scared of having blood tests done in pregnanacy

[leenabree]

Hi

I've recently found out I'm pregnant (only 5 weeks) but I am already panicking about blood tests. I hate anything medical, so going to get blood tests and waiting for the results cause me a lot of anxiety, panic and passing out! I know I will need to have the ultrasound scan but can I refuse some of the blood tests?

If anyone has refused their blood tests, please let me know.

I know testing for anemia is important, but can they not just to do a skin prick test for HB levels in patients who don't want the FBC done?

Thank you

Leena

user you are entitled to counselling before taking an HIV test. Except when you pregnant, this is standard (or at least to be a few years ago). They will talk you through the test, and what will happen if it is positive. You can access a test through the GUM clinics.

HIV is very treatable these days if it is caught early. And with the right interention it is almost guarenteed that they can prevent transmission to your baby. For these reasons I'd urge you to get tested if you think there is any chance you could have it.

op, like you, I am AWFUL at blood tests. Only one that can do them on me is my GP with a thin butterfly needle. Obviously when I got pregnant that all changed and I had to have someone else do them. At my booking in, I told the midwife how I felt about them and she made sure the phlebotomist went easy on me and let me sit for as long as possible after, etc. Luckily, I've had him since. Recommend you do the same as soon as you can so at least they know.

Hope that you've got some good tips off others here - - ironically I'm a nurse who hates having blood taken too. I have huggeee sympathy for everyone that ends up having blood taken and try to be as gentle as possible (butterfly needles are great).

In terms of FBC they'll check that in the screening bloods and you may not have to have any more until 28 weeks. The system most trusts use mean that you only need one injection and they take the vials one after the other using the same site. So don't worry they won't repeatedly jab!

Drink plenty and make sure your hands/arms are warm as it improves blood flow and helps to bring the veins to the surface so they don't have to prod around. Feel free to lie down and don't get up for a bit afterwards. Also, take a breath at the same time as the needle going in and let your mind go blank or focus on a point of the room by staring at it. It does help. And it takes hardly any time.

You can always say no. But the tests are important for both your health and your child. Good luck! If you do have a boots/asda that do bloods that you prefer, or a gp nurse you trust more most midwives/trusts will accept printed lab results from them.

The bloods that they'll offer you are
FBC - to check for anaemia and low platelet count
Blood Group and Antibody screen
Haemoglobinopathy screen - looking for variations in red blood cells such as sickle cell
Infectious disease screen - HIV, Helatitis, Syphilis

In most places the midwife will do these bloods (usually at your first appointment), and most use a system called vaccutainer (or something similar) where one needle is used (so only one jab) and the blood bottles needed are put onto that needle and removed as necessary.

They are important tests and wouldn't be offered if they weren't necessary or recommended to assess yours and baby's wellbeing.

Do take time to speak to the midwife before your appointment and let her know that you are concerned about having blood taken - not to worry you but the midwife will have limited time in that appointment, so if she knows that you're worried about bloods and can perhaps make a longer appointment slot for you to put you at ease and give you time to make sure that you're ready.

Also do look at doing some sort of CBT or hypnotherapy to help you with this - blood tests and needles are a small part of recommended care in pregnancy and you'll eventually need to support a little one with having things like this done.
Plus it must be bloody awful to be so worried about having things like this done that you're not going to enjoy your appointments.