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Original poster

Refusing injection and social services

99 replies

Bakedpotatos · 19/12/2022 20:18

I've been told I have a very slight b12 deficiency and I'm 36 weeks pregnant. I had a blood test in mid November and no one told me this until a few days ago when my doctor called. They were also confused as to why I hadn't been told anything as my consultant was meant to have informed me of my test results.

I have a major trauma when it comes to injections (due to traumatic forceful injections during an abortion years ago) and the thought of it makes me sick. But blood tests I can absolutely deal with fine, so it must be a sensory thing, I just don't know.. It just makes me physically ill thinking about it. I know it's pathetic how I can easily push a baby out multiple times with no fear at all but injections are on another level. I have never had any injection in my life apart from the ones that were forced against my will unnecessary which ended up being investigated. I told my doctor about this and they said if I refuse the b12 injection they'd have to report me to the "appropriate authorities" which I assume is social services. They're planning on doing 3 this week, and I'm not prepared for it at all. I just feel my doctor has been really insensitive towards my feelings and fears of it. I understand how dangerous it is if I don't have them but where exactly do I stand in terms of bodily rights? Am I actually allowed to say no and would they report me to social services for this? And I've read it's done intermuscular, would I be able to request for it to be done so it's just inside the skin or does it have to be in the muscle? Sorry for the awful long rant, recently had my anxiety meds stopped and I have ASD so I don't like being kept in the unknown 😔

OP posts:

Bluelightbaby · 19/12/2022 20:22

If they’ve said it’ll be given IM it’s unlikely it’s can be given subcut (just under skin) as different drugs need different routes.

im sure they can’t force you, and no idea about SS involvement but could you have some therapy or counselling to help you deal with it ?

Original poster

Bakedpotatos · 19/12/2022 20:26

Bluelightbaby · 19/12/2022 20:22

If they’ve said it’ll be given IM it’s unlikely it’s can be given subcut (just under skin) as different drugs need different routes.

im sure they can’t force you, and no idea about SS involvement but could you have some therapy or counselling to help you deal with it ?

I'm on a waiting list for counselling but I've been on there for almost 2 years and still waiting

OP posts:

Leah5678 · 19/12/2022 20:27

B12 deficiency in pregnancy can lead to birth defects so If possible I'd mentally force yourself to do it if I were you. Are B12 pills not an option though?

Lj8893 · 19/12/2022 20:27

SS wouldn’t be interested.

Vimto1 · 19/12/2022 20:29

Would it help if you looked at the negative consequences of low vitamin B12 for you and the baby?

I'm sorry OP, it sounds scary. I imagine the SS thing is about you needing to put your baby first but I can't imagine anything bad would come from a referral where you have a phobia.

Useruser1 · 19/12/2022 20:29

A slight B12 deficiency and they're referring you to social services? Bonkers

I think you absolutely have the right to have any procedure not done, for your own reasons.

Good luck with the baby!

Wagsandclaws · 19/12/2022 20:31

Goodness me you are phobic due to a trauma there is no way that you should be this stressed about this.

Surely ultimately the decision is yours. Your baby is full term in less than two weeks so they could surely keep an eye on things?

I'm so sorry that you are so worried - I understand that you probably really need these injections but I still think that ultimately the decision should be yours.

Congratulations on your impending baby op, not long now.

BewareTheBeardedDragon · 19/12/2022 20:31

If you're 36 weeks is it not too late - how much difference will injections make at this stage? I have no idea btw, just wondering if it's worth asking doctors these questions.

AndyWarholsPiehole · 19/12/2022 20:31

I cannot imagine social services being intrested in you refusing a vitamin injection. I think I'd actually make a complaint about the doctor as it's a completely unreasonable threat.

XenoBitch · 19/12/2022 20:32

B12 deficient here too, and refusing injections. They are a big fat no.

From speaking to other people with B12 deficient, the jab you get at the Drs will be IM, but you can self inject at home and it will be just into the fat.. so shorter needle, less painful etc. But you will still need to see someone to get trained up on how to do that.

There are patches and sublingual tablets you can take if your body just plain refuses to absorb B12 from food/tablets, but your GP/nurse will be reluctant to explain them as they seem to be obsessed with needles.

Newusernameaug · 19/12/2022 20:32

Stand your ground, you’re so close to giving birth it would t make any difference.

Newusernameaug · 19/12/2022 20:33

Wouldn’t

Original poster

Bakedpotatos · 19/12/2022 20:33

Leah5678 · 19/12/2022 20:27

B12 deficiency in pregnancy can lead to birth defects so If possible I'd mentally force yourself to do it if I were you. Are B12 pills not an option though?

I know but I'm possibly due induction next week at 37 weeks, so I don't understand why they're mentioning it now 😫 It's just adding a huge amount of stress on top of the rest of it. I asked about tablets but they said no as they can take months to work

OP posts:

Theunamedcat · 19/12/2022 20:34

Surely it's tablets first? Maybe it's area dependent but my area they put you on tablets first if that doesn't work it's injection

How slight is slight? Will it effect the health of the baby or yourself? Maybe it's because your meds have been stopped they believe your putting yourself "at risk"? And by extension your baby?

TimmyMeatballs · 19/12/2022 20:34

Sorry you’re in this situation OP.

My first thoughts are - do you need any injection at all? Is it an option to take a high dose of vitamins orally instead? For most people oral vitamins work as well and as quickly as IM - unless you have a condition called pernicious anaemia that stops you absorbing oral B12. Did you and your doctor discuss this option?

No, you can’t be forced to have the treatment. It’s your body and you say what goes into it.

Yes they can refer to social services if they feel your decision means you may be neglecting your baby’s wellbeing. That doesn’t mean social services will take it very seriously, especially if you’re continuing to engage with health services and willing to accept an alternative treatment.

No it can’t be given as a subcut injection. It needs to go into the muscle.

I agree with a pp that it sounds like some therapy around injections would be worth looking into sometime. Who knows when you might really need one? What about vaccinations and things? It’s important to be able to tolerate medical treatment when you need it.

If your GP is adamant, you need to get in touch with the antenatal clinic for another opinion, I think.

skippingthroughthedaisies · 19/12/2022 20:36

I think the baby’s nervous system is formed by 12-14 weeks so not sure what defects can occur at 36 weeks.
Maybe ask them what the reason is for having the injections and ask for an alternative method of delivery

grapehyacinthisactuallyblue · 19/12/2022 20:36

You do know what B12 deficiency can do to you and your baby, but ok not to have it?
Isn't there any alternative?
My fil is a stubborn man. He has B12 deficiency. Now he has to have regular injection because he has done too much irreversible damage. Otherwise he can't have normal life. Are you ok with that to happen to your baby?

LemonSwan · 19/12/2022 20:41

I am no doctor, but your a week off birth if being induced at 37.

How can you get birth defects in a week?

I did a quick google and it’s saying neural tube which I thought was formed an age ago.

But I am no doctor! So please don’t listen to me on that. But it’s a question to ask IMO. What exactly are the defects?

Greybeardy · 19/12/2022 20:44

Am pretty sure something has got lost in translation - did they actually say social services? It’s naff all to do with them!
Out of interest, do you have an approach for managing if you end up needing injections around the time of delivery?

XenoBitch · 19/12/2022 20:45

grapehyacinthisactuallyblue · 19/12/2022 20:36

OP is so close to giving birth, that any B12 treatment that would be of benefit to baby would be too late now.

ThirtyThreeTrees · 19/12/2022 20:47

I don't know anything about the legalities/medical/SS side of things but I have had b12 injections and loads of blood taken.

If you have to get one, I would recommend asking for the really fine needles they use in most phlebotomy clinics as you will barely feel it (I wouldn't lie, there are other than are sorer). They can also give it to you in your arm or just above your bum so you can decide.

Flapjackquack · 19/12/2022 20:49

Is there more of a backstory here OP?

I have heard of women refusing pertussis vaccinations and anti-D injections with nothing more said so I can’t see how B12 injections would reach the threshold. I would however spend some time once baby is here and some time has passed to work on this fear.

grapehyacinthisactuallyblue · 19/12/2022 20:49

OP is so close to giving birth, that any B12 treatment that would be of benefit to baby would be too late now.

Yes, obviously. I just hope the baby is fine.

pjani · 19/12/2022 20:52

I’ve seen libraries now have DIY therapy books and I believe these can really help. I suspect CBT therapy might help and so you could try and do a very quick course to get you through this. That’s assuming this is potentially harmful to your baby.

MaryBennetsBook · 19/12/2022 20:56

They can’t force you to have an injection, you have to consent to any medical
treatment. Maybe call your midwife and explain the situation to them and see if they can help.

You should also let your midwife know you are struggling with your anxiety. You’ll be at a higher risk of PND/PNA so they’ll need to keep an eye on you.

Also consider whether having more children after this one is a sensible idea. Autism is genetic so it’s likely some or all of your children will also be autistic. Raising neurodiverse children is challenging, and it will be harder for you and them if you can’t give them the individual support and attention they need.

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