EMLA numbing cream for IVF needles

[RunningOnHope]

Hi,

Has anyone used, or heard of anyone else using, numbing cream like EMLA for any needle aspects of IVF?

I hate needles but will cope with the injections – I'm not so phobic that I won't do it. But blood tests are quite traumatic because I have such 'bad' veins; they always have to go in the back of my hand, and even then often fail a few times to get anything before it works. I get really anxious because I know that it will hurt for a sustained period of time.

Chatting about the egg collection with my a friend, I mentioned that the cannula for sedatives was the bit I am most nervous about. A nurse has already said I will be very difficult to cannulate! She suggested EMLA cream so that at least I don't feel the pain and it's one less thing to be anxious about. I don't know if this will be allowed though?

I will ask at my clinic when we get going with treatment properly, but just wondered if anyone knew of it being used!

@RunningOnHope

I also hate needles the only way I could have my stims done was by icing the area for at least 10 mins and OH injecting me.

For the cannula- I told them I was scared and that I pass out at blood tests and they used numbing cream on me. NHS too.

For blood tests I now tell them, I don't like it, my veins don't give blood and that a butterfly works best.

Hiya before IVF I was so scared of needles it stopped me from going to my fertility tests...yup that's how scared I was! Wake up call at 38 after nothing happening for 18 years...yes 18 years!!! I put my big girl pants on and realised this was the most important thing in my life and had my first blood draw....I cried before they had even touched me lol.

Now after 2 years of ivf I barely even flinch with blood draws. I didn't find the canula in the arm for the 3 egg collections i have had any different to a blood draw, I just look away when they put it in. A good nurse will make it super easy so make sure it is on your notes that they feedback it may be difficult and you are nervous so hopefully they send you someone experienced.

For injections I ice the area before and sometimes barely feel anything go in.

I have had "magic cream" when I went to A&E years ago, that's what the nurse called it after my panic attack lol but I didn't request it for IVF as the waiting for it to go numb caused more anxiety for me.

I was bad with blood draws up had to do fist pumps until one of the nurses asked me when I had last had a drink, turns out I was just dehydrated. Now I make sure i drink a litre an hour before bloods and I'm like a stream haha! I was always trying to keep an empty bladder for the scan that I didn't realise it affected the bloods.

Wishing you well on your journey xxx