Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Taking toddler for a blood test. Any tips?

10 replies

Angiel · 10/11/2003 15:51

I've got to take my 2 yo dd for a blood test tomorrow. Any tips on making it as easy as possible? The last one she had was pretty horrible and that was with local anaesthetic cream applied first, she won't be getting that this time. TIA.

OP posts:
Jimjams · 10/11/2003 15:58

When ds1 (4) had his blood test it was without anaesthetic as the nurse said he would be more distressed by the numbing sensation - and the longer wait (he's non-verbal autistic). In the end dh held him down, one nurse held his arm straight and another nurse got the line in and collected all the samples. It was pretty barbaric BUT a packet of choccy buttons later and it was all forgotton. Don't know if we'd get him back in the same room though :0

ThomCat · 10/11/2003 16:03

Oh no - poor you. Lottie has had SO many, more than 10 and sh'es only 22 months now so I can really sympathise. Why aren't you having the anaesthetic cream this time? The 1st time we had it done was without cream and they couldn't get the line in the vein and it was awful. However after a total of 3 people holding her down/still she was as good as gold and the tears stopped straight away. The only thing that helps in that situation is speed (as in for thing to happen quickly!) and hugs from mummy - good luck.

SueW · 10/11/2003 19:31

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request.

boyandgirl · 10/11/2003 20:10

If you're not getting the cream because of not having enough time for it to work at the place where the test will be done, you could apply it at home before you set off for the test. You can get it over the counter at the chemist.

Perhaps you could have something ready for her for immediately after, as a reward and to distract her.

Poor little lovey, she'll need a cuddleing.

Original poster
Angiel · 10/11/2003 20:59

She had the cream last time because it was done at the hospital, while she was having some other tests. This time it will be at the Doctor's surgery though.

I didn't realise you could buy Emla over the counter otherwise I would have tried to get some today. The appointment is first thing in the morning, so I won't have a chance to get any now.

The Doctor is actually doing the blood test and not the nurse. I don't feel that reassured by that though, I'm sure the nurses must have more experience than him. The Doctor is lovely though, I quite fancy him. No chance of eyeing him up though as dh is coming with me to hold dd down.

OP posts:
popsycal · 10/11/2003 21:01

do you have an asda or tesci near you with a pharmacy.
most open til 10

popsycal · 10/11/2003 21:01

that'd be a tesco

princesspeahead · 10/11/2003 22:12

oh dear, poor you. my ds has had a blood test every 3 - 4 months since birth (actually it used to be more frequent) - he is 3 now. We always use emla, but last time they couldn't find a vein where I'd put the emla and so did it in his hand with numbing spray instead. tbh I don't think it made any difference, he always screams blue murder anyway. as someone else says, the only thing is getting it done and dusted quickly. that means ensuring you have help to hold her arm straight and still, and also pile your dd into clothes and gloves beforehand and keep them on right until you get into the doc so she is nice and warm and therefore the veins are close to the surface and visible. that makes it 100% more likely that he'll actually manage to get the vein quickly and cleanly.
good luck, I have to go through this again in 10 days time!

linzoid · 11/11/2003 20:47

Hi Ang, I seem to have managed to distract my ds while having blood taken by producing something interesting to look at that he hasn't seen before. I also put a sweet in his mouth just as they are starting it. I read somewhere that sugar has an effect on pain???? I am taking him for a blood test next week at the hospital. Let me know how your little girl is getting on and good luck

Original poster
Angiel · 11/11/2003 20:51

We didn't have the test done today in the end. We got to the Doctors and he didn't have the right needles or bottles, apparently he has to go and pick them up from the hospital. He did give us a prescription for the Emla cream though, so when we go back on Friday, hopefully it won't be as traumatic.

Thanks for asking about dd Linzoid, she isn't too bad at the moment, we are having her levels rechecked now ready for her follow up appointment. Hopefully there will be some improvement. Hope your son is well. x

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread