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Children's health

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Original poster

Children's blood tests

15 replies

Blamenargles · 09/04/2014 21:05

Been to the Dr's with DS 3yrs and Iv got to take him to the hospital for blood tests doing.

To anyone that has took their dc how do they do it, please don't tell me it's the same way they take adults.
I don't mind injections I can sit and have/watch them all day but having blood I'm not good want to be prepared.

I also my ask someone to go with me so I can stay calm for DS.

Also any advice to make sure it's not too traumatic for DS is more than welcome

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LadyMaryLikesCake · 09/04/2014 21:11

They should put cream on the inside of his elbow to numb it and cover it with a large clear plaster (like cling film). After 45 mins they will wipe it off. It's probable that you'll be asked to cuddle him so that his arm is behind you (so he can't see), then someone will be distracting him. If you're unable to help one of the nurses will take over, it's no bother. You won't see it as his arm will be behind you. It's not the same as for adults, it's very bad practice for them to treat children the same way. It shouldn't be traumatic for him but it helps if you're calm.

skinnyamericano · 09/04/2014 21:17

Yes, they should put cream on to numb the area - we were given a prescription from the Doctor for the cream, which I then applied 30 mins before the appointment.

If being taken in the hospital, they should do that there for you.

My DC have had blood taken a few times with no problem at all - don't worry, I think you will be more stressed than your DS. Good luck, though.

IME, they like to watch - I don't, but children seem to find it fascinating!

LadyMaryLikesCake · 09/04/2014 21:22

Your GP should have directed you towards a children's outpatients/phlebotomy service, so don't go anywhere else.

Original poster

Blamenargles · 09/04/2014 21:23

Thank you, I know he will probably be fine just me worrying.

Can't stand having blood took at all.

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Original poster

Blamenargles · 09/04/2014 21:27

Lady the doctor didn't really say much about where to go apart from children's hospital, I rang up to find out which department and she told me it's all sign posted and Iv just got to turn up and wait.
Never had to take him to hospital so quite nervous even tho it's only for blood tests, god knows what I will be like when his actual appointment comes through

OP posts:

DianaTrent · 09/04/2014 21:31

If it's a children's hospital they will be all geared up for getting it right, try not to worry. They are likely to have child friendly decor for distraction and staff who are well practised at taking blood from children. Doing it as described with the child's arm behind so that neither you nor the child can see is a very good method. Good luck, hope it goes just fine and the results are good news.

LadyMaryLikesCake · 09/04/2014 21:33

It's OK. Sometimes it's easier to go with the flow but please do tell the nurses that you're anxious. Small children pick up on whether their mum/dad is upset or anxious and it makes things worse for them. You won't see the blood being taken if you do decide to go in with him. Lots of parents feel the same as you, it's not bad or a reflection on you. I remember ds needing an IV when he was a baby and it was so hard to stay calm and not cry while they were putting the cannula in. I later trained as a children's nurse and I've taken over when parents need it. There's no judging at all, they all understand.

Wolfiefan · 09/04/2014 21:34

My DS had lots of blood tests as a toddler. YY to cream. Take a huge picture book. Child on your lap. Open book so they can't see the arm blood is to be taken from! We also had squidgy things (like stress balls) for him to play with to help get veins up. Ensure child is hydrated as I believe this makes veins easier to find. One hospital had bubbles and little toy animals (squeeze them and tongue shot out!) Mummy and DS had a race to see who could burst most bubbles! He didn't even notice blood taking!!!!
Good luck.

Twighlightsparkle · 09/04/2014 21:37

They may not use the cream but an instant skin anaesthetic spray, which means they don't feel the needle.

They will guide you , but sit with your child on your lap side on, one arm goes around your back ( the child can't then see what's going on) cuddle them close and another nurse will distract, our host uses an iPad now for distraction

zipzap · 09/04/2014 21:41

With ds2 I found that he liked to watch and see what was happening rather than it happening without him seeing or being distracted.

I had taken my iphone with his favourite game open and at the ready (usually a real treat and would hold his attention completely!) plus a box of mini smarties to use as bribes and distraction but no - shunned the iphone in favour of watching the needle go in (and he needed a cannula fitted at the same time).

Once we reassured him that it wasn't going to carry on bleeding until all his blood came out and he would then die (he'd figured out that you need blood on the inside to live so watching it come out seemingly not stopping was suddenly a worry to him) he was much more interested in what was going on...

DS1 on the other hand was distractable with iphone and mini smarties (good because there are lots of little distracting treats and you can witter on about colours/numbers etc and pop them in without feeling like you are stuffing loads of choc into your dc!)

Original poster

Blamenargles · 10/04/2014 06:46

Zip think my phone is a good idea he's always trying to steal it.

Going to go early next week might take him out for the day after to stop me feeling so guilty for taking him and some chocolate, chocolate always makes me feel better when Iv had blood took

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SpottyTeacakes · 10/04/2014 06:49

When dd had hers they wouldn't use the numbing cream as she has slight eczema. They used a freeze spray and had her facing one way distracted my a toy (sat on my lap) and had her arm to one side. She didn't even notice them doing it

SpottyTeacakes · 10/04/2014 06:50

Oh and we went to children's outpatients rather than phlebotomy. Some of the GPs where I work will do children's bloods though.

nf1morethanjustlumpsandbumps · 10/04/2014 06:54

DS likes to see what is going on with full explanation always has the only one time he kicked off was when the nurse tried to hide it. We get them quite frequently and the promise of an outing to a coffee shop and a sticky bun after never fail us. Good luck its way worse on us than it is them.

paddyclampo · 10/04/2014 13:38

My DS has had bloods done a couple of times - once on the children's ward and once in paediatric outpatients. On both occasions they were brilliant and he was in no way traumatized by the experience.

Would second what Lumpsandbumps said about the promise of something nice afterwards, that works wonders!

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