We're pregnant! Do I need heparin injections?

68cougar · 05-20-2011, 05:44 PM

Hi All! The hubby and I just found out we are pregnant with our first baby. I'm a T7 para and my OB wants me on injections of heparin to avoid blood clots. I have never had any problems with blood clots before or after my injury and I have no family history of blood clots either.

How many of you were on preventative injections of heparin during your pregnancy? Does current research support twice daily injections of heparin as a preventative measure for SCI patients with no history of blood clots and no family history of blood clots?

I live in rural western Kansas and my OB is comfortable handling my pregnancy but does not deal with SCI patients on a regular basis. If preventative heparin shots are no longer supported by SCI doctors I would like to show him the research.

I hate needles and givings shots. Every time I inject myself my blood pressure spikes and I have differed pain across my side along with nausea. The nausea is not the same as any morning sickness I've had and I'm not sure the potential benefit from the heparin outweighs the problems it seems to cause.

Thanks for any advice,
Kristi

jody · 05-20-2011, 05:50 PM

pooper!

SCI-Nurse · 05-20-2011, 05:59 PM

Do you have a history of DVT? Generally we do not do this for women with SCI who are pregnant, although both pregnancy and SCI put you at risk. I would want to discuss with him the pros and cons of this related to possible excessive bleeding (either uterine or otherwise) during your pregnancy. You will need regular blood tests to be sure that the dosage is right and kept in the safe range. If bleeding should occur, it will need to be stopped and other medications used to reverse its effects.

(KLD)

Emi2 · 05-20-2011, 06:10 PM

I wasn't on it for either of my pregnancies.

Grange · 05-20-2011, 06:20 PM

Would a vein filter be a better option?

68cougar · 05-20-2011, 06:40 PM

Thanks for the quick replies! I had to edit the post because I posted it prematurely, so there is some additional information that may not have been read. Opps!

68cougar · 05-20-2011, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCI-Nurse

Do you have a history of DVT? (KLD)

KLD,
No I do not have any history of DVT. Can you recommend any resouces that would be good for me to read up on the pros and cons of preventative heprin?
Thanks for your help, Kristi

macska · 05-20-2011, 09:42 PM

Congrats!

lynnifer · 05-20-2011, 09:44 PM

OMGoodness! Congratulations!!!

airart1 · 05-20-2011, 11:48 PM

try some TEDs while your preg. should help bloodflow without thinners maybe....oh, grats, make him healthy, wealthy and wise!

05-20-2011, 05:44 PM	#1
68cougar Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: western Kansas Posts: 366	We're pregnant! Do I need heparin injections? Hi All! The hubby and I just found out we are pregnant with our first baby. I'm a T7 para and my OB wants me on injections of heparin to avoid blood clots. I have never had any problems with blood clots before or after my injury and I have no family history of blood clots either. How many of you were on preventative injections of heparin during your pregnancy? Does current research support twice daily injections of heparin as a preventative measure for SCI patients with no history of blood clots and no family history of blood clots? I live in rural western Kansas and my OB is comfortable handling my pregnancy but does not deal with SCI patients on a regular basis. If preventative heparin shots are no longer supported by SCI doctors I would like to show him the research. I hate needles and givings shots. Every time I inject myself my blood pressure spikes and I have differed pain across my side along with nausea. The nausea is not the same as any morning sickness I've had and I'm not sure the potential benefit from the heparin outweighs the problems it seems to cause. Thanks for any advice, Kristi __________________ T7 MVA 9/12/04 Life is just a collection of memories. - C.W. McCall Aurora Borealis Last edited by 68cougar; 05-20-2011 at 06:26 PM. Reason: I hit enter before I was done typing and editing. oops!

05-20-2011, 06:10 PM	#4
Emi2 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 3,205	I wasn't on it for either of my pregnancies. __________________ Emily, C-8 sensory incomplete mom to a 8 year old and a preschooler. TEN! years post.

05-20-2011, 06:20 PM	#5
Grange Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 846	Would a vein filter be a better option? __________________ L1 Complete - Injury 3/12/06 - Grateful to be alive!!!!

05-20-2011, 06:40 PM	#6
68cougar Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: western Kansas Posts: 366	Thanks for the quick replies! I had to edit the post because I posted it prematurely, so there is some additional information that may not have been read. Opps! __________________ T7 MVA 9/12/04 Life is just a collection of memories. - C.W. McCall Aurora Borealis

05-20-2011, 09:42 PM	#8
macska Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: B.F., NY Posts: 2,820	Congrats! __________________ My mouth is like a magician's hat, never know what might come out of it.

05-20-2011, 05:50 PM	#2
jody Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: east o the southern warren Posts: 7,794	pooper!

05-20-2011, 05:59 PM	#3
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,333	Do you have a history of DVT? Generally we do not do this for women with SCI who are pregnant, although both pregnancy and SCI put you at risk. I would want to discuss with him the pros and cons of this related to possible excessive bleeding (either uterine or otherwise) during your pregnancy. You will need regular blood tests to be sure that the dosage is right and kept in the safe range. If bleeding should occur, it will need to be stopped and other medications used to reverse its effects. (KLD)

05-20-2011, 09:44 PM	#9
lynnifer Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Windsor ON Canada Posts: 15,308	OMGoodness! Congratulations!!! __________________ I think over again my small adventures, My fears, Those small ones that seemed so big, For all the vital things I had to get and to reach; And yet there is only one great thing, The only thing, To live to see the great day that dawns And the light that fills the world. Anonymous (Inuit, 19th century) T-11 Flaccid Paraplegic due to TM July 1985 @ age 12

05-20-2011, 11:48 PM	#10
airart1 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: usa Posts: 700	try some TEDs while your preg. should help bloodflow without thinners maybe....oh, grats, make him healthy, wealthy and wise!

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