Blood Clot Disorders and Pregnancy

I have anticardiolipin antibodies which make my blood clot too fast. If by some miracle an egg were to go down the one tube that isn't blocked and try to implant, it would auto-abort before it could get started because my blood would clot all around it.

I have had two successful ART (assisted reproductive technology) cycles - took Lovenox once a day for both cycles. The alternative was heparin twice a day.

There might be something else with the progesterone levels too or something. WIth my second, I had some placental tears and ended up having to take hydroxyprogesterone the entire pregnancy, but everything went well.

My doctor was David McLaughlin, and he and his staff are FANTASTIC. www.familyjoy.net I would go to him before trying to get pregnant again. He likes to find out 'the rules of the game before you start'. I ended up having stuff wrong with me that I never knew could affect getting pregnant, and by finding that stuff out ahead of time and doing what he told us to do allowed us to have the successful cycles. I'd be glad to answer any questions about what we went through if that'll help.

For what it's worth, and good luck!

Hey,
I have factor V lidein. I have had a previous blood clot and became pregnant by surprise. :) I had to do heparin shots once a day for the first 3 months and then twice a day for the last 6 AHH! I also ended up with high amniotic fluid. Between the two they induced early, after an emergency c-section we both ended up healthy and happy. He's now 7 years old. It wasn't so bad. They doctors I had were very comfortable with my clotting disorder and made me feel more comfortable about it. They watched me closely and we didn't have any other issues.

I was pregnant with a bloodcloting disorder. I miscarried 3 times before we got it under controll, but the fourth time around, I was able to stay pregnant. We had to do infertility treatments, so it was hard to get pregnant and then loose the baby. When I was able to stay pregnant, I had to take extra vitamines, and I had to do daily injections of a blood thiner. I delieved at 35 weeks, two healthy beautiful twins=) It was hard, but well worth it!

I have/am Factor V Leiden. I had to start giving myself Lovanox shots at about 8 weeks into pregnancy just as a precaution, which continued throughout the whole pregnancy and 6 weeks after our daughter was born. I've luckily never had a blood clot but since I have the Factor the obgyn and the hematologist took the necessary precautions with the injections. About a week before the due date I stopped the Lovenox shots and had to give myself 2 shots of heparin a day. Heparin doesn't stay in your system as long so when the time came I could have the epidural. 24 hours after my daughter's birth I started the Lovenox for that 6 week stint.

Besides being nauseous (the entire pregnancy), which has nothing to do with the Factor V, the pregnancy was normal and with no complications.

I hope this helps.

I have had two successful pregnancies while having a blood clot disorder (positive ANA antibody caused by Lupus). I had to inject myself twice daily with Lovenox and then Heparin at the end of the pregnancy. I will say that while painful to administer the medication, particularly towards the thrid trimester, I would do it again if I could.

Each pregancy required an induction since there was a fear of excessive bleeding if I were permitted to go into labor naturally.

Good luck! C.

I have a clotting disorder and did not have any problems with pregnancy and c-section birth. My hematologist wrote a specific plan for the doctors to follow and I had absolutely no problems. Do you see a hematologist regularly? What type of disorder do you have?

J.

I haven't, but one of my very best friends has gone through this. She had several miscarriages before she was diagnosed with a disorder that caused her blood to clot heavily. She was on heperin shots twice a day throughout her pregnancy and had to avoid foods that had nurtients that caused blood to thicken (I think it was stuff with vitamin K?). She had two sucessful pregnancies.

hi K...protein "S" deficiency here..i took 'Lovenox' twice daily while i was pregnant with my last child, they aren't too bad, ask pharmacy for the smallest needles if they are not pre filled...but no complications with my pregnacy and my lil boy was beautiful and healthy. i also continued 'lovenox' for 6 wks after his birth, and was able to continue breastfeeding...Good Luck :) and God Bless

I have 2 clotting disorders, Lupus anticoagulant and Factor V Leiden. I have had 3 pregnancies. My first pregnancy was uneventful (a boy). The second pregnancy, I developed a DVT at 13 weeks. I was in the hospital on bedrest for a week then spent the rest of the pregnancy on heparin injections until about 2 weeks before delivery. I developed phlebitis and was in a lot of pain throughout the pregnancy also. But, in the end, I had a very healthy daughter. With my third pregnancy, I was put on heparin as soon as I got pregnant. At this time, I was not yet diagnosed with the clotting disorders. I delivered another healthy child, although the delivery was scary as her umbilical cord was coming out first. I had to have an emergency C-section. I am not sure if this was related or not. (I think not). About a month after the c-section, I developed shortness of breath and pain in my right chest. I contributed this to "doing too much" and decided to rest that night. I was up all night with pain and increasing shortness of breath. I finally went to the ER in the morning to find I had a pulmonary emoblism as well as several DVTs. Unlike the DVT with my second pregnancy, I had no pain or swelling with
these DVT's. I was hospitalized and was then diagnosed with the clotting disorders. I had a Greenfield Filter inserted that will hopefully prevent any clots from traveling to my lungs from leg DVTs. I know this was rather long-winded but I guess the bottom line is that I had three pregnancies with beautiful outcomes with these disorders. The heparin is horrible - it hurts and your belly looks like someone beat you but you get through it. There might even be something better than heparin now. Use the smallest needle possible. Your MD or Pharmacist can help with this. Plus, I would numb the area slightly with an ice cube before the shot when it was really tender. Be aware of warning signs, like swelling of the legs, pain (mine felt like sciatic nerve pain), and redness, of DVTs. Don't hesitate like I did. They can travel to your lungs, then you are in trouble. If you develop shortness of breath, immediately go to the ER. Just be vigilant. I hope this helps a little! Let me know if you have more specific questions. Good Luck!!

I have lupus anticoagulant and was on 40mg lovenox shots once a day during my pregnancy. I also took extra folic acid along with prenatals with dha. I saw a high risk doc and everything turned out well resulting in a beautiful baby boy 15 months ago. Around 36 weeks, they switched me to heparin 2x/day and then back to lovenox for 6 weeks post. The shots aren't fun but the end result was well worth it. I am actually waiting on the doctor's call right now to confirm another pregnancy so lovenox shots may be in my immediate future again. If you have to take them, I would agree to ice the area well before and after. Keeps pain and bruising to a minimum. The plus about having the disorder is that I had many more ultrasounds during my pregnancy, which is always fun! Good luck!!