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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Blood thinner injections - blood clot risk

50 replies

smileycat16 · 19/08/2017 18:26

This is my first pregnancy and I was really happy until I went for my first antenatal booking appointment and was told because I am very overweight, I am at more risk of blood clots and so from 28 weeks I need a blood thinner injection - which I have to inject into myself, every day for the rest of the pregnancy.

I'm terrified of needles and have no idea how I will be able to bring myself to do that (even though I know I have to) and the midwife also said it will hurt, and it will bruise - so my bump will end up black and blue. I cried when she told me that and have been really sad ever since - I'm also worried because I read that when you are on this blood thinner you might not be able to have an epidural and I am completely terrified of going into labour anyway let alone without the most effective form of pain relief.

I really want to be happy about being pregnant - we haven't even told anyone yet as I'm just over 10 weeks - but I feel so sad and scared at the thought of the injections and giving birth without pain relief. Is anyone else going through this or has done in the past and can reassure me it won't be as bad as I fear?

OP posts:

shivermytimbers · 19/08/2017 18:30

Hi smiley! I had to do this all the way through pregnancy and for a while after. I was absolutely terrified but it was honestly fine! The needles are much, much finer than you'd get for a flu jab (or whatever) and it's really quick and easy to do.
The bruises did look fairly awful but they weren't painful and they all faded once I'd stopped the injections.
Don't let it spoil this happy time for you. And congratulations!

shivermytimbers · 19/08/2017 18:32

Oh... And I had an epidural. They just told me to stop the injections 48 (I think) hours before birth

Original poster

smileycat16 · 19/08/2017 18:36

Thank you - that helps to know. I feel like seeing the bruises is going to be upsetting... though I know that's really not a big deal and there are some people going through so much worse. It must be a combination of hormones and shock (I know I'm overweight and would be higher risk for various things but never came across/ heard of having to inject yourself before the midwife told me) which is making me a bit tearful. I already feel a bit better, thanks!

OP posts:

BikeRunSki · 19/08/2017 18:37

It's fine. It's not a hypodermic syringe. It is little plastic pod that you "click" into a fold of skin. I did in my leg I think. It stings a bit, but really not a big deal. I had these from about weeks 6-20. I also had an epidural.

This is my experience anyway. My youngest child is nearly 6 now, so policy and practice may have moved on.

Congratulations on your pregnancy! . Pregnancy is hard enough as it is, without worrying about this, it's really ok.

MulderitsmeX · 19/08/2017 19:08

Smileycat i have to do this. I have factor V leiden so do from conception - 6 weeks post baby. Currently 8 weeks and tbh the first 2-3 times are gross and difficult to get in properly but fine after that.

Bruises - i have more "marks" than bruises, currently only one black one but they fade quickly. It's not super pretty but they fade and are not permenant.

It is a mildly unpleasant experience when you do it but only lasts a couple of mins, weirdly when i feel the medicine swooshing around after injecting it its a bit uncomfortable but that's the worst it is, only uncomfortable.

Not sure re the epidural thing as i agree - i need all the drugs.

So in conclusion, preferrable not to have to do it but it does become routine and is not really painful/upsetting. I think the FVL caused my 2 previous miscarriages so am happy to put aside pain for a hopefully healthy baby. Also i heard sometimes you have to do this after a C section so much better to become a pro at it before we've got newborns to contest with too!

INeedNewShoes · 19/08/2017 19:14

If you can, insist that you're prescribed Clexane rather than Fragmin. Same drug, different delivery method. The Clexane injections are really easy to use. Fragmin are ok just a little more fiddly.

I was on Fragmin from 5 weeks to 39 weeks. It's really not that bad and so so worth it (I lost 3 pregnancies to an undiagnosed clotting disorder but heparin finally got me my healthy baby )

Decemberfairy · 19/08/2017 19:43

Aw don't worry smiley! I know it sounds daunting and horrible but I'm ten weeks into my injections (had to start at seven weeks) and it's really not that bad!

We lost our much wanted baby daughter during my pregnancy last year due to an undiagnosed blood clotting disorder so for me the daily jabs are a small price to pay to keep our little rainbow baby safe and happy.

However I totally understand why you felt wobbly at the thought of having to do them.. my motivation is based on going through something deeply traumatic and being determined to avoid it happening again, so I knew before I fell pregnant again that I would be doing them and I was pretty keen to start them, but I would have felt a bit freaked out if the suggestion just came out of nowhere, so I totally get your reservations. But honestly, it's nothing to worry about, you get the hang of it really quickly and they're not very painful at all. You do occasionally get the odd whopper of a bruise but it's only because the blood thinners are working and that makes you bruise more easily. I just remind myself that this is to keep my little one and me healthy and safe, it's not forever and it will all be worth it in the end.

Happy to chat more if you need/want to but I honestly don't think you will have any problem with it at all.

10storeylovesong · 19/08/2017 19:48

I'm also on Clexane due to a blood clot causing my DS to arrive at 27 weeks. It smarts a little but only for 5 mins, and I've had a few small bruises but in all honesty barely see them as can't see the bottom of my bump. I had to see the anaesthetist due to previous problems having a general and he told me that I can't have an epidural within 24 hours of injecting, so if I feel any twinges at all to not take it that day.

eurochick · 19/08/2017 19:55

Remember that you have a choice here. You are being advised to take them but no one can force you to. Weigh up the risks for you and your baby and make your decision.

Original poster

smileycat16 · 19/08/2017 20:30

Thank you so much to everyone who has helped me feel better about this. The midwife did say I had the choice but she also said I was at a higher risk of blood clot which could kill me and I would rather inject myself every day than risk any harm to my baby. I think I was just freaked out as I'd never heard of it before - I had mentally prepared myself for a few of the other potential risks since I am overweight and have high blood pressure and am an older first time mum, but not this! I'm sure it will all be fine and in a way something to show me that I'm tough enough to cope with all sorts.

OP posts:

OuchBollocks · 19/08/2017 20:34

If you get Clexane you can inject into your thighs (possibly same for other drugs, I can't say) and thighs don't hurt anywhere near as much.

INeedToEat · 19/08/2017 20:35

I have to inject celxane through my pregnancies.

I couldn't stand the thought of injecting into the belly and was told I could inject into my hip or leg (chose hips). Don't rub the area afterwards as the bruising increases if you do. You really do get used to it.

I was induced at 37 weeks because of the epidural thing.

Tortycat · 19/08/2017 20:45

I also had to inject heparin from 4 weeks pregnant to 6 weeks post birth due to a blood clotting disorder. I didnt like it but also desperate to avoid further miscarriages. I found doing it in my sides was easier (physically and psychologically) than front of my stomach. Weirdly sometimes it really hurt and other times painless (depending on whether i hit a nerve i think) so i used to do little pin pricks to test out a spot first!

I stopped it 24 hrs before i was induced and had an epidural fine.

Now have 2 healthy sons so worth it - keep your eyes on the prize!

CaptWentworth · 19/08/2017 20:47

Is there someone else who could administer it for you? I was on fragmin for 10 days post EMCS. I gave it myself, but I know it is so much easier for someone else to do it. I promise that the anticipation and worry is worse than the actual injection, and they don't always bruise. Even if they do, it's a tiny little mark the size of a pea.

There are lots of risk factors for DVT/PE. Pregnancy increases the risk, as does being overweight and moving around less (which you're likely to do if you're feeling rotten).

Oldschool41 · 19/08/2017 20:53

I have just started the clexane injections I'm 23 weeks pregnant and need to take them until birth, having a c section 😀 I was petrified when I see the needle, hands sweating the lot, I still get all errr I can't do this every night but still end up doing it. Hopefully it gets easier the more we have to do it.

Mummylin · 19/08/2017 21:01

When my dh had a hip op, I used to do his injection . It started out where he would have big bruises, then we were given a tip by a health visitor. She said don't let the actual,syringe press into the site you are injecting. You still get the needle in but it really does stop the bruising.

scrolling123 · 19/08/2017 21:03

Congratulations on your pregnancy!
I had to have a fragmin injection twice a day for 6 weeks ofter my emcs. My partner did it for me. It stung and bruised and wasnt fun BUT its temporary and its better than the potential alternative.
Also, I found that the build up to it was worse than the injection itself!
You can do it.
xx

Anna2006 · 19/08/2017 21:22

I have to start these injections at 28 weeks also. I'm currently 16 weeks pregnant. I'm not sure what drug exactly he wrote down for me. My mum had a DVT at age 31 from being on combined pill so it has put me at slightly increased risk due to family history so it's tonne safe rather than sorry.

I was a bit nervous thinking about it as seems a long time. Although I can see some of you have to do it all pregnancy! Ouch! I Feel much better reading all your comments though.

I'm hoping DH can do it for me. An hoping I can inject my side or thigh. As I'm a very petite size 8 so once I'm 28 weeks I think my belly skin will be prettt taut so can't imagine I'll be able to pinch any fat, I don't really have any fat there, well not yet lol.

I was also worried about awful bruising. Good to know it doesn't always happen every time an there smallish. Does anyone mind showing what rough bruise from what looks like if there currently doing them? I've hard icing the site 30 seconds before injection will eliminate a bruise appearing An also make you feel it a tad less. Not sure how true that is tho

scrolling123 · 20/08/2017 08:48

Here is a pic of my thigh 8 days into it. i had them twice a day. I am a chunky monkey but i dont think that makes much difference to the bruising. Hope this helps xx

Blood thinner injections - blood clot risk

RedDahlia · 20/08/2017 08:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Bluerose27 · 20/08/2017 09:05

Congratulations on your pregnancy!!
I inject clexane each morning. At the start I felt horrible about it. It made me feel sick - the thought of it, not the actual injection.

I took a deep breath, blew it out, took a second deep breath and injected, counting to 20. It's always over by 20 seconds.

As pps have said, sometimes it stings, sometimes it doesn't, I can't figure out why!

I've been injecting it for 6 months now and it's fine. The worst part is I have to pay for it and it's bloody expensive

INeedNewShoes · 20/08/2017 09:31

I didn't get a bruise with every jab, maybe 1 bruise for every 3 injections. I never really figured out why some did bruise and others didn't. My bruises were paler than Scrolling's but bigger. I bruised more on my thighs than my tummy so I ended up doing them all on my tummy in the end. Just goes to show everyone's different!

Anna2006 · 23/08/2017 19:37

Just wanted to check with all you ladies that had done these injections in a pregnancy. Did this mean you were no longer classed as low risk overall? An therefore meant you couldn't opt for home birth or midwife led unit?

I've opted for midwife led unit as I'd love a water birth an now concerned I won't still genuinly be a low risk pregnancy?

10storeylovesong · 23/08/2017 20:39

I've been classed as high risk from the start so can't help, sorry!

TwinkleStars15 · 23/08/2017 20:52

My understanding is that if you're on blood thinning injections your lot classed as low risk. I had them throughout and a home birth was out of the question, as was midwife led unit. Initially I was disappointed but the birth couldn't have gone any better. Good luck x

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