I was 31 weeks pregnant and was feeling very breathless. I had a routine appointment at the hospital and I was going to cancel as I felt so unwell.
They immediately looked at me and things started to happen very quickly. I had a massive PE with right heart strain. They said if I hadn’t come in I would have died within hours.
I was rushed into surgery and was given clot buster drugs, but they didn’t work. I was in the ICU for three weeks. They administered more clot busting drugs. I was getting scans daily and was monitored 24/7. Things were changing daily in what treatments I needed.
I was still doing very poorly and they realized I had an allergic reaction to heparin (heparin-induced thrombocytopenia). All this was happening while my baby was growing inside me.
They told my husband to prepare for them to deliver the baby. My outlook wasn’t great so I wrote goodbye letters to my two older children and the baby I was potentially not going to meet for all the special occasions I would miss.
I couldn’t have any additional treatment because of the baby. My anxiety was through the roof as all I wanted to do was deliver my baby safely.
I gave birth to Owen in the ICU at 35 weeks. He was healthy and safe, the best possible outcome in a bleak situation.
I was diagnosed with chronic thromboembolic disease (CTED) and a heparin allergy. I still have ongoing care from lots of specialists and I’m on anticoagulants. I struggle to breathe and normal tasks are very challenging.
My advice to others is if something doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore it.
Resources
Pregnancy
Psychological Impact of Blood Clots
Women and Blood Clots
