I HAD HEPARIN INJECTIONS THROUGHOUT AND FOR 2 WEEKS AFTER THE BIRTH

I have FVL. I didn't know I had it until after my sister had been tested for it after having 2 miscarriages. I was told I should be tested as well. My sister since finding out she had this has had 2 full term and they are 2 beautiful little kids. Through both pregnancies she was on blood thinner shots that she had to do on her stomach. The thing with taking the blood thinner is that she had a hematologist that she had to see on a regular basis and had to monitor her blood levels to know if she had to take a higher dose or lower dose. She was carefully monitored. I say see a hematologists, when you get pregnant and they will do tests to make sure that you are at the right level or if you need a blood thinner and how much. I am heterozygous, I only got it from one parent. I went to my hematologist and she said she didn't know if I would have to take blood thinner but when I get pregnant to come in because she needs to make sure everything is ok and see if I need to be put on something. I would trust what a hematologists would say over just a regular doctor......good luck.

Hi Jessica,

I am homozygous for FVL (two bad genes) plus I have MTHFR (?) and protein S deficiency, so I have seem to have a high risk for clotting. I had three successful pregnancies before I knew I had any problem.

I was about 38 yrs old when I miscarried twice and they tested my blood. Aside from the miscarriages, I'd never had any clotting incidents (and still haven't). Obviously, I had three pregnancies without any treatment, so having babies without thinners even for people with multiple clotting problems is possible.

On the other hand, after the miscarriages and the test results, I did talk to a hemotologist who put me on Lovenox blood thinner when I became pregnant again. I'll never know if it made a difference or not, but I had my beautiful baby. I think it is a judgement call on the part of the doctors deciding what the pros and cons are for you being on blood thinners. Your personal history is a big part of the decision.

Best of luck to you,
Lorraine

I had to terminate my first pregnancy at 24wks because of the leiden factor 5. We didn't know that I had it at the time. I was told that there was something wrong with the placenta. I am now 8wks pregnant with my second child. I went to see the high risk doctors and they told me that given my history I don't need to stay with them that my regular OB can follow me and that they did want me to take a baby aspirin every night before bed. Good luck to everyone.

Tips for lovenox injections while pregnant:

Have you or your partner inject you in the behind (hopefully, it will take a cellulite bump out). Add a dab of baby orajel nighttime formula immediately afterward. Tones down the pain quite a bit! You CAN self-medicate in that you don't have to take the blood thinner every day even though my reg ob and high-risk ob say to... on days I feel sluggish, I take it; on days I'm feeling good, I don't as much. Also, diet is VERY important - watch your intake of high vitamin K foods.

This is my 4th pregnancy with protein S and 1 DVT in '03. I have 3 beautiful children with a 4th on the way.

for carey, of Pittsburgh: who is your hematologist? my daughter was just diagnosed by ob dr. She works in Pittsburgh
thanks

Hi I lost my second baby at 7 1/2 months due to Factor V. I have recently been told I would be on a blood thinner after they register the heartbeat of any future babies. I take an aspirin everyday for now, but it has shown that pregnancy increases the risks of Factor V. I have every confidence in my doctors to help me keep from losing my baby next time, and am glad I know about this genetic disorder, due to having a younger sister and for any of my future daughters. Do not worry about the injections, just remind yourself that it is for the baby and once he or she is here it will have been worth it!!