Is anyone on the Fragmin injections?

[DressingGown87]

I’ve got a history of recurrent miscarriages, most in the first trimester, and one in the early stages of the second. The NHS didn’t do any conclusive testing at the time, although I had 7. A private consultant said in 2015 I should take asprin and have more blood work taken.

Skip to now, I’ve found out I’m pregnant, which with my low fertility (and other factors) is a shock. I’ve been put in the “high risk category” and under consultant care. I’m taking the 150mg of asprin per day which is fine, but they’ve also suggested I start the Fragmin injections. Although they have admitted this is guess work, and my previous miscarriages where over 6 years ago, and there is no evidence to suggest these would work / be required.

I’m petrified of needles, I can’t inject myself, I live alone. They have said that I will need to take them everyday until 6weeks after the birth. I’ve asked my neighbour to inject me, who is a retired nurse, for the time being as I’ve got to be socially distancing. But I feel like they won’t Be able to do it forever? And that this is unfair to ask. Has anyone been able to come off these part way through their pregnancy? And would that be safe?

Hey. I’m on them too, happy to support you through this

I was very nervous to inject and don’t like needles. But. They are very small, really easy to do and if you use an ice cube to numb your thigh before it you hardly feel it. You just need to be brave and push it in slowly. It’s absolutely fine I promise you.

I figured even if it wasn’t a necessity but if it had a chance of helping why not do it x

@JKD1982 Glad I’m not the only one! I can’t even look at the needle to put it near my skin, it will be a lot of hit and hope! They tried doing it with me today and I nearly passed out, and felt sick. I’m hoping I’m my neighbour can do them for 12 weeks, I might get use to it.

Are you on all the way through? I was thinking if I could get to 22-24 weeks and stop? Or is it once you start you have to carry on? I completely get the mentality of it may help, so do it. I’ve just got anxiety over needles. How far along are you?

I hated these and had them after both pregnancies. They bruise like a bugger so do not rub the area afterwards. I found I didn't feel them being done if I did a really exaggerated breathing like puffing in and out really hard. Great news and congratulations though!

I am 27 weeks and I am still going. I will inject all the way through and then again for 6 weeks after. Once you’ve done it for a few weeks it seems silly to stop. If it is detrimental to the outcome of your pregnancy you’d be so disappointed that you stopped

I really hate needles but promise if you use an ice cube to numb your thigh and then slowly push the needle in whilst you’re not looking. You CAN do it

@JKD1982 yes I’m hoping over the next 12 weeks, I get use to it. I live on a street with a huge elderly population, I’m the youngest by 25 years! My neighbour said if she can’t do it, the other retired nurses and doctor will be willing. I think I will have to get them all some flowers!

I will try the ice cube, I’ve been told to go in my stomach? Is the thigh easier? Hope your having a nice pregnancy otherwise.

@raspberrycordial thank you! I think I’m going to look like a pin cushion. I will try the breathing technique thank you.

Hi @DressingGown87 I'm in the same boat, I hope you don't mind me joining the thread to ask for advice too!

I am 29 weeks and have history of early mc too, coupled with my age I've been advised to start now and do daily injections until 6 weeks pp to prevent blood clots. Well, actually should have started last week but due to the current situation my wee local chemist is over run so my script was delayed. This also meant my appt with the consultant was cancelled so I'm at home trying to work out what to do on my own! My DH hates needles (he would faint!) so is no help!

My friend who's a midwife said to do around 2 inches away and below belly button and 'no fucking about, straight in' 😂 but I can't bring myself to do it! Great advice @JKD1982 on the ice cube!

My questions to the experienced ladies would be:

What time of day did you do them? I've been told not to do it if I think I'm in labour so thinking lunchtime might be a good time as I went early in the morning last time?

Can you do it if you don't have the wee alcohol wipes to preclean the area? They never gave me any!

Thanks in advance and sorry again for hijacking the thread xx

Hey @SerBrienneOfHouseTarth
Welcome to the fragmin club! It really is ok I promise you. I do mine just before bed, as I take a daily low dose aspirin in the morning so figured it makes sense to space them out. Maybe pointless but why not

I can’t inject in my tummy as feels too weird. So use my legs mainly in the top of my thigh near my hip. I hold an ice cube on for about 3 mins (in a sock so my hand doesn’t freeze!) then go in at straight angle whilst pinching your skin. Once your skin is cold enough you don’t feel the needle go in. I find it stings if I push all the fragmin it at once so I do half a plunger. Wait and then the other half. Pull out the needle quick and don’t rub where you put it in or it bruises.

I’m on week 29 and done this for 20 weeks now and although don’t like it it’s ok xx

@JKD1982 Thank you! That sounds easier. I will need to psyche myself up for the first go tomorrow 🙈

@SerBrienneOfHouseTarth
I felt exactly the same! try not to overthink it. Listen to music or have a book or game playing in one hand to distract you while you do it.
Once you’ve done it 10 or more times you’ll be fine. And it’s worth it right... good luck x

There’s a numbing cream emla? I think. That literally means you can’t feel the prick. I had it after ds1 and I just stared straight at the tv in front of me not looking and went straight for my leg, if I looked even when numb I slowed down and it was always worse.

Obviously not sure of circumstances but what about your partner? If you lay down and close your eyes it’ll nip but they might be quicker, the needles tiny so it’s not something that can be messed up like a proper iv injection.

Had to take these every day for my entire pregnancy, not fun!
I just either did them myself whilst singing a song or got my DH to do them

Done it through 2 pregnancies. Mind over matter. I find doing it first thing when I get up in the morning (eg when boiling the kettle for your tea) was the best time. No time to think about it, just get it done. Pinch a good fatty bit on your side, squeeze it tight and then inject slowly. Opposite sides each day as if u go for the same spot as previous day I found it hurts!

I've just finished IVF injections and I used emla cream for each injection. Its a local anaesthetic cream used to numb the skin prior to injections, cannulating children, tattoos etc. You can buy it from larger pharmacies or order online. DO check though about use in pregnancy though!

You only put a pea sized blob on- don't rub it in or spread it out. Ideally put a plastic, sticky dressing over the top for 30-60mins to hold the blob down. I didn't have any dressings left, so used to just put a blob on whilst watching TV and try my best to not wipe it off my stomach. It starts out a white cream, but after 30-60mins, it goes opaque and some gets absorbed. It doesn't ALL get absorbed, but it will still work. You need to wipe off any residual cream before cleanings with the wipes. The numbness will last up to 4hrs, if left on for 60mins, but I never waited that long before injecting. It still wasn't pleasant, but certainly took any pain and sting out of it.

You also need to do this yourself. You cant expect a neighbour to do this for you everyday!

Also its only 'active' for 12 hours. So if you take it in the morning its finished by 12 hours later so if your were to go into labour in the early hours of the morning it's fine.

I wouldnt be too concerned about labour and timings anyway only really relevant if u went into labour unexpectedly were wanting an elective c section as you cant have an spinal block until 12 hours have past since taking injection. You can have a GA thoug. In most cases 12 hours will have past anyway and all birthing options will be available so wouldnt worry too much.

It needs to be taken at same time every day. So chose what suits you I'd go either first thing in morning or last thing before bed as I said above mornings suited me as dont have it to think about all day!

These are all great tips!

Re labour, my first came four weeks early and was born in under 5 hours from first contraction! Luckily I only needed the gas and air so I'm hoping this one will be the same, but I'm older and fatter now so don't want epidural to be off the table if needed!

You're right though @Blondebear123 I have no way to plan so might aswell just pick a time and do it!

So I take clexane daily at first I thought not a hope in hell!! Nobody to do it for me so I sit on sofa get it out pinch and actually close eyes... Just as it goes in now on week two and I can actually look as it goes in now so you can overcome your feaf.... Its a needs must x x no mater what I do rub don't rub ice or not I'm brushing as if I've been kicked by a horse!! Hey ho only another 7 months to go

I did it! First injection today and you are all correct, it's not as bad as I feared. I didn't have ice but didn't even feel the needle itself going in. The Fragmin nipped a teeny bit, nothing major though, I'm actually feeling a bit daft for being so nervous.

@DressingGown87 I wonder if you could use one of the injections to practice on an orange or something first? It might help with the needle thing before having to do it to yourself? I know it's not the same thing but I'm not a good flier. I avoided flights for years but then I got a job in a different country to my husband and as he worked weekends I flew back every other weekend on a short Ryanair flight. I got so used to turbulence that it really helped. I mean, I still hate flying but it's definitely not as bad as it was and I was able to endure it for the time I had to until Huz moved to be with me! I wonder if this might work the same for your needle phobia? Good luck x

Just checking to see if you are getting on ok with the injections @DressingGown87 I hope you're doing well.

I've been doing them for a month now and it's not too bad but they can be a bit stingy!