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Childbirth

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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:
ItsACrater · 17/12/2022 22:10

Oh man I went through so much having babies - long (failed inductions) - practically assaulted by a doctor -emergency sections - babies in NICU… you name it a lot of trauma. On top of all that only your post reminded me about celexane and yes even with all this shit going on plus over two weeks post birth in hospital for me I remembered to take it. Why? Cos my dad died in his 40s from a blood clot and it seemed like a tiny thing for me to stay alive for my kids.

therealpumpkinbumpkin · 17/12/2022 22:13

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the request of the user.

Jellycats4life · 17/12/2022 22:15

I had an elective section seven years ago and wasn’t given it. Did my hospital drop the ball or does it vary?

Luredbyapomegranate · 17/12/2022 22:18

Just get your DH to do them and don’t look.

He cannot be useless about this. He has to do it. End of.

Upsadiddles · 17/12/2022 22:19

I had these after my first and couldn’t face injecting myself at all, despite being fine with needles injected by someone else. I got DH to do it for me though. He hates hospitals, medical
stuff and blood but managed to jab me successfully. I’m sure your DH will manage.

It’ll depend on the policy in your trust, but you may not need to take them anyway. I did after my first (EMCS) but I didn’t meet the risk score after my second (elective).

Stbernardmum · 17/12/2022 22:28

I’m needle phobic and had a DVT during pregnancy. The district nurses came to my house twice a day to inject me, once I could walk i went to the doctors or midwife.

Please speak to your midwife or consultant they will find a way.

thankyouforthesun · 17/12/2022 22:28

I didn't do all mine after a PPH. I was up and mobile walking 2 miles a day by day 3 though and stopped by day 5. My mum was doing mine and I found them really painful and they gave me bad bruises. No one told me off.
I think you are right to ask for the data and make an informed decision, that's informed consent, after all. It's not about emotion or horror stories, but facts and evidence, which your midwife or consultant will provide so you can make a good choice. Good luck for your birth x

LoveBluey · 17/12/2022 22:28

I don't think there's anything wrong in wanting to know the facts and figures eg the actual risks (rather than just percentage increases) before consenting to any medical treatment. I know it's easy to say why don't you just do it but it's your body and fair enough to ask all the questions and make an informed decision.

Before anyone piles in I had a C-section and did the injections but I'm not particularly needle phobic so didn't bother me. But in hindsight I did just do as I was told rather than asking how necessary it was. Not sure that's always for the best.

KalvinPhillipsBoots · 17/12/2022 22:29

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!

Take the clexane, the medics know more than you

Soakitup37 · 17/12/2022 22:30

Ah yes the “I’m young and healthy” tag line. Blood clots don’t discriminate. Just because you were fine last time doesn’t mean anything second time around.

they don’t offer it willy nilly it serves a purpose, it’s scientifically sound medicine. Not having it because it’s painful (for seconds) or I don’t like needles is such a cheap shot (no pun intended) in the grand scheme of things. It’s something I took for 6 weeks. 6 months pp and this post reminded me I ever had them at all:

you can deny any medication by right but you ask if yabu, imo yes you are.

blebbleb · 17/12/2022 22:31

I had to do them for 10 days after my c section as I had preeclampsia and that increases risk of clots. I'd just grin and bear it. My husband didn't want to do it. It was easy enough after the first time, you can barely feel it.

LunaTheCat · 17/12/2022 22:31

Take the clexane… pulmonary embolism is a big risk!
if you put Ice cube on the skin before you inject it’s less painful.

blebbleb · 17/12/2022 22:34

This reply has been deleted

This has been withdrawn at the request of the user.

I nearly threw up at the suggestion of injecting into my stomach after major surgery! Thigh was much easier for me.

ContadoraExplorer · 17/12/2022 22:35

I had them but DH had to help. I was able to get the needle in (barely felt it) myself but couldn't push it from the angle in order to trigger it, so he had to do it.

ContadoraExplorer · 17/12/2022 22:35

Should say, it was the inhixa I had though.

Dinosauratemydaffodils · 17/12/2022 22:39

I didn't take them after either of my emcs. Dh didn't want to do it because of my history and I couldn't bring myself to do it (was actively suicidal with dc1 and emotionally numb with dc2 once the euphoria wore off). I was fine however one of my friends in her mid 30s has just had a massive stroke caused by a blood clot (not related to pregnancy) and seeing the aftermath of that, I don't think I'd risk it if I were you.

Teafor1please · 17/12/2022 22:42

I had them after my emcs but I had an elective section a month ago and wasn't given any.

WeeFairy · 17/12/2022 22:55

i had a pulmonary embolism in my first pregnancy - aged 28, slim, non smoker, no family history or risk factors. Taking them the whole way through my current pregnancy and will be on them for 6 weeks after delivery. I would take the injections to avoid what I’ve been through!

NotToBeOrToBe · 17/12/2022 22:57

I had a DVT aged 20, non smoker and fit.

Just do the injections.

RooBear9 · 17/12/2022 23:04

I developed a massive DVT in my groin when I was pregnant with my first. I was aged 26, healthy, non smoker with no other risk factors at all. My leg swelled to double the size, was purple and I couldn't walk for weeks as it was so painful. It ruined my whole pregnancy. I strongly recommend taking them. It's really not worth the risk at all.

I was extremely needle phobic prior to my first pregnancy, after 3 pregnancies on blood thinners and now a type 1 diabetic, it's safe to say they don't bother me in the slightest, you do just get used to them when you gotta do what you gotta do.

Saltywalruss · 17/12/2022 23:05

Have you had them before? The needle isn't the same ascwhen you go for a vaccination ( for example). There's nothing to draw up yourself either. You just sort of hold it and click!

RainbowCat26 · 17/12/2022 23:06

I’ve had 2 x CS and done 10 days of blood thinning injections after both. Both times the midwife gave DH a short training session on how to inject, and he then took responsibility for doing that. It’s rubbish but in his words, it’s small fry compared to what I’d been through in the last 9 months! Ask if they can help your DH with the first one then that can be his “job”

MamaFirst · 17/12/2022 23:08

Very very stupid. I assume you don't want to die afterall.

endofthelinefinally · 17/12/2022 23:10

Pulmonary embolism used to be the leading cause of maternal death in England. Then we started treating and preventing clots using warfarin. Unfortunately warfarin is not safe in pregnancy so clexane/tinzaparin was used off label to begin with and is now the safest prophylaxis in pregnancy and post delivery.
Pregnancy and post birth is already a substantial risk factor for PE. Add in surgery and the risk increases.
Why would you take that risk?

Nat6999 · 17/12/2022 23:12

I didn't get offered them once I got out of hospital, I was supposed to wear the Ted socks for 6 weeks but stopped as soon as I got home because they were making my legs itchy & sore.

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