Injections after section

[ForeverBubblegum]

I had DD by sections on Friday and came home yesterday with some blood thinning injections to prevent blood clots. I'm ment to self inject but I just can't. I sat holding the needle for about 20 minutes and I just couldn't make myself, just ended up crying thinking about doing it.

I know it's irrational, and considering I've been cut open, had bloods taken, and been jabbed by midwifes several times (hate it but can cope) I should be fine with it. But I just can't.

Does anyone know how important the jabs are. I had for the two days in hospital, I'm moving around fine, and have been mobile since a few hours after the op, so I'm hoping the risk is low anyway even if I don't do it.

[QueenOfPain]

You need to have them. Can your partner or friend or relative do them?

[QueenOfPain]

Ring the labour ward and ask what they suggest. You aren’t the first and won’t be the last to have this problem.

[Sunshinegirl82]

I think it's pretty important you have them. I couldn't do it either, DH had to do mine.

If there is no one to help you call your GP ASAP tomo and maybe they could arrange for you to go in and see the nurse?

[Scrumptiousbears]

Get someone else to do it. My DP did mine.

[PatchworkElmer]

My friend developed blood clots on her lungs because she didn’t do hers. She was really, really poorly AND then had to self-inject for 2 months when discharged from hospital.

Seriously, just do it. Get your partner to do it. Worst case scenario, ask if you can go back to the hospital every day to have it done- wildly impractical, but it does need to be done.

[Elliesmommy]

I feel your pain. my little boy is 5 weeks and I had 6 days of injecting at home. They are sore yes but they may save your life. Not trying to sound dramatic but clots are common after a section. Get someone to do them for you . Bum area is best . Best of luck

[Lindy2]

You need to get someone else to do them for you.
They really aren't too bad. If someone else does it I bet you'll hardly even know they've done it.
The injections are to try and avoid post op deep vein thrombosis I believe, so it's important they are done.

[Lindy2]

Is any area of your tummy still numb after your section?
If it is take advantage of it and inject there. It will be very quick.

[EmeraldIsle81]

Yup! I had to do my own too. Never done anything like that. Found that if I just set the needle against my skin first, then pushed it in it was easier than the sort of jab and stab motion - which I just couldn't bring myself to do. If you can't do it def phone ur gp tmoro as they will def do it for you - will take them 30 seconds and they would rather you had it than didn't. And they def don't want you to feel bad about asking for help either- so be kind to urself!

[Chocarocker]

I hated doing mine too but I think the thought of it was much worse than the actual doing it. I just pinched some skin about an inch to the side of my belly button and put the needle in and that was it over. Helped to have someone talking to me while I did it, kind of taking my mind off it a bit.

[sycamore54321]

They are vitally important. (Assuming they are Clexane / Lovenox?)

I had these for countless months. Tips to make them less painful:

• make sure there is no one loose drop of the liquid at the needle tip, shake it off if there is one.
  

• grab a huge pinch of tummy skin and hold it tight. Look for a spot that looks whiter or paler - this is fat and means there is no blood vessel and fewer nerves there. A nice fatty spot will be much less painful. Generally the lower down and the further away from the belly button, the less painful for me. But a section wound may change that. In any case, keep well out to the side away from the belly
  
• some people prefer a stabbing jolt but I preferred to sit the tip of the needle at the skin level and while still holding the punch of skin, gently press down until the needle sinks in. Then pause for a little second
  
• press the plunger as slowly as you possibly can, still holding the pinch with your other hand. This part will likely feel a little burning or stinging.
  
• then depending on your needle, either a spring will auto—eject it or you simply lift it directly back out. Discard safely in your sharps box.
  
• let go of the skin but do not pat or rub it at all. Stick some music on, by the end of the first song, any pain will be well reduced; by the end of the third, it will be entirely pain free.
  

Obviously only use this advice if it is compatible with what your medical team has said. But definitely finding a fat patch and making sure there is no drip make a huge difference for me.
Best wishes.

[girlintheglass]

I had to do them too for duration of both my pregnancies and after. Honestly first one to do yourself is the worst after that completely ok. You need to do them, you got a little one that needs you about healthy as can be. Good luck

[EmeraldIsle81]

Hmmm Everyone here seems to have injected their belly. My med was called Fragmin (I think) and I was told to inject my upper thigh. Ask gp if you can inject somewhere else on ur body as maybe a thigh would be easier for you rather than belly. Worth asking the question!

[MarinaMarinara]

I got DH to do mine as my hands shook very badly when I tried. I think I probably could have got used to it - the second day I tried I actually managed to stick it in I just couldn’t complete the injection - but for the sake of a week or whatever it was it was easier to have him do it quickly than spend ages building up to do it myself.

[ForeverBubblegum]

Thank you everyone for your sensible replies, took until about 2am, and a lot of tears but jab is done. Seven more to go

Logically I know it's not going to hurt that much, but I just get hit by completely irrational fear. Weirdly I'm more nervous doing the jab then I was walking up to theatre.

[PaulHollywoodsSexGut]

Where you insert is key. You basically stick it in your fat bits so on me that’s my love handles.

Chances are you’re not toned to the max as you just had a baby. Find your wobbliest bit (thigh, love handles) and just slowly push it in.

Never ever stick it in muscly bits. Fatty bits only.

[MustStopSnacking28]

Hi, i totally feel your pain. I had an elective c section and also inject medication for autoimmune disease and it’s really really hard! My husband does it for me. Please make sure you keep doing them though, even though it’s shit and painful the positives far outweigh that. You can do it!

[littleduckeggblue]

They are very important. I was meant to have them for 6 weeks but gave up after 2 weeks.
You can do them in your arms and legs not only your tummy. Also I knew a girl who used to go to the nurse to have them done

[PaulHollywoodsSexGut]

Didn’t rtft but @sycamore54321 nails it.

Am guessing it’s Fragmin? I’ve had it three times x

[JenniR29]

It gets easier. I had to take them all through my pregnancy. The first week it took ages to build up the courage but towards the end it took a me just seconds.

[Lindy2]

Well done for managing it OP. You'll be an expert at it in a few days.
Congratulations on the arrival of your baby.

[JE17]

I understand, I'm so squeamish I can barely look at a needle. My DH did it for me, can you get someone else to do it for you?

[tinydancers]

I couldn't do mine either. I got the midwife to do them when she came to see me (nearly daily for a week after leaving hospital anyway due to feeding issues) then got DH to drive me over to them the last few days.

Yes, you do need them. They're essential.

[sycamore54321]

So glad you managed it OP. I bet it’s almost second nature to you now, a few days in.

[Rememberallball]

I feel for you, OP. My only advice is to use the numb areas of your abdomen. I had my twins by c section 7 weeks ago and had to use Clexane/Enoxaparen for the first 15 weeks of my pregnancy and then from 28 weeks until 6 weeks post delivery (I also had to wear the oh so attractive surgical stockings from the day I had the boys until the day I stopped the injections!) so know how nasty they can feel and how hard it is to do them. Not long now and you’ll be finished with them!!