Daily clexane injections and birth

[amydee81]

Hello!

I was hoping to get some advice from people who have been in a similar situation to me. I'm currently on daily clexane injections due to a previous pulmonary embolism - my consultant put me on them as a precaution only and I have an appointment on 9th Nov to discuss pain relief options for labour with an anaesthetist.

Please could anyone shed any light on how their labour was managed when on Clexane? I resigned myself to the fact I won't be able to use the swanky new birthing centre at my hospital and will be in the more sterile, techy rooms which as fine - as long as it gets my LO here safe and sound.

I was also wondering what pain relief others have had? And if anyone knows if I'll be able to use a TENS machine? My hips are KILLING me at night but I can't find any info as to whether or not a TENS machine is allowed when on blood thinners? Many thanks in advance

 

[babydrms]

I'm not sure if it is different here but this is how we do it...

We switch to unfractionated heparin twice daily injections at 36 weeks, they are 12 hour acting instead of 24 and as long it has been 12 hours and your labs are normal you can have an epidural. They resume injections about 24 hours after delivery.

Also, the phycial therapist today hooked me up to the electrical stim machine, which is stronger than the tens and said she checked all the books and consulted with her colleagues and all agreed it was considered safe during pregnancy.

I hope this helps, best of luck to you!

 

[Kota]

I was on 2x daily clexain throughout my last pregnancy, I was told that once I was at full term, if I felt anything that I thought resembled labour, to not take my next dose.. as it was, I was hospitalised at 39+2 for suspected pre eclampsia, so stopped taking the injections then, and was induced at 39+4, baby arrived 8hrs later and my labour/birth was pretty good. my body kicked into gear by itself and I did not need to be hooked up to any drips at all meaning I was able to use the bath/birth pool, and be up and active the entire labour. the only pain relief I had was gas/air. It is most definintely possible to still have a natural/active labour and birth if thats what you want, just be strong and stand up for your rights.

I was also on clexain due to a prev DVT and PE in both lungs, this was 10 yrs ago now. This pregnancy, I'll be refusing the injections and telling them if they want to monitor my blood levels they can do that instead, my intention is for a homebirth and to encapsulate my placenta afterwards and the daily dose of clexaine could prevent both these things. My belief is that I'm no more at risk of getting another DVT/PE then any other preg woman, and if anything, I know the signs and what to look for better then most so would more likely to seek treatment earlier.

 

[peagarden]

I'm on them and they said the same to me, if I feel like I'm going into labour anytime, stop taking it. Basically you can't have an epidural until 12 hours after your last dose, so what pain relief you have will depend on when you had your last dose and if u want an epidural, etc.
Good luck x

 

[Alisa F]

I will most likely have c-sec due to uterine anomaly, also on clexane, very worried about going into labour within 12 hrs of my clexane shot. Was reassured by consultant that general anaesthesia is ok on clexane within 12 hrs if labour cannot be delayed. General is not ideal, I'm quite bummed about it, but as long as bubba comes out healthy I don't care what they have to do.

 

[amydee81]

Thanks for your replies - it's good to know you have had some reassurances. I'm also really nervous about having a general but fingers crossed there'll be 12 hours between my injection and labour - I'm taking the injections about 6am at the moment for that reason - good luck all xx