Blood test procedure for kids

[cluccles]

DD has to go for a some blood tests tomorrow and I am dreading it. I haven't told her yet (she is 5) because I don't want her to worry overnight.

She had some when she was very young and I seem to remember some gel? (anaesthetic?) I also remember a lot of screaming :-(

Will it be as bad as or worse than an injection?

My DS (6) had blood taken last week. It was just the same as an adult. No gel. I told him very briefly before we went in that he would get a needle in his arm, but it was very important to be very still. (I didn't want to worry him either) He just sat on my knee, and I got him to look the other way before the nurse started and squeeze my hand with his other hand if it hurt. thankfully it wasn't too bad and he got a sticker and certificate for being so good!
It was over really quickly, so maybe it will be the same for your daughter. I just tried my best not to look panicked in case I worried him and pretended it was the most natural thing in the world!

Hope it goes ok

I make sure I stand on the opposite side from the arm being used, that way DD has to turn her head and look at me. I then talk to her about rubbish.

I also take time to explain how it is all going to work before we go (right from where we are going, how the waiting system works etc.) and reinforce that if she keeps her eyes on me she will be fine.

TBH I think it hurts less than an injection - but the key is for you, the parent, to be absolute calm and relaxed. Your DD will find that immensely reassuring.

Depends what sort of blood sample they want. DD2 has had loads of blood test, the majority are thumb prick ones where they shoot a sharp needle into the end off a thumb and 'milk' the blood into a vial. The other sort have required a canular so she's had the cream to numb the hand before the canular went in.

shit I feel sick at the thought of it. It's not that I am bothered at all about needles myself, but DD was so distraught when she had her MMR booster, and I was calm, I had stickers and everything. I'm just worried about her moving and the length of time it will take (it's not just a jab is it, they need to draw the blood). And I can't tell her they need to get some of her blood, that word will make her worse

katz I don't know but they are doing lots of tests so I just assumed it would be from a vein

My DD has had several small vials filled from thumb milking, the puncture bit seems to bother her but not so much the squeezing. A hello kitty plaster or afterwards seems to help!

thanks katz lets hope that's what they'll do.

Damn I forgot to get fun plasters

Ds had a blood test a couple of weeks ago. The gp gave me some magic cream and a plaster which i applied an hour before, on which ever arm i felt had the better vein.

The phlebotomit also had freezing spray though aswell.

Ds didn't even flinch.

fingers crossed it will be ok. she's having it done at the children's hospital so i'm assuming they'll have all they need to make it the least distressing for them

How did it go

whenn DD has blood test they put freezing gel on both arms and leave it for 20 minutes at least. They put it on both in case a vein can't be found in one arm.

I would ask for this tbh, it makes the whole procedure a lot more manageable.

And they do put a plaster on top of the gel.

poor baby it was awful. They put some freezing spray on her arm but either it didn't work or it still hurt because she really screamed twice (I was looking away but assume they had to stick the needle in twice). She was really upset beforehand too when I had to tell her what was happening. She said when we got there 'I don't want an injection' and I had to say that she'd have a little prick, and the tears came flooding out. the staff were lovely and she got to choose some stickers & they gave her a choice of toy at the end.
Now I'm just sick with worry waiting for the results

What are the blood tests for cluccles if you don't mind me asking?