Clexane injections in pregnancy

[sparklyblue81]

Midwife is recommending clexane injections from 28 weeks (I’m 24 weeks now) as a precaution against blood clots due to my age (40) and bmi (32 at booking). I have a consultant appointment on the 6th but I want to research what the actual likelihood of clots are & whether there is any alternative to the clexane before then. Can anyone point me in the direction of any info?

I’m also very concerned about side effects as my sister had to take clexane for a DVT & then started bleeding from an embolism in her lung which wouldn’t stop bleeding because of the anti coagulation 😔 I had a retained placenta with my first and lost a lot of blood so surely this could be be really dangerous 😬

Any other things I should take into consideration? I don’t want to put myself at risk but I need more information to make an informed decision as to what the risks actually are.

They give you a minimal dose so it's quite low risk. The doctors should be able to advise on all the risks, it's a bit hit and miss looking on the net for info.

I've been on tinzaprin since 28wk as they class me high risk for clots. Not had any issues with them and they said they do not pass the placenta to baby. I'm booked for elcs and have to miss my injection the day before surgery only then back on them until 6wk pp.

I had a pulmonary embolism in my first pregnancy at 36 weeks, despite being a low risk pregnancy and having no risk factors. The pain was excruciating (codeine didn't touch it), the breathlessness was terrifying and the resultant weakness lasted months. I was hospitalised for a week, needed two nuclear scans (risk to baby), was on codeine for nearly a month (risk to baby) and then took treatment level clexane for 3 months (100mg twice a day).
I'm now 11 weeks pregnant with my second, and am already on preventative clexane (40mg once a day). Yes it stings, yes there can be side effects (as with any medication), but I never want to repeat the experience of having a PE.

I’m going to have to take clexane from 28 weeks, I’ve taken it after birth with my last 2 baby’s but this time I have to take from 28 weeks, I’m also on aspirin until 36 weeks

Thanks ladies, I think I’ll just have to ask lots of questions when I see the consultant next week. I guess if I have to be induced I stop the injections at that point, but not sure what happens if you go into labour naturally. I’m on baby 4 so might be quite a quick turnaround!!

Do you have to inject in your stomach in pregnancy or can you do it in your thigh instead - seems a bit close to baby 😬

I had a dvt whilst pregnant with my second child I was 27 weeks I think. I had to be induced and had to stop the injections 24 hours before hand. I bleed less afterwards then I did with my first.

@sparklyblue81 I inject in my belly, I have a flabby saggy bit under bump ideal for them. I sometimes get bruising which is annoying.
The ones I have say you can do it in the outer thigh if you like too.

As others have said if you are being induced or having c section you will be told to stop taking the injections beforehand so it should not cause increased bleeding after birth. If you go into labour naturally then as long as you stop taking them all f you get any signs of labour you should be ok. I’ve been on Clexane since I was six weeks pregnant, I’m now 36 weeks and will take them for a further six weeks after the birth. Whilst I would rather not have them, I would rather take them than take any risks.