28 weeks blood tests - feeling sorry for myself

[Bellie]

Feeling a bit sorry for myself today. Had 28 week mw appointment on Tues and mw managed to butcher my arms when trying to extract the blood. I have HUGE bruises on my arms that are now turning purple (mw had to send me to hopsital to get the blood taken in the end).

The doctor has just rung today and said that I am anaemic and has prescribed iron tablets 3 times a day. He was also concerned that my white blood cell count was high and warned me that I might be coming down with an infection. Great as I am going on holiday on Sat!! .

Not looking for any advice, just wanted to share my feelings......

[nutcracker]

Sorry to hear that Bellie.
Did you know that if someone attempts to get blood from you 3 times and doesn't suceed then you can refuse to let them try again and ask for someone else to do it.

[Bellie]

Nutcraker no I didn't know that - but I do now!! Hopefully I will never be in the situation again but if I am I will definately ask rather than have the pain and bruises!

[beansprout]

Aw Bellie, that sounds miserable.
They can never find a "big enough" vein on me either, and so I never have a good time with these things either.

Hope your poor arms feel better soon

[mummytosteven]

Bellie - same thing with the bloods happened with my booking bloods - big bruises, about 3 midwives all having a go - apparently I have naff veins! I also had a lowish iron count, and got iron tablets - they do work miracles! try and take them with orange juice, and stick to the guidance on not mixing them with dairy products. if they have problems getting your bloods when you are in labour, have some gas an air to make the experience a little pleasanter!

[hana]

Bellie, hope your bruises fade quickly!
At my booking-in appointment a few months ago the midwife tried a couple of times on one arm and then the other. Managed to get about 6 of the 8 (I think?) vials and then I dried up....she poked the needle around ( while it was in my arm) to find another vein. This is after I told her my veins were thin and would she please take it from the back of my hand with a butterfly thingy. I had a huge bruise too. I always do say this but the midwife/dr/ whoever it is always say 'Oh we'll just see how I get on here first....' I need to be more assertive!!

[mckenzie]

you might want to try and increase your ruffage/fresh fruit intake as well Bellie. I certainly found the iron tablets made me a little constipated.

[misdee]

I hate blood tests, so does dh. I have 'wobbly small veins' as one nurse told me. when i was having dd1 it took 7 attempts to get the drip set up. i was bruised in both cerases on my elbow, my wrists and both hands. they had to call a surgeon in to get a vein (back of hand). It often takes a couple of attempts to get a vein to take blood out of for me. my dad is the same.
dh hates blood tests as he has them on average twice a week. he doesnt mind having them done at the hospital as the nurses like him there, as he is a regular in path lab. they miss him when he has them done at the surgery instead.

[highlander]

If you're worried about constipoation, the pharmacist can give you Ferrous Gluconate (normal iron supplement is Ferrous sulphate?). It's apparently gentler on the stomach and won't give you constipation. To help absorption, cut back on caffeine and increase your Vit C intake.

Hope the holiday works out OK! [smile}

[MummyToSteven]

misdee - and i thought i was hard done by when they took 3 goes to get my drip in!!

[misdee]

i know, its awful isnt it. i couldnt belive it. I was so glad with dd2 i only had gas and air, and no need to drips or anything. hope this pregnancy goes the same way (think i weill refuse being induced if they suggest it).

[popsycal]

last time i had blood taken the nurse tried 7 (yes 7) times and still nothing.
I told her to take it fromt he front of my hand but she said she wasnt allowed!!

I now always ask to go to the hospitals walk in place as they are allowed to do it from the hand - works first time there for me!

[Seabird]

Bellie - am v sympathetic with your vein trauma. Same thing always happens to me. I haven't let the practice nurse who bruised me horribly while I was pg anywhere near dd's arms! The trouble is once they lose their confidence it's all downhill. Diabetes nurses and anaesthetists have no trouble at all though so I think it's all practice.

[Bellie]

Thanks for your messages all - feeling a bit better that I am not the only one IYKWIM.
Thanks for the tip highlander about the other iron tablets - yes I have been prescribed Ferrous Sulphate, but if I am suffering I will ask for the others when I see my doctor again in a couple of weeks.

[Bibiboo]

Awww you poor love ... I know the misery of blood tests . I am 30 weeks on Saturday and there's been no mention of my next bloods - I think the booking bloods were more than I could take and the midwives are fed up with my deep, crappy veins.
Someone on here mentioned bloods during labour? I thought this next time would be the last?!

[MummyToSteven]

bibiboo- think it's having drips put in in labour we're moaning about, not bloods. you would most probably end up with a drip if you needed your contractions speeding up. looking on the bright side, at least we can snort gas and air during labour - but not at booking in!!

[Tommy]

oooh Bellie - know how you feel on all counts! Careful with the iron though - made me ill with constipation - try Spa-tone in stead. Have agood holiday

[Turtle35]

Bellie

you poor thing, I think you need extra special pampering and relaxing on holiday, honestly take it easy and sleep lots if you can. The tablets will really help.

I went through similar process with booking in bloods, the m/w I had was useless I am normally petty easy to get blood out of and I think she was just totally thick and didn't know how to.

Where are you planning on delivering your baby?

[Bellie]

Will definately enjoy the holiday and will be putting my feet up! Dh is treating me to a week at Lucknam Park - Clarins spa the works!! - the last bash before the little monkey arrives!

Turtle35 - am having the baby at the East Surrey Hosptial - there is no guarantee on which m/w you get so hopefully it will be one that can find veins if I need a drip!

[Bibiboo]

Can I insist on a no drip policy at my birth? Really, really don't want some needle sticking out of my hand the whole time - far too squeamish!

[Piffleoffagus]

Bellie, do not take ferrous sulphate it will make you terribly contipated at that level!
There is a supplement from a health food shop called Spatone, a midwife recommended it to me for pregnancy anaemia, it sorted out my count in 5 days, took it 2 x a day, it is a mineral water, no side effects, get it fropm Holland and Barrett or Boots...
As for the testing ask for proper plebotomist to do it if poss, I found one m/w awful at it and another one was ok...
Sounds awful...

[Flossam]

Bibaboo, I would imagine they would only give you a drip if they really thought it were necessary, and it would be for you best interests. However, you might put them off by promising you will drink more fliud. If they do put one in, the needle dosen't actually hang out of you hand, it is a little flexible bit of plastic that dosen't hurt at all, as far as I know!

[Flossam]

Ooops Bibiboo, sorry

[misdee]

sorry for scaring you bibaboo. I had to have a dsrip sey up as i was being induced with dd1. with dd2 i coped with gas and air, no needles or anything. absolutly brilliant that was.
I hate needles too, but the fact i am rh neg means i have mroe blood tests than my sisters, and each time i close my eyes and count. gets it over with quickly. if they can find a vein that is.