Self Shot

I was asked to visit the Suita Municipal Hospital and get myself admitted; to learn how to inject heparin myself. The reason I was sent to another hospital and not my usual hospital is due to the unavailability of rooms at Osaka university hospital. Why was it important for me to learn to administer heparin shot myself? Well, the reason is that I am pregnant! Yes, my third pregnancy for third consecutive years. As happy as I am to be impregnated, a major part of me still cringe in fear if history will repeat itself. The only difference this time is, I have been taking low dose aspirin and yesterday I started my heparin as anticoagulant treatment (since I was diagnosed with blood clotting disorder recently). They started the heparin once the fetal heartbeat is visible in the ultrasound scan. Initially, the nurse showed me how it is done and gave me the hot. Heparin shots were given subcutaneously and I was asked to inject it in my upper thigh. They asked me to avoid the abdomen area where the baby is. I thought I would freak out to inject the syringe to myself, but somehow I did it like a pro. But, the injection area gets bruised the next day. I am still searching on the internet on how to administer heparin like a pro with minimal bruises and side effects. I guess with practice, I should be fine. I spent lots of time yesterday re-reading about the possible side effects of the drugs I am taking to my baby. I get really discouraged by this, but my self-research for the past three years and the information from doctors kind of consoled me that my dosage is quite low and most probably would not harm the baby. Still the guilt haunts me and all I want is the best for the baby and hoping so much that I would pass the fifth month of my pregnancy without any complications and have a safe and healthy full term pregnancy. Self shots of heparin and bruises and discouraging words from skeptical people would not dampen my spirit to wanting my baby healthily and safely.