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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:

Bluerose27 · 24/08/2017 14:24

I've been classed as high risk from the start and was told the best option for me was an obstetrician led service (I'm not in the UK) . So no midwife led service for me .

But on my most recent visit (28weeks approx) the doctor told me I wasn't high risk but seeing as I'm in the routine of coming to their clinic I may as well continue. (as opposed to joining the low risk obs patients I assume, not as opposed to the midwives)

The birth system here offers home births, or hospital births, we have no birthing clinics (if that's the name) so my choices aren't the same as some of yours. When the time comes I'll be in the hospital under midwife care unless an obs is needed due to any issues that arise (the same as any other patients)

And the OP mentioned not being allowed an epidural. They have told me that when I think I'm going into labour, to not take my morning injection. So the clexane will have left my body enough for the epidural to be administered. If I take the injection and go into labour then, they do have an antidote so it's not an issue. Obviously speak to your own doctor though!

Original poster

smileycat16 · 26/08/2017 23:37

Bluerose27 - can I ask why you had to pay for it, I thought prescriptions were free when you were pregnant?

OP posts:

Bluerose27 · 30/08/2017 19:03

@smileycat16
Sorry, I just saw your question now . I have to pay as I'm not in the UK. The price a person pays for medication here is capped per month but the cap is nearly €150 . Clexane costs more so I pay the max monthly price for my medication and I presume the government pays the balance

Casmama · 30/08/2017 19:14

I had to inject clexanr througout two pregnancies due to a previous dvt.
It stings a bit rather than hurts but I managed to rarely get bruises by doing 3 things

Do the jags yourself- you might be a bit squeamish at first but you'll get used to it.
Push the plunger down as slowly as you can, this gives the medicine time to go into your tissue so it hurts less and is less likely to bruise
Never rub afterwards- it huts more not less and will lead to big bruises.

Also bear in mind that if you do bruise it's not sore.
Good luck, you'll be a pro in no time.

MaryShelley1818 · 30/08/2017 20:42

I've been offered these Clexane injections by the consultant (BMI). After researching and speaking to the GP and midwife I'll be declining them. Remember to make an informed choice, they are absolutely vital to some people but imo not necessary for others.

MrsGB2225 · 30/08/2017 20:51

I was prescribed Clexane for DVT risk but couldn't get the injections anywhere! Has anyone else had this issue? Only Fragmin is available.

INeedToEat · 02/09/2017 10:16

I collected my celxane monthly from the celxane clinic at the local hospital.

Jackie140718 · 04/03/2018 23:54

Hi I’m 21 weeks and the doctor thinks I have a blood clot on my lungs and has put me on tinzaparin I just wanted to no is it safe coz I have bin reading up on it and diffrent sights say diffrent things and would like to no if some one eals has bin on it wen pregnant and if they have bin ok 😭

yorkshireyummymummy · 05/03/2018 00:04

I had to inject myself with clexane and fragmin during pregnancies.
Go for clexane if you can , simply because like other posters have said you can inject into your legs.
The best advice i can give is to get the midwife to show your hubby how to inject you. When I did it myself I had terrible bruises- when hubby did it, bruise free. You DO get used to it and it’s a small price to pay for a healthy baby and a healthy YOU.

Don’t be scared. Like pp have said the needles are so very fine that if it’s done correctly you barely feel them.

Jackie140718 · 05/03/2018 00:07

They haven’t gave me an opsion for clexane just this tinzaparin

Lavenderdays · 05/03/2018 11:24

Hi, I have had to inject fragmin from week 8 until now (37) and have only recently stopped - this was due to a previous late loss and possible placenta issues.

I really couldn't bring myself to do the injections but have had a willing dh, who every evening has been doing this for me. The midwife showed him how and we just fell into a routine of doing it. I had all of my injections in my thighs as I didn't feel comfortable injecting my bump. Yes, there was bruising and some stinging but after a while it just became a way of life (I grabbed a pillow to squeeze and looked away whilst dh was doing this). Wishing you all the best x

cheshiremama89 · 05/03/2018 11:28

I did this post birth for a few weeks. I had to ask DH to do them whilst I lay down with a pillow on my head (severe phobia of needles)

As other posters have said needle must be very fine because I didn't feel the puncture but just a sting when the fluid went in.

Sorry to jump on this thread but does anyone know how to dispose of the sharps box? It's still a centrepiece on my kitchen table

Jackie140718 · 05/03/2018 12:19

But can it make me miss carry and thank u x

Bluntness100 · 05/03/2018 12:26

Can You get your partner to do it? I had to have them when I broke my ankle as I was going to be sedentary and I simply couldn't bring myself to do it, so my husband did it

Thr bruising isn't too bad. Mine were at worst about the size of a ten pence piece. Some didn't bruise at all.

After a couple of weeks I was moved to oral medication as I changed from the hospital in the location I broke it, to the hospital closest to me and rhe consultant switched me to tablets. It's worth asking if there is an oral alternate to your consultant. In my case, the first hospital always gave injections and the second always gave tablets. It really was hospital dependant.

Margomyhero · 05/03/2018 12:27

Jackie if you have a suspected clot in your lung then it is important to take the blood thinners.

Is it confirmed with a scan? If so then it is vital that you take the meds.

Jackie140718 · 05/03/2018 17:37

No chest scan came bk fine but they said it still could be but I’m scared ov losing my baby

Jackie140718 · 05/03/2018 17:39

And I do still take it but I’m just worried as this is my first baby

LostMyBaubles · 05/03/2018 18:46

Jackie if there was such a risk for miscarriage they wouldn't prescribe it to so many pregnant women.

Ive had thjs injection too.

Ive never had brusing on my stomach
I pinch/ grab some fat on my bump and inject. Hubby did it for the first few weeks.

Jackie140718 · 05/03/2018 19:03

Ok thank u

gryffen · 05/03/2018 19:50

I've used clexane a few times and the trick is NEVER RUB the area and use a cool compress on it for a few minutes after each jag.

The injector is tiny and all you do is grab some skin, push down until a click is felt and then the spring loaded safety shield will pop out the needle.

Make sure they give you a large sharps box.

I've had one baby and pregnant again and 2x stomach surgeries in the last 9yrs - don't worry, by day 2 you will be an expert.

Jackie140718 · 05/03/2018 20:14

Mines a Tinzaparin my doctors said they never herd ov clexane but I really don’t feel comftuble usesing the one I am on my upper leg still hurting 2 days after jab and so scared I inject in to a vain x

coffeeX10 · 05/03/2018 23:38

Sorry not read all the replies so apologies if I’m repeating anything.

I’ve been on fragmin since 6w and took it through my fu pregnancy with my daughter. I’ve never used clexane so can’t compare the 2.

With my daughter I used to make my husband do the injection, id sit with the ice pack on for 10 mins before and pop it on immediately after so it didn’t sting. Think I got 2/3 bruises in the whole pregnancy and they weren’t dramatic and they went away quicker than a normal bruise.

This pregnancy my husband is working away so I have to do them myself, after the first one it was easy - and this is coming from someone who can’t even watch when they’re taking blood samples from my arm! The needle is super fine, pinch some skin and be fast like a dart when going in. I don’t do the luxury of the ice pack because I’ve now got a 2year old who’s my little shadow so I do it as soon as shes nodded off to sleep which means I want sleep so can’t be faffing! And you know what it’s not even painful, sometimes it stings but it’s for a second or two it’s nothing dramatic or painful. Again I’ve not bruised. Eventually when your bump gets bigger you have to get more round to the love handles to be able to get a pinch of flesh.

The syringes are tiny and pre-filled, try not to dread it as they’re honestly not bad x

coffeeX10 · 05/03/2018 23:41

Regarding the miscarry question - I am prescribed these following recurrent miscarriages so for me they actually PREVENT miscarriage. They don’t cross the placenta so no harm to the baby.

coffeeX10 · 05/03/2018 23:47

Sorry just read your comment re: epidural. I had the fragmin throughout my c section was planned (so obviously needed epidural) from 20w and again I’ll get my date at 20w this time so I had no idea this could sometimes be a reason not to offer it.

Jackie140718 · 06/03/2018 19:50

Thank u for your reply it has made me feel bit better now x

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