Clexane - Risks to baby??

[Keen]

In my next IVF cycle I will be having Clexane injections daily, as I have some slight clotting issues and have suffered recurrent miscarriage..

I have been looking everywhere to try and find out what risks are caused to the baby when taking this...I can find many stating risks to the person taking it, but as they only suggest taking it at doctors advice during pg - I cant seem to find any who will state risks to the baby - eg. premature birth?? low weight?? etc etc

I will most likely take it either way, but just like to be informed.. and they all say can be taken if the risks outweight the benefits - well what are all the risks?

Does anyone know the risks involved??

[Alan]

Keen
Clexane is a category C drug. Which means that the drug may affect your baby but the effects are reversable. I'm not sure what these effects are as yet but I will see what I can find out

[Danni]

Keen hunny, i think Flowerchild is taking this? Maybe she can help you.

[Michelle71]

Keen - I was on clexane until I became allergic (a very rare side effect) and most of the literature indicated it had been found safe in pregnancy. It has a short half life (short duration of effect in the body) but there has not been enough numbers to rule it as safe to use in pregnancy. To my knowledge there are no adverse outcomes for the baby and it is usually ceased on the day of delivery (if natural) with no additional bleeding issues for the mother. Deb (Flowerchild) also had a reaction and has been on fragmin but she will also be able to give you details.

[mrsmac]

I was on daily clexane shots from 31-36 weeks pg and had Riley at nearly 38 weeks(induced for high blood pressure nothing to do with clexane). He was fine and weighed 8lb 3oz. My ob said they like you to be off it before giving birth as they won't give you an epidural if you are on it and they don't like to do a c-section either.

[Inanna]

HI Keen,
It is scary isn't it? I turned myself inside during my last "viable" pregnancy worrying. As Michelle has mentioned I had a reaction - hives and pin point bruising unrelated to the injection site. This was with Clexane. I have just been on Fragmin and had no reaction at all so it is likely it's the suspension rather than the drug that was an issue.

As Michelle says Clexane has a short half life. It is not known to cross the placenta and the risks to the baby seem to be very very minimal (I say this because I can't really find any evidence of risk but I don't want to say a blanket no risk ).

I know from reading your posts Keen that your journey has been long and you are very learned but I just want to reiterate. Clexane appears to give women who recurrently miscarriage due to a clotting disorder AND or an autoimmune disorder the best chance of successful pregnancy outcome. Clexane also has a mild autoimmune effect. I think you are seeing the famous DR S??? Are you on prednisone as well or just the clexane?

Anyway I have digressed but just want to say from all I have learnt the effect to the baby is almost a non issue. as you know the affect to you is short term loss of bone density, obviously issues with bruising and bleeding should you be involved in an accident.

I am sending you lots of love and positivity for your latest journey Keen...

[Keen]

Ladies, thank you all for your information.

Yeah, Deb, as you know its been a long and eventful journey for us. We are seeing famous Dr S, and I cant help but trust what he says, but also am one of those who needs to know all possibilities before making a decision.

At this stage I would be on Clexane from time of transfer through to 12 week mark and then would be decided upn from there whether need to continue. Not on prednisone. Just clexane and progesterone pessaries from transfer onward.

I also could not find any obvious effects that bubs could suffer from.

If (i mean, when) we have success we will be under specialist care as we will be considered high risk for several reasons - ICSI, clexane and bicornuate uterus (plus this transfer will be two bubbas put in, so possibly also twins!). Im doing what I can to have myself as informed as possible for both ensuring I can make the best decisions and to ease my anxiety a little.

thanks again

[Danni]

Of course you will have success my darling

[Inanna]

You are wise to want to know all possibilities. I hear you loud and clear.
You will have success keep TRUSTING.

[Coopydog]

I have had valve transplants in my heart and I am on warfarin permenately, except for when I am pregnant. As soon as I find out that I am pregnant, so all my pregnancies thus far have been planned I transfer over to Clexane. I have been told and have read medical journal articles explaining the benefits of Clexane during pregnancy. Primarily I switch from it as it doesn't cause deformities to the feotus or baby (unlike Warfarin does) and this is because its low molecular weight doesn't cross the placenta barrier.

I have been on Clexane for 4 pregnancies now. I have two healthy wonderful boys and I have had two miscarriages that were totally unrelated to the Clexane. The injections can sting a bit but they arn't too bad. I have been on a varied dose. For my pregnancies I started on 80mg injections twice daily and increased it to 1000mg injections twice daily as I got bigger. I need full anticoagulation and at the end of the pregnancy I switched to infractionated heparin for the induction and epidural insertion and then onto heparin infusions. All worked great.

Best of luck with your Clexane doses. It is nice to know that there are many more women out there taking Clexane (a wonder drug in my opinion... cause without it I wouldn't have my kids)

jodi
Coopydog

[Keen]

Thanks so much Jodi - that helps put my mind at ease.

If this brings me a baby I will also be considering it the wonder drug!

I dont need as much as yourself as I have only a slight coagulation issue, but yep the needles do sting - well actually I find it harder when the stuff is going in, not so much the jab (??), but its not fun - but yep will be worth it in the end.

Thanks again