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welcome to the forum sarah!

well as far as "normal" delivery, i havnt experianced it yet. but what little i have been told about my delivery

1. i will recive blood

2 i will b induced, so no c-esction unless something happens.

so im thinking it will b a relitivly normal delivery. as normal as i can get.

good luck dear and enjoy the forum, there are a lot of wonderful women on here and they are excellent support and full of knowledge

Dora

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Sarah,

Welcome and congratulations!! This is fantastic news and I wish you a wonderful pregnancy!!

Dora is right - "normal" delivery is possible with Lovenox. But, as she illustrated, "normal" isn't the same for everyone. Normal for me meant a planned c/s because of some other issues I had, but it went off without a hitch!! I didn't even mess up my hair - we had a FANTASTIC morning!! It was a truly pleasant experience and, having never had a baby before, totally normal to me. The doctor cracked jokes the ENTIRE time, we had a healthy baby boy, everyone was in great spirits - it was a perfect day and could not have been scripted any better. I took my Lovenox to the hospital and began my injections again that evening and continued them for 6 weeks with no problems.

So, yes, Dora is right - normal delivery IS possible with Lovenox!!

Oh, and as far as injection fears...I have a TERRIBLE fear of needles. So much so I usually pass out when I have any kind of blood test. Actually, the IV and the epidural were my only fears the morning of the c/s!! Anyway, to get over my fear of needles and learn to inject myself, I would picture the second I got to see my sweet baby...because without the Lovenox, that would never happen. So, twice a day, I would conjure up images of what I thought was floating around in there...my eyes, DH's nose...and know that because of the care I was giving both myself and my baby by taking the Lovenox, I would get to kiss that sweet baby's face. I had to do that every single time because I truly HATE needles!! But, that managed to get me through and I was able to be grateful for the Lovenox. I never EVER had DH inject me because the first time I was going to let him inject me, he looked scared to death and was holding the shot like a dart!! NEVERMIND, THANK YOU!! So, I took it from him and never entertained the idea again. I'm not wild game on the Serenghetti, dear.

I hope you are well and hope that you will keep us posted on your progress!!

Again, CONGRATULATIONS!!


HeatherMak

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Heather/ Mark,
Thanks for the reply. I have seen an endocrinologist -he's the one that found the heightened activity. Anyway I wil start Lovenox next week and will keep you posted.

NMT

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Hello Dora and Heather,

Thank you for responding to my message. It is comforting to know that other women are having similiar experiences or have gone through it.

I realize that delivery is different for everyone. That is wonderful news that your deliver was so great, Heather. I had heard stories of not being able to have pain medication due to the lovenox, but it must not be true. I did not have the opportunity to ask my doctor these questions.

I am going to start the injections tomorrow. I filled the prescription today. Baby steps!

Do you all do the injections in your side? They said that I could do that or in my thighs. Any suggestions?

Thanks again-

Sarah

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Hi, this is Mary and this is for ilovemydogs1978. I have had an allergic reaction to lovenox but was just like red spots on my stomach which itch very much. Also, I had the dizziness and felt very tired all day, but have in mind this and what u r feeling might not be the same. I was switched to Fragmin and for me is very good. Putting the injection always hurt but the medication burns way less than Lovenox. Good Luck!!

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Thanks Mary for responding.I think im ok,a day or two after starting the injections i felt really dizzy and nautious,but im ok now.still nausea though!But i think i was a little paranoid,my doc said it wasnt from lovenox, but thanks for writing, hope everything goes ok with you.
Heather M

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Sarah,

I only did my injections in my abdomen. I bruised REALLY badly if I did them anywhere else, so I rotated a clockwise pattern...by the time I got back to the top, it wasn't so tender anymore. Hope this helps!! BTW, the knots went away about three weeks after I quit the injections...not sure if you're experiencing this or not.

Heather,

I'm glad it wasn't the Lovenox making you queasy and dizzy...I was that way from being pregnant...for 22 weeks...so hope yours passes soon. If not, ask your OB/GYN about Zoforan...it helps in a jiffy!! How are things going?? I hope all is well and wonderful!!

Mary,

I'm SO glad they found the Fragmin for you!! I'm sure the reaction was terribly unpleasant, especially since the shots are so unpleasant!!


I hope you ladies are well and look forward to updates soon!!


HeatherMak

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HI:
i'm new to the site. Just found this today and going through a lot of the posts. It's very helpful.
I'm a mother to a 3 1/2 yr old daughter. Had an uneventful 1st pregnancy and delivery. However, this second time around has been horrible.
In the past 2 years, i've had 4 m/c all before 10 weeks.
I've done tons of tests, tests on the remains of the pregnancy, nothing is telling me there is a particular problem. So here i am today, i am almost 6 weeks pregnant, i started the lovenox 40mg about 4 weeks ago & go to the DR tomorrow... i am very nervous. I am basically anticipating another miscarriage. It's a horrible feeling & i never thought i'd be in this situation. I'm 38, healthy, normal weight, etc and no one can tell me why I'm miscarrying. Went to two fertility specialists & they suggested lovenox so that's why i'm trying it.
One big question is-i am doing the injections in my bottom--is that ok? or does it have to be in the thigh or stomach/abdomen area? I thought it could be in any of those areas?

Thanks
Michelle

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Michelle,

First of all, let me wish you the best on ths journey. I hope the Lovenox provides you with some much needed help. BTW, I might suggest you seek out an Endocrinologist or a Hematologist to help determine what kinds of problems you're having. A Reproductive Endocrinologist might not be able to find as much as an Endocrinologist or a Hematologist...so that might be something to consider.

As far as injections sites, I would assume you can use your buttocks. I would refer to the information that came with your meds, or call your doc to ask the nurse, but I would assume this is okay. I was told to use the section of the belt area, just above and just below, all the way around...which would include the buttocks. However, I bruised so badly that I could only use the abdomen. Again, I would call a nurse at your doc's office just to be sure, but I can't imagine why this wouldn't be okay. Bear in mind, however, I'm not at all a medical professional!! ;)

Keep us posted on your progress and anticipate a MIRACLE, not a miscarriage!! I know, believe me I know, how very difficult that is. BELIEVE me, I know. But, this time around can be different because of the Lovenox, so believe that it will be and keep us posted!!


HeatherMak

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First I want to thank you all for sharing your stories, I have just spent the last hour reading every post.
My husband and I are at 8 weeks 2 days with our third pregnancy. The first ended in a miscarriage at 9 weeks and the second ended at 29 weeks with the preterm delivery of our little girl. She fought hard for 12 days but in the end just couldn't fight anymore. After the second pregancy we discovered that I have Lupus anticoagulant and an MTHFR mutation.
I started Lovenox 40mcg twice daily at 6 weeks. I am having an aweful time with brusing and am quickly running out of stomach space to give the injection. The nurse who gave me the lovenox training told me to use my stomach. Did your doctors say you could use other sites? It sure would be nice to use a thigh every now and then.
Also has anyone found anyway to make the bruises heal faster? The bruise from my first injection is just now starting to fade. I found some info on the internet ranging from rubbing butter on the bruise to cabbage leaves to mustard mixed with onions. Any thoughts?
My injection yesterday morning bled alot when I gave it and now has a bruise that is the size of my hand. I called my doctor who didn't seem too concerned and told me that it will happen from time to time. It is really dark purple and red and I'm scared that something is wrong? My husband says that I worry too much and to just wait and show the doctor at my regular appointment on Monday morning. But that seems really far away. Would you call the doctor on call or just wait?
Sorry this has gotten so long but thank you again for the words of encouragement.

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Jean,

I am so sorry you've been through what you've been through. But, let me also say congratulations on this pregnancy!! I'm sure the Lovenox will make a tremendous difference. I know it did for me, and we have very similar problems.

As far as injection sites, you can also use your abdomen. I was told the "site map" would be a from a few inches above your belly button to just a around your hips...all the way around...that is kind of the "target area", so there's a pretty good "belt" of space to use. However, like you, I found that my belly was SO painful, bleedy and bruisey that I only was able to use my abdomen. I rotated sides and sites with every injection, but after a while, the knots and the bruising were my guides.

Unfortunately, the terrible bruising and occasional bleeding is just a "cosmetic" side effect of the Lovenox. When you inject, you pass through little capillary pockets and since you're injecting a blood thinner, sometimes they will bleed pretty badly. Just a little pressure and they should be okay, though sometimes I did have one that would bleed just a teeny, tiny, little bit for an entire day. Again, the bruising comes from injecting a blood thinner, so it's really just an unpleasant LOOKING problem, it doesn't indicate there is any real problem. If you weren't bruising, I'd be amazed.

You will most likely be using Lovenox for 6 weeks postpartum, and I found that the bruises and knots went away within a few weeks of delivery. I have none now...even though my abdomen felt like a braille dictionary for a long while.

So, yes, your concern is TOTALLY natural, but really, like your doc's office said, nothing to worry about. TOTALLY normal. But, remember, if you EVER have a concern, no matter how big or small, you should call your doctor. If they don't understand why you're calling or get crappy with you, find another. You have every right to have every question answered, every concern addressed and every issue resolved to YOUR liking...so don't let any doctor or nurse blow you off...ever. For too long we were taught NOT to question our doctors or others in authority. Well, that's a terribly dangerous habit, so constantly question your doctor about every medicine, every procedure, every decision...you have to know you HAVE to be informed about what is happening to YOUR body at all times.

So, be well, CONGRATULATIONS and keep us posted!! Come back with questions or concerns - it's a great community on this board!!! Full of hope, promise, experience and strength.


HeatherMak

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*** TO EVERYONE ON LOVENOX ***

My doctor told me a very helpful piece of advice, and I wanted to make sure to pass it on to you.

When I started the Lovenox, my OB suggested I put a little sticky note on my driver's license that said I was pregnant, that I was on Lovenox (and how much) and when my due date was...in case anything ever happened to me. If, God forbid, you're in an accident or you pass out or you cut your hand looking at books at the bookstore or ANYTHING...medical responders need to know about the Lovenox because you might not remember to tell them.

I'm not trying to scare anyone, I just want to be safe and pracitcal and pass along whatever helpful information I can.

I hope each of you is well, and I look foward to hearing updates from everyone soon!!


HeatherMak

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I totally agree with Heather's last comment. You never know when something will happen and someone's going to need to know that you are anticoagulated and you might not be able to tell them. I have a medic alert bracelet. That way people can see right away that I'm on Lovenox.
My doctors have told me that at 36 weeks they will switch me to heparin because the shorter half life allows it to get out of your body quicker if you go into labor (therefore less risk of bleeding during delivery). They also stated that they would put me on Coumadin for six weeks after delivery because it's safer in breastfeeding then Lovenox. I've noticed that most of you have been left on Lovenox after delivery. Did you breastfeed while on Lovenox or use formula?

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Hi! I hope eveyone is doing well. I just have a question for anyone that has been on Lovenox and delivered a healthy baby; were you able to breastfeed?
I am taking 30 mg twice a dat and I am 11 weeks along. I have been on Lovenox for about 6 weeks now. I have had a very rough 8 years. 8 years ago I was 7 months pregnant and lost my baby boy. 2 weeks later I was diagnosed with RA. Since then I have had 3 m/c all before 14 weeks. Luckily God blessed me with my very first prenancy, 11 years ago, with a healthy boy.
This is my first time on Lovenox and I wanted to share my story and ask abot breastfeeding.

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Hi ladies!!

In response to the last two posts, yes, I breastfed while on Lovenox. I did supplement formula when I was just too tired, but DS and I had no problems.

Lovenox is a Category B medication, so if there were any harmful potential problems breastfeeding while taking it, your doc would have talked to you about that (I hope). If you're concerned at all, by all means ask your OB's opinion or even talk with your baby's pediatrician when you have your pre-baby appointment. It NEVER hurts to have more information!!

Jean, you're right - the Lovenox does not pass as easily thru the breastmilk as Coumadin or Heparin (for surgery) so you should be just fine. I was put on Heparin at 36 weeks, too, then back to the Lovenox. I didn't like the needles my pharmacy gave me to use with the Heparin, so if you don't get good teeny tiny needles, ask them for new ones, or buy some from another pharmacy...just take your heparin Rx with you...or ask if you can buy some from your doc. I didn't realize how nice those little Lovenox needles were until I had to use a stinking javelin to inject the Heparin!!

Donovan's Mommy - I wish you all the best wishes I can for this pregnancy. I was on Lovenox for my first successful pregnancy and delivered a happy, healthy, beautiful baby boy last November...he is a miraculous gift from God and I know my doctor and the Lovenox were all part of that wonderous miracle. I successfully breastfed three months before I had to quit because of MY food allergies!! God has blessed you again with this pregnancy and with the Lovenox. You've been through a terrible jaunt on journey, so I hope this leg of your journey will be a much better experience for you. I will pray for a wonderful pregnancy for you and your miracle baby!! Keep us posted!!!!!


HeatherMak

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Heather, thank you for your reply. I have already talked with my doctor about breastfeeding and he did say it was "ok" but I just wanted to know from one of you. It puts my mind at ease.
I have one more question; were you induced or go into labor naturally? If you were induced, how long before your due date?
Thank you again! It's great to talk to someone else who has/is going through the same problems as me. (or similar)

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