Stopping Heparin in general

[dukercook]

Has anyone stopped at 12 weeks for boderline APA's or ANA's or would you recommend going the entire pregnancy.

Also has anyone switched from heprain to lovenex mid-pregnancy?

[Tabithalyn]

dukercook,
Since the main concern with borderline test results is that pregnancy can increase the level of antibody activity, it is highly recommended and mostly always observed that continuing heparin or lovenox thruout prg. is best.

I'm sure there are cases of switching to lovenox -heparin is great for anti-inflammatory properties and the lesser cost but I guess some people opt for the 24 hour effective life and one needle convenience of lovenox. I know in most cases the docs will revert a patient back OFF of lovenox on to heparin closer to delivery /labour/C-sec or inducement time due to being better able to coagulate one's blood on heparin if a hemorrage should occur plus the shorter lifespan of heparin in the system (being nearer to 12 hours).

I hope this helps a wee bit...
I for sure wouldn't want to take a chance of stopping the blood-thinners if I've had a history of losses but I do think there are some women here who did only use it thru the first trimester and who are still carrying fine.

regards,
Ally

[dukercook]

Thank you for your thoughts. I really appreciate it. You are right about the increased activity. I had totally forgotten about that.

Thanks.

[mvp]

I stopped the heparin about that time for borderline APA's. I did not have a problem with ANA's. Everything worked out fine.

Michelle

[Tanya T.]

You need to ask yourself if it's worth your childs life to stop it... Because ultimately you are risking your childs life if you stop taking it... I'm sure that there are rare cases like Michelles (posted above) where everything turns out ok by stopping... BUT I could tell you about a dozen stories of women with borderline aPL (aPA) & they lost their children even as far along as 37 weeks... I know of two women who stopped heparin late (one 36 weeks & one 37 weeks) - because thier Doctors told them too... Within days their babys had both died in utero due to severe blood clotting... You simply need to ask yourself if it's worth the risk??? I know the shots are horrible & it sucks to have to go through so much to have a healthy pg, but in the end, it's absolutely worth it... I wish you the best of luck with what you decide to do...
Hugs
Tanya

[Kirst7]

My re took me off of Lovenox at 10 wks because I had a sub-chorionic bleed, but he said that even without that, he would have taken me off Lovenox by about wk 13. That is what he did w/ those of us that had slight APAs. I was sooo scared, but it did work out for us! Good Luck!