pregnancy and clexane

Hi everyone

happy i found this site as it has helped me relaxe already.. i had a miscarriage at 17 weeks +5 days. after loads of blood test i was told i had antiphospholipid. ( sticky blood syndrome. i am now 7 weeks pregnant and i have been taking baby asprin, and clexane 40.mg daily. im very scared as im still early, i have been having scans every two weeks, 1st scan went fine and i see the tiny bump. very scared for next scan which is due on monday. i should see the heartbeat so fingers crossed..

would love to hear from people who are experiencing the same thing or have been throught a miscarriage as im new to the site......x:D

Hi Bailey

sorry to hear about your loss - did u know about your APS before your last pregnancy?

I also have APS - i was diagnosed in 2006.. i lost my baby girl on last week at 21 weeks and 4 days... from what i understand i have quiet sticky blood and so was put on 100mg clexane daily - no asprin...

up until 14 weeks my scans looked great and the OB was really pleased.. at my 19 week scan i was told that the baby was small for he age - 3 weeks behind in growth.. at my 20 week appt with the OB i was told that there was very little fluid surrounding her and that it was very unlikely that she would survive.. this was my first pregnancy..

when i was in hospital last week i met a haem who told me there is some merit in taking clexane twice daily and also taking the asprin.. so he was suggesting that would take 3/4s of the dose in the morning and then again in the evening.. talk to your OB/haem about this..

i have also heard that there is some benefit in taking fish oil supplements during pregnancy - i am yet to ask my specialist about this as i have only just found out about it..

not sure if you have been told but you should be taking calcuim plus vitamin d as clexane messes with your bones...

apart from that drink plenty of fluid - probably the one thing i didnt do enough of

all my fingers and toes are crossed for you and i hope you had a good scan!

L

Hi Bailey0808.
Thought I was the only pregnant person on clexane at the moment. It is very rare from wat the docs tell me. I also take low dose asprin everyday as well as injections 40mg.This is my 4th pregnancy (13wks) & the two before were on clexane but not with first as was"nt aware had leidan factor 5 (blood clotting) until my 3rd miscarriage 10yrs ago. I was 14.5 weeks with that one & feel 4 u losing at that later stage. On a brighter note I think u will be fine. Scary I know but as Ive had the last 2 fine im not as worried bout this 1. Hope this eases your mind a bit & congratulations & good luck.
Anna..

Hi and congrats on your pregnancy!!
I too am on clexane, but for a different reason. I had a large blood clot in my first pregnancy so I take it as a preventative. I had it in my last pregnancy and my DS was fine. I hope it all works out well for you and good luck with you're next scan, I hope you hear the heart beat :)

Hi Bailey

How did your scan go - my fingers were croseed for you..

LB

Hello

Im 17weeks + 1day and also on Clexane 40mg a day. Late last year my daughter Peyton was stillborn at 38+ weeks I was later told i also had APS. I also take Asprin everyday and to add to the stress was told at 6 weeks i have Gest Diabetes, which was a total suprise due to my age,race and weight, so also inject insulin 3 times a day.
Im still getting used to these fat Clexane needles that even after a few mths i still manage to hit a vein and bleed now and then.
I have my 3rd U/sound next week and will hopefully find out if baby is a boy or girl, then every 3-4 weeks till im about 30weeks then every 2 weeks to make sure baby is getting enough blood etc. Doctors are looking at inducing me before i hit the 38 week mark again.
I also have Auto Immune sickness but that didnt come on till after the birht of my 2nd child 9 years ago.

Good Luck with your Clexane and baby!!!!

:

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Hello

Im 17weeks + 1day and also on Clexane 40mg a day. Late last year my daughter Peyton was stillborn at 38+ weeks I was later told i also had APS. I also take Asprin everyday and to add to the stress was told at 6 weeks i have Gest Diabetes, which was a total suprise due to my age,race and weight, so also inject insulin 3 times a day.
Im still getting used to these fat Clexane needles that even after a few mths i still manage to hit a vein and bleed now and then.
I have my 3rd U/sound next week and will hopefully find out if baby is a boy or girl, then every 3-4 weeks till im about 30weeks then every 2 weeks to make sure baby is getting enough blood etc. Doctors are looking at inducing me before i hit the 38 week mark again.
I also have Auto Immune sickness but that didnt come on till after the birht of my 2nd child 9 years ago.

Good Luck with your Clexane and baby!!!!

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hi thank you for your reply so sorry to hear about your loss at such a late stage.. its so nice to see other people going through the same thing as me as i was beginning to think i was the only one. yeah im just starting to get used to the injections although mine are quite slim?? it's good to hear your getting lots of scans to put your mind at rest. good luck on your next scan, hope all goes well for u, what are u hoping for (boy/girl)...xxxxx

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Hi Bailey0808.
Thought I was the only pregnant person on clexane at the moment. It is very rare from wat the docs tell me. I also take low dose asprin everyday as well as injections 40mg.This is my 4th pregnancy (13wks) & the two before were on clexane but not with first as was"nt aware had leidan factor 5 (blood clotting) until my 3rd miscarriage 10yrs ago. I was 14.5 weeks with that one & feel 4 u losing at that later stage. On a brighter note I think u will be fine. Scary I know but as Ive had the last 2 fine im not as worried bout this 1. Hope this eases your mind a bit & congratulations & good luck.
Anna..

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hi ya
yeah i thought the same thing, been searching for ages to find people..
so sorry to hear of your misscarriages. thank you has i haven't till now found anyone whos been using clexane and had a fine pregnancy. even though docs tell me theres loads. i hope all goes well with u and ur baby.xx

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Hi and congrats on your pregnancy!!
I too am on clexane, but for a different reason. I had a large blood clot in my first pregnancy so I take it as a preventative. I had it in my last pregnancy and my DS was fine. I hope it all works out well for you and good luck with you're next scan, I hope you hear the heart beat :)

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thenk u..x
where did u have the blood clot and was u told what had caused it?? had the scan and all was well:D

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Hi Bailey

How did your scan go - my fingers were croseed for you..

LB

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thank you:D
all was well see baby and heart beat so things are looking good at the moment, still a bit scared to get really positive but im still smiling...x

hi all,

i posted a long reply with my experience but clearly did something wrong..

i have APS too.. i was pregnant for the first time this year and my baby girl was born sleeping at 21 and a half weeks on the 5th August..

i have heard of people on clexane that have delivered healthy babies bailey so dont worry :)

my pregnancy was going well until i had a 19 week scan where the sonographer told me she was measuring small for the age.. knowing what i know now - next time i will be looking for this right away.. i have been transfered into the care of a sub-specialist for next time..

two things i have learned following my expereince..
clexane doses are given according to weight so as you progress in your pregnancy there may be reason to increase your dose - i wasnt on asprin and thats what a heamatologist at the hospital told me - so i would be asking your heam..

and secondly - fish oil supplements - see this site - again i'd be asking the medical people... Fish Oil Derivatives as a Prophylaxis of Recurrent Miscarriage Associated with Antiphospholipid Antibodies (APL) : a Pilot Study -- Rossi and Costa 2 (5): 319 -- Lupus

i have been taking them since moving back onto warfarin and its making a big difference to my INR and daily warfarin doses.. i've always been on 12mg (since 2005) and now im down to 10mg (hoping to go lower)..

my fingers are crossed for you all...

i see the specialist in a months time and i plan on TTC again once AF returns.. so will let you know if i learn anything insightful

LB
x

hi again..

i've found another article - unfortunately i can only read the abstacts - i might have to head to the uni library and find the articles in full once i've got a list.. but the results are state on the abstracts.. is quiet promising for APS people..

:

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hi all,


i have APS too.. i was pregnant for the first time this year and my baby girl was born sleeping at 21 and a half weeks on the 5th August..

i have heard of people on clexane that have delivered healthy babies bailey so dont worry :)

my pregnancy was going well until i had a 19 week scan where the sonographer told me she was measuring small for the age.. knowing what i know now - next time i will be looking for this right away.. i have been transfered into the care of a sub-specialist for next time..

two things i have learned following my expereince..
clexane doses are given according to weight so as you progress in your pregnancy there may be reason to increase your dose - i wasnt on asprin and thats what a heamatologist at the hospital told me - so i would be asking your heam..

and secondly - fish oil supplements - see this site - again i'd be asking the medical people... Fish Oil Derivatives as a Prophylaxis of Recurrent Miscarriage Associated with Antiphospholipid Antibodies (APL) : a Pilot Study -- Rossi and Costa 2 (5): 319 -- Lupus

i have been taking them since moving back onto warfarin and its making a big difference to my INR and daily warfarin doses.. i've always been on 12mg (since 2005) and now im down to 10mg (hoping to go lower)..

my fingers are crossed for you all...

i see the specialist in a months time and i plan on TTC again once AF returns.. so will let you know if i learn anything insightful

LB
x

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hi lanabear81
so sorry to hear about your loss, i hope ur staying strong and looking to the future. so was u on clexane when u was pregnant or has it only been given to u now for ur next pregnancy. i was told the injections are the most important thing to take to stop any bloodclots forming in my placenta (has that was the reason for my loss) and the asprin is just another blood thiner to help benifit the baby?? goodluck with TTC:)

Hi there,
I too have anti phospholipid syndrome and had it diagnosed 10 years ago after I had a stroke. I had 2 miscarriages prior to the suscessful arrival of my son who has just turned 3 and have just now learned I am pregnant again. With my first successful pregnancy (my georgeous sons's pregnancy that is)I was on 2 daily injections of clexane as per the instructions of my wonderful doctor who is a specalist in medical disorders of pregnancy. Her theory is that twice daily injections stops the natural peaks and dips of the clexane metabolism by the body and maintains a more steady anti clotting defence. I was also on low dose aspirin.

I believe that anti phospholipid syndrome or lupus anticougulant as it is also known aslo has a high association with foetuses that are smaller in size than agarage and that regular scans should be performed to keep an eye on the babys growth. My son was born at 36+3 gestation weighing only 2.16kg or 4 ponds 8ounces so he was a little one but very healthy. Hope this helps and gives you a positive on the situation. All the best in your pregnancy!

Hi Everyone,
I was just looking on the net tonight about clexane and pregnancy and come across this site, and I have found it really helpful with all the comments that have been posted.

Im now 12 weeks and Im on clexane, I inject 100mg morning and night and have been for the last 7 weeks, I have been told by my doctors that I will be doing this all the way thru my pregnancy and for at least 6 weeks after birth.

I have DVT's (Blood Clots) in my thigh and at the back of my knee and only 2 weeks ago some of my blood clot broke off and travelled to my lungs so now I have clots on my lungs, that is why my dosage of clexane is so high.

Thank you all so much for your comments about the clexane subject and I hope to hear more stories for what I will look forward to later in my pregnancy.

Moonshine-

I took clexane after 2 very late losses due to IUGR. I was told that I most likely have a clotting issue but they are not able to determine which one. I took a much much lower dose than you and I had a big healthy son in June!

Hello,
I was on heparin injections for the first 20wks of our IVF pg, and then was just monitored. I was diagnosed with APLS but as I had only tested positive to ANA, and not the anti lupus antibodies, it was felt that once it looked like all was going well with the pg, that I could stop. Having said that I had very regular scans to check on growth, and stayed on asprin the whole pg. I then had clexane injections post the emergency c-section for another 2 wks just to make sure there was no clotting.

DS was born at 2.8kg at 37wks 4 days - a bit on the little side which we were execting as he was always a little small.

Wishing you all the best moonshine for a healthy baby - it sounds like you are getting great care.
FG

Hi

i'm on clexane and aspirin for this pregnancy too, after losing a couple in the second trimester. I've heard so many, many good stories about clexane and recurrent miscarriage: there are also lots of clinical trials demonstrating that even for *idiopathic* recurrent miscarriage (ie you don't have APS or an incompetent cervix or something obvious like that) that clexane can give you about a 70% chance for a baby next pregnancy. that's pretty good considering people who have never had a miscarriage fare only slightly better than that. clexane may have immunomodulating effects as well as anticoagulant effects - that's good too if you suspect your immune system may be at fault. everyone hates the bruises that clexane gives you but it's worth it in the end. also, you will get used to the needles - the first few weeks it seems surreal but then it gets easier

Hi!
Just to let you know, when I was taking clexane injections a little spot bandage almost stopped my bruising completely. I had horrible bruises before the bandaids. I have no idea why, maybe the tiny bit of pressure they put on the injection site. I hope this helps someone!

OMG Thank you so much, Laney

I have bruises the size of Golf balls on my tummy.

I will give the Little spot bandaids a go tonight. Will keep you posted on how it goes.

wishing all of you all the best...I too will be on clexane when next pregnant. I have APS and also Graves Disease, so will also be on thyroid medication. I am a bit worried about how it's all going to go, but hope next time will be our time. I have high thyroid anitbodies which are a concern to my specialist, but here's hoping!

Hi ladies,
I am new on here and noticed that you had been talking about pregnancy and clexane. I have two healthy happy boys but both were difficult pregnancies. My first I gave birth at 29 weeks due to a torn placenta and about a week after birth I had attack in which they found blood clots (DVT's) in my legs that had broken off and traveled to my lungs. They put me on warfarin for 6 months after that.
Not knowing this problem would happen again I fell pregnant a long ten years later. At 10 weeks pregnant I had a mild heart attack in which they found massive blood clots pushing up against my heart and heaps in my lungs. The doctors said I was extremely lucky to be alive. I was admitted in to hospital for two weeks and put on clexane injections for the duration of my pregnancy. At 24 weeks I was back in hospital not feeling well where they found I was 6cm dialated.
I had complete bed rest and was put on a Heparin infusion until I gave birth. At 28 weeks my waters started to leak and at 29 weeks I gave birth. Both pregnancies were emergency caesarians due to complications.
I have had heaps of tests now and they still cannot work out why I have this problem during pregnancy. I have just been taken off warfarin again that I have been on for the past year. My husband and I are hoping to have one more baby (silly I know) but having three was always my dream. I have been speaking to doctors who have said they will put me on Clexane injections as soon as I find out I'm pregnant. It will be a high risk pregnancy but I'm hoping I'm fairly well monitored.
I would love to speak to other mums with similar experiences to me. Please no negativity as I hear enough of it. Positive thoughts will be greatly appreciated:)

Bright1, I had 2 late losses at 22 and 28 weeks. With my first pregnancy they did not find a reason. I had a ton of blood tests and I do not have a clotting disorder that they can find. With my second pregnancy my daughter was not growing well and we lost her at 28 weeks. They found blood clots in her placenta. I took low dose aspirin and high doses of clexane during my 3rd pregnancy. I gave birth to a full term, healthy baby boy. Clexane is my miracle drug.
I am now TTC another healthy baby. I have not had any clots that affected my health but I know that they are always a possibility. It was a very difficult decision for my husband and I to make. I want my son to have a sibling and I have always had a dream of at least 2 children.
Every pregnancy is different. It is possible that with clexane you will not have any clotting issues in another pregnancy.

Laney,

Thankyou so much for your reply. I am terribly sorry to hear of you losses, It must have been so hard for you and your husband. Congratulations on the safe arrival of your little boy and knowing that you were on clexane and carried full term gives me a bit of hope. I also would love another for my one year old little boy to grow up with. My other son is 11 and not very interested in playing with baby toys =)
I wish you and your husband all the very best for the future.

Hi ive just been to see the doctors in the hospital im due to have my baby in 6 weeks,

I had a blood clot in my lung about 7 yrs ago from a horse riding accident and was on blood thinners for 3 months afterwards as prevention but the blood clot fully went away and i was tested to see if i had the condition and i dont but now with only 6 weeks to go even though i have told every doctor during my pregnacy about the blood clot only now have they said i have to go on clexane i havent had any complications dury this pregnancy this is my 1st or any complications for the 7 yrs since i had the blood clot i have read alot of these forums and i realy dont think i need to be taking clexane. Im concerned also with the fact of bleeding during birth or not being able to have an epidural and also not being able to breastfeed because im taking clexane.

pls if anyone can help me with this i realy dont think its nessary for me to take thus far into the pregnacy and to why it wasnt mention earlier on?? pls i am ment to start taking it tomorrow and i am very worried.

thank you

Hi Jessleet, I started to take clexane as soon as I found out that I was pregnant and at 34 weeks I started to take haparin. The heparin is out of your system in 12 hours so it is safer to take close to your due date. I stopped taking the blood thinners 2 days before my c-section date. I had a spinal with my scheduled c-section and I did not have any problems. If you have taken clexane within 24 hours they will not give you an epidural.

I am really not sure why they want you to start them so close to your due date. Blood thinners are usually taken early in pregnancy. Was your baby measuring small at your last visit? If you are concerned about taking them give your doctor a call before you start. Make sure that you get all of your questions answered. That is what your doctor is there for. Good luck

hey thanks for your reply as i said there has been no complications at all during the pregnancy everything is ok the the reason there giving me is becuase i had a blood clot 7 yrs ago thats it no other reason. im thinking i should get a second opionion but im pressed for time realy unsure what to do?

Jessleet,
I would get a second opinion. I am sure that if you talk to a nurse and explain what is going on they can get you in to see a doctor right away. I think that taking blood thinners is a big deal and they can be dangerous during delivery. I was thinking that maybe the doctor wants you to take them so you do not get a clot after delivery. I think that can be an issue for women with a clotting history. What dose do they want you to take?

Hi

Just thought i would add my story....

I miscarried for the first time 2 years ago, it was a missed miscarriage. I fell pregnant again 6 months later and went into labour at 20 weeks and 2 days. I have now been diagnosed as having antiphosolipid syndrome. I am currently 17 weeks and 4 days pregnant and have been taking low dose aspirin since 4 weeks and 40mg clexane injections since 8.5 weeks. I am extremely nervous as i am coming up to the dreaded point that i miscarried last time.
I love reading success stories as they really do keep me going. I am on an emotional rollercoster lately and everytime i have a slight backache i think that it is happening again. wish i could fast forward the next 2 months!!
:pray:

Bellybruiser, (love the name)
I am so sorry to hear about your losses. I know how difficult this pregnancy must be for you. Make sure that your doctor knows how nervous you are. Mine was great with extra ultrasounds and office visits. I also went out and got a HB doppler to use at home. They do help but nothing is going to take the nervousness away until you have your bub healthy and in your arms.

I have a beautiful 3yrs boy.
Last year we decided to try for another baby.
Unfortunately we had 4 miscarriages. All ending at about 8 weeks. After been in few gp and few ob and lots of blood tests, ultrasounds...all seems to be normal, but my ob recommended clexane 40mg for my next pregnancy. Today I Google and for my surprise I found this supporting forum and learned a lot. I wasn't sure about using the injections, but now I will give it a go. Thanks a lot everyone. Good luck to all. As soon I am pregnant I'll let you know, fingers cross.

biaoz, I am so sorry for your losses.
Wecome to Belly! It really is a great place to find support. I don't know what I would have done without the pregnancy after loss thread. goodluck TTC. Clexane is my miracle drug, I hope that it is for you too. I took 60mg daily with a low dose aspirin. We are also TTC again! One week until testing!

hi ladies. i just found this site. i am 23 years old with 4 year old twin boys. since then tho i have had 10 miscarriages all ending by 8 weeks. after the last miscarriage they found out i have a low positive for cardiolipin antibodies so as i just found out friday i am pregnant again i will be going on 40mg of clexane injections daily. did it work for many people? im so worried ill give anything a go but im soo worried

ben&dionsmummy, congratulations on your pregnancy and I am so very sorry to read of all of your losses. I just found out that I am also pregnant again. I just started 60mg of clexane and 81mg of aspirin daily. Are you taking aspirin as well?
I have had much later losses than you but clexane helped me bring a healthy little boy into the world.

no im just on the 40mg of clexane as i only have a low positive for cardiolipin. im really happen to hear a success story of your son. i am sooo scared i dont know if i could go through another loss. if it does happen i wont be trying for another child, it hurts wayy to much. especially after 10 of them. i started the injections yesterday they are a bit painfull, my drs are doing mine cause im to scared to do myself atm.

ben&dionsmummy,
It takes a little time to get used to doing the injections yourself. After a week or two you get into a routine and figure out some tricks to make it easier. I started mine again two days ago too!
I always try to inject at a slight angle with the needle sharp point down, inject slowly, put pressure on the injection site for a minute or two after, I use band-aid spots on the site because mine tend to bleed on and off during the day, space out your injection spots or they will bruise badly. you will get the hang of it. It really isn't that bad. You wont want to have your doctor do them for you forever.
I took clexane during my last pregnancy only because my doctors didn't know what else to do for me. I did not test positive for any clotting disorders (and I have been tested for everything possible).

my fs has told me to stop the injections until friday as i had a bloodtest done monday and from friday to monday the hcg only rose a small bit. so until i get another blood test thurs and if the hcg shoots up it looks like this isnt gonna work. theyev tested for everything and this could be the only possible cause. so dunno what were gonna do

ben&dionsmummy, I am so sorry that your levels have not had a big increase. Don't give up hope yet hun. I really think that you should talk to your doctor about 81mg aspirin. That is usually something that you can take while TTC and during your pregnancy. It is usually given a try before going as far as clexane. I know a bunch of BellyBelly women taking it. :hug:

I have just come across this thread and am so pleased to find others that I can chat with.Is anyone still participating in this thread as I see that last post was a couple of months ago.
My story is as follows....
I am TTC at the moment after losing a baby at 19 weeks which was 9 weeks ago. I am trying to do lots of research and thought some people here might be able to share their experiences.
I had my DS 4 years ago and he was born at 28 weeks due to severe IUGR. I had alot of tests done after this on myself and on the placenta. The specialists feel that I show the signs of an auto immune disease but have not showed a positive in any tests. The decision was made to treat me with aspirin and Fragmin (I believe is a type of Heparin) once I conceived. I got a BFP in May 2008 and started the drugs but had a m/c at 8 weeks. Started TTC again and 19 months later I got a BFP. Started meds again and then had a m/c at 19 weeks. OB said that the same thing has happened, the placenta just doesnt function properly. He cant tell me if it will happen again or not. I have had this condition with 2 boys and he said that it is more likely in a boy pregnancy than a girl. He has told me that there is nothing else we can try. My DH and I have decided that we want to try again as our family is not yet complete.
I was hoping someone may be able to give me some success stories. All the reading that I have done on forums has shown the aspirin and heparin to make a difference but it hasnt for me. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks

Megan

Hi i am new to belly belly!! I am confused and i am looking for answers on taking clexane....? some one help plz??