Clexane

[Cbh85]

I went in today for the works Scan/Bloods/Consultant Chat etc. Im 29wks 2days. All is fine, baby 2lbs (3rd baby)

Today i came home with a yellow sharps box/bin and a ton of clexane needles 😔🥺
Im a baby when it comes to needles. Its all a blur, im slightly anxious and totally knocked back. I think it was mentioned in the beginning about such possibilities, i just go with the flow. (The pregnancy was a big suprise - so was extremely overwhelmed) my Bmi i think is the culprit as my general health and family history doesn't play a part. I also turn 35 in a few days which apparently was put into consideration 😑🙄
Ive always been an active but bottom heavy girl. I had 2 quick straight forward births previously, water births and both wonderful experiences. Now they're implying im a risk as if theres an issue they wont be able to lift me out. Im around 15/16 stone but ppl always laugh or seem shocked when i tell them. To look at i dont look as big as i clearly am. 16 on top size 18/20 bottom 🤷🏼‍♀️

I am terrified!!! I don't think i'l relax and enjoy the rest of my pregnancy as i have blood clots on the brain or hemorrhaging. Im a huge worrier!!!! When having bloods i said to the lady i may have to come back for you to show me how to use the clexane needles and she said oh are you planning a c section?? I froze and said NO!!!??? she just replied oh - why are you on that?? I said because of my weight and age 🥺 i think im pn the 60 dose.

Anyone had/having the same experience??

Clexane is standard after a c section which is probably why she asked. I had it then and during IVF. My SIL was on it from 16 weeks for various reasons. You get used to doing it pretty quickly although it does mean you bruise very easily.

Hi, I'm on clexane injections due to a blood clotting disorder. I used to be a complete needle phobe but they're honestly not so bad! I used to have to build myself up to doing it for the first week or so but now I just get on with it. It's not my favourite part of each day but it's fine. They can sting a little - I'm no expert but I've found that pushing the plunger quite slow works better and if you feel it start to sting just stop pushing the plunger for a second and then carry on. I also don't touch the injection site at all afterwards and I've not had any bad bruising (maybe two or three really faint tiny bruises but nothing horrific like I'd read about). I also read somewhere that the needle is slightly angled (you'll see when you look at it) and to try and inject with the angle/hole facing towards you, it seems to help for some reason I can't remember the logic behind why but I think it does help. Good luck and you will be fine 🙂

Thank you!! Im super grateful for your reassurance and tips.

Im just unsure why ive been told to go on them. 😔 i have no history of issues or c sections..... its all on my weight and turning 35 it seems. Just feeling deflated. I will overcome the jabs i think, especially if its for my own good. Im just more nervous that im feeling anxious my labour wont be easy going or i'll need a c section and bleed out. Im such a worrier.

I can't offer much reassurance about some of your worries as these are some questions I want to ask my consultant when I see them in jan but as I understand it clexane only stays in your system for 12hrs so little risk in re to excess bleeding etc. I also think there is something they can give you to counteract the clexane if you have taken it within the last 12hrs and need a c-section (don't quote me on that tho!). I've also been told I'll likely stop the injections before due date - but I don't know exactly when yet. Lots of ladies have to take clexane in pregnancy so it's pretty well understood and you'll be taken good care of I'm sure

I had to take Fragmin (it's the same/a similar thing) after both of my births because I was in bed for longer than normal (assisted birth with epidural and an ELCS). I was also a bit overweight though under 35.

It's standard after any surgery where you're bedbound, I believe to stop you getting blood clots. Risk is higher the heavier you are and I think, the older you are and as we all know the magic cut off in pregnancy for being considered and old gimmer is 35!

I imagine there will be a BMI cut off somewhere that you've hit.

Hey are horrid little needles but you do get used to them. Lunch the skin you're injecting firmly, doesn't bruise so badly then.

To be offered clexane injections antenatally, you need to have met 3 different risk factors I think. So things like age, BMI, amount of previous pregnancies, if someone is a smoker etc. If you've just turned 35, that may have just added another risk factor that wasn't there in your previous pregnancies for example? Personally, I was offered/advised them too this time....and in my personal circumstances, I weighed up the risks and turned then down. I'm very active and have been throughout this pregnancy. I thought if I slowed down in the later weeks I might start taking them, but I haven't really, so i'm happy with my decision. I will take them postnatally though (having a c section). My consultant was happy with my decision and understood the reasoning.

That said, I've taken them postnatally before and they're fine! I get my husband to do them though.

Im so grateful to hear everyones experiences. Its helping.
My husband isnt keen he thinks i should speak to my midwife because i wasnt given a chance to talk or think about it.

My previous labours where super straight forward and wonderful, sooo quick. With both i woke early hours of the morning and went in at 6/7 cms (heavy sleeper lol) and labours were 3hrs and 2nd was 2 hours. I can home same day on 2nd time. Very calming and quick experience with both. No stitches, water births and gas and air nothing else.

I think just for some clarity im gonna ring my midwife tomorrow. It was hectic in the unit today. Short staffed etc. My appointment was 10.40 i left the hospital at 2pm after all the apps needed today.

If you have a look through your notes there will be a sheet with a score chart that should tell you the reasons you need the clexane. I turned 28 weeks yesterday so started mine yesterday as I scored 3 so need to take them from 28 weeks until 6 weeks post natal xx

Its not really to do with your previous experiences of labour, but with the risk factor you're considered to have of experiencing a blood clot during pregnancy. But definitely worth a further chat with your midwife, as with any of these things during pregnancy, they're offered to you, you're not obliged to take them.

Girls you've been truly fab with all the support and help. Not feeling so alone and like a fish out of water. I did feel.for the staff today, literally rushed off their feet today it was so manic - no time for nothing and mistakes and mixups being made.

Danni1996 like you i scored a 3. 2 for bmi and 1 for age.

I feel like such a baby 🙈 and yet im sure some have to go through far worse.
Sorry ladies.

Hope you're all well and staying safe xxx

I'm expecting baby 4, I have to take aspirin now (from 12 weeks) and then clexane from 28 weeks upto 6 weeks after birth. I was induced due to preeclampsia symptoms with baby 1, I'm 35 & my BMI is higher than it should be. I'm terrified of the needles, but I know I'll get used to it.
How are you doing so far with the injections? Hope you are ok!

Just to be clear, have you been told to start taking the clexane now? Or that you will/may need to take it later? I’m not sure why you’ve been sent away with a load of needles but don’t seem to know why or what to do with them. Sorry if I’m misunderstood. But someone should have explained it to you clearly.

I take clexane in pregnancy from 8 weeks onwards until 6 weeks postpartum. Did it with my first DD and now again in my second pregnancy. I was a whimp to start off with too but I got in the habit of picturing a little baby girl every time I had to do the injection to remind myself that it was worth it. Look up online tips for clexane injections, the more weight you are carrying the easier the injections will be (I was skinnier before my first pregnancy than my second and this time round they hurt a lot less and I bruise less too). Good luck xx

I’m not sure if this is much help as it’s not quite the same, but I was given clexane after the birth of my first daughter. I think it was about 10 days worth (although I’m not certain on this!)

I’m also a baby when it comes to needles - in all honesty I had the midwives on the postnatal ward show my husband how to do it and he injected me everytime, I couldn’t bring myself to do it to myself. It really, really wasn’t that bad though! If you’re anxious and have a partner/friend who can do it for you though I think that helps as for me it was getting past the mental block of injecting myself I struggled with. But honestly like I said, I’m also awful with needles and I coped fine, it’s nothing to worry about :)