stacym
Junior Member
Posts: 97
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Post by stacym on Jul 26, 2005 16:08:00 GMT -5
Thanks for your response and support to my post. I am wondering, from reading your other posts, what type of blood clotting disorder you have. I was diagnosed with a protein C deficiency after the birth of my second sone 3 years ago. I ended up with a DVT and PE post-partum and was on coumadin for 18 months.
I know that with any other prenancies I will have to be on Lovenox shots. I saw my OB today and she said that even though I am waiting another 10 days to do another u/s, there was no need to worry about starting the shots. I am a little concerned about waiting because I don't want to clot again.
Just wondered how it was going for you with the shots? Stacy
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Post by justinsmomma on Jul 26, 2005 17:01:31 GMT -5
Hello Stacy!
Wow that's the first time I've been singled out in a post, I feel so honored. :0) After my 2nd loss I went through pregnancy loss testing and was found to have a genetic mutation (prothrombin gene) that causes my blood to clot excessively during pregnancy or hormonal supplementation. I was lucky that my pregnancy with my son was not affected by my disorder...he is truly a miracle. I was at risk for DVT (and/or fetal death) my entire pregnancy and postpartum. In fact all my Dr.'s concur that it was due to my genetic problem, in combination with low progesterone levels, that I had the miscarriages. I don't want to upset you but there is a theory out there that the blood clots excessively in early pregnancy in people with blood clotting disorders, and cuts off the blood supply to the placenta and or the umbilical cord. The other theory is that proper progesterone levels are needed to oxygenate the fetus. In my case I had both...a double whammy and we will never know for sure what caused my m/c's. My fertility "treatment" (I use the term loosely because I am in fact very fertile LOL but I was under the care of a fertility specialist) included using an ovulation predictor kit to predict fertility, waiting 4 days after DTD and then starting progesterone twice a day vaginally. Two weeks later I was told to come in for a pregnancy test, which was positive. I was then started on Lovenox 1x/day right away. So I have been on it since roughly 4 weeks and am still on it until 35 weeks. Only 8 more weeks to go...then I start heparin twice a day until delivery. The shots aren't that bad, some days it hurts and bleeds a little, other days it's nothing. I am high risk so I see a peri and I have other issues (my cervix started dilating at 15 weeks) so I am watched very carefully. The only risk is that if I labor too fast (which is a possibility, I delivered my son in 7 hrs.) then they won't be able to reverse the heparin fully and I will bleed a bit more than the average, and epidurals aren't recommended for women on blood thinners.
Well I hope I answered your questions! I am a little surprised that your Dr.'s haven't escalated your care due to your needing the Lovenox. It is risky for you not to be on it IMHO. I would urge you to address this with your Dr. ASAP and if he or she doesn't give you a satisfactory answer then seek out a perinatologist or hematologist. I got 2nd and 3rd opinions about becoming pregnant with both the peri and hema. But then again I am very cautious and this dx was all new to me, plus I had been through 2 losses and could not face a 3rd without all my cards in a row.
Best of luck sweetie! Lots of HUGS! I am sorry you have been down the road of DVT and PE. That must've been sooooooooooo scary. How old are your other children? I guess I am asking too many questions LOLOL.
Big HUGS
Kris due 10/28 with Jake Nathaniel miracle #2 ;0)
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stacym
Junior Member
Posts: 97
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Post by stacym on Jul 26, 2005 22:26:40 GMT -5
Thanks for the reply! Wow, you have really been through a lot. Today my OB said we did not need to start the Lovenox because it was still early and that I haven't had any problems until late in pregnancy(in fact I had no problems at all with my first PG 6 years ago). With Aidan 3 years ago, I clotted after birth after having an epidural(didn't get out of bed for almost 8 hours after birth).
We did see a specialist last year when we began to consider TTC again. After the PE, I was very scared to try again(it was absolutely terrifying). But the perinatologist was very straightdorward and hopeful. Basically he said the danger was in not knowing that I had the problem. Now that we knwo, it can be managed with the blood thinners. DH and I spent a lot of time talking and thinking about it before deciding to try. Fertility is also not our problem! I got PG with Aidan and this time the first time we tried. Anyway, the peri said that he would have me start on Lovenox when they saw a HB at @6 weeks. I am just wondering that since I am now 6 weeks and will not have an answer until almost 8 weeks, if it is ok. Like I said, my OB isn't concerned, but still. . .
Today has just felt so unreal. I felt like I had a pretty good grip on things yesterday, but I am not so sure today. I have just been pissed off about the whole thing. It is just so unfair that I feel so sick for no good reason. My m/s has been awful this time--much worse than with the other 2 PGs. That is just what kills me--Grrrrrrr. . .
Anyway, thank you for answering and good luck with labor! I have decided that next time around I am going without the epidural anyway--and especially if I have to worry about reversing the heparin, etc...Plus, both of my labors were pretty quick, but intense.
Good luck!! Stacy
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Post by justinsmomma on Jul 27, 2005 4:39:02 GMT -5
Good luck to you too! I wanted to tell you and others that I have had friends who saw the h/b later than expected...maybe the m/s is a good sign!? Lots of HUGS hun!
Kris
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