Self injections

[Caitlin2020]

Is anyone else having to self inject blood thinners I panic so much that I’m going to inject wrong! I’ve been doing these for 2 weeks now and still gives me anxiety, I still have a long way to go as I’m 30 weeks and have to do these until 6 weeks after birth! X

Yep I’ve been on them since week 9 and now 35 weeks.

It’s ok to find it stressful I don’t like doing it still. But my tips are

Numb the area with an ice cube for a few minutes.
Push the needle in slowly. I kind of tap it in
Rotate where you inject and don’t rub the site after to avoid any bruising
Know it’s worth it for your baby

You’ll be fine x

I do too. Alternate side of my tummy each day, pinch an inch, and blow out through my mouth as I push the needle in. Distracts from the sting. Then inject slowly, I usually blow a bit more here too. Silly but it works for me. Don’t rub.

I’ve had some spectacular bruises, one which drew particular admiration from my consultant. I haven’t dared to inject that spot again! 🤣.

I’m only just coming up to 20 weeks but it’s got me so far and I’m just keeping my eye on why I’m doing it. Good luck xx

Hi all, I'm really nervous about this as I've been told i will need to do this when I get to 28 weeks, I'm currently 24 weeks and i have the biggest needle phobia ever, there's no way in hell I can inject myself, I'd probably end up fainting lol, what is it even for as my consultant didn't mention much about it, I'm really dreading this and it's every day you have to inject ?

Yes everyday I’ve been doing mine since 28 weeks also the needle isn’t big I don’t think it hurts much I just get nervous that im going to get a vein or muscle silly I know but because I don’t have much skin to pull I have to use the top of my leg, could you get your partner to do yours? X

I think he's gonna have to do it for me 😳 can you inject anywhere or does it have to be the belly as I'm guessing the bigger we get there's not gonna be much fat to pinch and the belly is gonna be hard, this is what goes through me lol

I hope you don’t mind me asking but why are you injecting them? I have Factor V Leiden and have been told to take 150mg aspirin daily - just want to check I haven’t missed something!

The tops of you legs I don’t have anymore room to pinch my stomach lol x

Hi mine is blood thinners due to high risk pregnancy and previous pre term baby I’m also on asprin daily x

Thats all I've been told for blood clots to thin blood, but I'm just wondering after giving birth you need the blood to clot? Won't this not work after giving birth and bleed alot

just wondering after giving birth you need the blood to clot?

When you feel you're in labour then you dont inject, though you still must make it clear to midwives that you've been taking it and when your last injection was.
After birth you resume the injections.

All of that should've been explained to you by the consultant and midwife.

I've been on aspirin and blood thinners for my last 3 pregnancies. My top tip is to it slowly. Don't jab in like the nurses would as the anticipation makes you not want to do it and makes you jump. Put the needle on the skin and push very slowly so it goes in slowly and smoothly. Also do NOT rub the area afterward. I inject into the tops of my legs - fleshy side bit.

I've not been explained anything as of yet as I have the appointment the 28th, was just wondering how it all works etc as I'm the worst person ever with needles lol

I’ve been on them since 8 weeks and only 17! Your all doing loads better than me, I’ve got a huge phobia of needles, so my next door neighbour has to do mine. I’ve asked them if there is a liquid form, pill form, anything I could just swallow. I also have loads of bruising around my stomach. Does anyone else gets little lumps under the skin, for 24 hours after the injection?

I have a clotting disorder so have had to do them from 11w until 6w post baby for my previous pregancy (DD turning 4 at the end of the month) and it's the same this time around for my current pregancy (15w tomorrow!) It's easier this time around to be honest - slightly different needle type (had clexane for DD which sort of auto injected felt like a gun going off!) But this time it's fragmin which uses a 'simple' sub-cut injection that I have to push in then withdraw and break the used needle - I still don't enjoy it but actually having more control of the process has made me have to calm down!

My top tips are really get a good hold of the piece of skin/flesh around where you are going to inject - squeeze/pinch it really hard - because then when you put the needle in you honestly don't feel it. Push the needle in slowly - it dont need to be a 'jab' more like place it against the skin and slowly apply more pressure and it will just sort of slide in after a few seconds.
Don't rub or scratch the injection site afterwards - it makes the potential bruising worse!
Also work out where to are going to put the needle in before you have the needle in your hand - the longer you sit there looking at the needle the more you psyc yourself out!

I asked the same liquid, tablets anything other than needles, gives me bad anxiety even thinking about it, my partner is gonna HAVE to do it for me

My partner does mine - no way I can.
I have lots to pinch. One side seems to bruise worse than the other. I’m on my 3rd week now and getting used to them.

I'm not pregnant but I work in a hospital. I've found quicker is less painful but you've got to find what's best for you. Also, do it on the lower half of the abdomen as this tends to hurt less and pinch as much skin as you can. Getting someone to do it for you will definitely help. There are no tablets sadly, not for pregnancy.

I think it’s better to jab it in ive tried to do it slowly and it hurts more x