I need to have clexane injections (blood thinners) after I give birth to avoid DVT, anyone had this?

[bananabump]

I don't know what to expect when they want to give me clexane injections, will it be a one off injection straight afterwards or several over a few days? Will I have to stay in hospital while they administer them or can I go home as usual?

Any info would be good, as I haven't got a clue!

[lulumama]

why do you need them? why are you at risk of DVT?

[RubySlippers]

i had clexane from the second trimester of my pg and then warfarin for 6 weeks after
(i have a history of blood clots)

[lulumama]

[PandaG]

I had to have Clexane after DD was born - I had SPD so my movement was limited. I think I had the injection every day for a month - I didn't stay in, they would have taught me or DH to inject me, was similar to a diabetic self injecting. As we had nurses living next door at the time they very kindly injected me each day, as I didn't like the idea of doing it myself!

[bananabump]

I'm not entirely sure, lulu. I'm very overweight but had no experience of blood clotting before, my brother has dvt in his leg but I'm not even sure I've told them that.

I'm happy to go along with it if they think I'm at risk of clotting, but just don't know what it will mean (a stay in hospital/observation or will they just let me go home etc)

[RubySlippers]

[MrsBadger]

hi banana
I'll be doing this as I have an inherited thromphilia - have been told one a day for six weeks post partum - they do the first one in hospital and show you how but after that you do them yourself at home.

Good (if slightly vinatge) thread here

Treacletart is an expert - she's been doing them since 8wks!

[bananabump]

Oh, I have spd too, and quite a sedentary lifestyle so maybe that's why.

Wow, self injecting? I'm quite scared of needles, I wonder if I could do that?

[MrsBadger]

thrombophilia
[pregnant typing]

[bananabump]

heh, mrsB my typing is going a bit squiffy during contractions, probably means my possts are going to get a bit more concise than usual (not a bad thing!)

Thanks for the info, folks

[lulumama]

maybe the weight, pregnancy and lack of mobility make your risk of DVT much higher esp as your brother had a DVT...so they are doing this as a precautionary measure....if you are unsure, then make sure it is explained fully to you !

[bananabump]

Yeah I'll ask afterwards I spose, just wanted to know if I needed to take lots of clothes in with me, in case I needed to stay in a few days. Thanks lulu

[ipodtherforipoor]

I had clexaane for 5 days post CS - am also overweight.

I went home day 3 and went in for one, and then mum did one at home as they didn't have enough for me to tkae home when I was discharged.

[bananabump]

5 days isn't too bad, didn't fancy 6 weeks of injections! I'm sure I could manage to do a few. Thanks for the info, it's appreciated.

Oh, do they really hurt by the way, or is it just like a normal injection?

[RubySlippers]

they sting momentarily
do them in your thigh, upper arm or belly (post birth permitting)
you will bruise as well
the hospital will show you how do to them
i was a real pro after a few months of it
i still have to inject myself each time i fly - am totally used to it now
good luck

[Gumbo]

I had to have these from 6 weeks last pg until 3 months after ds was born.

I've just discovered I'm pg again (6 weeks) and have an appt next week to start injecting again.

It honestly isn't so bad - you get quite used to it. They watched me do the 1st one, then sent me home with 60 syringes (1 month's supply, as I was injecting twice a day). I have a genetic clotting disorder though, so hopefully you won't have to inject as often!

Good luck!

[Charlie999]

I had these post-CS for 3 days (due to being v overweight & lack of mobility and operation) twice a day and idday and midnight - nurses would wake me up at midnight to inject me

Does sting - but important to have! LEft a bit of a bruise on my leg for a few days as well.

Good luck

[bananabump]

Thanks for sharing your experiences, it doesn't sound like I'll have to stay in past a few days then at most.

[treacletart]

Good Luck Banana! I've been jabbing myself with the stuff daily for the past 6 months and will be doing so for another 6 wks now that DD has arrived! If you're really not good with needles could they not send a daily health visitor to do it for you for 5 days? - they did for me when I had to have Heparin jabs after lung clots following DS birth. Anyway, if you do have to self inject let me know and I'll talk you through my strange hippy-out-breath-minimum-pain-non-bruising-technique (I'm very proud of it !). Aren't you in labour right now!? Good luck - may the force be with you girl!

[bananabump]

Thanks for posting when you must be so busy with your new arrival, TT!

I'm no longer certain whether I'm in early labour or not. It was all getting a bit painful and regular but now seems to have gone less regular again (30 mins between contractions)

I don't know if I'm doing something wrong or if I'm just going to be contracting irregularly for days. Have been since 4am monday.

[Purplespottylegs]

hi ive just seen this i myself have had 3 dvts 1 at 32 wks at 1 at 12 wks while on clexane ive done the clexane jabs since 5 wks untill 5 wks after and the warfarin if you want to know anything ask me

[MrsMcJnr]

Hello Bananabump I have thrombophilia and have beein injecting clexane myself daily since 6 weeks and will have to continue for 8 weeks after the birth. I am 26 weeks now and they do get easy to do. I suspect you will be taught how to do them yourself and that that you'll need to do them daily. All the very best!

[broguemum]

One bit of advice - don't do the injection after having had a warm/hot bath. I did that once thinking it would soften up my skin and wouldn't sting so much and ended up with a bruise right across my stomach 'cos all the blood was near the surface of the skin.... duh...

[BabyBump6]

hi im 22 weeks pregnant with baby #6, after having baby #5 they found a dvt 6 weeks post partum and i was placed on warfarin. This time around at 18weeks they found another dvt and am now injecting clexane twice a day until 6 weeks after birth. I would LOVE information on how to do it without so much bruising!!! Lucky for me hubby is a willing jabber so my phobia of injecting myself isnt an issue. If anyone could help with the bruising i'd be greatly appreciable!

[PinkFondantFancy]

Don't worry, it's nothing like as bad as you think it's going to be. It seems to bruise at random. Also it seems to be a cosmetic bruise rather than a sore one IYSWIM?