Hi there, I am usually on life-long (maybe... long story) warfarin but for TTC and PG have been switched to 40mg Clexane injections by my haematologist. I am expected to be on it for the whole pregnancy and possibly after birth for six weeks (although I may be switched back to warfarin, again long story with two haematologists that can't agree about what do to with me. I am on the Clexane to keep me alive rather than the baby, although I believe as a I am a Factor V Leiden carrier my baby is at risk without the Clexane as well.
I am meeting with my new OB next week but before then I would love to hear any stories about how the pregnancy and especially the delivery went. I know I am "high risk" and realise that I will likely need more intervention than I would otherwise want but on the other hand I don't want to get railroaded into things I don't need either, so it would be handy to hear some stories to give me a baseline.
Were you induced early for a predictable labour?
Did you have to get an epidural? (I don't want one!)
Did you have an "elective" caesarian?
I totally understand your concerns....I am now 13 weeks pregnant with number 5, and the 2nd pregnancy on clexane ( as I have cardiolipin clotting disorder). My Last pregnancy I was put on clexane 40mg from 9 weeks, but due to poor placental function at 20 weeks was also put on aspirin (low dose) and monitored cord blood flow ultrasounds weekly till I was hospitalised at 25 weeks with an elective C section at 31 weeks. He is now 4 and a normal hyperactive boy!!
This pregnancy as soon as I found out (9 weeks) the Dr put me on the clexane and aspirin for added precaution. I have known a number of women on clexane who have carried to term and had healthy vaginal deliveries.
Your tummy ends up fairly bruised and I have noticed that I have had a lot of abdo itching, although I am also on insulin for diabetes, so 6 injections a day is a fair whack!
You will probably find that after 20 weeks ultrasounds may ramp up to check cord blood flow. I know with some clotting conditions they dont like to push past 34 weeks. I will only go to 36 weeks with this one (If I make it!) but that is due to this being C section number 5
Hi ladies - I am on clexane (40mg) and aspirin (from 6 weeks) for this pregnancy because I have lupus anticoagulant AND prothrombin gene mutation. We found all of this out after testing for recurrent loss.
My OB would like to keep me on clexane and aspirin until 38 weeks and then induce within a few days (if my body is showing any signs of dilating, etc at this point) or, if there is medical necessity, schedule a c-section. She said if we can go a little longer than 38 weeks so my body starts to get ready on its own, we will as it will make induction easier.
Obviously if things start to change prior to 38 weeks, this will all be revised!
I will also be on clexane for 6 weeks after birth.
On bruising, I was getting terrible bruises until I talked to my OB and midwife about this and I got a proper lesson. I was previously placing the needle on my skin and THEN pressing and it was causing all sorts of dramas. The midwife told me I need to quickly JAB the needle in instead. Let me tell you, this has made all the difference in the world and I have not had a bruise in 9 weeks!!! I also ice the area briefly before and after, and of course, keep the skin pinched for the injection.
Hi there - other than checks for blood flow at 12 and 18 weeks, I have not had any extra scans for anything. I think my doc said something about IUGR not really coming into play if it's going to happen until later on, like after 28 weeks. (I could be remembering this incorrectly though.) My belly was measuring 30cm at my 28.5 week appt so I don't think she is worried. I think my OB has dealt with women on clexane etc and other high risk situations quite a bit in the past, so I do have a lot of trust in her. That said, it does seem that different docs recommend slightly different protocols for situations like ours.
I briefly lived in Canberra. Who is your doc and where are you delivering?
We are in Latham but have to go through the fetal medicine unit at the Canberra Hospital due to my high risk factors.
Glad to hear all is well with your bub...Our last one was IUGR from 20 weeks, so as I get near 20 weeks I think my anxiety will increase. That said my Professor advised that I have just as much a chance not having another smallie as I do having on!
Clexane pregnancy and delivery
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