clexane during pregnancy

just after a little bit of advice from anyone who has been prescribed clexane during pregnancy...I am currently 9 weeks and 4 days pregnant after having 2 second trimester miscarriages (19 weeks & 23 weeks).
Apart from being extremely paranoid and anxious that something is going to go wrong this time, my ob has suggested starting clexane at 12 weeks in an attempt to help the placenta attatch properly (which has appeared to be the problem in the past, although nothing has been confirmed).
He has told me that clexane does not cross the placenta, so does not pose a threat to the baby, but I would love to hear from people who have been prescribed it, and what the outcome was.

Hi Hayley, it might be worth taking a look at these links:


https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...hlight=clexane

https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...hlight=clexane

https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...hlight=clexane

Hope that they can be of some help to you.

Hi Hayley
After losing my son at 24.5 weeks they discovered that I had Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) or to make things easier, Sticky Blood! Since losing him I have had 2 m/c, one at 6 weeks and one at 11.
I am now pregnant again and have this time started the clexane straight away. I have a 40mg shot everyday as well as half an asprin.
If you have anymore questions feel free to ask.
Sarah

Hi Hayley

Yes clexane does cross the placenta but it dies not do any permanent harm to the baby

Hi Hayley,

Welcome to BB and congrats on your pregnancy!

I am sorry to hear of the loss of your two little ones. I lost my first child, Georgia, at 2 days old. (After she was born at 35+5). She passed away due to complications caused by the same condition that Sarah1978 has referred to in her post above. (Like Sarah, it was detected after my loss).

When I fell pregnant a second time, I took low dose Aspirin to treat the condition, however I miscarried at 9 weeks.

When I fell pregnant for the third time, I again took low dose Aspirin but also did Clexane injections. I did the injections from 6w to 32w. My son ended up being born premmie at 32+4 (due to the same complications that had occurred with Georgia) but my specialist said it was probably the Clexane that got him that far. Apart from the usual premmie issues, he was totally fine and now at 4.5 months old, he is a healthy, happy little boy.

Best of luck with your decision, Hayley and all the best for a happy, healthy pregnancy!

Hi Hayley,
i am sorry for your losses :hug:

I too am taking clexane 40 inj daily but to help manage my arthritis whilst pg as i can't take my normal meds. I started taking it with 1/2 asprin daily from my IVF transfer and will be on it until about two weeks before being induced (36-37 weeks).

I hope you continue to have a H&H pg.

Becc - did you have your son early because you came off the clexane or were you taken off it and induced due to your sons/your health issues??? I would be interested to know as my OB said i will come off it two weeks prior to induction, maybe i will ask her if coming off it will bring on labour.

Hi kas,

No, Josh wasn't born early because I stopped the Clexane. The plan all along had actually been for me to stop the injections at 32w as my specialist said that it would have done its job by that stage. As it turned out, it was just coincidence that he was born so soon after I stopped them.

The reason he came early was because there were problems with the blood flow from the placenta and if he was left any longer, it would have become dangerous for him. I didn't go into labour...he was delivered by c-section as I couldn't be induced due to the fact that my first birth was a c-section also.

I know a couple of other girls who took the injections and stopped them a couple of weeks before they were due and they were both fine. (No premature labour or anything like that).

Definitely talk to your OB about it if you are concerned, but I'm sure you will be fine. Best of luck! O:)

I gave birth to Caitlyn on the 15/11/05. She was stillborn at 25 weeks. My OB will start me on aspirin and clexane early into any future pregnancy to assist in placental implantation. Apparently the placenta implants initially and then further implants at around 22 weeks. I have notice since losing Caitlyn that many stillbirths occur at around the 25 week mark and it may be (just me guessing) due to placental insufficiency. I didn't know the placenta implanted further after the first trimester and her 18-20wk U/S was perfect. She was smaller than she should have been for dates when she was born so she may not have been getting enough to grow.
Add to this the fact that I have Factor V Leiden ( a clotting disorder) and I become a high risk for at least the first 2 trimesters.
Clexane has a very short half life (meaning it only lasts in the body for a short time) so my OB will not be ceasing my clexane. It will continue until labour / delivery. The aspirin will stop at around 30 weeks.

Hayley - i hope all is going well for you.

Becc - thanks for your reply. I didn't hink stopping the clexane would bring on labour, i just wanted to check.

Michelle - I am so sorry for your loss of Caitlyn. I hope you and your family are doing better as time passes.

thank you all so much for your replies...It is good to get other peoples experiences. I have my first appointment Wednesday with my OB, so I guess I'll know further then.
Has anyone had any sort of placental dopplers to check on the blood flow through the placenta? That is an option I have too, which I think is like an ultrasound every couple of weeks.
Here's hoping anyway....I think its gonna be a long 30 more weeks!!

I've been told that I will have an U/S at about 23 weeks to check on placental blood flow. The OB said the blood flow to the uterus is a different waveform to the blood flow waveform of the placenta. At 23wks they will be able to see what the waveform looks like and determine if the placenta has properly implanted. I will still have U/S every 2wks after that (regardless of the result) to monitor fetal growth. He says there are specific changes that occur that indicate fetal insufficiency and they will monitor for those changes throughout the pregnancy. I think part of it is reassurance for me (but that is great!!) but also because they know more and can intervene earlier to minimise the risk of fetal death (like this time).

All I need to do now is get pregnant!!

Hi again Hayley,

I had umbilical artery doppler studies done during my pregnancy with Joshua. Like you said, it is just like a normal ultrasound, but with extra tests done to check on the blood flow. As it turned out, with me, the tests showed resistance in the blood flow beginning around 31w which only continued to get worse, leading to Josh being delivered at 32+4. So basically, having the dopplers done is what got him here safe and sound and I will have them done with any future pregnancies as well!

How are you going? How did you go with your OB appointment yesterday?

Hi Becc thanks for your reply again. my appt went really well yesterday, I have come out feeling a lot more confident. He wants me to start clexane 40mg next week up until about 36 weeks (hopefully we will get that far!!), which is what I thought, and he said he will get an ultrasound done 4 weekly till 22 weeks and then fortnightly. He also suggested some counselling to get through this period, which might be a good idea. He also said if I 'lose it' (my mind that is) I can call in to him anytime and he will do a quick scan to reassure!
I have my fingers crossed anyway
hope all is well with you
hayley

I'm glad to hear that you are feeling more confident after your appointment, Hayley. :)

It sounds like you have a great OB! And it must feel good to have a plan.

Good luck with the injections - they aren't so bad! Stay in touch and let us know how you are going.

By the way, we are doing well here - thanks!

I, too, was put on clexane (40mg) and aspirin as well as progesterone right from the moment I thought I had conceived. This after 5 miscarriages between 6 and 11 weeks.
The reason is a blood clotting gene mutation - blood that clots easily - I did the injections right up until birth (ideally you are not supposed to have injected within 12 hours of labour particularly because of epi and possible c-sec). As mentioned the clexane only lasts a short time in your system but I had to stop the aspirin at 36 weeks.
Sophia was overdue and I had to be induced because of high blood pressure but nothing to do with the clexane or aspirin etc. She was a normal weight and is going well, there we never a threat of her being premature.
Hope this helps
Charlotte

Hi there,

I am SO happy I've found this site where there are other women who have experienced miscarriages and are now on clexane and low dose aspirin like I currently am.

I already have 2 beautiful daughters Pania, 8yrs and Ana, 3yrs who make me want to have more childrens! After having 2 really healthy and easy pregnancies with both my girls I was astounded and devastated to lose 2 babies and be told there is no conclusive reason as to why I lost them...

Both my miscarriages were during the second trimester, one at 15 weeks and the other at 17 weeks. After numerous tests and autopsies on both babies there wasn't really anything conclusive except for a positive ANA or anti-nucleic antibodies?? Apparently my body was producing antibodies that attacked the baby as if it is an infection in my body..

ANYWAY, one of the specialists I have seen prescribed 40mg clexane injections along with half an aspirin tablet each day as he thought it has been possible tiny microclots were forming in the placenta blocking blood flow to baby.

I feel good about being a lot more closely monitored, we had a scan at 12 weeks and it was magical watching our baby dance around and see the strong heartbeat. I also heard baby's heartbeat loud and strong at 13 weeks and so am continuing to hope and pray we get through this 'danger zone' and have a healthy baby in our arms in September.

It's just great to find other women sharing their experiences. I think you are all really brave trying again and am LOVING hearing the ultimate happy endings where you have healthy babies in your arms.

Thanks for sharing,
Mama Mo :D

I conceived after 4 years of marriage,but it ended in missed abortion at 9weeks.then after 1 year,againgot pregnant but missed it at 5th week.I was then told that my Protein C is just at border line i.e just touching the lower base of normal rangeso i was given CLEXANE4000 for 3months daily.now after another 1 year,I have just got pregnant.cant find clexane and have been given INNOHEP instead..does anyone has experience about it?i see that CLEXANE medical name is Enoxoaparin sodium and INNOHEP medical name is Tinzaparin sodium.Please tell me about its safety and if anyone has personal experience on it.Also i guess most start tehse ijectables form second trimester.Why am i been told to take straight away.

is anyone on clexane injections due to growth retardation? we lost our little boy, Kyle, at 29wks as he stopped growing around 20wks. They found tiny clots in the placenta which cut off nutrients, blood flow and oxygen. Has anyone had the same problem?

hi steph26
Im new to the site and really happy Ive found it. Like you we lost our baby girl Sabrina last year at 23 weeks, and now am 16 weeks pregnant and on clexane injections and asprin daily. Ive taken these from the moment I found out I was pregnant at around 4 weeks. Ive got Antiphospholipid syndrome and lupus which make my blood sticky and cause blood clots in the placenta stopping the babys growth. I pray every day that this works and im quite nervous but trying to be positive.

im so sorry to hear that, how are you coping? Like you, i started clexane at 4 wks, i am now nearly 22 weeks and have the very important scan on wednesday. I'm so scared they are going to tell me the baby has IUGR again :pray:. You have to stay positive, hard i know. Let me know how you get on

Good luck for your scan steph, im sure all will be just fine. Please let me know how you go, I'll send positive vibes all day wednesday to you. Have you had any scans during your pegnancy to ease your mind? Ive orginised an extra one at 17.5 weeks before the 20 week scan just to try and sleep better.
Ive read so many good stories of the same thing happening to other pregnant girls and then taking clexane and having healthy baby so keep that in mind. Im thinking of you and know how you feel.
Mina :)

Hiya, thank you for the vibes! We last had a scan at 12 weeks and things were fine then. I also have to have my bp checked every week and the doctor measured my tummy and had a feel and said that it feels like a 20 week baby in there and that was at 19 weeks. Apparantly that is a good indicator of growth. :)

That sounds fantastic! Im sure tomorrow's scan will confirm all that the doctos said. And then you will be able to enjoy the beautiful images of your bub. Still sending the good vibes to you:)

hiya, just got back from hospital, its a girl! everything is fine apart from the fact that im at high risk of getting pre-eclampsia. They did a test to measure my blood resistance and its high. if its not one thing its another;). What happened to your previous baby? Was it growth restriction? Thinking of you

:

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hiya, just got back from hospital, its a girl! everything is fine apart from the fact that im at high risk of getting pre-eclampsia. They did a test to measure my blood resistance and its high. if its not one thing its another;). What happened to your previous baby? Was it growth restriction? Thinking of you

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Hey thats great news, a little girl! :dance: Hope you can rest easy now. Dont worry about the pre-eclampsia im sure they will monitor your blood pleasure or you could get a home kit and do it yourself. Im sure you know all the signs to look for, like me youve most likley become an expert in your condition with all the reserch. I got some results back from my blood specialist who ive been told is the best in the state for my type of thing( he works out of monash clayton), all looks good just really iron difficiant and have to up my vitamins and meat. Sabrina was over three weeks under growth and just getting smaller, blood clots in the placenta caused this. Ive got ythat sticky blood syndrome, do you have a similar condition?

hiya, how are you? Have you had your scan yet? i have had probs with my pc so havent been online. They havent tested me for sticky blood, something i will have to ask my consultant about. Are you in the uk?

Hi steph, hope you are ok, im in australia melbourne. Where are you? Had my 20 week scan last week and all is good but to be honest just want scans every week just to be sure.I noticed you werent on line so havent been on for a while 2. I will sign on again 2morrow to see if you have replyed, hope your pc has improved.

hiya, im so glad things are ok for you, they should keep scanning you every four weeks now like they are me. had another follow up scan yesterday and she is perfect, estimated weight is 1lb 14oz! how much does your baby weigh at the moment? im in freezing cold london, uk !

I just saw this thread. I'm sorry to hear of your losses! I took clexane (along with other things) in my last pregnancy after my losses and my son was born happy and healthy (and late!) at 7lbs7oz.

Clexane is a real drag. But it works little miracles.;)

hiya thank you, well so far so good! I'm currently 27 weeks and if it wasn't for the clexane im sure i would get blood clots again. Glad to hear of your little one :)

Hi, I know this is an old thread but I would really like to contact Hayley "mumof2beauties" because I had similar experiences to her (two losses, one at 21 weeks the other at 19 weeks and have been told that it would be advisable to start clexane for next pregnancy).

I am very scared and paranoid about this entire heparin thing...3 years ago when my husband and I started TTC we could've never imagined that this would be such a long and tragic journey but I guess we must be strong.

Please if Hayley or anyone that knows her reads this message I would really appreciate it if she could contact me through this thread or my personal e-mail cristidiazv@gmail.com

Thank you so much,
Cristina

Steph and Mina: I just noticed that your posts say 2008! So it means that you are currently pregnant or recently had your bundles of joy. I am sorry for the pain you have experienced before but I hope everything has turned out great with your recent pregnancies. Best wishes. :)

So nice to see this thread.

I am 6 weeks pregnant and have been taking Clexane (60mg) since last week.
I also take 100mg of Aspirin each day.
I have a blood clotting disorder called Prothrombin Gene Mutation and lost a baby at 18 weeks back in July 2008 due to the placenta clotting and not forming properly.

Taking the injections everyday is a drag but it's so nice to have a reason for our loss and make sure it doesnt happen again.

Question: Where do you put the injections when your belly gets bigger and you run out of 'fat rolls' to put it in.
Also, does anyone else bruise slightly sometimes at the injection site.

De

hi dede

It is nice to know what the problems are so that the docs can treat it. Yes, i can get a nice big bruise at the injection site and also a lump where the blood forms underneath; very normal according to the professionals! I usually inject at bottom of my bump, as im 34 weeks as i can still get a pinchful! Good luck :D

Hi Ladies,
I just wanted to let you know that I am in a similar situation. I have lost 2 babies from IUGR. I was told that it would never happen again after I lost my son at 22 weeks. I became pregnant a second time just a few months later and the doctors told me that I didn't need treatment because all of my tests came back normal. My daughter was stillborn at 28 weeks only weighing 1 pound. The placenta had massive clots. I started clexane and low dose aspirin before I became pregnant this time around. I am now about 19 weeks. The doctors told me that they don't know why this keeps happening so the blood thinners might not work for me. I have a scan in the morning to check for growth restriction. I am scared to death that we will have to go through another loss. It is great to hear that so many women have been helped with blood thinners.

DeDe, I inject in my legs when the bruising gets too bad in my belly. As my belly gets tighter the bruising and stinging has been getting a little worse so a couple of weeks of injections in the legs really help. I get bruises the size of my hand if I am not careful about where I put the injections.

hiya laney

im so sorry for the loss of your two angels. I have high hopes for you as the clexane and aspirin together will disperse of any clots and will prevent any from forming.
Please let me know how u get on

Take care

Hi Steph,
my ultrasound today was really good. The baby is measuring 4 or 5 days ahead. I have another ultrasound in 2 weeks to check the blood flow in the cord and to re-check the size. We are not out of the woods yet but things are looking pretty good so far.

Hi laney,
Thinking of you and sending so many positive thoughts your way. So sorry for the loss of your 2 angels. I understand this must be such an anxious time for you and so good to hear your your latest ultrasound was positive. Look forward to hearing more positive news as time goes by.

It's so good to have an answer for why we lost our first baby. I had to change Obs as my first (male) didnt want to do any tests and told me they dont do them until I've had reoccuring miscarriages!!! i cannot believe in this day and age that they still say that.
So I changed obs and she is brilliant and ordered every test in the world and found I have the clotting disorder.

* My message to you all. Trust your instincts, and demand the help. Shop around, If your doc doesnt do it, go to someone who will. :D

DeDe

hiya

thats fantastic news! how are you doing with the medication? i also found thatholding ice to the injection site to numb it help take the sting out a little. i have got a scan next tuesday to see how our girl is doing and also doppler scans.