Can we talk about heparin some more?

[KarenP]

Ok, so my previous questions were hypothetical and now I'm pregnant. So here are my thoughts/questions: I have Factor V Leiden, but am asymptomatic. When I first found out I was pregnant, I called the OB to find out what I need to do. That was frustrating because they kept putting me off and trying to schedule my first appointment for mid-January when I'd be 9-10 weeks. I was like "no, I need to see someone sooner because of this blood factor." Finally we agreed on a perinatologist appt when I'll be almost 8 weeks (this Wednesday!). I felt like they were basically saying we'll deal with you then if you're still pregnant and if it's a viable pregancy, when the treatment is meant to keep me pregnant!! They did suggest taking a baby aspirin a day in the meantime, and I've also added purple grape juice and garlic pills from my own research to help thin my blood.

So I'm thinking about my appointment on Wednesday, where hopefully I'll see a heartbeat and then discuss heparin shots. From what I've read (again my own internet research, helpful but dangerous?!?) heparin isn't necessary in all cases. What questions should I ask the doctor? Can they test 'blood thinness' from aspirin therapy to see if that is being helpful enough?

Thanks for listening. I am frustrated with how I was treated on this. I don't know that heparin is right for me, but I would have preferred to speak with a professional right away.

Tracie, I hope to hear your thoughts on this.

[CNYMom]

Well, I know that they can check your PT/PTT, which is your blood clotting time basically. I don't have your disgnosis, and I wouldn't go on Heparin until 36 weeks but I definitly would continue on the baby aspirin until your appointment.

congrats and good luck

[luvbeingAmom]

First CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

I was refered to a hematologist to deal with my FVL. I did not see a perinatologist so I'm not sure what they know about FVL and the correct treatments. I was told I needed to go Lovenox as soon as I found out I was pg. I would be very upset wiht the way you were treated also. I would call tomorrow and ask to speak with a nurse or nurse practioner about this.

I'm not sure so don't quote me on this but I think heperin maybe to "heavy" of a thinner to use since you are asymptomatic. Lovenox is Low weight heperin that maybe better durning pg which needs to be started right away. Can't wait for the end of PG.

I would ask about gettin refered to a hematologist. You will have to be monitored every month along with your ob/gyn. You will have blood tests every month to check the thiness of your blood or the clotting factor.

Please keep me posted on this.

How exciting your PG!!! Good luck.

Tracie

also this is far off but just a reminder that you should be induced about 2 weeks before your due date so you can stop taking whatever blood thinners you are on. They did not want me to go into labor on my own. They wanteed to control that so we could stop the lovenox for a day or so before delivery. Could cause bleeding problems. Just something to keep in the back of your mind to ask the dr about.


edited to add your EDD is the same b-day of my oldest daughter!! Mine is 8/16 and my 8 year old is 8/8 so any of those dates will work!!

[KarenP]

Thanks NY Mom! Do you know what PT/PTT stand for?

Thank you Tracie! I wasn't sure what a perinatologist would know either --from what I've read their specialty is late pregnancy/early postpartum! But at least I'll get an early ultrasound. I think I will stick with my scheduled appointment on Wednesday and discuss my concerns in person with them.

Oh, I hope I don't have to be induced! I am sooooo hoping for a natural birth this time, and pitocin is such a slippery slope towards increasing medical intervention.

My sister has FVL too, and she had a c-section at 36 weeks... though she was also carrying triplets so that was planned! I just told the family this weekend so now I can ask about her experiences too.

LOL on the dates! I like the sound of "8/18" and my lmp was 11/11 so it's all easy to remember.

[Hoya]

Hopefully the perinatologist will be able to help you - I've been seeing one since week 5. They simply specialize in high risk pregnancies. I'm not on heparin (blood problem discovered too late in preg. to start), but I am taking a baby aspirin every day, and have been for 7 weeks to try to get better blood flow to the placenta (because of unexplained IUGR). Good luck!!!

[KarenP]

I've noticed this thread has gotten a lot of views, so I thought I'd update.

I miscarried the pg I originally posted about, at 7 weeks. And the next one, at 11 weeks. They hemmed and hawed about putting me on something and I will never know if it would have made a difference. As hard as mc are, I now understand that 2 in a row isn't that uncommon. They said the evidence didn't show that putting me on blood thinners was called for at that point, esp since I had a trouble-free pg with DS.

But when I became pregnant again, after the 2 mc, the peri agreed that Lovenox was appropriate if I desired it. So I gave myself a shot in the belly every day from about 7 weeks up to 41+5 when I finally went into labor. I went into labor about 18 hours after the last shot so I had plenty of time to not take another (they want at least 24 hours of no Lovenox in you, to minimize risk of blood loss). Anyway, DD arrived OK (some minor unrelated issues) and I'll have her tested for FVL too sometime in the future when they're getting blood for something else.

Oh and I'm heterozygous FVL.

[Sheryl]

Thanks for the update Karen! Wow it did get a lot of views. Is anyone here on the board currently taking heparin? Please post if you are, it seems to be a hot topic. I took heparin because I was on bedrest for 3 months, other than awful bruising (that eventually went away) I had no problems.

[ElizabethN]

I took heparin for MTHFR (compound heterozygous) and FVL (heterozygous). I was on Lovenox until I was hospitalized for placenta previa, and then they switched me to regular heparin. I didn't have any complications with it other than my belly looking like I'd been beaten with an axe handle - the bruising was really bad.

[KarenP]

Originally Posted by Sheryl

other than awful bruising (that eventually went away) I had no problems.

Originally Posted by ElizabethN

other han my belly looking like I'd been beaten with an axe handle - the bruising was really bad.

Interesting -- they warned me about the bruising too, but it was never a problem for me. In fact I sometimes had a hard time remember which side I had done last (I tried to alternate).


p.s. -- if you google "heparin FVL" this thread comes up as #15. I guess that explains the 5000+ views.