Fragmin & Pregnancy

Good afternoon!

I am 36 years old and 35 weeks pregnant with my first child.  4 years ago I was diagnosed with possible bilateral PE (2 left lobe 1 right lobe) after a serious illness (I say possible because a VQ scan was positive but a spiral CT with contrast dye was negative - I was on coumidan for 6 months).  I had a double round of testing for genetic predisposition at 2 university hospitals all of which came back negative. At the beginning of my 3rd Trimester my Hemotologist put me on a "preventative" dose of fragmin (at my begging more than anything)  for the remainder of my pregnancy + 6 weeks post partum.  The dose is 5,000 MU sub cutaneous once daily.  My question is, will I have to be induced being on such a low dose of Fragmin? Will an epidural be possible?  

Thank you so much!
Liz

[CeliacMama]

Hello! I am also on Fragmin - although i started when i was 4 wks pregnant and will continue until about 37 weeks - although i could continue through out - which i might.  I am also on 5000iu daily.

My ob told me that if you go into labor with the Fragmin in your system - there is another drug they can give to undo the effects of Fragmin.  The possible complications of going into labor while on Fragmin is the obvious possibility of more blood loss then desired because of the thinned blood.  The big risk of getting an epidural while on Fragmin is that it could cause a pool of blood around your spinal cord (just like the injections could do) - and that could cause serious complications like temporary or permanent paralysis.

It only takes 24 hrs for the injection to get out of your system (which is why we need to do it daily).  I have heard of some doctors inducing labor 2 days after the injection is stopped.  you could always resume after delivery for the 6wks postpartum. Talk to your doctor to see what s/he suggests.

Wishing you luck!
Devan