Clexane and bruising

[Jossiejump]

I'm self-injecting with Clexane. The consultant said to get rid of the air bubble first, but after I had a nasty bruise and lump, the midwife said not to do that.
She also said not to have any Clexane on the syringe, but I find that some sometimes comes out as I take off the lid. Doing the m/w's way I'm still bruising-does anyone else have advice please. (I don't rub it afterwards.

Will do

injections into the subcutaneous fat on the upper arms is fine.

Hi Jossie - Congratulations BTW! - I've been injecting Clexane for the past 16 weeks (I'm 24wks pregnant) and feel a bit like an old hand now - Quite proud of the fact I've hardly bruised at all. Here's what I do (basically going against almost everything the nurse had told me!). First I do it every evening after DS has gone to bed. I lie down and relax. I take the top off the syringe by twisting and pulling at the same time. I don't worry about bubbles at all - sometimes I notice a micro drop at the end of the needle but I don't worry about that either. Then I pinch a roll of flabby stuff at the side of my bump quite low down, in from my hip bone (alternating sides daily of course). Then, just by touching really lightly with the needle tip I find a patch that feels like it wont hurt so much. I find sometimes a few mm can make a big difference. Then I press down at 90 degrees very very gently and slowly whilst breathing out slowly. Often I find the needle goes in without me even really feeling it. I try to get it down as far as it will go. Then I push the plunger, again, very gently and slowly and whilst breathing out slowly (You'll have spotted I'm a great believer in the power of the out breath!). I don't press or rub the skin after at all - but I do try and stay lying down for a few mins. Don't know if this does anything more than help me look forward to (or perhaps rather not dread) injecting because it's a nice break, but it seems to work for me. Honestly, most of the time I don't mark at all. Hope things get better for you.

Ooooh, I had to have clexane injected into my thigh. It was 6 years ago and your thread title alone still made me wince. Horrible horrible horrible. Sympathies to all of you.

Treacletart-glad I'm not the only one that does the touching gently trick, it is amazing the amount of feeling in different areas. Will try relaxing and breathing out tomorrow-too late tonight as have just got uptight with DS1 for not going to sleep!

My accupuncturist reckons there are "floating" patches of sensitive nerve endings that constantly move slowly under the skin (?!)

Not heard of that!

Sorry for the spelling mistakes in my previous post (was extremly stressed over a family matter at the time but thought I might try to help impart a little knowledge, but everyone does things differently, even nurses!). I suggested around the navel in an attempt to describe the region of stomach in which to inject but unfortunatley I was explicit enough. I agree with Belgo that injecting directly around the navel is not a good idea, but below or to the side is acceptable. I guess it depends how you were taught to inject from the nurse, and how that nurse was taught to inject if you see what I mean, everyone has their own techniques and in the end you need to find a technique that is within limits correct, but also comfortable for you! (I have unfortunately admitted a patient who was taught to inject "any where on the stomach where there is flab" to which she continually injected about 3cm away from her left breast because her ample chest hid the needle!!. Any way, good luck and hope it all goes well for you jossiejump!

Thanks Tiggly

How are you getting on Jossie? Is it any easier yet?

Seems to vary a bit-it's not the hurting which bothers me too much, just trying to reduce the bruising.
Am very worried because I've got a scan on Tuesday, exactly a year to the minute that I was in the same room having my first m/c confirmed.
Am currently almost 9 weeks, saw the hb at 6 weeks which would be a reassurance if it wasn't for the fact that I saw a hb at 8 weeks with m/c 2!
If it is still ok, then apart from DS1 &2 (didn't need Clexane then), this will be the furthest I've got (had 3 x m/c in a year!

Meant to say thankyou for thinking of me

I'm so very sorry to hear what you've been through - good luck on Tuesday. I lost one myself in October, who would've been due tomorrow, I can't really imagine how it must feel to have lost 3 so close together. Very best wishes for a happy, healthy continued pregnancy. x .