Low Molecular Heparin

[Amichelle84]

Hello, has anyone had to take this before? I've just received a letter to say I will be when I get to 28weeks. I am.35 and have ulcerative colitis. Any experiences welcome.

Hi love, I'm on Clexane which is a low molecular weight heparin.
I inject 40mg a day for a clotting disorder that was picked up on some blood tests. I was positive for Lupus anticoagulant which is an autoimmune thing that causes your body to produce blood clots, which often cause miscarriages. Pregnancy success rate for me without this drug is about 20% apparently.
Does colitis cause clots? I'm not familiar with the condition but wasn't aware it causes blood clots.
Have you possibly had a DVT or clot in the past? Or undergone extra tests after multiple miscarriages? These tend to be the reasons you get prescribed it.

Poor you, sounds horrible. No, UC doesnt cause clots and I've been in remission for 2 years. Forst pregnancy and no other issues. Someone has said that they have a special scale and if you get so many points you take it. I think it's my age and that I have an autoimmune disease. I'm seeing a special nurse about it in a few weeks. I really hate taking more medicine than I really have to. Years being pumped full of so many drugs makes me so wary.
Are there side effects you are aware you?

Ah ok.
Well it's a stomach fat injection (you can do it in your thighs but I'm saving that area for when my tum is all stretched out), so you pinch an inch and inject into that. Staying 5cm clear of your belly button. I watched a you tube video but the instructions in the packet are quite helpful too.
Got to be honest, it hurts to inject. I've been on it three weeks and weirdly one side is more sore to inject than the other. You just have to power through and after ten mins the site isn't sore anymore. I find pushing the plunger slowly helps minimise bruising but every now and then I seem to nick something and then I get a bruise.
No massive side effects that I've noticed but I find I do feel extra queasy afterwards.

I used it throughout two pregnancies and for six weeks after. I agree with the advice above to push the plunger in really slowly and whatever you do don't rub it afterwards - the bruising is pretty bad if you do.

I would be wanting a discussion with someone about why it was being recommended. In my case I had a dvt when i was 25 and they discovered a clotting condition so i was quite clear on the reason for it and had two healthy pregnancies.

Good luck with the pregnancy and don't be shy about questioning recommendations

Oh I know what it is, I've had it loads of times when I've been in hospital. I better practice with something on an orange, I was allowed to do it once and cocked it right up.

Honestly love, don't worry about it. You're not really aiming for anything other than the layer of fat so there's no chance of doing it wrong if you've read the leaflet.

I do second asking for a clear reason why, I've not heard of that scale thing before. I'm 34 and on it for the clotting thing, not for my age.

Thanks ladies, I will definitely ask at my appointment.