Anyone not had 28 week bloods? Needle phobic...

[paleandinteresting]

I'm currently 29+1. I had the standard blood test at 12 weeks to confirm my blood group, rhesus status etc. I had an appointment with the doctor today to have the routine 28 week blood test, but they couldn't order it for some reason so told me to speak to my midwife and get her to do it.

The problem is that I'm very needle phobic (have been for as long as I can remember although I have less of an issue with injections than I do with blood tests) and had been psyching myself up to have this test for the past week. When they said they couldn't do it today I spent the next 30 minutes sobbing as I can't face the anxiety of having to work myself up to doing it again. I'm not sure why I have such an issue as I don't find it painful and I try to be logical about it, but the fear is quite overwhelming and in the past I have fainted while having it done.

I phoned the midwife unit and the person I spoke to said if I really didn't want to, I didn't have to have another blood test as no-one can make me do anything I don't want to. I understand the benefits of having it (main one being blood counts I guess?), but I don't really want to put myself (or the baby) through the stress of it again.

Has anyone else not had the 28 week blood test?

Me!
I had all the recommend tests in 1st pregnancy & something at 11 wks in PG2, but not again, 2 more full-term pregnancies, too. I have had all sorts of bad reactions from blood tests & even blood donations in past.

Thing is, I made that decision I had to take responsibility for it. To accept any consequences. It was down to me to keep an eye on my likely iron levels (I think most people can go with how they feel in assessing that). Offhand, I don't think there's any point other than keeping an eye on iron levels. Am I wrong?

Hiya, couldn't not respond, am also needle phobic and did have to have blood at my 28 week appt (with numbing cream EMLA on - do you use? If not do!)

BUT didn't have to have any blood taken at 34 week appt (and you're usually due to) as iron was OK and MW thought not needed. So even if you do have to have it around 28 weeks, you may be able to skip the 34 week one - and then that's it! Apart from any needles in labour already scared about that one!

Thank you so much for responding! I feel like a wimp, but I really can't help the way I feel. When/if I do have them done again, I will definitely try the numbing cream, thank you for the suggestion! Also trying not to think about any needles in labour

Labour is such a special case, don't worry about that. You're so nervous & tired & it hurts (let's face it); it feels much easier to let them get on with things you'd normally find intolerable.

This is what I'm hoping!

I posted a similar thread about 6 weeks ago; also needlephobic, I had blood taken by the mw at my GP surgery but they weren't able to process it as they're in a different borough to the hospital I'm booked in at. They told me to go to the hospital and have more blod taken (oh joy!), so I was wondering how necessary it was, was it worth the extra trip etc. I was advised on here that it can be important as they test for certain antibodies that your body can start producing that can attack the baby. So I went (was about 29w+ by that point too).

I can also attest that in labour (with DD; I'm pg with DC2 now) I did. Not. Care about any needles. I had a cannula put in, which is probably one of the most awful things I can think of at any other time, but at that point? I was happy for them to do whatever they needed to do, in the context of everything else.

I'm sorry you had to have an extra blood test Earnest
I was told at this appointment they would just double-check my blood type and do a full blood count. The first blood test I did confirmed that I'm Rhesus positive - I wonder what other antibodies the body might produce that could be harmful to the baby.

I'm relieved to hear that during labour you just get on with it - the back of my hand feels funny just thinking about cannulas!

This was my thread. What they check for might vary depending on where you live, and the chances of anything unusual coming up are probably pretty slim, but I decided to go ahead with it anyway.

Thank you, that's very helpful!