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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Anyone taking clexane throughout pregnancy?

18 replies

thingymaboob · 23/07/2021 09:50

Hiya, had my booking appointment this morning and was told I need clexane in pregnancy. The reason is my age (36) BMI (32) and the fact I have Hyperemesis. I'm 11 weeks and have been told I might need to take it through entire pregnancy. I know it's not damaging for baby as it cannot cross the placenta so that's not my worry. I'm just wondering if anyone else is in same boat and can share experiences/ side effects?

OP posts:
AnneLovesGilbert · 23/07/2021 09:52

I’m not pregnant but I was on it with my daughter from bfp till I went into labour so I’m happy to help if I can.

JungleBeats · 23/07/2021 10:08

Done this twice. No side effects but injecting yourself can take some getting used to. I could never bring myself to do it in my belly so did it in the fleshy part of the hip/bum. Bruising is a pain in the arse. Some people find they bruise if they don't touch the injection site after injecting. I moved left to right hand side daily.

What some people seem to know is you can't have an epidural within 12 hours of injecting clexane. I was induced twice because of this.

Good luck

JungleBeats · 23/07/2021 10:08

*don't

LilacSloth · 23/07/2021 10:11

Morning. I'm 30 weeks now and have been taking it since 28 weeks and will need to up until delivery and beyond (planned c-section). Told it's recommended due to my age, bmi and family history. Can't say I enjoy it, but it's fine.

2020mc · 23/07/2021 10:49

I've also been recommended clexane from 28 weeks but really don't want to go on them 😟 My biggest offputs are the fact if you need an emergency c section within 12 hours of having one you'd have to go under a general anasthetic. I don't want to fight it if its the right thing to do but really don't want to go on them. So confused.

SoFedUpOfBloodyToast · 23/07/2021 10:55

I had a PE in my first pregnancy, so as soon as I had my booking with the midwife she put me on clexane. At 10 weeks I am less than impressed, but at least the dose is smaller for prevention - when I was having my PE treated I had 100mg twice a day! I have always found the injections difficult. A couple of tips:

*If there is a droplet on the end of the needle, dab it off with cotton wool/tissue before injecting. Otherwise it stings (more)

*I find injecting my tummy much easier than legs, like a PP said switch sides each day and don't touch it afterwards if you can help it.

*If you're struggling, use ice cubes to numb the spot first. I did this a LOT.

Good luck, and solidarity in our injecting, incubating state!

SoFedUpOfBloodyToast · 23/07/2021 11:00

@2020mc if you are on clexane then they will induce you early so the likelihood of EMCS is lower. I know it sucks, but the experience of having a PE is really quite awful, and from your partner's point of view it is so scary - my DH was worried that he would lose me at one point.

2020mc · 23/07/2021 11:05

Very true. I haven't actually spoken to the consultant about it, it was another person in the department (not sure what their job role was) that told me about the injections. If it means I'm induced early so I don't have that risk I would be much happier. Will try to speak to the consultant at my 28 week appointment. Im 25 weeks so far. Thanks for putting your experience up. It helps put PE in context.

notinthestarsigns · 23/07/2021 11:26

I’m coming up to 36 weeks now and been on clexane injections since 6 weeks. They’re a pain, quite literally, but I have had no side effects apart from the obvious bruising.

ElmtreeMama · 23/07/2021 11:32

I've used it from 10 weeks
I can't say I'm a fan but the only side effect is bruising really!

Original poster
thingymaboob · 23/07/2021 11:45

Thanks for all the messages. It's interesting to know there are lots of us. I will chat to doctor about it but will bite the bullet and start the course

OP posts:
SouthwestSis · 23/07/2021 17:47

Could you work on getting your BMI down to reduce the risk? Not sure if your BMI were to drop below 30 whether they'd reconsider?

SheABitSpicyToday · 23/07/2021 17:52

I have to take it from 28 weeks. I’m terrified of needles so don’t know how this is going to go…

Original poster
thingymaboob · 23/07/2021 18:01

@SouthwestSis

Could you work on getting your BMI down to reduce the risk? Not sure if your BMI were to drop below 30 whether they'd reconsider?
The thing is that I'd have to lose about 16 lbs to get it down to 29.(something) and I'm almost in my second trimester so it will be difficult to get it down with impending weight gain. Also, you only score 1 for bmi 30-35 which means I would still score 4 or more whereas the Hyperemesis factor scores a 3 so if the Hyperemesis goes in second trimester and I am able to eat and drink normally I hope I can stop taking it.
OP posts:
OPTIMUMMY · 23/07/2021 21:55

I’ve just started taking it at 28 weeks, the actual bit of injecting yourself isn’t so bad, it’s the stinging that surprised me so I’ve been using ice to try to help a bit before and afterwards and it’s okay, you get used to it.
I was told that if I think I’m going into labour to stop taking it but that they would let me go naturally, though due to age they are also recommending induction at 40 weeks if I don’t go into spontaneous labour. My previous labours were before 40 weeks so I’m hoping for that again, though knowing you can’t have an epidural with it in your system is a wee bit scary as I’m not sure I’ll get 12 hours notice! (I’ve never actually had an epidural before, but just incase it would be good to have the option especially for emcs if needed).

Fizzl · 23/07/2021 22:28

Another who has been injecting clexane since my BFP in nov. I'm 2.5 weeks post birth now and injecting for another 4 weeks. I had the injections due to a clotting disorder. I used to hate needles and the thought of injecting myself filled me with dread but you do quickly get used to it and now I don't bat an eyelid at doing them.

I worried massively about not being able to have an epIdural. I was reassured that labour was unlikely to progress that quick and if it did I wouldn't need the epIdural anyway. There was no suggestion I'd be induced early because of the injections. As it turns out my waters started to leak just after I'd injected myself but I didn't go into labour and had to be induced the following day. Even though the clexane was well out my system they wouldn't let me have an epidural because things progressed too quick and baby didn't tolerate labour well. So what I learnt is to not get too hung up or worried about the epidural as sometimes things are out of your control anyway! Good luck, it will be fine 🙂

ivfgottwins · 24/07/2021 04:46

I had this for both pregnancies - most annoying symptom was nose bleeds but you've got to have been on them a while to get those x

BurningBenches · 24/07/2021 11:13

I had it in pregnancy 4 due to age/parity and bmi. I took from 28wks until 6wks pp.
I found injecting into my stomach the least painful and allowing my DH to inject the worst! Unfortunately I had a rare reaction to them so ended up on another type for DC5.

In terms of induction, I think my area are just epically shit about stuff like this as I was told to just not take if I had any twinges. I was induced anyway at 40wks due to DC4 size so was able to stop the jabs before hand.

With DC5 they found an anticoagulant that im not allergic to but that one had a 24hr half life so until I was induced at 41wks (due to age) I wasn't taking it if I had twinges or whatever.

I also used to take my injections first thing in the morning on the basis that I thought i was more likely to go into labour overnight. Not sure what i based that on.

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