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Children's health

My DF Refuses to get bloods taken

11 replies

Ningnang2000 · 24/02/2017 12:57

We'very had 5 attempts at getting blood taken from my dd who is 8 and each time has been has been highly stressfull and upsetting for her. We were referred to a play therapist who is nice but hasn't really done anything to help other than been there to accompany us. No calming techniques or confidence boosting exercises. Other than keep going every couple of weeks until she does it is there anything else we can do? The hospital is a 1 hr.drive away and she is missing loads of school because of it plus the longer it takes the less likely we are to figure out what it wrong with her x

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MollyHuaCha · 24/02/2017 18:04

When my 7 yr old needed a blood test, I bribed him with the promise of something lovely immediately. He asked for £2 (bless him!) and I put it into his hand as the nurse was preparing the needle. Don't know if bribery might work in your case? Also, if you only need a tiny amount of blood, it could be done by nurse pricking a thumb and squeezing it to get a little blood in a phial.

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Witchend · 24/02/2017 19:01

I have a dd2 who is a bit like this. I'm afraid I ended up being rather mean and telling her that if she didn't have it done then she wasn't going to a sleepover than weekend.

Thing is though, the way she reacts does feel like a slight act. I know when she really is genuinely frightened and it didn't feel like that. She just jerked her arm away every time the needle came near.
When I'd bribed her she sat there as good as gold and just made slight noises.
The other thing is once she's in and started reacting against it, the thought is worse, so she continues. You need to get it, hold firm and get it done.
My other reason is that this was a need but not emergency need blood test. She might be in the situation at some point where we need to get bloods now, and it'll be much more traumatic if she's refusing then and doesn't have the option.

Ds otoh finds the blood test fascinating. He watches with glee and comments on the amount of blood. Pity he faints afterwards. Dd2 is most envious of this.

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Inneedofaholiday2017 · 25/02/2017 22:28

Keeping her very warm and making her drink a lot before can help make the actual test a bit easier so less painful.
Can you take an iPad with her fav show on it or play a bad on your phone then have a reward for afters like a chocolate bar. Then I think you have to get tough.

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Inneedofaholiday2017 · 25/02/2017 22:30

Oh and also say 'you're doing it'! 'Look it's not that bad' just as they start... saying 'you're doing it' makes the child realise the worst is happening and it isn't actually that bad. Oh and also keep saying nearly done.

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Inneedofaholiday2017 · 25/02/2017 22:33

But mostly you are going to have to get a bit tougher and pin her down if needs be. If you don't want to do it then step out, let nurses force her then be her comfort once it is done.

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hollinhurst84 · 25/02/2017 22:38

Numbing cream? My mum resorted to numbing cream and pinning down for me on the grounds that it wasn't hurting anyway with the numbing cream as I couldn't feel it!

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Bleu2 · 25/02/2017 23:42

Inneed the nurses/phlebotomist can't force her -while mum is away from the situation-that is illegal. There are other ways to effect this e.g. EMLA but Mum having to adopt a no-nonsense approach.

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Bleu2 · 25/02/2017 23:44

Should read :Mum will also have to adopt a no-nonsense approach

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123bananas · 25/02/2017 23:55

Where I work we use numbing cream. Then someone distracts the child by holding a book or tablet so that they can't see. They don't feel the needle go in just us squeezing their arm. The thumb prick method is more painful as they squeeze it hard for longer and it runs the risk of the bloods clotting so that no results can be gained on that sample.

The only issue is if she is hysterical and moving lots they may miss and it won't work first time or be safe.

If one of the playworkers/nurses can take the needle part out of the cannula and show her the tiny plastic straw that gets left in, rub it on her hand to show that it doesn't hurt that might help reduce her fear.

If it is urgent you may have to go down the tough love route with a massive treat for afterwards.

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Inneedofaholiday2017 · 26/02/2017 00:11

Blue - if the mum has consented the nurses can take on her role and hold her. There's no law that the mum has to be there once the initial paperwork is done and she's given consent.