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Original poster

Refusing Clexane after C section

127 replies

MolesOnPoles · 17/12/2022 21:20

Has anyone refused Clexane (blood thinning) injections after a c section?

I’m fine with injections usually, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it on myself after DD was born. It sounds mad but trying to force myself to do it was by far the worst but of my C section recovery. DH would be useless at helping, but I’ll rope him in if I need to.

I’ll be having another C section in the spring, and I’m wondering about discussing whether I can avoid taking them with the consultant.

I know that the risk of a blood clot doubles after a c section, but I can’t find anywhere what the absolute risk is which would be really useful to know.

I will discuss it with a doc, but has anyone else done this?

OP posts:
cribside · 17/12/2022 21:22

I didn't do them after my first c section which was incredibly stupid, similar to you I couldn't face it. However this time I'm nearly 40 so the risks outweigh me being an idiot, I'll be gritting my teeth - I haven't had a conversation about any alternatives though

Original poster
MolesOnPoles · 17/12/2022 21:24

That’s the thing… I don’t know quite how stupid it would be as I can’t see what the actual risk is. I’m also nearer 40 than 30, but slim/ active/ non smoker/ no relevant history.

Horrible things!

OP posts:
Frankie2015 · 17/12/2022 21:26

Im severely needle phobic. My midwife said just try and do the first 5 days and then the Risk reduces if I'm up and moving around. So I got the midwives/nurses to do it every time I saw one and didn't do any the days I didn't see one!

Cuppasoupmonster · 17/12/2022 21:28

I had to do it after a forceps delivery. I mentioned to my midwife I had missed one. She told me about a local mum of 5 who died of a blood clot because she was sure she didn’t need them. I didn’t skip any after that.

AnneLovesGilbert · 17/12/2022 21:29

How long have they said you’ll need them?

I was on them for my whole pregnancy, twice a day, so an extra couple of weeks didn’t bother me at all. It’s less weird jabbing yourself in the belly when you’re no longer pregnant.

I’m on them again in this one and have been told to carry on for 6 weeks post section but I can do them in the dark, on a moving train, at my desk, while juggling a toddler so I can’t relate to the worry you have but I do sympathise.

Worth asking if you definitely need them. If they say yes then it’s probably just a grit your teeth and do it for the greater good thing.

Ems369 · 17/12/2022 21:30

I have had 2 planned C Sections and didn't have any after the first one, and I just had 1 in hospital after the second section!

MandaLynn · 17/12/2022 21:32

I'd talk to the midwives about it. They could probably do it while you're still in hospital + the days they come for the home visit. And then get DH to do the other days?

Snoodleberry · 17/12/2022 21:34

Do you know any type 1 diabetics? Often they are happy to help out a friend and do an injection without it hurting (numb your skin with an ice cube first, works a treat!).

LesOliviers · 17/12/2022 21:35

I refused them. I weighed up the risks and decided I could do without them. For me it was because I couldn't face doing them and didn't trust my husband to do them either! I was 33 at the time, in very good health and had no other factors that would increase my risk of clots. Although, because I didn't have them I made sure I moved around a lot. I was taking the dog for short gentle walks 2 days post surgery and also popping to the local shops. My health visitor said that since I refused the injections it was important to be mobile, so that's something to bear in mind.

feministqueen · 17/12/2022 21:37

You are incredibly selfish OP. If you get a blood clot you could die. Leaving your newborn baby without its mother because you couldn't suck up 3 seconds a day to push a bloody pen into your stomach.

It's not that bad. Grit your teeth and get on with it.

Northernlurker · 17/12/2022 21:42

Pregnancy and surgical delivery are mega risk factors. Your age doesn't help either. The medical team can give you precise numbers if you're desperate for them but do you need them? PE is lethal. Some people are lucky, they have symptoms, they get treatment, they are ok. But some people get very little warning before a life threatening situation develops. Your kids need a healthy mum. You need to suck this up or find somebody to help you. Not taking the jabs would be very silly.

User0ne · 17/12/2022 21:42

I took them but didn't use them.my midwife asked about them and I was honest.

They're offered on the assumption that you'll be lying in bed/immobile for a week/two.

That isn't me; I was out sorting our hens the day after the section (which my midwife probably disapproved of more than my not self-injecting).

AIMS (association for improvements in midwifery services) might be able to provide a source and an absolute risk or try something like Sara whickham's website

Original poster
MolesOnPoles · 17/12/2022 21:44

Gosh I’ve hit some nerves. Yes, I do like to have numbers before I make a decision 🤷‍♀️.

OP posts:
Fedupsequin · 17/12/2022 21:47

I couldn’t inject into my belly, just a massive mental barrier, but I put them in the side of my thigh towards the top and it was so much easier OP, no tenderness and not so much pinching needed.

qpmz · 17/12/2022 21:51

It doesn't hurt but you can buy numbing cream at the chemist if you think it will.

Frazzled2207 · 17/12/2022 21:52

I couldn’t do it but told my husband very clearly he needed to do it.

QuiltedHippo · 17/12/2022 21:56

Why would DH be useless? Surely it's the least he can do.
Some people get 30 odd days worth so a week or whatever didn't seem bad, and after an IVF pregnancy it was hardly an issue.

RoseslnTheHospital · 17/12/2022 21:56

I let the nurses do them in hospital, but refused to continue with them at home. I was up and active, the injection sites were incredibly painful for me. Overall, I was aware of the risks and reasons for them being prescribed but felt that the personal risk to me of continuing them when at home was not worth the awful pain.

Hiddenvoice · 17/12/2022 21:56

I did 10 days worth of them. My dh is not a fan of needles but did it for me because I couldn’t face doing it. I blocked my view of the needles with a cushion, had tv on and told him not to do a count down, just do it when I was standing steady. Not going to lie, for me, day 10 wasn’t any easier and I cried when I completed them!

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 17/12/2022 21:59

I didn't have to have them, i was 32 when i had my DD via c section, not really sure why i didn't have to have them wben most women i know who have had c sections had to have hem 🤷🏼‍♀️

Stuckundersleepymoon · 17/12/2022 21:59

My husband did them for me. Honestly, the thought is so much worse than the reality of just doing it. Set a daily reminder on your phone, have it done as soon as you get up in the morning and then forget about it for 24hrs 🤷🏻‍♀️

pharmacoco · 17/12/2022 21:59

Most hospitals have a guideline adapted to from RCOG.

Refusing Clexane after C section
Catdaft · 17/12/2022 22:03

I did them in the top of my thigh. Just look away

wibblewobbleball · 17/12/2022 22:03

Weirdly I found the clexane really painful to inject and had big bruises. I had inhixa second time round (biosimilar to clexane) and it didn't hurt at all really. I wonder if the needles are different? But anyway try asking for inhixa

Coldhouseflowers · 17/12/2022 22:06

I had a pulmonary embolism during pregnancy , it was the scariest thing that I have been through. Thinking I could have died and coughing up blood several times was petrifying. I was on Clexane during and after pregnancy for some time . I had no known risks except for being a bit older at 37, walked tons and was slim and a non smoker .