c-section mamas. A warning

linzica · January 2012

Hey ladies, I wanted to give you all a heads up on blood clots. My doctors did not tell me how common they are in c-section moms (due to both recent pregnancy and recent surgery) until I was in the hospital with 80% of my left leg blocked.

When my leg first swelled up, my family practitioner thought I pulled something and gave me a cortisone shot and sent me home. I was bed ridden for a week an a half with my newborn before I insisted on seeing another doctor who immediately sent me into for a doppler and then to the ER.

One of the clots could have very easily dislodged during that week and a half and killed me. I did not know any of this. I had no idea this was a major risk and my family practitioner sucks because he did and for some reason didn't think it pertained to my situation.

So, keep an eye out for symptoms. Swelling in arms or legs, redness in the skin, bulging veins around these areas. If you feel a sudden shortness of breath with chest pains, get to the ER immediately.

I don't want to scare anyone but this is a leading cause of death and I was completely unaware of it. When i think back to how my child could have grown up without a mom it makes me want to cry.

Just please, be aware.

pepomntpat · January 2012

I am glad everything turned out okay for you! This risk and these symptoms were in my discharge instructions. I am sorry the nurses did not go over that with you! How awful!

MAprincess · January 2012

Glad you are ok! I agree this is a very common and real risk with any surgery (c/s included). I was pretty upset that they didn't tell me anything about it until I was being discharged from the hospital after DS was born. I felt like it was something that I should have heard prior to the surgery.

ChiTown Bridget · January 2012

pepomntpat:
I am glad everything turned out okay for you! This risk and these symptoms were in my discharge instructions. I am sorry the nurses did not go over that with you! How awful!

This! I am am so glad you are okay!

iris427 · January 2012

Scary, I am glad you are ok!

hopkins5 · January 2012

pepomntpat:
I am glad everything turned out okay for you! This risk and these symptoms were in my discharge instructions. I am sorry the nurses did not go over that with you! How awful!

This. I'm glad you're okay, OP.

beachbum28 · January 2012

Very scary...I was just wondering if your hospital offers a home health nurse to come to your home for a week after surgry?? I had that with my first it was great she came to check on me and baby. I'm so glad you are ok!!

Mama Jan · January 2012

One of my biggest fears. I'm so glad everything turned out ok for you.

My hospital seems to be very on top of this but because it's a huge fear of mine I'm also very aware of it. Question - did you walk a lot at the hospital? I was under the impression that walking a ton would prevent clots so I'm just curious how much you walked.

Mama Jan · January 2012

beachbum28:
Very scary...I was just wondering if your hospital offers a home health nurse to come to your home for a week after surgry?? I had that with my first it was great she came to check on me and baby. I'm so glad you are ok!!

Wow! Awesome!! My hospital doesn't have this but it sure would be great!

linzica · January 2012

Sorry ladies, i didn't give enough information. I developed this clot (deep vein thombrosis) 7 weeks post op. At this point I had already had my 6 wk follow up and had been told that I could return to normal activities.

I was aware that immediately post op there is a risk of minor clots and I did receive a home visit from a nurse one week after I got home. I was pretty active after the c-section, and became more so as I recovered more.

Because I was 7 wks post, my doctor ignored my symptoms, later claiming he didn't think i was at risk so long after the fact. Once I was in the hospital, they told me you are at risk for quite a while longer than the initial 6 wk period I was aware of.

hopkins5 · January 2012

beachbum28:
Very scary...I was just wondering if your hospital offers a home health nurse to come to your home for a week after surgry?? I had that with my first it was great she came to check on me and baby. I'm so glad you are ok!!

I loved my nurse visit! So helpful for both myself and DD!

SarahRae812 · January 2012

Whoa! I never heard about this before or after my c/s! Thanks for posting the symptoms. I'll have to look up some prevention techniques before we have #2 in a couple years.

cassoppea · January 2012

Oh wow thats really scary. I remember them checking me all the time for that in the hospital, but they never made a big deal about it when I left.

I'm glad everything was ok for you and thank you for the reminder.

RaeAnt · January 2012

Yeah, very common possible issue from any surgery. Did they put the compression leg things on you in recovery/post pardum room? That is suppose to help as well as them trying to get you up and moving ASAP.

linzica · January 2012

RaeAnt:
Yeah, very common possible issue from any surgery. Did they put the compression leg things on you in recovery/post pardum room? That is suppose to help as well as them trying to get you up and moving ASAP.

Yeah, my hospital was great. Both after the c-section and while I was in there for the clot.

akayf · January 2012

Are you on coumadin or Lovenox shots? I developed clots after my c-section in June. I had major complications after the c-section and wound up in CCU with a PICC line. Once I was moved to the step down unit, an idiot nurse took multiple blood pressure readings on the arm with the PICC line and clots formed. A few days later, I developed a small clot in my right leg.

I started on Lovenox when I was first released. I had to go back in less than a week later because my hemoglobin dropped and I needed more blood transfusions. They had to stop the lovemox because my platelets were too low. I was then put on another injection blood thinner for couple weeks until my coumadin levels were where they should be. I've been on the coumadin since July and go tomorrow to see if the clots are gone.

asyph107 · January 2012

So sorry you had to deal with all that. Thanks for remind us all of that risk, it is very serious and can certainly happen. I wish your OB and the nurses had talked to you more about that and how to watch for it. So terrible that you had to experience that.

linzica · January 2012

akayf:
Are you on coumadin or Lovenox shots? I developed clots after my c-section in June. I had major complications after the c-section and wound up in CCU with a PICC line. Once I was moved to the step down unit, an idiot nurse took multiple blood pressure readings on the arm with the PICC line and clots formed. A few days later, I developed a small clot in my right leg.

I started on Lovenox when I was first released. I had to go back in less than a week later because my hemoglobin dropped and I needed more blood transfusions. They had to stop the lovemox because my platelets were too low. I was then put on another injection blood thinner for couple weeks until my coumadin levels were where they should be. I've been on the coumadin since July and go tomorrow to see if the clots are gone.

In order to get out of the hospital before I was therapeutic, i had to be on lovenox and coumadin. The lovenox only for about a week and a half, thank goodness, but it was worth it to be home and not hooked up to an iv with people jabbing me at all points of the day.

I looked like a junkie for about two months afterwards from all the bruises in my arms.

Houstonmom · January 2012

Wow. I'm so sorry But glad you are better now.

Thanks for posting, this reminds me to ask for compression legwear while I'm in the hospital.

Is there anything else you think upcoming c-section mamas should do to prevent or be more aware of blood clots?

It's a bummer, b/c they always tell you to walk as soon as possible, stay active, etc. and you did that and still had blood clot Again, sorry that happened to you. Ugh.

ETA: Looking at your OP, I guess one thing we could all do is DEMAND a doppler reading if we have any sort of redness/swelling/fever in our legs. Also, did the hospital tell you exactly how long you are at risk for clots after surgery?

girllennon · January 2012

My hospital gave me specific instructions about blood cot prevention and what to look for. When I had my c-section, they used these circulation boots that run off a motorized pump for my legs for 24 hours before removing them. That was my greatest worry was the 'what if I get a clot' scenario.

I am happy that everything turned out well, but I cannot believe what an idiot your dr was.

akayf · January 2012

linzica:
akayf:

Are you on coumadin or Lovenox shots? I developed clots after my c-section in June. I had major complications after the c-section and wound up in CCU with a PICC line. Once I was moved to the step down unit, an idiot nurse took multiple blood pressure readings on the arm with the PICC line and clots formed. A few days later, I developed a small clot in my right leg.

I started on Lovenox when I was first released. I had to go back in less than a week later because my hemoglobin dropped and I needed more blood transfusions. They had to stop the lovemox because my platelets were too low. I was then put on another injection blood thinner for couple weeks until my coumadin levels were where they should be. I've been on the coumadin since July and go tomorrow to see if the clots are gone.

In order to get out of the hospital before I was therapeutic, i had to be on lovenox and coumadin. The lovenox only for about a week and a half, thank goodness, but it was worth it to be home and not hooked up to an iv with people jabbing me at all points of the day.

I looked like a junkie for about two months afterwards from all the bruises in my arms.

The blood thinners work! I had my scans today and everything is clear! The report was being faxed to the dr so I don't know yet when they want me to stop taking the coumadin.

Hope your clots clear up quickly too!!!!!

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