To think that this is ridiculous?

[justanotheryoungmother]

Friend is seven months pregnant. She has four/five tattoos; not that big, biggest is about four inches. However, she has refused any blood tests/whooping cough injection etc because she is 'afraid of needles' . AIBU to think this is selfish and ridiculous? She can get tattoos done but not have blood taken to see if there are issues or whooping cough to protect her baby because she's 'afraid of needles'

YABU in the sense that perhaps something has happened since tattoos that has made her nervous of needles?

YABU in the sense that not everyone agrees with vaccinations and that's as much a person's choice as choices about what happens to their body are.

YANBU if you are thinking that refusing a blood test means she could have a BBV from the tattoos which she could unknowingly pass on to her baby / HCPs

""So they won't even know her blood type in an emergency? (needing a transfusion during or after labour for example)""

This is on file for most UK born people from a young age.

Does the child not have a Father/Grandmother/Aunt? It doesn't have to be the Mum who takes the baby for vaccinations and if she does, she doesn't have to watch (she could have baby on knee and look out of the window).

It's unfair to call her Parenting into question. A lot of conditions that effect most Women can be picked up via Stats and Urine samples. I'm sure that if she was unwell enough to need Hospitalisation, she would consent to bloods.

I think a fear of needles is something that you just have to get over. You never know what health issues are going to arise in your life, it is really something you just can't avoid.
Ds4 passed out when he had to have some blood taken aged 10! The Dr explained to him that he just had to learn to cope with his fear as he had to have liver function tests every 3 months. He did learn to cope pretty quickly, it was just as well as when he was seriously ill aged 25 he had to have every test in the book.
It's unrealistic to think you can go through life avoiding needles, better to get over your fear before you have children so you don't project your fear onto them.

not everyone agrees with vaccinations and that's as much a person's choice as choices about what happens to their body are.

Fine for yourself but we're talking about the baby's health here too.

not everyone agrees with vaccinations and that's as much a person's choice as choices about what happens to their body are

No it isn't. Your body your choice, always. But someone elses (a born human) body...not so much.

@drspouse I think that's why it irks me the most. It isn't just about her anymore, it's about the baby's health too.

I'm scared of needles. But I've had every blood test and vaccination going, and dealt with the cannula for my EMCS and the injections afterwards because my child's health is far more important than my phobia!

I have a tattoo but a severe phobia of needles due to a bad experience when getting an injection in which the nurse 'slipped'.

Getting a tattoo feels completely different to an injection. Its a small scratching sensation right at the surface of the skin. A needle is inserted very deeply in comparison.

I doubt your friend is afraid of needles at all. There is just noway you would be able to get a tattoo if you were. Tattoo artists make you watch them change the actual tattoo needle before starting!

Reverse?

The OP is taking an inordinate amount of interest in the welfare of her 'friend,' and her baby.

Digitalghost thats a pretty presumptuous thing to say! As i and others have stated tattoo needles and medical needles drawing blood are different. im fine with tattoos and have fainted giving blood. Maybe in your opinion its not different but to others it is, and does have a different effect.

You really think so hiphop? I don't. Not having a blood test or vaccinations could mean the death of a baby.

I would be concerned as well, and I would say to a good friend I think they were being ridiculous.

@hiphopcat No, not a reverse. I would have a vested interest; this is my best friend and I imagine I'll have an active part in her child's life. Pardon me for thinking that she should have a jab to protect her baby

'Giving blood' is also very different to having a blood sample taken for testing. And is a million miles away from a vaccination which you barely feel.

Whooping cough can kill, she's being terribly selfish

Tattoos are very different from injections... in that a tattoo hurts one hell of a lot more and for a prolonged period. She doesn't want the jabs and that's the best excuse she can fathom. Watch this space for mum also claiming jabs for infants cause autism, etc.

I do think you have to suck it up during pregnancy. I too hate needles and have a history of fainting, throwing up and hyperventilating during blood tests but have never turned down any test or vaccine during my pregnancies because they are not there for me but for my children.

oh wind your neck in OP.

So in labour she is going to turn down pain relief if administered via an injection? also the injection to quickly deliver the placenta?

I think that the midwife team have probably seen this before and are exasperated by the likes of her.

I know someone like this! Wouldn't have bloods taken in pregnancy.Ended up in surgery because she wouldn't have the injection to have the placenta come out after she gave birth.

Granted tattoo needles are different to medical needles, but principle is pretty much the same.

So in labour she is going to turn down pain relief if administered via an injection? also the injection to quickly deliver the placenta?

I remember watching OBEM and a midwife said that the women afraid of needles soon change their mind when they're in agonising pain and want an epidural

"No it isn't"

Actually, yes it is in the UK. We are yet to have enforced vaccination schedules so it does still remain a parents/individuals choice.

Do you really think they force vaccinations on pregnant women?

Getting over fear of needles is definitely useful if you are pregnant! I had so many needles stuck in me within a few hours of giving birth, I felt like a pincushion!
Have you raised the subject of things like CBT with your friend? Perhaps she isn't aware that these options are available?

If and when her baby dies of whopping cough.... or passes it on to another child, to have them die. Maybe, just maybe she'll see how utterly selfish she is.

Same goes for measles, chicken pox etc. If she forgoes those vaccines aswell for her children.

Oh FGS.

"When her baby dies of whooping cough"

I am pro-vaccination, but whooping cough does not kill all unvaccinated children. There are plenty of children who have whooping cough and live, and there are plenty of children who have contract whooping cough.