Factor V Leiden
The photo above shows about 2 months of Lovenox injections I have done every morning of my pregnancy (& must continue until 6 weeks postpartum). That will be over 300 injections total.
Why? I have Factor V Leiden, a genetic disorder that makes blood more prone to clotting, including increasing the risk for dangerous conditions like deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Estrogens increase the risk of clotting as well, so taking an anticoagulant during pregnancy is especially important for someone like me.
I had never heard of Factor V before I was diagnosed at 25. I had just flown home on a long plane ride from Italy, and I was on the pill (Yaz). I started having a strange pain in my lower leg, and thankfully my PCP sent me straight to the ER where they discovered two DVTs in my calf.
I was hospitalized and put on blood thinners. It was shocking to everyone because I was super healthy and active. How could this happen? Turns out it was the Factor V gene mutation.
Flash forward to 11 years later when we got the news of our pregnancy. My obgyn told us that I am high risk due to both Factor V and my age. Maternal Fetal medicine then let me know I had to inject daily. I was very upset (cue the tears) at first, but when I calmed down and was able to shift my perspective to gratitude, it was much easier to accept. Thank goodness there is a treatment that can protect me and our baby! Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m still not in love with it and the bruising and pain stinks, but it is all worth it to keep me and Baby G healthy.
Factor V Leiden is not entirely uncommon. In the US, it is present in approximately 5% of the general population. Since there are no symptoms until a clot is experienced, it is important to get tested if blood clotting issues are known to run in your family. It’s also vital to be aware of the symptoms of DVT and PE. Both of these conditions are medical emergencies.
If you have a DVT in a vein of the leg or arm, your symptoms in the affected area may include:
Swelling
Pain, tenderness
Purple or “bluish” discoloration of the skin
Skin that is warm to the touch, sometimes with a vivid red discoloration
Symptoms of PE may include:
Sudden shortness of breath
Sharp chest pain that gets worse by taking deep breaths, coughing or sneezing
Rapid heartbeat and palpitations (tachycardia)
Fainting or near-fainting
Coughing up blood
The only symptom of my DVTs was pain. I had no swelling, bruising, or redness, but I knew something was not right. Trust your instincts, listen to your body, and seek out medical treatment when in doubt. It may save your life.
If you are also dealing with Factor V leiden and fertility/pregnancy issues and would like to connect, please reach out to me via email or message me on instagram @motionmelissa and @motionmamas. I would love to connect and share our stories!
By reading this blog, you agree not to use the content as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Please consult your physician before starting any new exercise program or technique, whether pregnant or not. Under no circumstances shall Motion Melissa LLC, any guests or contributors to the blog, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Motion Melissa LLC be responsible for damages arising from use of this content. Thank you for being here!
