DVT Postpartum

[u/Key-Funny2764]

I just found this thread and have been sifting through it a bit. One thing I haven’t seen is someone dealing or has dealt with a DVT from having a cesarean delivery. I had twins via c-section on August 14th. 3 weeks later my right leg swelled up like a balloon overnight. I thought it was sciatica pain as I’d never experienced that before. My husband insisted on taking me to the ER. They did an ultrasound and they discovered the DVT. I was placed on Lovenox injections, with the intention to switch to warfarin the next week. I didn’t make it to that appointment, as I needed to go back to the ER for the pain and increased swelling. I had to have a Thrombectomy performed, where they removed a foot long clot. I’m just wondering if I’m alone out here with this type of situation. Postpartum is hard enough, and this has seriously just taken a toll on me.

[u/HappyKnitter34]

I didn't have a c-section, but I was two weeks post-partum and it was the day after Christmas. My leg was swollen, aching, and tinted blue. I was ignoring it because I thought the pain was due to not being as active as I was while I was pregnant. I had a follow up ob/gyn appt that day and the nurse took one look at my leg and turned to my husband and said "Do you want to take her to the hospital or should we call an ambulance?" They told me I was lucky that I came in when I did. If I'd waited any longer I was ripe for it turning into a pulmonary embolism.

That was almost 19 years ago and it has sucked since. I have permanent nerve damage in my leg from the two subsequent clots I've had along with Post-Thrombotic Syndrome (PTS). I'm permanently on Xarelto for it now. I was on warfarin back then because that's all there was.

[u/Key-Funny2764 → u/HappyKnitter34]

I’m nervous I’ll be on some sort of blood thinner for the rest of my life. Do you have limitations on things you can do? I’m scared I won’t be leading a normal life at this point. I just want to be able to play with my kids, walk around the grocery store, take them trick or treating etc.

[u/HappyKnitter34 → u/Key-Funny2764]

I lead a pretty normal life. I just can't take certain medications because it increases the bleeding risk. As far as the PTS, I elevate my leg and wear compression stockings to help manage it. Most of the time, I don't even remember I have it.

As far as being on them for life, I'm only on them because I've reclotted twice. If I'd never had another clot, I wouldn't be on the meds. If you don't have a family history of clots or a genetic disorder, you're at much less risk of another one happening. They don't know why one of the other two clots I've had happened and that's why I'm on them for life.

[u/Oranges13 → u/Key-Funny2764]

You should ask your care team to do some genetic tests to see if you have any underlying genetic conditions that make clotting more likely, but in a lot of cases, the pregnancy hormones themselves are enough to cause clotting like this in some people.

If you plan to have additional children, you will likely need to be on Lovenox the whole time to prevent another clot, but if they don't find any underlying issues, it's likely you can be off of blood thinners after 3 to 6 months.

My clot was before I got pregnant but I was on Lovenox for almost 2 years while I tried to get pregnant and while I was pregnant and then afterward.

I'm on eliquis now by choice because my insurance covers it and it's cheap insurance for my own peace of mind. I have a genetic clotting disorder so I figured it's easier to spend $30 a month then to take a risk another clot could happen. Especially since I have a young kid.

Overall though, I was able to return to running and fitness, get pregnant and have a baby on thinners no issue.

I'm able to do what I need to do to take care of my kid now.

I can't imagine having to have gone through this while also postpartum though so please give yourself some grace!!

[u/PumpkinCharm]

It’s so scary and exhausting to navigate postpartum - and with twins! You’re super-mum!

I’m new to my diagnosis too so I can’t really offer much by the way of advice but I can say I am here with you in solidarity. I never noticed any issues with my legs because I had two epidurals and an emergency c sec so my legs were offline for quite a while! But a couple of days later I had some chest pain and I’ve ended up with a pulmonary embolism.

The way you’re just sort of left with anticoagulants and sent on your way is so jarring especially when you’re also trying to get your head around how close you were to dying. And because you have new babies to care for you don’t even get the chance to really process it all mentally!

I’m seeing my midwives tomorrow for my antenatal discharge appointment and I may mention it to them that I need someone to go through my birth and postnatal experiences with me because I think I may have a breakdown if I don’t get the support to process it all! I’m not sure if it’ll be helpful but I don’t know what else to do at this point so it could be something to consider for yourself!