Blood thinning injections

[Chelyanne]

Anyone been told they are high risk of blood clots?

Had my consultant app today and she said that I'm high risk because of a few factors. She said they'll want me on blood thinning injections from 28wk until 6wk after birth.
I had the injections after my cesarean but only for 6wk.
Just wondering how others got on with these during pregnancy?

@Chelyanne yep! I've been on them since my consultant appointment on March 2nd I was so so worried about them at first, but absolutely no issues so far! I get my husband to do them, they said to alternate between legs and stomach, but I haven't been able to brave the stomach yet!!!! X

@Chelyanne yep I had these with my twin pregnancy from 28 weeks until 6 weeks post partum. I also had them for the first 10 weeks due to OHSS following our IVF so it was super annoying having to start them again. I was told to do them in my tummy and it was pretty terrifying doing them into a twin sized bump - my bump was black and blue by the time they arrived. Didn't have any other issues with them though.

I was on them when I had covid as apparently there's a risk with clotting and covid in pregnancy. You get used to then and they are only a little sore. I did end up covered in tiny bruises from the injection sights though.

@SamoyedFan123 my cesarean was with twins so I can imagine how tough it was to inject a double bump. Mine was huge and tight, thankfully only had them after with lots of belly to go round lol. This one is a singleton so I will have plenty of flabby bits hanging after the twins. I didn't get any bruising last time but that was only short term, got that to look forward to by the sounds of it.

@AnxiousAnnie86 legs, oh I've never known that suggested before. I did them for my husband when he broke his leg in the tummy while I was pregnant with our twins so found them pretty easy to do on myself after birth. Just wasn't so sure about doing them with a bump, I do grow big babies but will still have lots of skin around a singleton bump after the twins. Hopefully will be pretty easy to do them again.

@sylbunny oh no, hope you recovered well.
Does sound like I have bruising to look forward to with using them so long.

I’ve been on them since 12 weeks, will be on them until 6 weeks after the birth. I’ve had a blood clot in the past and trust me, I’d rather inject myself every day for the rest of my life than have another clot! My top tip is to firmly pinch a decent bit of flab (harder to find the further along you get!) which you inject, it hurts less and goes in more smoothly if you’re firm

@Chelyanne I am. I had to have them in my 4th pregnancy, the combo of my age (35+, my BMI 30+ and parity made me high risk) I injected from 28wks to 6pp.

The injections were fine, they were least uncomfortable in my bump, and were better if I did myself as DH made me cry when he did my buttock.

I should have them this time to as none of the risk factors have changed. But unfortunately i was allergic to them in pregnancy 4, and while I thought I would have to suck it up again this time, I was referred to haematology instead and am having aspirin from 28wks instead.

@Chelyanne yeah the midwife said alternate between top of legs and stomach but I just cringe at the thought of stomach! X

@Chelyanne I have been on them since I was 6 weeks, I’m now 16 and will continue throughout the pregnancy. Like you I had previously had them after birth but not for as long a period. I have got some pretty nasty bruises, some bruise much worse than others but it’s just one of those things.

Hello! Yep I'm on Clexane, started at 30 weeks (38 weeks now) and been told 6 weeks after birth. I asked if I could take a tablet form after birth but was told it would need to be injections. They're quite nippy for a minute after you inject and do cause bruising, not as bad as I thought it would be though and I am getting used to them. Doesn't feel natural injecting in to my tummy as your instinct is to protect so I can't do it myself, have to get my partner to do it. Midwife said I could try my thigh if I'm struggling to grab skin due to tummy getting tighter now, but I really don't fancy being bruised/sore in more places than I have to. I was a bit upset at first as I didn't expect to have to take blood thinning injections as midwifes were always happy with my bloods/urine, etc. then one day after an appointment they said my BMI was a little higher than they'd like and because I have Crohns Disease they thought it would be best to put me on a small dosage.

I have been prescribed heparin until 13weeks due to recurrent miscarriage and anticardio lipin level being slightly raised. I also took them for 10 days after my c section. The first one does sting a bit but you get use to it, and also have a few extra bruises but if it means a successful pregnancy, bring it on xx

I’ve got a blood disorder so have had to take them since I found out I was pregnant and won’t stop until 6wks after birth. The only hassle I find is to remember to order the repeat prescription in time!! I usually go for the side of my stomach as I find my legs spot a bit in bed and don’t like messing up the sheets!!

@Grognonne just wondering did you have your HCG level checked in the first few weeks of pregnancy. This is the first time I’ve been on heparin and have read they can cause a false low hcg reading x

No, I had early scans as part of the recurrent miscarriage clinic, so was scanned every 2 weeks from 6 weeks until the 12 week scan. I found out on day 33 of my cycle, so took injections from then.

@Grognonne thanks x