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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Tell me clexane injections aren't too bad...

25 replies

shivermytimbers · 18/01/2016 23:17

I have to go to the antenatal clinic tomorrow to pick up my prescription and get shown how to inject myself. To be honest, I'm terrified. Does the area where you inject get sore after a while? (I'm only 12 weeks so this is going to be going on for a long while) Are there any side effects? If anyone's had experience I'd really appreciate hearing about it.
Thanks!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

LineyReborn · 18/01/2016 23:20

No, they're not too bad, honestly. But move your injection spot around as much as you can each day, around your abdomen.

It's very easy tbh once you get the hang of it. And so worth it for health and peace of mind.

mawbroon · 18/01/2016 23:23

I had to do it for a few weeks before and after ds2 was born because I had a broken ankle and limited mobility.

It wasn't too bad using the ones where you press the button and the needle comes out, but I have to admit to being really stressed about it when I was given just ordinary syringes.

I did mine in my leg and ended up black and blue, possibly because of my lack of injecting technique!

I just kept reminding myself that the alternative was worse!

Mellifera · 18/01/2016 23:23

Not bad. I gave myself Clexane for months, I only hesitated at the beginning, after a week it was just normal.
You will get little bruises on the injection site, but that helps you not to inject at the same spot twice.

Mellifera · 18/01/2016 23:25

Oh yes, I had both types, the automatic ones are easier to use, and the needle retracts. But there is no reason to fear the normal syringes, they aren't that long.

Original poster

shivermytimbers · 18/01/2016 23:28

Thanks for quick replies! It's very reassuring that you've all got through it and quite right, it's worth it to keep healthy. I think if I can just manage to get over the initial horror of sticking a needle in, I'll be able to get used to it. Under any other circumstances I'd want a glass of wine on hand, but I think tea and Choccy bics will have to do

OP posts:

TheMouseThatRoared · 18/01/2016 23:28

It's fine. Dd(3.5) is able to inject me. Do love the site around though and try to get a good pinch of fat.

TheMouseThatRoared · 18/01/2016 23:29

Love=move

outputgap · 18/01/2016 23:29

I love clexane! It's got me two charming children. Great stuff!

I was utterly terrified when I started taking it, and even at the beginning of this pregnancy, I freaked out the first few times. But now I'm back into the swing of it.

In my first pregnancy I numbed the injection site with ice cubes, but I cannot be arsed now. Don't scratch or rub afterwards, and take big dose vitamin D, or at least get your vitamin D checked regularly. It wipes out my vitamin D readings quite quickly without supplements.

But if you take the vit D you remove the only significant risk, which is around bone density.

It also meant that I took a very confident approach to my kids' vaccinations! I had to inject every day, so the least they could do was suck up a few. They didn't cry at their baby ones. Rock hard babies - that's what you get.

Original poster

shivermytimbers · 18/01/2016 23:33

Wow mouse! If a toddler can do it, I've got no excuse.
Thanks for the vitamin D tip output.
Feel much more confident now. Thanks all

OP posts:

WhimsicalWinnifred · 18/01/2016 23:43

I didn't realise they gave it for beforehand too.

I had it after anEMCS.

It's honestly not that bad! The only time I had an issue was when I went to poke it in and wimped out so pulled back. Unfortunately, I'd misjudged, poked myself and then yanked it out. That was uncomfortable and did bruise but nothing more.

You'll get used to it very very quickly and wonder what you were nervous about.

Break a leg

BikeRunSki · 18/01/2016 23:51

Don't rub the injection site after you've done it, even though it stings a bit. Leaves massive bruises if you rub.

IcecreamBus · 18/01/2016 23:53

I got DH to do mine. They're really not that bad. Just a little prick fnar fnar

AltCarbon · 19/01/2016 09:05

I've been taking it twice a day on normal syringes (not the safety ones) since week 10 and am only week 17 now so still a long way to go but it's really not too bad - and much better than the DVT that led to me being on it! I second everyone else's advice and just add that that the consultant said you go can right up and down the sides of your stomach to avoid injecting in the same spot and you should alternate sides. I also have an alarm set so I don't forget to take it!

AltCarbon · 19/01/2016 09:11

As for side effects I've not had any but do remember it's a blood thinner so if you cut yourself you will bleed more than usual. Make sure you have some plasters in the house for small cuts and I've found a little blob of Vaseline or similar also helps (although that is just my experience and obviously not professional medical advice )

OwlinaTree · 19/01/2016 09:15

I had to do them and it was fine, remember being really nervous about it. They gave me these retractable needles so you just opened it all up, jabbed it onto the stomach, and then disposed of it in a little bin. Midwife took the bin away.

Was easy really. It's the thought of it that is yucky!

Luckygirlcharlie · 19/01/2016 11:23

mawbroon I am 33 wks with DS2 and also have a broken ankle/foot! How did you cope around the birth and with newborn?! Sorry to hijack thread OP!

TheCatsMeow · 19/01/2016 13:38

I'm a needlephobe and I had to get someone else to inject me. But it's not that bad. I numbed the site with EMLA and did it in my leg because I'm less squeamish about legs

CorBlimeyTrousers · 19/01/2016 13:43

They're not too bad :) I used clexane after IVF treatment and in early pregnancy and a similar blood thinner after my caesarean (it was lucky I already knew how to do it as they hardly showed me!)

I did it in my tummy - swapping sides each night. Keep an inch away from your belly button and any old scars (for me these were laparoscopy portholes and previous caesarean). Pinch the skin and inject slowly. Some places hurt more than others for some reason. Withdraw the needle slowly and carefully. Do NOT rub the area - you are likely to get bruises anyway and rubbing will make this much worse.

Good luck. Honestly it's fine. The progesterone injections in my bum were much worse ;) I tried doing those myself in my thigh and realised I wasn't man enough :)

Whatdoidohelp · 19/01/2016 13:44

Injection in a different spot every day. Also do not run or put pressie won it dyer doing injection or the bruising will be insane.

I've down my fair share of these injections - 3 ivfs and a c section and it was trial and error but the above worked for me

TheCatsMeow · 19/01/2016 13:47

I tried doing those myself in my thigh and realised I wasn't man enough

Think I'm the only person who prefers thigh as injection area of choice lol

cheapredwine · 19/01/2016 13:51

You'll be fine. I've been on them since the start (am 15+5) and they're sometimes stingy but sometimes you don't feel them at all. Pinch the skin, in you go, plunge until the automatic needle retractor comes out (it might make you jump first time) then let the skin go. Don't rub the injection site you'll bruise more. If you use your tummy you won't bruise as much as thighs but you can randomly get quite painful lumps, they go on their own though. Mentally I find using thighs easier so that I don't feel am stabbing my bump.
The needles arent always the sharpest which is a bugger, but you get used to it. And in theory you don't actually need to pinch the skin, I think especially if you have plenty of tummy fat. I always have though. You'll find you go through a lot of sharps bins but they're cheap to replace (about £1.50) and Boots etc should take full ones for free, at least they do round here.

Corblimey yes agree on the Gestone. Using your thighs for those can result in a dead leg which "usually goes away" WTF?! So
I stuck to arse too. It's my last one tomorrow, wahoo!

Talcott2007 · 19/01/2016 14:05

I've been injecting since W12 (Now at W20) would definitely consider myself a wimp and so the 1st few times I really had to give myself a good talking to to actually go through with it but I just kept saying it's for my baby it's definitely worth it! Now I am totally used to it and it takes about 10 seconds. Sometimes a bit 'stingy' afterwards but not every time and the bruises are quite annoying (mainly because I'm running out of space to inject!) You will be fine!

Original poster

shivermytimbers · 19/01/2016 17:45

You lot are brilliant! Thanks loads for all the advice. Unfortunately, having psyched myself up, the clinic cancelled my appointment this afternoon and moved it till friday. Still, I feel a lot more positive about it thanks to your replies

OP posts:

Mellifera · 19/01/2016 22:45

One more thing about sharps bin, my Boots don't take them, ask the clinic or GP.
I got mine from GP who then also took the full bins back.
You'll be fine.

Battleshiphips2 · 20/01/2016 08:53

I've had to inject fragmin twice a day from 11 weeks due to pulmonary embolisms in both lungs. It gets easier as you go along and I just get on with it now. I find my tummy best. Thighs bruised terrible but tummy only slightly. I don't enjoy doing it but you figure out a way that's best for you. At the end of the day I just keep thinking it's keeping me and baby safe. I'm now 33 weeks and tend to just jab it in without even thinking about it.

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