To refuse this blood test?

[BlairWaldorfsHeadband]

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?

I work in a blood bank and it would take far too long to explain why you need to get it done so I'll summarise:

• There are hundreds of different blood groups aside from ABO and rhesus D
• When you are pregnant you potentially can form antibodies against the baby for any of these blood groups
• If you form these antibodies then they can attack the baby through the placenta. This can result in foetal death or delivering an extremely unwell baby with significant health complications
• If these antibodies are detected early enough then it is possible to prevent the worst outcomes with early intervention
• Therefore it is important to get your blood group and save done ask they are checking for these antibodies at the same time as checking your blood group
• Blood group and saves are done multiple times through pregnancy to monitor for the presence of these antibodies which can occur at any point even if you previously didn't have them
• So please just get it done for the health if your baby

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemolytic_disease_of_the_newborn FYI though you can find a plethora of information out there if you want more complicated articles

I'd recommend asking whoever takes your blood next time to let you double check the sample and forms yourself to make sure they've spelt everything right.

Make sure that:

Your name is your correct name (not maiden name etc if married and that it matches what's on the computer system e.g. make sure your gp has updated the system since you changed your name if you changed your name)

Your name is spelt 100% correct including any hyphens if double barrelled or if you have two first names, e.g. if your name is Ellie-Rose as a full legal first name the sample MUST say Ellie-Rose, not Ellie even if you are only known as Ellie

Your DOB must be correct

Your NHS number or hospital number must be correct

Both the sample and form must be signed by the person taking the blood

Ensure date and time of collection is on the sample and form

Make sure the hand writing isn't shite and if it is then make them fix it. If there's any chance the y in for example Carly looks like a g "Carlg" then the laboratory will probably reject the sample as they don't want to put their job at risk.

Good luck and hopefully they don't cock up again taking your blood

Have it done!
I had a planned section so had time to do my bloods early, they then asked for a group and save, it was because I'd developed antigens after having my first child ... don't know when or how, so I went from being 0 positive so could have plenty of blood choices to having the choice of 4 packs of blood available in the U.K. - 2 in Leeds nearest me and two in London I believe. Have the group and save, it may save your life

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?

Generalised anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and social anxiety, all of which I am dx with, among other things are disabilities.

No it’s not, I have an older dc.

By the way I have a dentist phobia and I just self meditate /switch off - I know work needs to be done and I have to do my but to get 'better' - perhaps seek some counselling or hypnotherapy

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 a phobia is not a disability, it just isn’t. Frankly if you’re going to take the attitude that NHS procedures are “their problem” then I think you need to get a grip.

You’re pregnant, it’s not just about you. You made the choice to have a baby, and are now getting snotty with the people you also expect to deliver your child safely.

Is this same op that wanted to vomit in the maternity waiting room?

Solasshole

Thank you.

Do you know of any reason they won’t accept me having it done elsewhere? I’m happy to have it done with two specific people.

If you needed a transfusion you need 2 samples on record, one of which from the current pregnancy, in order to be able to give you blood which matches your type. This to ensure that a sample processed from years ago is yours and wasn't mislabelled or misrecorded or whatever, and that nothing weird and wonderful has happened in terms of antibodies since your last blood test.

Having this done is entirely your choice however, although in an emergency it may then be needed quite urgently.

Needle phobia is no joke, I am really sorry you haven't had much compassion regarding this. If you decide you will get it done, perhaps go to the general phlebotomy clinic - they're more experienced with tricky veins and/or those who struggle with blood tests.

Generalised anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and social anxiety, all of which I am dx with, among other things are disabilities.

In that case you are entitled to “reasonable adjustments” in law, as I was, and as any pregnant woman is.

Not expecting them to change the entire system.

OP a phobia is not a disability, it just isn’t. Frankly if you’re going to take the attitude that NHS procedures are “their problem” then I think you need to get a grip.

I refer you to my previous post about my multiple anxiety disorders.

Massive drip feed then as expected. Why post if you're then going to get really defensive? You've already decided you're not going to do it so no need to come on and get really lairy and call people dicks. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and labour, you've gone through it before so you must understand why this sort of thing is important and you're choosing to take the risk -fair enough your choice.

BlairWaldorfsHeadband I refer you to my follow up post

Still think you need to pack in the snottiness though, it’s not doing you any favours at all.

Sorry but you're being quite ignorant. You can refuse to have this test done but you put yourself at risk of not getting blood quickly and efficiently if you need it in an emergency.

The medial staff do not just do stuff as a tick box exercise. They need to do a group and save to check for antibodies so that you're not given blood that will interact with your own blood and cause you to have a reaction. These can be fatal. As can post partum haemorrhage. Antibodies can changed and it is important that they know this.

You're very much within your rights to refuse any treatment or test but think you need to be fully informed by your team the implications of this. You maybe need to be clear about your mental health needs and ask questions about why you can't get it done at the GP. Get proper answers and information before refusing and blaming everyone else.

I lost 2 litres of blood after my c section, it's fucking scary and you don't want to piss around with not having crossmatched blood waiting for you.

Needle phobia is no joke, I am really sorry you haven't had much compassion regarding this. If you decide you will get it done, perhaps go to the general phlebotomy clinic - they're more experienced with tricky veins and/or those who struggle with blood tests.

Thank you. People seem to think anxiety is some big joke that people can just “get over”.

I am happy to have it done under the right circumstances, but they don’t seem to be willing to let me do that.

Needle phobia is a disability?

ODFOD.

No joke, if you’re giving the HCPs the attitude your throwing around here, I don’t doubt they’re being awkward.

The NHS is trying to minimise costs . The GP and ante natal are 2 different departments and budgets.

Talk to your midwife at your next appointment and find out exactly why you are having the test and what they are looking for. IME the NHS don't do unnecessary testing x

Anxiety is a disability, perhaps read the thread to see my multiple diagnoses before you make ignorant remarks.

*Thank you. People seem to think anxiety is some big joke that people can just “get over”. hmm

I am happy to have it done under the right circumstances, but they don’t seem to be willing to let me do that.*

Ask your midwife for the form, and say you'll go to phlebotomy at the hospital as it would make you feel better. If she refuses, ask her why as its the same hospital system just you choosing who does it. She has no reason to deny you that! (I say that as a former midwife)

The NHS is trying to minimise costs . The GP and ante natal are 2 different departments and budgets.

I suspect this may be what the problem is.

I’m going to ask for it to be done at my GPs for my own peace of mind. If the hospital choose to reject the results, that’s up to them. But at least I will know!

I have a needle phobia.

But when I chose to get pregnant and so put myself in the position that I had to face needles I had to suck it up. It's awful but you've chosen to do this. So you must now find a way to greet yourself around this.

I am happy to have it done under the right circumstances, but they don’t seem to be willing to let me do that

Because it’s in a different department and they can’t take it. They told you that already.

And I can’t speak for other posters, but I certainly haven’t said anything of the kind. I’m in the same position as you, with the additional diagnosis of autism. So I understand, I just don’t think there’s any need for the snotty comments about the NHS, especially since you’re using them to have your baby!

Get a grip. It’s to ensure you’re not making antibodies against your baby. That does change, hence the need for 2 tests in pregnancy.

You may also need an emergency transfusion. Do you really want to take O Neg blood when a) you may still have a fatal reaction to one of the many other antigens in blood b) you’d be taking that blood bag from someone who’s just been in a car crash, shot etc and hasn’t had the option of blood cross matching.

And please don’t be so offensive as to conflate mental illness with being needle phobic. If you can overcome it at your GP, you can overcome it at hospital.

Ask your midwife for the form, and say you'll go to phlebotomy at the hospital as it would make you feel better. If she refuses, ask her why as its the same hospital system just you choosing who does it. She has no reason to deny you that! (I say that as a former midwife)

Thanks, I will try this as there is one person in thy hospital phlebotomy who has taken my blood before and is very understanding.