Anyone take lovenox shots while pregnant?

[Libby Pritchett]

Just had my appt with the high risk ob as well as my regular ob today. I was referred to the high risk dr because I tested positive for a blood clotting issue. Between that test and my family history, the specialist put me on daily lovenox injections for the rest of my pregnancy.

I'll admit I'm a little uneasy about giving myself a shot every day, but of course i'm willing to do it for the baby. Just wondering if any of you went through something similar and have any words of wisdom?

[Laurarae13]

I think my DH did (not while prego of course lol). He had a very minor stroke which led to them finding a hole in his heart. While he was waiting to have surgery to fix it, he had to give himself shots in the stomach. I'm almost positive that it was the same thing, it was to keep his blood thin. Is that what they told you? Anyway, what I remember the most was the bruising on his stomach. It was Ugg- ly and large. Do you have to do the shots everyday? I would be too squeemish to "shoot" myself.

[heathergw]

not sure I have words of wisdom... but yeah, I did with Isaac and Asher... it's why Isaac's nickname was "bruiser" and Asher was "bruiser II"

[CA Dreamer]

They are small needles. Did they tell you to do them on your tummy? If you pinch the area first and the do it, it hurts less. But yes, just by virtue of what it does for you, you will be bruised. Sorry you have to do this at all

If it makes you feel any better, be glad you don't have to give yourself the progesterone shots...holy moley...

I meant to add. Pinch/hold the area and give yourself the shot in the pinched area. If you are refrigerating the medication, warm it between your hands before doing it. And, if you need to, you can ice the skin beforehand too. But, you'll be over it faster if you just pinch and do it.

[Kenzi]

I don't have any experience with this, but just wanted to send {{{hugs}}} and say I'm sorry you have to do this! I'm pretty sure if it was me, I'd pass out just looking at the needle, which is ridiculous since I play with that stuff all the time at work and it never phases me. BTW I work as a nurse at a veterinary hospital. Animals, no prob. People, not so much lol

[Jengerbread88]

Oh, gosh, Libs. I do am so sorry you have to go through it. I wish I had advice or information... ouch

[heathergw]

Originally Posted by CA Dreamer

If it makes you feel any better, be glad you don't have to give yourself the progesterone shots...holy moley...

dude... no kidding... I still feel those in my bottom whenever I workout... over 3 years later LOL

[Libby Pritchett]

Oh it's ok. Really. The dr assured me that they see cases like this a lot, and I don't need to worry about the outcome. This is all more preventative than anything. I'm just a little squeamish about the whole idea.

Heather, the dr warned me about the bruises! Sounds like it was a pretty accurate warning!

Robin, that's good advice! Thank you! they're going to have me to up tomorrow (I picked up the shots today) and show me how to do it, but she did mention something about pinching the skin.

Thanks again everyone! Oh! And yes, this is a blood thinner. My mom has a crazy history of blood clots, so they don't want to take any chances since the chance of them occurring during pregnancy is greater.

[crystalbird]

Not that I'm glad you have to give yourself shots, but I'm glad they're putting you on the lovenox. I think it's pretty standard from what I've read. Plus, I think lovenox is only one shot a day (as opposed to two a day with regular heparin), so that's a good thing.

I didn't have enough time to really test this out, but when I was doing heparin shots and asked a nurse friend about them, she mentioned not to pinch the skin too tightly when giving the shot, as that might make the bruising worse - just to pinch it enough to get skin to put the shot into. I have no idea if that is true, but something you can ask when they are showing you how.

[Libby Pritchett]

Yes, Christy, the lovenox is only one shot per day. I'll have to switch to regular heparin when I'm 36 weeks along though.

So, I went today and learned how to do the shots. They're totally easy, but not exactly what I'd call "pleasant." LOL I can suck it up and do it, for sure, but it's definitely not something I'll look forward to doing each day. Hopefully it'll get to the point where it's just second-nature and it doesn't bother me anymore.

[heathergw]

I called them "love shots" LOL because you'd do anything for that little one

It definitely gets easier... tho, the bigger your belly gets the harder it is to find fatty spots to do it in LOL