here, I have a yellow sharps box, I don’t know if they’re accepted abroad, or where I’d even dispose of it before heading home?

I’m just getting myself all in a jumble with worry and know it won’t be helping. Of course, I’m aware we’re in a lucky position - being pregnant, having a holiday to go on - but the worrying is consuming me at the moment. Any advice or opinions would be kindly received.

Thank you!

I'm on fragmin injections and flying next week when I will be nearly 16 weeks.

I asked at antenatal clinic at 12 weeks for a letter and they said they don't provide them. They said based on past experience to take the white slip of my prescription and the boxes with labels on and shouldn't have any problems. That's great but my white slip come back from the chemist blank.
I've also been in to the Tui shop and asked them if they could get me the correct information for flying on a Tui holiday (actually flying Sunexpress). They rang special assistance who have made a note on my booking and have given me an extra 2kg hand luggage to account for injections and sharps box. They again advised a copy of prescription and labeled boxes.

I'm going to ask my midwife Tuesday can she get me a copy of prescription to take with me.

I asked at antenatal clinic for a smaller sharps box and they got me the smallest one they could. I plan to take it out empty. Use it and then seal it and put into hold luggage for the return flight and just carry the extra injections in my hand luggage.

I'm going for 2 weeks but going to take 2 boxes of injections (20) just incase there is any delays, cancellations or mishaps.

I am taking clexane currently and have just travelled to Turkey. I packed the injections (still in the box) in my suitcase, along with an empty sharps box, and I had no issues. I’ve travelled for all three pregnancies with clexane in my suitcase and it’s never been an issue. Hope this helps.

Thank you both for your reply.

It’s reassuring to know others have travelled. I’m not sure I’d be comfortable putting my injections in the hold in case we are separated from the case but thank you for sharing how you manage it.

Think I’ll request an extra sharps box too so I can take it with me. Did you bring your sharps box back to the UK full and dispose of as normal here?

Flew through Gatwick yesterday. Stressed for nothing. Got to the front of security que and said to the bloke I got injections he said that's fine. Put bag through scanner and mine got pulled for an extra check. Thought fair enough it's the jabs. No my water bottle had about 20ml of water left in it and was over 100ml. She asked did I have anything sharp in my bag I said I've got injections but they are boxed and she said that's not a problem.
Wasn't asked to see the labels, prescription, drs letter or anything.

If it wasn't for my bottle I wouldn't have been pulled.

Hopefully this is reassuring for you, I know how much I worried about taking them with me. I even rang the number online for gatwick security to ask them.