Coumadin & Pregnancy

[Veronica]

Hello everyone, I am new member with a few Coumadin questions. I had my 2nd AVR on 12/30/03 (mechanical), my first valve was replaced 13yrs ago (tissue). Since my first valve was tissue I did not have to worry about Coumadin and INR levels. My INR levels have not been steady. A wk ago it was 2.3 and this Friday it was lower. My dose is 5mg a day, I have to call my dr's office tomorrow to see if I need to change my level.

My first question is foods while on Coumadin. I know there is an amount of green veggies I can eat per day while on this med. However even though I have been following this rule why is my Coumadin level low? Are there other foods other than green veggies that can effect these levels? Does anyone know of a good website geared towards Coumadin and foods one can and cant eat?

My 2nd and final question at this time is pregnancy while on Coumadin. My husband and I have been married for 3yrs. He was 3 kids from a previous marriiage but I have none. We had been trying to concieve for the past year w/no luck. The plan was to see an infertility specialsit at the begining of this year but my un;anned surgery has put a hold on that plan. I have been reading that having kids while on Coumadin is not a good thing. However my dr did tell me that it could be done w/a lot of close monitoring and a high risk OB/GYN. Is there anyone out there that has a mechanical valve and has gone through pregnancy? Is having kids while Coumadin really a bad idea. I see my dr next month and this is one of the items I plan to talk to him about. Aside from the medical opinion I would like other's opinions as well. Look forward to your replies. Tootles, V

 

[Ross]

Veronica nearly half of your questions or more can be answered at Al Lodwicks website www.warfarinfo.com and the rest of the stuff I can dig up for you.

The green veggies--Eat as much as you like, but be consistent in doing so. Watch for the really high content guys like Brussel sprouts, spinich, you know, the really dark green guys.

It's not so much what you eat as it is being consistent and getting the same or close to it amounts of Vit K each day. Another thing to watch out for are hidden sources of Vit K which is in Carnation instant breakfasts, boost, ensure, and those types of nutritional beverages. There are other things, but let me find you some of the better links.

http://www.coumacarenews.com/consumer/INT_VitaminK1.asp

http://www.coumacarenews.com/consumer/consumerCookBook.shtm

http://www.coumacarenews.com/consumer/consumerProductInformation.shtm# .pdf file for download

http://www.valvereplacement.com/coumadin/coumadin_information.htm

 

[Guest]

Having a child while on warfarin can be done - safely. The worst thing is to get pregnant without having a plan. Weeks 6 to 12 are the worst for the baby. This is often before a woman realizes that she is pregnant. Do not assume that since you haven't gotten pregnant in three years of marriage that you will not and then suddenly discover that you are. There are several women on this site who have successfully had children while on warfarin.

 

[Veronica]

Thanks for the info

Thanks for the info

Thank you both for the info. I will be visiting the websites you sugested. It's alos nice to hear that pregnancy can be done while on Wafran.

Is it normal to take Coumadin 5mg one day and 7 1/2 the next? My dr wants me to alternate these dsg every other day and get my level checked in a wk. Could levels be affected by to much Sodium or fat intake? Again, thank you both for the info you were willing to share w/me. Tootles, V

 

[Ross]

Veronica it depends on what dose your body requires over a weeks time to keep you in the desired range. I take 45mg over a week and it's set up as 5mg on Monday, Wednesday, Friday with the other days at 7 1/2mg, so yes, that is perfectly normal.

What is going to affect the results is your Vitamin K intake. Other factors that will are sickness where antibiotics come into play, diarrhea, some other physical things. Mostly it's your dietary intake that influences your levels. You'll get all that info at Al's site.

 

[Karlynn]

Hi Veronica,
Welcome to our site! Just a bump for Al Loddwick - he knows more about warfarin (Coumadin) than, most likely, any doctor you'll ever run in to. Keep his site on your "Favorites" list. You'll refer to it often. We are so blessed to have him here as a member. He'll tell you that the amount of Coumadin you should take is the amount needed to keep you in theraputic range. I take 9 - 3 days/week, and 8 - 4 days/week.