To think that it shouldn't be difficult to draw blood without leaving a bruise?

[SaggyOldClothCatpuss]

Since New year I've had eight or nine blood tests. Only once have I not been left with a shocking bruise! Is this normal? I've had them in the past and not ended up looking like I've been in a fight!

Tis my normal - every time I have a blood test I look like I have been savaged. And (proud emoticon) I am apparently a good bleeder, so not like they have to mangle me to get it out.

I end up looking like a right junkie when pregnant. I have complicated pregnancies so loads of blood tests. Even in summer have to cover up my arms.

Well I bruise very easily so therefore most blood tests do leave me with a little bruise.

DH's veins are very hard to find apparently, so he normally gets stabbed to death and the tornikay gets tighter every time!

You need to press on it hard for a good couple of minutes after to avoid this. If you don't I don't know why you expect not to have some bruising given that they are putting a hole in your blood vessel to take the blood and it's going to bleed a bit before clotting.

I always put pressure on it. I've had plenty of blood tests over the years and not bruising is the norm generally. I do feel that some people draw the blood faster than others, I wonder if this is the problem?

Drawing the blood faster will make no difference at all. Not putting pressure on for long enough, or taking medication that affects the blood clotting like aspirin, clopidogrel or warfarin, or having an underlying bloody clotting disorder will.

Cool. One or two have been a bit rough and ready, so it's good to know that bruising is normal.

As well as putting very hard pressure on it, don't bend the arm, as that opens the hole in the arm and lets blood out under the skin. Also, if you are prone to bruising, ask the phleb to use some micropore over the cotton wool/swab, as this keeps extra pressure on rather than a plaster.

"Ex phlebotomist now Maternity Support Worker"

I don't even bleed for them constantly being sent to the phlebotomist because the midwives can't draw blood. Last time I got a lovely big bruise and a lump under the skin for a while too.

Sometimes it is unavoidable leaving a bruise on a patient, such as tiny veins, warfarin takers,etc, but some patients are absolutely determined not to follow your advice.

"Press firmly with the cotton wool"...cue takes off cotton wool to watch blood bubble out.

"Press firmly with the cotton wool and keep your arm straight"....cue completely bends arm.

And my very,very favourite one of all:

"press firmly with the cotton wool"...cue vigourous circular rubbing with cotton wool"

Ok...so now you have a bruise. Surprised?

I used to think it was normal, midwives would struggle to get any blood out of me they would take it from my hand and I would be terribly bruised. This pregnancy I have it done by the health care assistants and no bruising yet! They also have no trouble finding a good spot versus previous times when I've had a needle shoved in and wiggled until they found a vein.

I have "baby veins" that are really hard to find. My blood only ever flows out nicely when it's a phlebotomist taking it or if I rub emla cream on the area beforehand. I bruise really badly every time and I don't know if its just because of the fear, but my arms hurt afterwards too. I think some people just bruise more than others. I also bruise when getting other jabs too.

I always get bruises when I get stabbed at my dr's surgery. They say what crazynanna says despite me repeatedly saying that I have rheumatoid arthritis, so I cannot press that hard. And also "make a fist" and I politely explain I can't and why. "bit tighter with that fist please" Aaarrrgghhhh! I usually go to the hospital if I can because they're much better with me.

I am mystified why nurses and midwives who must take blood every day always leave a big bruise and yet the phelbotomist at the blood donating centre doesn't leave a mark?
And don't get the me started on the GP! He tried to do it himself once and nearly destroyed my arm!!!

Ignorant so and so's,Crash

If my patient has mobility difficulty, I give them something to hold instead of making a fist (I have a wipeable stress ball to grip), and I do the "pressing firmly with the cottonwool" if they can't do it themselves. A bit of compassion and understanding is really missing from some healthcare workers.

At my last MW appointment I ended up with a blood blister under the skin near the puncture mark rather than a bruise as such - does anybody know why that was?

badguider it's because it's their job, they do it day in and day out. I love the phlebs at my local hospital. We are on first name terms!

Thanks, crazy. It's 2 of the nurses who are like that. I have nothing but praise for the phlebotomists at my hospital. :)

Probably a bruise under the skin Bad, or was it more of a swelling?(Haematoma)(sp)

Not sure - it was just like a blister full of blood... a wee bubble.... weird...