Aspirin/ clexane

[ToysRus56]

It appears I am pregnant, naturally conceived (although I have had two early miscarriages so won't count my chickens), although I was just about to do an IVF transfer.

I haven't been tested for APS -but 'm still on the waiting list via the NHS because of my two miscarriages.

When we spoke to our IVF consultant about the transfer, she suggested that I might take empiric aspirin and clexane just to be on the safe side, despite not having a formal diagnosis of APS.

Now I'm pregnant - naturally conceived - I don't know what to do! I have written to my IVF clinic to ask if they'd supply this medication, but what if they don't? I'm really not sure what else to do! I might not have APS of course but I really really would rather be on the safe side. Advice please!

Go to your EPU and ask for it. Doesn’t always work, but worked for me.

Thank you! Were you diagnosed with APS?

Hi, I didn’t have a diagnosis of anything but my siblings are on blood thinners so my GP put me on it immediately as a precaution. I’ve also been given it without question for long haul travel. I’d suggest going to your GP and explaining. And congratulations x

Gawd, what do I do given it's Saturday tomorrow and my gp is closed. Does it wait until Monday?

@FlakyGooose were you put on aspirin or claxine

I also have a history of miscarriages and have had ivf. I have had clexane and aspirin in both ivf pregnancies successfully and now pregnant naturally and was on clexane and aspirin successfully so far!
I am not diagnosed with a clotting disorder but they put me on it as a precaution to help prevent another miscarriage. I think if your consultant is suggesting it, he believes it is safe for you to take.

@2boysandadog2 thank you! Where were you able to get it from? Feel like it's a bit of a race against time over a weekend, bit stressful

@2boysandadog2 as in for your natural pregnancy sorry - worried IVF clinic won't give it to me because I conceived naturally and NHS won't give it to me because I'm not diagnosed....

I took both via my GP

Tell them that’s what you’ve been told and they will have seen this before. I assume it’s anti phospholipid syndrome. I was told I might have that, but not sure how they formally diagnose other than circumstantial.

2DC from 6 pregnancies here after treatment. Now 18 years ago. Good luck

I got it from my ivf clinic, luckily they were really kind and happy to support me through my natural pregnancy and gave me enough medication to 15 weeks. I also had a 7 week scan there.
If they don’t do that maybe your ivf consultant would write a letter you can give to your GP or write you a prescription. Worth asking!

Thanks so much guys! I'm currently on the phone to epu (I've moved so not the original one) and they're saying to wait until my scan at 6 weeks. Surely that's not right and I need to start now? I'll have miscarried by then!

You could probably buy the low dose aspirin at a pharmacy today. I started taking it once I got a positive test which meant I was able to take some action while I waited for the Clexane to be sorted.

A simple blood test can be done showing markers for APS. That’s how mine was found. A kind GP might be willing to run the blood test. Then if the blood test suggests APS, the EPU will be more likely to sort out the Clexane willingly.

I think I started the Clexane at about 6 weeks.

If you’re in/near a city and have the money you might be able to pay for a private blood test today for APS. Worth it perhaps if you are feeling very anxious about it.

You can buy low dose aspirin in Boots. I’ve also just halved a full aspirin if I’ve run out. As for the clexane, you have to wait for your scan to make sure it’s not ectopic because if it is and you’ve taken blood thinners then it could be very dangerous. I have diagnosed APS and this is what my protocols have been. If you can you could try push for a slightly earlier appointment at 5.5w if they have a cancellation

No that’s not correct. You need to take it day 1 - IMO.

Call your GP

Yes I just bought the aspirin from the pharmacy, 75mg so you can start that now then ring the clinic when you can about a prescription for clexane.

Ok thank you! I had a fairly cold email from IVF clinic saying they couldn't help. Waiting for a phone call from epu. Is there any risk in taking aspirin?

Only towards giving birth, so no, … but I’m not a consultant

I have a clotting disorder and have been on aspirin and clexane throughout 3 successful pregnancies. Aspirin the consultant said to take from positive test and there's no harm with this. I was told just to buy baby aspirin over the counter. Clexane they would only prescribe after I'd had a viability scan at 6 weeks incase of ectopic. So in my experience you don't need to panic this weekend and you can talk to your gp about possible clexane prescription next week.

Hi OP just to add, I am on clexane for this pregnancy as a precaution prescribed by my private gynaecologist. This is due to 3 miscarriages with no reason found. My GP would not prescribe me this despite my private consultant writing to them and I only got it on the NHS once I had my 12 week scan. Prior to this I paid for it. Perhaps you could visit a private obstetrics doctor who could on consultation prescribe it to you for the first initial weeks.

Hopefully I won’t get shot down for suggesting this but you could start the aspirin now whilst you’re waiting for the clexane? I’m on it 75mg a day, I don’t know if it’s a different dosage for APS. I was on clexane + aspirin from the IVF clinic until 11 weeks and then carried on the aspirin due to PAI 1. They added in the clexane due to PAI 1, endometriosis and past loss

Just don’t tell them in the pharmacy you’re pregnant. I asked my husband to get me some and they wouldn’t sell it to him as he mentioned I was pregnant?! Bananas