Anybody On Clexane??

[ZaraLav234]

I just found out im 6 weeks pregnant with my second & have been put on clexane for the duration of my pregnancy and for 6 weeks pp! Does anybody have any tips for me & where is the best place to inject? Midwife said tummy, thigh or arm but i cant face doing it in my tummy anywhere else? Thank you xxx

I was on clexane during my last pregnancy. It gets easier with time - honestly! And now it's just a very distant memory. In fact, I just had too look up an old post about it because I couldn't remember all the details.

I used to inject in my tummy, but towards my side (alternating sides). It's easier if you can get a good pinch of flesh to inject into, so carrying a bit of extra weight actually came in useful.

The most important thing I remember is don't rub the area after you've injected as rubbing makes it sting horribly and gives you a lovely bruise.

When I started, I used emla cream to numb the area (I've had a needle phobia since I was a child). It was a faff though, and I ended up numbing the area with a gel ice pack instead.

DH often helped with the injections - I'd put the needle in and he'd do the plunger bit. Over time, I got more confident doing it myself though.

My top tip - do it early in the morning. I did it in the evening, and found myself dreading the lead up to it. If I had to do it again, I'd do it first thing so I could relax for the rest of the day.

Sorry, I meant to add - Congratulations!

:)

I did side of tummy to begin with as previous poster said, but as bump got bigger I couldn't really pinch enough flesh there so moved to the inside of the top of my thigh. Really found that pinching the flesh helped and also just going for it. If I thought about it too much beforehand, it made it more difficult. I got the odd needle that wasn't quite sharp enough or seemed to have a slight snag at the end and I could tell when this was the case as what had become pretty straightforward was suddenly painful and a bit awkward. I realised the best thing when this happened was just to bin the offending needle and try again with a fresh one. Also, alternate sides so the tender area has time to recover between jabs.
I never thought I would be able to do it but it was surprising how quickly I got used to it.
You'll be fine and congrats on your pregnancy.

My biggest tip push the plunger slowly the quicker you push the plunger the more it stings and is painful afterwards. It does take longer but if your pain thresehold is as low as mine its so worth it!

I always alternated thighs, I couldn't bring myself to do it in my tummy.

It took a bit of getting used to and had to get my head round it, but I was fine with it as time went on.

I loved having someone else do it for me, dh is needle phobic so useless. My weekly treat was my mum doing it for me .

I'm taking Clexane the moment. I have to agree with other posters it stings less if you push the plunger slower. I've also found it bruises less too. I alternate sides every day. Still injecting in my stomach at the moment.

I hated needles but it hasn't been anywhere near as bad as I thought.
Congratulations and good luck

Currently taking clexane as well. At 20 weeks still just managing on tummy but not for much longer. Dreading moving to thighs as heprin post cs last time in thighs was awful (left me black and blue and took over a year before all marks had gone). I haven't been numbing area but after reading suggestions above am going to try. MW said I can do arm (anywhere fleshy is ok) but suggested not as it's likely to hurt more. Good luck with rest of your pregnancy.

Pinch the skin up firmly. It'll hurt less!

I inject in my stomach - thighs would mean bruises that can be seen while swimming. Needle straight in and slow plunger.

Did tummy for the first trimester, and never really got the knack, but had it for 5 days after c section and did top of thighs (the saddlebags!) and found it loads easier and no bruising. Get everything laid out to hand, Pinch hard, don't think needle, deep breath and go for it. Good luck with the rest of the pregancy!