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Original poster

Need to have a blood test done on a day I have my toddlers with me - is it really wrong to take them?

26 replies

hattyyellow · 01/04/2008 15:01

Am I completely mad to contemplate it? Am trying to ttc and doctor has just ordered various tests including blood test on day 21 of my cycle.

That day I am going to the doctors anyway to have their innoculations done and see the health visitor and it would be a lot easier to book my blood test in as well.

Is it a bit scary for kids to see blood being taken? I could distract them with books etc but I don't want to scare them for life!

Any advice gratefully recieved - we don't have anyone else who could watch them for me.

OP posts:

nickytwotimes · 01/04/2008 15:02

I don't think it would scare them. They'd probably be quite fascinated.

LaidbackinEngland · 01/04/2008 15:06

Mine loved it. Weirdos

Mumcentreplus · 01/04/2008 15:10

Nothing to worry about..you have to be a brave mummy thats all..lol...they'll probably get the sticker instead of you like mine did..

NatalieJane · 01/04/2008 15:13

DS1 loved watching me have a blood test while I was pregnant, he was very interested, maybe too interested....!

Sidge · 01/04/2008 15:13

No, not scary at all. Most are fascinated.

Taking blood only takes a minute and as long as you don't become a screaming gibbering wreck they will be fine!

pedilia · 01/04/2008 15:14

Mine have all been fascinated as well, kept them all quiet for at least 5 minutes!

avenanap · 01/04/2008 15:19

I have to take my ds to the doctors with me (unless it's for girlie things or he's at school). He just sits in the corner with a book, I get the occasional 'are you going to give her some medicine to make her feel better then' quote but normally it's ok. I have taken him with me if I've needed a blood test, he watched the first time whilst telling me the nurse was going to miss and the needle was going to go right through my arm . Nice! The next time ha sat down and read his book. You can't help it sometimes.

MerlinsBeard · 01/04/2008 15:20

just a word of caution though.....they may try and "help"

ds2 tried to help at one of my later antenatal ones. He prob thought that as i had had so much blood taken that he oculd do it better lol!

becklespeckle · 01/04/2008 15:32

Not wrong to take them at all! I have always taken mine along as there was no-one to look after them, they have certainly never seemed to be affected by it.

DS2 had to have a blood test himself when he was 3.5 and not sure if it helped or not that he had seen me have one but he was not scared to have his done and was no trouble at all.

sparkleymummy · 01/04/2008 15:32

DS1 was nearly 2 and was fascinated by the process. He gave my arm a rub to make it better. I think it was good for him to see that it didn't hurt. Its no different from when they have vaccinations anyway.

sparklyfairypie · 01/04/2008 15:33

nope i think its fine to do that

OrmIrian · 01/04/2008 15:33

No of course it isn't. Sometimes it can't be helped.

SmugColditz · 01/04/2008 15:34

If you're not scared by it, and can react calmly, go for it.

I prefer my kids not to be in the same district when I have jabs, as my reaction scares the nurses, never mind the kids!

Oliveoil · 01/04/2008 15:35

mine we with me when I had my blood taken the other week

and it was good as when they had their MMR boosters I could say, mummy has had this done too

show them there isn't anything to fear from needles imo

Bluestocking · 01/04/2008 15:36

I think it's fine and they will probably be interested! My DS came with me when I went for some travel imms - he was fascinated, and pleased to get the stickers. It also meant that when we went for his MMR booster a couple of weeks later, he remembered (a) that mummy had been brave and not cried and (b) that he had got stickers.

Bluestocking · 01/04/2008 15:37

x-post, OO!

Oliveoil · 01/04/2008 15:38

great minds etc...

MaeWest · 01/04/2008 15:40

Blood test would be fine I think, although I did go for my smear test while DS (20 months) was safely at the childminders

Oliveoil · 01/04/2008 15:41

I have taken dd2 when I had a smear

placed in buggy, biscuit bribe, facing the wall

MaeWest · 01/04/2008 15:44

Given the way he tries to prise my knees apart when I'm sitting at the loo, I wasn't takiing the chance Olive

Original poster

hattyyellow · 01/04/2008 18:05

Cheers all, I really appreciate your thoughts and experiences. Have booked it in for that day - the receptionist I think thinks I'm barking mad - but I'd rather get it all done in one afternoon!

Glad to hear it helps with their reactions to having jabs - my blood test is before their innoculations so hopefully it will help them feel calmer as I'm okay with needles/jabs etc.

Thank you!

OP posts:

TheMadHouse · 01/04/2008 18:18

I just wanted to let you know that I have taken both my boys with me ehwn I have had blood taken and they have been intgreaged and know that it is nothing to be scared off.

It really helped when DS1 (3) had to have blood taken at the hospital 2 months ago. He was not scared and even told me it only hurt a little bit and that his blood was like ribena.

pooka · 01/04/2008 18:19

When I last had blood taken, was childfree for the day. Was talking to the nurse and she said that next time would be good to bring the children as the ones she has tested that have seen it being done as a routine thing, were less difficult to deal with

Original poster

hattyyellow · 02/04/2008 09:25

Many thanks all, you've really reassured me!

OP posts:

MummyDoIt · 02/04/2008 09:31

Mine have come with me to blood donor sessions and are just interested, not freaked out. DS2 (age nearly 4 at the time) came with me when DH had his Hickman line inserted for chemo and I had to be shown how to clean it. Again, he was fascinated. If you are matter-of-fact about these things, they take them in their stride.

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