to refuse bloodtests when pregnant?

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I am fourteen weeks into my third pregnancy and am already dreading them. I've not had the conversation with my doctor yet but thought I'd find out whether people think it's worth pushing or not.

Last pregnancy, they seemed to take them for fun - I'd go and they'd say 'ooo, you've not had a bloodtest in a while' and I'd say 'yes, I did one two weeks ago'. They'd look at their forms and say 'well, it's not on here, it must have got lost' and send me for another one! This seemed to happen regularly and, maybe I'm a wimp, but they distress me so much. I go really dizzy and feel faint after having them and feel sick (and I'm already being sick enough thanx) Quite often as they're doing it my veins collapse and so they get other people in and keep trying for ages and ages, tapping me and prodding me and squeezing my arm more and more - I'm shuddering just thinking about it.

Obviously, if I was showing any ominous symptoms of illness, then I would consent to one, but I am taking extra iron at the moment and don't feel anaemic. Does anybody know what else they check for on regular blood tests?

I've refuse them in this pg because of my anxieties with them.
My MW was fine about it and said so long as I wasnt rhesus neg then it wasnt a problem.

The only thing she said was to maybe take Sanatogen Pro-natal to keep my iron up but when she knew that I was taking Spatone for iron, she said that was fine.

I considered not having tests but felt I had to for sake of potential baby probs, however I am incredibly needle phobic. I did a few sessions of hypnotherapy to relax me with the old needles which really helped. Ditto other advice getting a phlebotomist to take blood. Top tip though: get hold of some Ametop gel (local anaesthetic gel) I have found them so much more bearable when I cannot actually feel needle going in!

Nbg, I want your midwife! I think I'll discuss it and see how strongly they push it.

I am hearing those of you who have had your pregnancies saved by blood tests, but I still think that it is never a blood test in isolation that seems to indicate the problem, iyswim. At the very least I think I will try to keep it down to one blood test unless I have any concerns that need checking out.

Thanks everyone though - I do feel much more aware of the importance of blood tests and will not make the decision lightly!

I've been through IVF with lots of blood tests and the one thing that makes a huge difference is to eat and especially drink lots before having them done. If I ever forgot breakfast they couldn't find a vein, otherwise fine. It'll also stop you feeling so woozy.

And as an ex flying-phobic do look at what they're doing. You might get interested enough you won't be scared - works for me on take-off and it used to be half a bottle of whisky and a valium!

I agree with Eek, especially about making sure you have had plenty to drink before a blood test, if you are at all dehydrated it makes it a lot harder to find the veins.