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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To refuse this blood test?

180 replies

BlairWaldorfsHeadband · 14/08/2018 15:02

My hospital want to do a group and save. I’m a needle phobe, but hadnit done and it was a very upsetting experience.

The hospital then mislabelled the blood. So want me to repeat it.

Here’s the thing - they have my blood group on record. And blood groups don’t change. I know my blood group.

I’ve been treated quite ignorantly about my needle phobia by them and so, I don’t want to redo the test. It’s their fault they put the wrong label on it and they already have the info.

Aibu to just say no?

OP posts:
WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 14/08/2018 15:07

Well, they might refuse to give you blood if you need it and don't have an up to date group & save. I have had to have one every time I've had a transfusion.

HicDraconis · 14/08/2018 15:09

If the reason for a group and hold is that you may need a transfusion then unfortunately you do need to have it redone. The samples are only valid for a short period of time. If it’s just to find out your group (eg for Rhesus status to check if you need anti-D) then no, you shouldn’t need it redone.

Clerical error is a common reason for transfusion reaction with non compatible blood which is why a mislabelled sample can’t be used.

Original poster
BlairWaldorfsHeadband · 14/08/2018 15:10

What’s the reasoning for having to do it each time? Seems like a tick box avoid getting sued thing rather than any actual clinical need to me.

OP posts:
WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 14/08/2018 15:10

And it isn't just to check for your blood group, but also antibodies which can change (see here)

Original poster
BlairWaldorfsHeadband · 14/08/2018 15:10

It’s just a pregnancy one. I don’t need a transfusion or anything.

OP posts:
Bluetrews25 · 14/08/2018 15:51

Saying this kindly, but perhaps you need to work on your needle phobia, as this could affect your life and potentially that of your child, as they will pick up on it.
The more you run away, the greater will be your anxiety and the more power it will have over you.

No-one likes having blood taken, but it is necessary.

The cash-strapped NHS won't usually waste money on tests that aren't needed.

Original poster
BlairWaldorfsHeadband · 14/08/2018 15:57

The issue I have is I can have blood taken fine, IF the right circumstances are done.

I asked them if I could have it taken at my GPs, because there’s two lovely nurses there who are very good at dealing with my mental health problems and know how to take blood from me easily and I have no problem going to them.

I asked if I could do that and either bring the blood over myself or bring a print out. I was told no.

So I’m annoyed that they aren’t willing to make any adjustments for my mental health conditions. I have generalised anxiety, OCD, depression and a few other diagnoses relating to specific anxieties. This is documented on my records.

OP posts:
Chocolatecoffeeaddict · 14/08/2018 15:57

Sorry but you do need to have it redone. They may just be routine pregnancy blood tests, but if you needed blood during the birth, they would need to know and have it on record. Blood tests in pregnancy are also to test for all kinds of things. You're just going to have to grin and bear it, I know that's not very sensitive, but it's for your's and your baby's health.

DidimusStench · 14/08/2018 15:59

I say gently but you have a needle phobia and it’s yours alone to deal with. The hospital are just following procedure. If they didn’t, you and other patients would be at risk.

I don’t need a transfusion or anything.

But you may well do if you’re going to give birth/have a section soon.

Bottom line, you don’t have to do anything but you do need to think seriously about what the consequences of that are and take control of your phobia.

Original poster
BlairWaldorfsHeadband · 14/08/2018 15:59

But they have my blood group on record. It doesn’t change.

OP posts:
Original poster
BlairWaldorfsHeadband · 14/08/2018 16:00

I’d be more willing to have it done if they’d either let me do it the way I am comfortable with or they desperately needed to know my blood group. Neither is correct as they already know it.

OP posts:
AnotherBun · 14/08/2018 16:05

You have the right to refuse any blood test/test in general in pregnancy - I didn't have a group and save done in my second pregnancy (or any others) and managed to have a c section without issue

DidimusStench · 14/08/2018 16:06

You’ve been told exactly why they need to do it upthread.

There’s very specific procedures around taking blood, storing blood and processing samples. You can’t kust expect a whole department in a hospital to bend because of your phobia. I myself have phobias and I know how debilitating it can be but it’s you that needs to make adjustments.

It’s probably also worth thinking about how your needle phobia is going to impact on the birth too and how you can work with the hospital to deal with that.

Original poster
BlairWaldorfsHeadband · 14/08/2018 16:07

AnotherBun did they nag you to have it done?

OP posts:
MrTrebus · 14/08/2018 16:08

Come on you're going to go through labour. Woman up, it's so ignorant to think you won't need a blood transfusion, you have no idea how your labour will go. Think of your baby and redo the test.

Original poster
BlairWaldorfsHeadband · 14/08/2018 16:09

No, I haven’t. Someone mentioned antibodies and that’s the only possible reason I can see for it, yet no medical staff have mentioned this to me.

Why can they not let me have it done at my GPs? They get their results, everyone’s happy.

Seems more like they’re unwilling I cater for anything outside average, which makes me less likely to cooperate.

OP posts:
sashh · 14/08/2018 16:09

But they have my blood group on record. It doesn’t change.

It's not quite that simple, you know your ABO and Rh+/- but blood groups actually have many other 'groups' and the only way to know if a blood is comparable is to cross match.

Blood has a number of antigens, only one needs to be a mismatch to cause serious illness.

Original poster
BlairWaldorfsHeadband · 14/08/2018 16:10

Woman up, it's so ignorant to think you won't need a blood transfusion, you have no idea how your labour will go. Think of your baby and redo the test.

Would you tell someone with no legs to woman up and just walk? I suspect not. So why would you say it to someone with mental health problems? Don’t be a dick about invisible disabilities please.

OP posts:
Original poster
BlairWaldorfsHeadband · 14/08/2018 16:11

It's not quite that simple, you know your ABO and Rh+/- but blood groups actually have many other 'groups' and the only way to know if a blood is comparable is to cross match.

Surely they will have this on record? I have had this test done many times.

OP posts:
Bluetrews25 · 14/08/2018 16:11

Again, saying this kindly, but if you can do it in certain circumstances, then you have shown yourself you can do it full stop. Big girl pants on, think that you are doing it for your child, so that (s)he and its mother will be safe. It will take seconds. Like PPs have said, rhesus status can change, and it's not just for blood grouping. They need the results on their own specific computer system where all staff can find them in the expected place. Otherwise, in an emergency, they would have to do it YET AGAIN.
Being pregnant is a perfect time to get over needle phobia as you will have plenty of opportunity to desensitise and motivation to protect your child is high.

DidimusStench · 14/08/2018 16:12

Well then don’t cooperate but you’re cutting your nose off to spite your face and if anything goes wrong it’s you and your child that will take the ful brunt of that.

They won’t be making things up just to piss you off. Ordinarily I’d be a lot more sympathetic but it just seems you want to blame everyone else for a phobia you have.

MrTrebus · 14/08/2018 16:13

I'm not sure being afraid of needles is an "invisible disability" in fact I don't think any phobia is a disability. if you have a genuine mental health issue that is classified as a disability and your midwife etc all know about it I'm sure they'll treat you in the correct way,are they aware the extent of your issues? Is this your first baby?

YeTalkShiteHen · 14/08/2018 16:13

Don’t be a dick about invisible disabilities please

If you did need a transfusion in labour, your refusal would complicate that.

I have a needle phobia, and various MH dx I won’t bore you with, and I’m autistic. Some things must be done, difficult and traumatic as they are. For your sake, for your baby’s sake.

Original poster
BlairWaldorfsHeadband · 14/08/2018 16:14

Again, saying this kindly, but if you can do it in certain circumstances, then you have shown yourself you can do it full stop. Big girl pants on

Lol. I fucking hate this logic.

People to people with disabilities “just TRY!”

disabled person tries, find a way around it that’s not as straight forward as a normal persons way of doing it, but enables them to sort of do it

People: oh you’re alright now then! Smile

No, we are not. It’s not that simple and you’re showing a complete lack of understanding for the issue.

And them needing it on their specific system is a joke - I’m not harming my mental health for a computer system. That’s their problem to sort

OP posts:
YeTalkShiteHen · 14/08/2018 16:14

And YY to a phobia NOT being a disability.