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Re: Heparin during pregnancy, do I really need it???

From: William D. McIntosh, MD (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sun, 28 Mar 1999 11:48:30 -0600 (CST)


At Sun, 28 Mar 1999, Jody wrote: >
>I am 29 years old and currently 27 weeks pregnant with my second chld. I
>wsa recently diagnosed with having activated protein C deficiency and am
>also heterozygous for the Factor V Leiden gene. The only reason I got
>tested was that my second cousing was diagnosed with this after
>developing a blood clot (10 years after having her triplets) while on
>bed rest for a back injury.
>This spawned testing from within her immedidate family and has made it's
>way down to my side. I have had no previous history of clotting and had
>no probelms with my first pregnancy. If I had not been tested I would
>have contiued on with this pregnancy without knowing that I am now prone
>to clotting and I probably would be fine. Now that the doctors know I
>have this deficienct they want to start me on heparin via injections
>twice a day. I feel this is extreme, considering my past history.
>I do not know what to do, I am torn, should I continue and just be aware
>of my condition, ...or do I really need to start these injections. There
>doesn't seem to be any hard and fast rule, and there is only one
>hematologsit in my area and I would like some other oponions other that
>his.
>
>HELP....Jody Safnuk, Canada

If you were my sister, or my wife, I would strongly urge you to take the heparin. The first sign that you had anything wrong could be sudden death from a massive blood clot in your lungs. This may only have a 1-2% incidence, but is it worth running that risk if there is a safe and effective treatment? And that's just the risk of death, not lesser morbidities. You are prone to making unwanted blood clots, both from heredity and from pregnancy. I have a 16 year old in the hospital right now, 10 days postpartum, who almost died from a pulmonary embolism, that does not have as many risk factors as you do.

If you were told that you had 1 chance in 4 of having an auto accident during one specific trip to the market, I bet you would take extra care to wear your seat belt. Why is this any different?

--
William D. McIntosh, MD
Clarksville, TN

This is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace consultation and examination by your physician or other health care provider.




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