Pregnant women receiving low molecular weight heparin

Transcription

1 Pregnant women receiving low molecular weight heparin Exceptional healthcare, personally delivered

2 Information for pregnant women or women who have given birth who are receiving Low Molecular Weight Heparin What is Heparin? Heparin is an anticoagulant drug. This means that it slows down clotting or thins the blood. There are various types of heparin the type we usually use is a Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH) such as Enoxaparin or Dalteparin. We usually use Enoxaparin (otherwise known as Clexane). Venous thrombosis is a condition in which a blood clot (thrombus) forms in a vein (venous thrombosis). Most commonly, venous thrombosis occurs in the deep veins in the legs, thighs or pelvis and this is called a deep vein thrombosis or DVT. A DVT can limit blood flow through the vein, causing swelling and pain, but there is a risk that it can break off and travel through the blood stream. This is called an embolus. If the embolus lodges in the lung this is known as a pulmonary embolus (PE). A PE may cause breathing problems, chest pain and coughing up blood but a large PE can cause collapse and may be life threatening. However, the risk of developing a pulmonary embolus, once a DVT has been diagnosed and treated, is extremely small. During pregnancy and the immediate period after birth, the risk of venous thrombosis is increased. Some pregnant women are more at risk of developing blood clots and your risk of developing a thrombosis will be assessed in pregnancy and after the birth. The three most common reasons for women starting heparin during pregnancy or after the birth are: a) A clot arising during this or a previous pregnancy. b) An increased risk of a clot forming during pregnancy or after birth. e.g after some caesarean births or if you are immobile for a period of time. c) Already on long-term anticoagulation, e.g., recurrent thrombosis. 2 Pregnant women receiving low molecular weight heparin

3 Is it safe for my unborn baby? For pregnant women and women who have given birth, heparin is the anticoagulant of choice and is recommended by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. It does not cross the placenta, and therefore is considered to be safe. Is it safe to breast feed? There is no evidence that the heparin including the one that we use (Enoxaparin) passes into breast milk due to the nature of the drug. If any very small amount passed into breast milk it is broken down by stomach acids therefore any absorption by a breast fed baby is negligible. No adverse effects on the baby have been reported. Therefore it is considered that heparin is safe for you to have whilst you are breast feeding. Alternatives Warfarin, another anticoagulant taken in tablet form does cross the placenta and is teratogenic (may harm the unborn child). Aspirin has a weak protective effect but is not recommended by experts to prevent DVT if the woman is at moderate to high risk of a DVT Elastic compression stockings have a protective effect against DVT but can be uncomfortable to wear and are not protective against thrombosis anywhere else but the legs. How will Heparin be given? Heparin is broken down by stomach acids and so cannot be taken by mouth. It must be given by subcutaneous injection (into the fatty layer of tissue beneath the skin). The type of LMWH we use is generally given once a day. We may give heparin twice a day, particularly in pregnancy. It is important that the heparin is given at roughly the same time of day (within two hours) and it is recommended that it be given in the morning if blood tests to monitor it are needed. Pregnant women receiving low molecular weight heparin 3

4 Risks Side effects of heparin include: Bruising at the injection site. There may be an increased tendency to bleeding. Slightly increased risk of a wound haematoma (bruising) if having a caesarean birth. Very rarely there may be allergic type reactions at the injection site or in the body generally, increased blood potassium level, an immune reaction called HIT (heparin induced thrombocytopenia) or possibly bone thinning. Monitoring for these is part of your clinic visit, but the more serious side effects are almost never seen with LMWH use in pregnancy. When do I start heparin? It will depend on why you are receiving heparin as to when your injections will start. Some people start early in pregnancy but others may have treatment only after delivery. A management plan for the heparin will be made which should be kept in your obstetric notes and a copy will be kept in your medical notes. The injection The LMWH comes from pharmacy in preloaded syringes. These should be stored out of direct sunlight but do not need to be refrigerated. What is needed to give the injections? You will be shown how to give the injections. To give the heparin you will need: Alcohol wipes to clean the skin before the injection. A sharps bin to dispose of the used needle and syringe. Heparin this will be prescribed from the clinic but further prescriptions may be provided by your GP. 4 Pregnant women receiving low molecular weight heparin

5 References used for this leaflet: British National Formulary 50. (September 2005) RCOG (January 2004) Thromboprophylaxis during Pregnancy, Labour and after Vaginal Delivery (37). BSCH (2005) The management of heparin induced thrombocytopenia. BSCH (2005) Guidelines on the use and monitoring of heparin. NBT Maternity Guideline (2008). Thromboprophylaxis during pregnancy, labour and after vaginal or caesarean birth. NBT Medicines information (2007) Report on safety of Enoxaparin (Clexane) in pregnancy and lactation. NHS Constitution. Information on your rights and responsibilities. Available at [Last Accessed March 2010] Pregnant women receiving low molecular weight heparin 5

6 How to contact us: Southmead Hospital Bristol Assessment Unit Southmead Central Delivery Suite (Southmead) St Michael s Hospital, Bristol Day Assessment Unit Delivery Suite (St Michael s) Royal United Hospital, Bath Day Assessment Unit or North Bristol NHS Trust. First Published February This second edition March NBT002062