The Peri is suggesting that I go on Heprin (sp) 2xs a day. A little history - at our 20 week u/s we found that baby B was small (less than 10th %) and baby A was larger than normal (80th %) we went back for a follow up 3 weeks later - just last week. Baby B is still small and at the 10th %, but is gaining growing, but now baby A has slowed in growth and is now at the 47th %, they drew blood to check for predisposition to clotting, that could be causing issues with the placenta that may be restricting nutrients to get to the babies. The tests came back that I am at the very borderline low end. She suggests that I do start taking heprin, but also stated that there will be some that say it is not necessary. I asked if there are any adverse SE for the babies and she said no, just that if I were to be injured I would bleed a lot more. DH and I are currently of the opinion that if it will/can help then we should do it. What are your thoughts/experiences?? Thanks ladies - it is so reassuring to know that I have you guys as resources when stuff like this comes up.
HI there! I am not familiar with Heprin, but wanted to say good luck if you start it! Sounds like if the pedi thinks it will help you and the babies then it is a good idea Keep us posted!
Hi I hope that everything works out for you. I went to school for blood drawing and working in hospital labs. Here's a little info: heparin is an anticoagulant that prevents clotting, (does the same thing as going on asprin therapy but in a different way I think). Its put into a lot of medical supplies like syringes to keep the blood flowing through it. Do you know the name of the actual medication that they will put you on or how its to be administered? I'm looking in my pill book and can't find heparin in here, however looking it up on wikipedia it says its usually injected. Don't take warfarin, coumadin, or jantoven, they aren't considered safe during pregnancy so stay away from those if possible. Also the reason for taking it so often is because it's half life is 1.5 hr, which means it beaksdown quickly. I would be cautious with it though because if you're still on it and for some reason have to deliver the babies you probably will bleed excessively and your chances of hemorrage increase. It does appear they it won't harm the babies because it doesn't cross the placenta. Another thing to keep in mind is that what they are using it for is to prevent future clots. Heparin doesn't breakdown existing clots. Good luck and I hope that this helps you. I would also do some more searching on the web about anticoagulants and blood thinners to make sure you are aware of all the risks.
I had to take heparin twice a day for my first trimester. It wasn't bad, I just had a bruised belly. The babies are fine. To me, it was worth it knowing that this will help prevent clots to the placenta. goodluck!
I took Lovenox (a heparin like drug) every day throughout my pregnancy due to MTHFR-a clotting disorder. I had no issues with it. I was warned that if I went into labor within 24 hours after taking Lovenox they would have to put me under general anesthesia for a c-section since they won't do an epidural while on Lovenox. Closer to the end of the pg. they tried to switch me to Heparin to avoid this problem and I was allergic to it. I developed HUGE whelts on my legs which were unbelievably itchy. It turns out that I was hospitalized due to pre-term labor issues and they took me off of Lovenox at 33 weeks. The dr's felt comfortable without me on it when the babies were on the monitors at the hospital. It was a good thing as the babies came about 2 days after this happened. So, I was able to have the c-section awake with my husband present. That's a little more than you asked for, but that's my experience with Heparin during pg!! Feel free to PM me if you have any other specific questions about this. Good luck!!
I was on heparin 2/day with my son's pg and my twins pg. The only bad side effect I got was horribly bad nose bleeds (I had to get my nose cauterized). It seems worth it to me. The shots are nothing. I did have a very bruised belly but the shots are so teeny tiny they don't really hurt. The hardest part was finding a new space on your belly! Good luck! Oh and I was able to get an epidural with both my pgs.
I too had to have Heparin injections twice a day throughout my twin pregnancy. After my older son was born I had two miscarriages and they discovered I had antiphospholipid antibody syndrome so I took the Heparin and a baby Aspirin each day. The Heparin is a subcutaneous shot it is relatively easy to give, I even had to teach my DH how to give shots so he could reach areas I couldn't when I ran out of spots on my stomach. I didn't have too many issues with bruising and no issues with bleeding. Good luck with whatever you decide
I am on Lovenox right now. I never had to take it during any of my previous pregnancies, but I had 2 knee surgeries in the past 2 years (Jan 06 and Feb 07) and after the first one I ended up with a blood clot in my lower leg...making me higher risk during any more pregnancies. I started the Lovenox at 12 weeks (40mg-I think that is the right unit). At 16 weeks my OB took my up to 60mg and she told me yesterday at my appt (25w2d) that as of my next appt I would be up to 80mg for the rest of my pregnancy. I will be having a scheduled c-section at 38 weeks and she told me that I will go off the Lovenox abt a week before. QUOTE(4jsinPA @ Jul 8 2008, 07:47 PM) [snapback]866824[/snapback] The shots are nothing. I did have a very bruised belly but the shots are so teeny tiny they don't really hurt. The hardest part was finding a new space on your belly! Agreed! The shots don't really hurt alot. I try to take my shots first thing in the morning. I just started keeping them in the bathroom so I remember to take them (I have not been really good abt remembering them :blush. I use a large apple juice jug as a needle container (none of the Pharmacies here had one for needles that large...they were only for teeny tiny Insulin needles). I don't want to scare you...the needles are NOT large...but the syringe is bigger than a skinny Insulin shot. The shots do not hurt...just feels like a little pinch. Just make sure you rotate back and forth on which side you give yourself the shot in...it lessens the bruising in each area. QUOTE Do you know the name of the actual medication that they will put you on or how its to be administered? I'm looking in my pill book and can't find heparin in here, however looking it up on wikipedia it says its usually injected. Don't take warfarin, coumadin, or jantoven, they aren't considered safe during pregnancy so stay away from those if possible. The Dr will probably give her Lovenox or Heparin. I cannot think of a reason any Dr would give a preggo woman Coumadin (or Warafin...which is the generic name for it)...b/c I was told it causes severe problems. I was on Coumadin after I was diagnosed with my clot and was told that I absolutely could not get preggo on it. But Lovenox and Heparin will not cause any pregnancy problems at all and are perfectly safe! I was also told by my Dr that the ONLY way to give either of these in pregnancy is via shot...and ONLY in the belly...to guarantee that it gets where it needs to to protect the baby(s).
I was also on Lovenox (a low molecular weight heparin) while pg with my twins. My shots were prefilled so it was very easy to inject. I was on them because I developed blood clots in my groin and lung around 31 weeks. The pulmonologist who was treating me told me to inject them in my thighs so that's what I did. Maybe I am a baby, but I thought the shots hurt. The needle stick is nothing, but the medicine stings going in. I was on 80 mg twice a day because I needed a higher dose since I had already developed clots. I was tested and found to be positive for the gene mutation Factor V Leiden. I'll most likely need to be on Lovenox or Heparin for future pregnancies. Do you remembe what you were at the borderline low end for? I did some research and there really isn't medical consensus on how to treat women with blood clotting disorders while pregnant. Some doctors use a low-dose aspirin daily, others do nothing, and others use heparin or Lovenox. But, once you've had a clot, most doctors will recommend heparin or Lovenox in future pregnancies. It's a personal decision that you and DH and your doctor should make. If I were in your shoes, I'd do the heparin because it might prevent future problems like a blood clot for you and blood clots in the placenta. And the risk is very little--bruising and temporary pain for the injections. And even if you cannot get an epidural, it's not the end of the world. I wasn't able to get my epidural until I was 8 1/2 cm dialated. It sucked and the contractions were fierce because of pitocin, but I made it through and you would too if that happens to you. I ended up with a c-section, and since I had to go right back on a heparin IV afterwards, I had some bleeding complications. But, within 6 weeks, the incision was healed and I was fine. (Although I had to remain on coumadin for 6 months and do several blood tests a week because of the clots I developed. That part sucked, and is another reason why I think it's a smart idea to get on the heparin for preventing a clot for yourself.)
You guys have been great - 99% sure we will go on the Heparin or Lovenox. I am now trying to get an apt. with the Peri to go over the details. I didnt really see any mention of side effects aside from the bruising, bleeding and pain of the shots/medication. Anything else I should be prepared for? Thanks again!
QUOTE(JessiePlus2 @ Jul 9 2008, 12:25 PM) [snapback]867840[/snapback] I was also on Lovenox (a low molecular weight heparin) while pg with my twins. My shots were prefilled so it was very easy to inject. I was on them because I developed blood clots in my groin and lung around 31 weeks. The pulmonologist who was treating me told me to inject them in my thighs so that's what I did. Maybe I am a baby, but I thought the shots hurt. The needle stick is nothing, but the medicine stings going in. I was on 80 mg twice a day because I needed a higher dose since I had already developed clots. I was tested and found to be positive for the gene mutation Factor V Leiden. I'll most likely need to be on Lovenox or Heparin for future pregnancies. Do you remembe what you were at the borderline low end for? I did some research and there really isn't medical consensus on how to treat women with blood clotting disorders while pregnant. Some doctors use a low-dose aspirin daily, others do nothing, and others use heparin or Lovenox. But, once you've had a clot, most doctors will recommend heparin or Lovenox in future pregnancies. It's a personal decision that you and DH and your doctor should make. If I were in your shoes, I'd do the heparin because it might prevent future problems like a blood clot for you and blood clots in the placenta. And the risk is very little--bruising and temporary pain for the injections. And even if you cannot get an epidural, it's not the end of the world. I wasn't able to get my epidural until I was 8 1/2 cm dialated. It sucked and the contractions were fierce because of pitocin, but I made it through and you would too if that happens to you. I ended up with a c-section, and since I had to go right back on a heparin IV afterwards, I had some bleeding complications. But, within 6 weeks, the incision was healed and I was fine. (Although I had to remain on coumadin for 6 months and do several blood tests a week because of the clots I developed. That part sucked, and is another reason why I think it's a smart idea to get on the heparin for preventing a clot for yourself.) This was very similar to my experience too, except I got admitted to the hospital for IV heparin because of my clot. I ended up with a scheduled section and they just stopped the heparin 6 hours prior and checked my clotting factors to make sure we were good. I did have a spinal instead of an epidural. I had to do lovenox injections after delivery for a couple of days and that was cake compared to the pain in the backside of taking coumadin for 6 months after. QUOTE(Shelly @ Jul 10 2008, 01:17 PM) [snapback]869935[/snapback] You guys have been great - 99% sure we will go on the Heparin or Lovenox. I am now trying to get an apt. with the Peri to go over the details. I didnt really see any mention of side effects aside from the bruising, bleeding and pain of the shots/medication. Anything else I should be prepared for? Thanks again! Glad you're getting an appt with your Peri and will have them answer your questions! I (personally) don't think they'd recommend it if it wasn't an important treatment plan. GL!
