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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Heparin Injections

24 replies

Susiebabs · 07/06/2017 23:46

I'm five weeks pregnant and just found out I have a blood clotting issue and require daily heparin injections. Anyone in/been in the same boat?

OP posts:

Blondeshavemorefun · 08/06/2017 08:13

Hi. Due to previous dvt 10yrs ago when I was preg I had to have fragmin daily and once gave birth 6w after

Nothing to worry about.

What's your concern?

NurseP · 08/06/2017 08:50

I am having 2 tinz sparing injections a day as high risk of a clot. Stings and is not nice but better than a clot. Are you doing the injections yourself?

Mustbeinsane1984 · 08/06/2017 09:12

Yes same here but I'm almost 38 weeks. I can't do them myself, husband has been injecting me. It's claxane I'm on. Fingers crossed so far not feeling any different. Hope you are ok.

Oldschool41 · 08/06/2017 09:41

I went for my first midwife apart a couple of weeks ago and was told that I would have to inject myself from 12 weeks I am now 13 weeks and 2 days and have not heard anymore. I'm not looking forward to injecting myself I hate needles arghhh

Presh1234 · 08/06/2017 09:46

Hi there
8+2 and started Clexane self injecting about two weeks ago due to dvt from pill and flying 15 years ago. It leaves me with bruises but is ok to take/do and hasn't caused any other issues. My worry is when it comes to birth time, I don't want excess bleeding but I'm sure they have done all this before and know what they're dealing with.

Original poster

Susiebabs · 08/06/2017 10:44

Thanks for your responses. The issue I have was identified at a recurrent miscarriage clinic (I've had three consecutive mcs) and the gene mutation may or may not be the cause - enoxaparin is something to try though.

I'm a bit apprehensive about giving the injections myself - although the practice nurse who I saw this morning told me it's only one tenth as bad as an upper lip wax!😜

I guess I don't really have a concern - just wanted some reassurance. Early pregnancy is a lonely business!

OP posts:

happydays00 · 08/06/2017 10:58

susiebabs they're nothing to worry about but they are, undeniably, just a bit crap. I was on daily clexane from 6 weeks and started injecting in my stomach (I found the further round to the side I went, the less it stings), then moved to my thighs when my bump got bigger. I eventually moved back to my stomach as my thighs were bruising badly! I used to get very nervous prior to doing mine but by the end it was quick and painless; I generally did mine after a bath when my skin was warm. Good luck with your pregnancy!

Floweroct2 · 08/06/2017 11:04

I also had rmc and ended up having ivf. I saw a rmc specialist whose protocol was heparin so I took it from embryo transfer until 12 weeks and I now have a gorgeous one year old. The injections weren't too bad and totally worth it. Hope it all goes well x

happymumof4crazykids · 08/06/2017 11:18

Yes I had to inject daily in my previous 2 pregnancies due to developing a clot in my 2nd pregnancy. It was a PIA but worth it. If you go into labour don't inject that day if possible as you won't be able to have an epidural if you do.

schokolade · 08/06/2017 11:22

I have a 3 week old baby, and am on daily clexane injections. Have been since about 12 weeks pregnant. I can't bring myself to do the injections so my DH does them for me (while I sing loudly to myself - wimp!!). They're ok though, bruise a bit sometimes.

I was told to try and time the injections so that it was 12h between the last injection and giving birth. In order to reduce the risk of PPH. A bit ridiculous because who the hell knows when they are going to give birth?! But they said to base it on my previous labour (which was induced, so fat lot of use imo).

I did have a PPH at the birth, but much less than with my first baby (where the issue was not identified and I was not on clexane).

Have you also got compression stockings?

10storeylovesong · 08/06/2017 14:58

I started on Clexane on Monday at 23 weeks pg due to a prem birth (27 weeks) due to a blood clot. They're honestly not bad at all, the needle is tiny and it only stings for a minute.

SnarkyGorgon · 08/06/2017 15:18

Not during pregnancy, but did have to give myself daily injections of Heparin while I was being treated for a clot. I didn't think the needles were too bad, the heparin itself stings a bit and causes small bruises but you'll soon get used to it. Much, much less painful and terrifying than a blood clot! Also, you'all never have a problem with needles again!

Original poster

Susiebabs · 08/06/2017 17:23

I survived injection 1! It really wasn't so bad. A little nippy as you've said, but do-able. I injected into my tummy.

I don't have need for compression stockings. These injections are really just precautionary I think as I've never had a clot before. The mutation was only picked up due to rcm testing. Still - it feels good to be doing something proactive. 👍

OP posts:

Presh1234 · 09/06/2017 06:59

Does anyone know....?
I took my Clexane last night and for the first time in three weeks, there were a few tiny drops of blood came from the administering site.
Now my mind is running riot, because I have a medical degree from the university of dr Google (and I know everything 😳) and now I'm thinking to myself, has the Clexane thinned my blood too much and that's why I bled a bit? Or have I just hit a capillary or something on the way in? Or was I too close to a previous site? Any ideas?

Presh1234 · 09/06/2017 07:00

Well done Susiebabs on the first injection. I'm low risk too from previous dvt 15 years ago, so much so that at my appointment on Monday I'm going to ask do I really need to be on them. No one has explained to me why I'm on them.

CycleHire · 09/06/2017 07:08

I did daily clexane injections following ivf treatment to 12 weeks. While it's not exactly 'fun' it wasn't too bad (and better than the progesterone injections into my bum that my husband did for me). I did my clexane injections into my tummy (pinch and inject). Important advice - don't rub to relieve the sting as that will increase bruising.

Congratulations on the pregnancy :)

schokolade · 10/06/2017 17:40

Hi Presh. I'm not in any way a medical expert, but wanted to say that my injections sometimes bleed a few drops at the injection site. Not always, and there doesn't seem to be a pattern of when it happens.

NurseP · 10/06/2017 20:29

Presh, it is not uncommon for the injection site to bleed a few drops, probably just hit a capillary as you said. You would only need to worry if it bled for a while , like an hour or if you started having nosebleeds or funny bruises.

Exercisejunkieforlife · 10/06/2017 20:36

I had to have daily Clexane injections in my last 2 pregnancies. Mine was also due to RCM, I had 6, was found to have Factor V1 Leiden which is where my blood clots too much.
DD2 is now 7 and DS is 5.
Once you get used to them they just become routine, sometimes I had big bruises other times I didn't bruise at all and there didnt seem to be any particular reason for that.

Good luck with you pregnancy I hope it goes well for you.

TwinkleStars15 · 10/06/2017 21:23

exercise I also have Factor V Leiden but only found out after getting a massive DVT in early pregnancy - I'm on daily Clexane but wondered whether you still have to take any anticoagulant? My haematogist said he'll decide after I've had the baby whether to keep me on them after I stopped breastfeeding, maybe switch to a tablet rather than injection, but I don't want to be on medication forever!

Original poster

Susiebabs · 10/06/2017 22:07

@exercise it's so good to hear happy ending stories, thank you. :-)

I'm only three days in and it's routine already. Tiny bruises and a few drops of blood, but really no big deal.

A practical question - can the sharps box only be emptied at my GP surgery?

OP posts:

Mum4MrA · 10/06/2017 22:18

Hi Susiebabs

I had recurrent miscarriages due to lupus anti-coagulant and had 2 cycles of IVF. The 2nd cycle worked and I had clexane through pregnancy to 6 weeks postpartum, and now have a 6 year old boy!
Your GP surgery will have a phone number for you to ring to arrange collection and replacement of your sharps box.
Good luck with your pregnancy

lorelairoryemily · 10/06/2017 22:31

I had to have daily injections of Heparin for two weeks after having my son by emcs. I couldn't do it myself so Dh did it for me. It did help to pinch the area as you inject, midwife told me to and it definitely reduced the sting

TidyPlayer · 28/01/2025 20:11

Looking for some information or experience of anyone taking heparin and for Lupus Anticoagulant. Been taking both since positive pregnancy test on IVF and it’s been suggested I would be induced around 38 weeks. Consultant and midwife so far are very vague as I’m only 14 weeks but is this likely to be a C section? I understand the reasons why and I know the heparin will be stopped before I deliver but just looking for other experiences.

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