Heparin Injections - Advice Please?

[XOXO13]

Hi all,

I’m due to have my third transfer next Tuesday and have been prescribed heparin injections and 75mg aspirin from day of transfer.

This has stemmed from a blood test that showed a raised anti-cardiolipin.

They normally like to repeat the test in two months to check it’s still raised before diagnosing APS, but as my transfer is next week my consultant said it could be a good option if I took it just incase.

I’ve had a miscarriage previously with a natural pregnancy though those initial tests following my miscarriage didn’t flag up any raised antibodies.

The choice is ours as to whether I take it. It sounds quite intense for something I may not 100 percent need. But on the other hand, I am willing to throw the kitchen sink at this and it’s our first double embryo transfer and third transfer overall.

Can anyone offer any advice? Have you taken heparin and if so, how have you found it?

Thank you! 🍀🤍💫 xx

[Millbanks]

Hi lovely, my clinic prescribes Inhixa (which is a form of heparin - blood thinner) as standard for each FET. It's supposed to help with clots etc. Personally I would give it a go if you've not tried it before - especially with your test results. (Our clinic also recommends 75mg aspirin every day during FET also). Inhixa is in a pre-filled syringe and it's a kind of gel, so it bumps under the skin and needs a little massaging to disperse. It also bruises but I think that's because it's a spring loaded syringe. xx

[XOXO13 in reply to Millbanks]

Ah, that’s quite reassuring if it’s a standard practice 🍀 xx

[Millbanks in reply to XOXO13]

Yes it's certainly not considered unusual I would go for it! xx

[XOXO13 in reply to Millbanks]

I think I will ☺️ What’s one more needle hey! Xx

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi xoxo. Quite popular to use some form of heparin now. Helps to ensure a good blood flow to your womb lining and helps to prevent any clot formation. If you go ahead with it, then when you inject, do everything slowly, so needle in slow, inject slow and remove needle slowly. Helps to prevent any bruising. You could work in a "smile" under your belly button, one side to the other. Good luck! Diane

[XOXO13 in reply to DianeArnold]

Great tip, thank you!! 🍀🤞🏻

[hifer]

Definitely chuck the kitchen sink at it (in my opinion 😉). I was diagnosed with APS last year before my last transfer and am now on blood thinners. I’m on dalteparin and I don’t know the difference between them all but I’ve been told they are quite similar. I discovered this as a result of tests from a second miscarriage. I would definitely give it a go on the off chance. Mine are a pre filled injection every day. Yes you bruise like a peach but if it helps, then I’m in 😉xx

[XOXO13 in reply to hifer]

Definitely... I even said that to her, throw everything at me to help! Fingers crossed third times a charm! 🍀🤞🏻 How are you getting on? Xx

[hifer in reply to XOXO13]

Good for you. Fingers crossed for you. I’m doing good thank you. 12 week scan on Friday so 🤞🤞. Xx

[XOXO13 in reply to hifer]

Eek that’s exciting.. best of luck to you 🍀💫 xx

[hifer in reply to XOXO13]

Thank you xx

[Lots8788]

All the best lovely. Do you mind me asking what your anti cardiolipin levels are? Mine have recently come back high too so hoping ours will offer the same for next FET (though we are also potentially changing clinic before then)

Have everything crossed for you xxx

[XOXO13 in reply to Lots8788]

Of course not.. I think they came back as 64.6 or something - and I’ve no idea of what the scale is, I was just told that it’s slightly raised and therefore I was advised to take Heparin and aspirin. Good luck for your next FET 🤞🏻🍀 xx

[Lots8788 in reply to XOXO13]

Thanks hun. Is the heparin a standard dose regardless of levels do you know and same with aspirin? So nice to know that you're trying different things. This whole process just feels like such a tick box of eliminating things and trying different things doesn't it xxx

[XOXO13 in reply to Lots8788]

I’m not entirely sure tbh... I have been prescribed Fragmin 2500 iu sc. Originally the dose was higher than that, but after she weighed me she reduced it. I think the Aspirin is the same dose regardless though, I’ve been prescribed 75mg daily.

And yeah, I feel better knowing we are trying something slightly different. I’m hoping it makes a difference 🤞🏻

What has your clinic advised? Xx

[Lots8788 in reply to XOXO13]

Ok thanks hun

🤞🤞 have everything crossed for you

So we had our last NHS cycle fail, then had these tests which showed this, and currently contemplating moving clinics for private FET but will see what our current one says and if they're willing to do something different and add this in now we have these results xxx

[XOXO13 in reply to Lots8788]

Thank you!! 🤞🏻

Ah I see, I hope they can offer something different and some reassurances. Best of luck to you 🍀 xx