Injections after c section

[GrumpySausage]

Mumsnetters, can you help?

I had my DD via planned c section (breech) in June. All fine, recovered well. Before I went in my friend said to me to expect to have to inject myself daily once home to reduce the risk of blood clotsand the hospital will send me home with the necessary stuff. She said she had to after both her sections.

Anyway this didn't happen for me and I had forgotten until today until talking to another friend who had a c section recently and she said the same. She was sent home with 5 weeks worth of injections. She was very surprised I hadn't been given any.

Does anyone know why this may be? The only difference I can think of is because mine was planned whilst my two friends were emergency sections.

Not much help - I don't know why you weren't sent home with them OP, I also had the injections to do with a planned c-section 8 weeks ago?

Is this new? I didn’t have this with my cs

I had the midwife come and give me injections on my first emergency (but not for 5 weeks)
Didn’t have them at all once home after my planned section.

Maybe it depends on planned/emergency and the hospital?

They give the anti-clotting injections to women of higher risk e.g. over 35 years etc.

I didn't have any to take home with me. Or any in the hospital past day 2.

My hospital trust does this for Cs or vb depending on a set of risk factors. Age over 35, raised bmi, Cs vs vb etc. You had to have at least two risk factors to get the injections.

I had to do this after my third birth (vaginal). For 6 weeks.

They tick a list of risk factors and if you have over 4 (out of 10 but might be wrong) you have to do it. So mine were age (over 35), blood clot on my leg, I can’t remember what else. But weight and smoking were others. So you were low risk.

I had them for a week (or 2?) after my vaginal delivery but none at all after my planned Csection... I came out with no meds post section compared to the laxative, antibiotics and injections I had first time round. Having said that I felt an awful lot better second time round and was glad I didnt need the injections again! (just told to use my own pain relief at home)
They did a risk assessment on me and ease of surgery before stating none required, guess same with you OP

I think they judge your level of risk for blood clot based on a number of factors. Having said that the midwife said I didn’t need them, but then another midwife administered one to me, so I ended up being given them to take home.

My friend said she had it with her first and he is nearly 6 so doesn't seem to be new? Maybe it varies across country but I had my Dd in the same hospital as her two.

My friend told me to ask 'them' but not sure who I'd ask now? I'm just curious really, not anticipating any problems.

I've had 4 c-sections 2 emergency and 2 planned, I only had to have the injections after 4th one which was planned due to previous pregnancy and birthing difficulties.

It depends on your risk factors. I had them for a week for Dc3 and 6 weeks for dc4 and dc5.

That was 9 years ago

Oh cross post with quite a few. The low risk makes sense I suppose. I'm under 35 and it was planned c section but I imagine my BMI was the higher end of 'normal' so thought that may tip me over.

Thanks for the replies everyone. Will stop me pondering.

You only get them if you're considered to be high risk.

High risk is for factors such as older maternal age and high weight. So there's no blanket policy just by having a c section.

Every patient should have a risk assessment for venous thromboembolism and prophylaxis should be used, if necessary. The degree of risk depends on many factors including age, smoking, weight, mobility, history of cancer etc.
Surgery is a known risk but prescription will depend on your trust policy.

It is often linked to BMI. I had them after both mine (one EMCS, one ELCS), and both times I was in the "obese" category for BMI.

I would say give your midwife a ring and ask if you're worried, but you're past the point where it would be an issue now anyway

Had them for all 3 of my sections (first one 7years ago and I was low risk). Longest period was for 10days (most recent) but think it might be longer if you have a high BMI?

It might vary from trust to trust. My midwife this time said they never used to give and she can't remember anyone getting a clot. Your section was a while ago so chances of a section related clot happening now seems remote.

I had them but was a low-average BMI and aged 20 so not sure those are factors...

They hurt like hell though. I hated them so much, and I have a high pain threshold.

I had them for 6 weeks with a high bmi. Hated them

I think it depends on the hospital. I've heard some give them routinely after a CS, others only if there are certain risk factors. I had them for a week after my CS four years ago. I was over 35 but had no other risk factors.

Based on the hospital and their risk assessment process.

Not rtft but I think it’s bmi related. I had a vaginal birth but had to inject at home due to bmi.

I have been iffeeed them following surgery or GA when going private. I always decline them though as I’m hugely needle phobic. I use them as motivation to get up and mobile ASAP as that’s a huge risk factor.