Blood phobia & working in healthcare

[BickBock]

I’d love to train to be a midwife, but I have quite a severe phobia of blood (and veins, and needles) and because of that am just generally very squeamish when it comes to injuries etc.

I know, in theory, it’s possible to overcome the phobia with CBT. But I’m not sure if I’d ever be able to feel ok enough to take blood or deal with a postpartum haemorrhage.

Has anyone ever overcome similar phobias to work in a healthcare setting? Am I being totally unrealistic?

It makes me sad to think I won’t be able to achieve my dream because of this.

Does seem to be a huge challenge.

Have you considered being a doula first, to see if you can manage the blood and needles during childbirth from a less hands-on angle?

No I hadn’t considered that, will look into doulaship (if that’s a word ). Would that provide a reliable income though, I suppose it’s not really “employment”?

Sorry I should have been clearer, I don't think you'll earn much being a doula full-time. However, with the correct training you can be a part-time doula and have a secondary income source.

Here's some information on doulas:

Doula UK
personal doula experience

I thought it might help you get some experience, and it might be better suited for you as a part-time vocation rather than being a midwife if you're affected by blood phobia.

That makes sense, thank you. I’ll take a look

Bump

Another bump

I think it's a no go tbh if blood is an issue.

Labour and delivery are pretty messy. What attracts you to midwifery?

Not sure if this will help at all but I have a terrible phobia of needles and I’m just about to finish my first year of mental health nursing at uni. I’ve given several depot injections now and it wasn’t half as bad as I thought it would be. I absolutely don’t enjoy doing it but I have to convince myself that it’s in the best interests of the service user that they have the injection. You will be supported throughout your training with this. I’d look into the cbt and what you’d need to do to be able to apply for a midwifery course.

Ownerofasmellydog that is helpful, thanks for sharing. Do you have to take blood at all? Were you upfront about the phobia with the uni before you started the course?

I’ve just been so inspired by my midwife and everyone I’ve met throughout my pregnancies and births. I’d love to be able to support women through their pregnancies and labour in the same way that I have been supported. I can’t really explain what it is that attracts me, but it’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do.

Giving a few depots to a MH patient is very different for being clinically responsible for labouring women.

If you don't feel able to be around blood or be useful in a medical emergency then I don't think healthcare is for you in all honesty.

PPH and blood loss is relatively common, cannulas fall out/need taking out all the time. What about tears and birth injuries? Would you be able to stitch tears? Could you change pads for women post epidural/section or would the blood put you off? Would you be ok with the placenta?

These are all things to think about.

I think it is unrealistic

I know a dermatologist who used to faint at the sight of blood. Her gp recommended wriggling her toes, she ended up getting a Saturday job at uni taking blood.

Does phobia therapy completely ‘cure’ phobias or does it just make them manageable in ‘normal’ situations? Is it realistic to expect to rid yourself of an extreme needle and blood phobia to such a point where you can be comfortable, clear headed and controlled in trauma situations where you are the lead? Not so sure.

I have emetophobja (phobia of vomiting) and wanted to work in healthcare - I got there in the end. It actually helped the phobia a bit. I still have it but no where near what I used to.

Yes we can take bloods but it is an extra course we can take in third year which I’ve not got to yet.
I realise it’s different with the phobia of blood etc, was just trying to be helpful and offer a perspective of someone who is needle phobic and has now been able to give injections to people..
I think what had helped me a lot is being exposed to injections and blood being taken in a clinical setting before I had to do them myself (I had been a support worker prior to beginning my nursing course).
You also have to have vaccinations and blood tests before you can start the course as well.

TwinsTrollsandHunz that’s what I’m worried about, I don’t know if it’s possible to be ‘cured’ even with all the CBT in the world. And to have a woman and her baby relying on me, and to not be able to cope if it all goes a bit wrong, would just be awful and unacceptable.

I think I’m going to have to accept that it’s probably not realistic and give up dreaming about it.

If its supporting women through pregnancy and birth maybe you could try other services such as pre-natal consultations or post-natal care (e.g. lactation consultant or sleep support). That way you're highly unlikely to have to deal with blood?

Beginning should read "If you're interested in supporting women..."

Had too much coffee this morning!

I think if you have a fear of blood midwifery is not for you. There is lots of it, plus other bodily fluids... A pph is a breeze in comparison to facilitating a forceps/ventouse assisted delivery or hearing the sound of the scissors for an episiotomy and not to mention suturing of the perineum/vagina...

And to list the scenarios where you’ll come into contact with blood.

• taking blood (venipuncture)
• giving blood transfusions
• labour itself can involve some blood loss
• PPH/APH
• postpartum blood loss. Checking women’s blood loss, changing pads when they’re bed bound after a cesarean ect
• assisted deliveries (forcepts/ventouse) often done in the room in emergency situations
• episiotomies
• the 3rd stage of labour and the placenta
• dealing with perineal/vaginal tears and suturing

I’m honestly not trying to put you off midwifery, however you’ll really struggle if you have a real phobia of blood, there’s just no getting away from it, it’s everywhere! However I’ve found through my training that dealing with blood is just part and parcel of the job, and I’m a bit meh now about it, but vomit and 💩 does make me feel a bit ill due to the smell, but I just get on with it quickly and quietly and try not to think about it.

Perhaps look into health visiting, lactation consultant or perinatal mental health which are more support roles.

Chick, to be a health visitor OP will need to first train as a registered nurse or midwife, so won’t be able to avoid blood.

Ah yes you do need to be a registered midwife or nurse, sorry OP.

Here is a link to roles in health, there may be something you’ve not considered such as occupational therapy

www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/compare-roles

Thank you everyone. I think you’re all right and it’s not going to be something I can do... this makes me feel really sad. I can look at other career options which are similar but less ‘involved’.

hearing the sound of the scissors for an episiotomy

Unfortunately I've already heard that sound for myself it’s horrible!!