Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Support Group

Deep-vein thrombosis, also known as deep-venous thrombosis or DVT, is the formation of a blood clot ("thrombus") in a deep vein. It can be caused by something preventing blood from circulating or clotting normally. Join the support group if you are coping with DVT and find others who are going through the same challenges.

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JennyMay 10/29/2012

So here's the backstory: Was on the contraceptive pill for 3 months, developed a blood clot (Jan 2007) in my left leg. Was on Coumadin for 6 month, came off it and 3 months later (roughly) had to start it again because a larger clot that wasn't originally discovered grew back (this time in the external iliac vein). Was on Coumadin for a further year, and since coming off it will be taking half an aspirin daily for the rest of my life (though admittedly I have gotten out of the habit these last couple of years and haven't been taking it regularly).

OK, I think that's everything. So now my partner and I are wanting to try for a baby. Super exciting and super terrifying all at the same time. Because the pill is created to make your body think it's pregnant, I have no reservations thinking that I will get another clot once I'm ACTUALLY pregnant. I've spoken with a hemotologist in the past and been told I will be needing to have Clexane injections every day for the period of my pregnancy. I want to talk with people who are going (or have gone) through this before. Was there much risk once you were having the daily injections? And how in the heck did you inject it into your tummy once it was so big and round?! Any other advice would be much appreciated. I plan to see a hemotologist before we officially start trying but in case it happens sooner than expected I want to be somewhat prepared. Having my Implanon taken out next friday for a seperate medical reason so our only form of contraception (besides abstinence obviously) is condoms and they're not the most reliable. And it may take me months to get into a specialist to ask all these questions!!

JennyMay 10/29/2012

Bloods were fine btw, no other reason for the clotting was discovered, it has been concluded by several doctors that the cause MUST be the pill.

deleted_user 10/29/2012

I developed a DVT after having my daughter. I don't really have much advice on injections while pregnant, but as I was looking up guides to ease myself on doing injections, I came across a board on Baby Center called Lovely Lovenox Ladies. The ladies on there all take some type of blood thinner and have great information.

Good luck!!

TossNTurn 10/29/2012

There have been other threads on this here before. Might be worth a search to get more varied stories.

Me personally, I haven't done it, but I've been told exactly what you have. There are some folks on these boards who have done it, so hopefully they'll speak up.

JennyMay 10/30/2012

Thanks TossNTurn! I feel bad, I hate when ppl post the same thing on a thread when it's common topic. I'll do a search next time ;) and will most certainly check out the other posts.

Looks like a very helpful website joeysmama1, will check it out for sure!

ShilosMommy 10/30/2012

I don't have personal experience in regard to baby post-DVT, although I did a lot of research on the topic because my husband and I had considered having another for awhile after my PE. But better than me saying what I've researched, I'd rather share another recent discussion that came on this topic in the PE group, basically the exact same question, but the best thing about it (in my opinion) is the last reply by Pippalippa, who was previously a pretty active member here and has had a baby post-PE/DVT. She addresses a couple of the things which you asked about here.
http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Pulmonary_Embolism/forum/15114092-pregnancy-after-pe

deleted_user 10/31/2012

I was on Lovenox for both my pregnancies, not the most pleasant thing injecting yourself everyday but the reward is great. I was able to inject in my thighs so you should ask your Doctor about doing so. My babies are perfectly healthy :-)
I would also ask about getting your INR checked frequently, just to be sure. I had a clot while taking injections 4 weeks after delivering my 2nd child. ( I had gotten the depo shot though) So just to be safe. Good luck and check out my support group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/DVTawarenessandsupport/

luckymommyto2boys 10/31/2012

I did Heparin with my first pregnancy and Lovenox with the second. I never gave myself the shots in my stomach, though. I always did them on my inner thighs. It was easier for me, and I didn't have to picture myself aiming a needle at the baby's head (yes, I know that's absolutely ridiculous, but I was full of pregnancy hormones, lol). It was pretty routine, and my second delivery was an absolute breeze. With the first one, they had me on a low-dose Heparin shot, since I hadn't been diagnosed with FVL. That's why I developed another DVT while still in the hospital after delivery. But I never had a single problem out of the Lovenox. I actually prefer it to Coumadin, because I feel like I have fewer side effects.

deleted_user 11/02/2012

I had a similar situation where I had a DVT from birth control and no known clotting disorders. I just had my Lovenox baby 11 weeks ago so I have been through the pregnancy/DVT thing. I took injections of Lovenox (40mg) daily during the entire pregnancy. I did the injections in my sides (love handles) and stayed away from the actual stomach area. It also made it easier to inject in the final weeks when my belly was huge. The Lovely Lovenox Ladies (as mentioned by a previous poster) were a tremendous help during this period. My labor was induced at 37 weeks which seems to be standard practice with women who are on blood thinners. I was switched to Warfarin post partum and took that for 6 weeks. I saw a high risk OB (Maternal Fetal Medicine) during my pregnancy because of the DVT issue. I would make sure that you see some sort of specialist during your pregnancy. If you don't have access to an MFM then you should regularly be seeing a hematologist along with your regular OB. Most OB's don't know how to deal with us. My OB referred me to the MFM and I met with him before I tried to conceive to find out my risks and decide if it was worth the risk. Now that I have my little guy I would have to say that it was totally worth all of the hassle. All of the trouble that we went through to get him here (there were other complications beside the clotting issue) makes our little family even more special.

I am curious about your experience with Implanon. I need a new birth control method and was considering that. Did you like it?

TossNTurn 11/03/2012

@paigey3

I was surprised when JennyMay mentioned being on Implanon. It says on the first page of the warnings from the manufacturer that it should be used by women with "current or past history of thrombosis or thromboembolic disorders." You can check out all the warnings on their page:

http://www.implanon-usa.com/en/HCP/services-and-support/patient-support/patient-faqs/index.asp

TossNTurn 11/03/2012

Sorry ... one more thought on birth control (off topic, I know). There have been other posts on these groups on this topic, so I won't beat a dead horse since you can run searches to find those old threads.

In summary ... I think most of us with a clotting history wind up with IUDs. Some ladies are comfortable with the ones with hormones but I've always used the copper one and found it quite effective (and no hormones!).

TossNTurn 11/03/2012

*sigh* yet another post ... time to go to bed.

My earlier post should have said that Implanon should NOT be used by women with a history of clotting. Sorry.

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