Preparation
- Gather Supplies: Ensure you have all necessary equipment: syringes, needles, alcohol swabs, gloves, and sharps disposal container. Also don’t forget your coordinator is here to help you!
- Wash Hands: Always wash your hands thoroughly before starting.
- Check Medication: Verify the medication and dosage against the prescription. It’s very important to do this when you receive your medications to ensure you are not missing anything.
- Icing: Some prefer to ice the area prior to the injection.
- Drawing up your medication: Follow your clinics instructions on how to draw up your medication. As a former surrogate I like placing the medication vial in a warm spot on my body for a few minutes.so it’s easier to draw and push the medication. Again, seek out to your coordinator with any questions.
- Rotate Injection Sites: To prevent irritation, alternate between different sites.
- Seek Support: If you’re feeling anxious, consider having a partner or friend assist you.
Technique
- Select Injection Site: Choose an appropriate site based on the type of injection (intramuscular or subcutaneous).
- Intramuscular: Gluteus maximus, this is the site used for injection progesterone and estradiol.
- Subcutaneous: Abdomen, this site if used for Lupron injection.
- Clean the Site: Use an alcohol swab to clean the injection site and allow it to dry.
- Stay Calm: Take deep breaths and try to relax your body to make the process easier.
- Position the Needle: Hold the syringe like a dart, with your dominant hand. Pinch the skin and insert the needle at the correct angle (90 degrees for IM, 45 degrees for subcut).
Administration
- Aspirate if Necessary: For intramuscular injections, you may aspirate (pull back on the plunger) to check for blood return. If blood appears, withdraw the needle and try a different site.
- Inject Slowly: Push the plunger steadily to deliver the medication. It is a think medication so it’s harder to push.
- Withdraw Quickly: Remove the needle swiftly at the same angle it was inserted.
Aftercare
- Dispose Properly: Place the needle and syringe in a sharps container immediately.
- Apply Pressure: If needed, apply gentle pressure with a cotton ball or gauze at the injection site to minimize bleeding.
- Massage/Heat: It’s recommended to massage the injection site and/or apply heat after the injection. This helps the medication disperse properly. Your body may not absorb all the medication if it doesn’t disperse. Massaging also helps to prevent lumps from forming in the area.