Tips for injections?

ceperks13 · July 2015

Hi all! I am newly pregnant (confirmed today and could see the little flicker on the sonogram-love!) and now begins the fun of injectable blood thinners once a day thanks to factor V. It's all precautionary since I've never had issues with blood clots previously. Any tips for injecting myself? I'm super nervous about the daily shots to my abdomen.

collegebound08 · July 2015

Don't use the same area, give each area a break but be careful on your sides as there are so many veins and stuff and it really stinks when you hit one... I switched to heparin from Lovanox and find it hurts less but it's twice a day instead of once... Overall find what works for you

ceperks13 · July 2015

Thanks so much @collegebound08 i can't seem to wrap my head around being pregnant and having to give myself shots in the stomach.

Lantry · July 2015

Make sure you pinch the area during injection and for a little while afterwards. I also run around the area (not on the injection site). Nothing has prevented burning completely but, my bruises aren't as bad as I've heard they can be. Good luck!

emzabq · July 2015

I am on Lovenox and have been since week six. I am now at 24 weeks. I found that icing afterward keeps the bruising to a minimum and helps for those times when the med really stings. Icing before can help if you have a lot of pain with the needle going through the skin. And definitely pinch a roll of fat to inject into. Good luck momma

jessrjennings · July 2015

I find that the closer I inject to my belly button the more it hurts. Also as I get bigger injecting in a stretch mark hurts. But you can ice the area before you inject to numb a little. Just rotate spots and you'll get the hang of it. Good luck!

Knottie1428535830 · July 2015

I have heard that icing before and after helps a lot. Personally, I just do it at fast as possible. I have FVL too, but I have had a blood clot before so the injections aren't too new for me. My biggest recommendations would be to rotate sites every time and make sure you keep the tissue pinched while you inject it. Good luck!

ceperks13 · July 2015

Thanks for all the tips ladies! I still have 3 weeks until I start the injections. Until then I am on a low dose aspirin. I wish I could just do that the whole time..

SLGILL1978 · July 2015

I am a diabetic so I give myself injections all the time. For me, I have to ease the needles in. Some people just jab and go. I agree with pinching the skin and try not to use the same area twice or where you have any scars. The bigger my belly got, the higher up I had to do the injections.

mowelt · August 2015

I just started doing lovenox injections about a week ago, my regualr ob told me I didn't need it but then when I went to the high risk doctor he couldn't believe I wasn't on it. I have factor V but have never had any issues (only one gene mutation) however my mom and grandma who also have factor v have had some major issues. Anyways I have been getting through the injections ok but I do have a couple questions for those who have been doing this longer. I am 20 weeks now and my belly is definitely expanding, how far on the side of your love handles can you do the injections? Also can you go higher up or is it best to stick lower? The other problem I have been having is with afterwards. I do the injections in the evening but find that I am very sore the next day on both sides. I feel them most when walking or sometimes if my clothes or my husband hugs me or my belly. Is this normal? I don't have very much bruising if any just really sore. Thanks for your help.

christinelynn78 · August 2015

34 weeks and have been on lovenox the entire time. I started with the belly but the doctor recommended love handles and more towards my back. It's hard to reach so my husband has to do it but it is much more comfortable and less painful. I also numb it with ice ahead of time which helps with the pain and bruising. It's also important to pinch the fat that your are injecting into. I barely even feel it doing it this way.

plainjane78 · August 2015

I give myself Heparin shots twice a day for MTHFR (another clotting disorder) I just switch sides. Mornings I do the right side below the belly button and Evenings I do my left side below the belly button.

I find if I pinch my skin and hold the shot at a slight tilt it isn't so bad. Also some say icing before and after help. I've been on the shots for 4 weeks now (I think?) and I've only hit a spot twice where I bruised bad, but unfortunately you will bruise

chirovcm · September 2015

I am 13 weeks and have been on baby aspirin. Today I am going to the hematologist so he can teach me how to take the lovenox injections per my specialists recommendation. In the beginning my OB said the baby aspirin should be enough for FVL (one gene mutation). I've never had any clotting issues. I am REALLY dreading these shots and am worried about long term side effects of lovenox for the baby. Did any of you have similar concerns? What did you learn? I also don't think I can physically give myself shots.

Cejiml · September 2015

I'm 25 weeks and have been on Lovenox since 11. I ice it for like 20 seconds before and after, pinch the spot slightly, then poke, but the key that's helped me stop bruising is I hold the needle in for about 10 extra seconds. Something about the pressure helps. I bruised really bad in the beginning. Like my whole stomach was purple. Also just follow a smiley face around the lower part of your belly button. Now that I'm bigger I have been using the sides more but my MFM won't let me go to the back yet. HTH!

moochiecrawford · September 2015

Been on Enoxaprin Sodium from the first day I found out I was pregnant. The first couple are scary, buts now it's no big deal at all. My hub injects me eveynight and we do a circle around the belly button. I've bruised maybe twice. Pinch the fat. I've not needed ice or anything... You'll be fine! Don't sweat it, girl!

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