come and talk to me about blood tests, injections...

[forgetmenots]

I've got my first midwife appointment next week. I'm phobic about having blood taken and I'm already nervous about it, anyone got any advice for dealing with this as I realise this is the first of many appointments?
(An indication of how many tests you've had through your pregnancy would be really helpful, too!)

I hate having my blood taken because I'm a bit difficult for it, if this is case for you also then you can help yourself out by making sure you are well hydrated when you go. Also, you might be better off asking to go to the phlebotomist (special blood test taker person) rather than have the midwife do it.

Otherwise, I just try to look away & distract myself by reading whatever signs are on wall etc.

I had quite a lot of blood tests so far (am 21 weeks) due to needing my anaemia monitored so I'm not sure how many you would normally expect but the good news is with all the increased blood flow from pregnancy every test you have will be quicker & easier than the last.

I'm only 27 weeks but so far I've only had blood taken once, I know i'll get it taken again at next appointment though. I'm low risk, no issues etc so I think that if the same is true for you then it really isn't done regularly. Testing urine and BP are much more frequent, hope that helps a little!

You normally have a blood test at your booking appt and again at 28 weeks. The booking one is a few different samples but only one needle.

The blood tests look at blood group, iron levels, infection screens for things like HIV, hepititis, etc. The 28 week one rechecks your iron level.

Depending on what test for Downs your hospital does you'd either have another blood test at your dating scan or at 16 weeks, if you wanted a Downs screening.

They're your basic tests, depending on how risk you are or become for other things during your pregnancy it may be recomended that you have further tests.

If you're one of the 15% of people who are Rhs neg blood group then you'd be advised to have an injection at 32 weeks, and also a blood test and possible further injection post delivery.

If you have any risk factors for diabetes a blood test would be advised at about 24 weeks.

I do sympathise, I used to be very phobic about needles and blood tests. I remember crying at midwife appts. I think it did actually help me get used to it, I'm a blood donor now so I must be better!

I have to go and see the phlebotomist every time I have my blood taken. It's a bit of a faff having to take a ticket like you're in a deli and waiting in hard chairs in a public waiting room (vs comfy chair in the midwife's office/maternity area) but I'd rather that than have a midwife who is very well trained at delivery babies but not necessarily taking vast quantities of blood fishing around in both arms for a vein making the crux of my arms look like I'm an addict!

I find blood tests are easier when I'm pregnant. My veins seem plumper and the blood comes out more easily. When I'm not pregnant they are stubborn!

I ask them to use the baby needles, as they are finer. The smaller needle makes it easier for me to try and block it out.

This is all really helpful, thanks - didn't know about the baby needles or the phlebotomist - or indeed about veins and hydration... Information is power :)

I can only remember having two. If everything's going well I do 't think you have any more, do you?

I had my booking appt last week with midwife and normally I'm a real struggle to get blood out of but she got it straight away. Maybe there is truth in it being easier when your pregnant, as normally I have to drink a pint of water before I go, but due to ms I brought it all back up before I went in!! Main thing is to not worry or stress about it, it's horrible and I hate it, but I'd rather know if something was wrong.

you are entiled to decline blood tests if you so wish.

they cant make you consent if you dont want to

though if you dont know your blood group it is a good idea to check you arnt -ve

i find phlebotomists far less painful than midwife.

you only have 2 bloods done routeinly, unles they have reason to do more

Hi there. Just wanted to add that I am terrible at blood tests and have had to have them the whole way through pregnancy but I think this is because I have a high risk pregnancy. My veins are particularly difficult and my midwife literally can't do my bloods so always send me to the phlebotomists who are AMAZING! It really is completely different from having anyone else doing your bloods. Also ask for a butterfly needle - they are smaller and much easier. Final piece of advice - I always ask to be in a chair that tilts backwards or even a bed. Then I just close my eyes and do some yoga breathing. I still wouldn't say I've ever got used to them, but once you get to trust certain people at your hospital (I have a certain phlebotomist who is amazing) it does become a lot easier. Good luck.

If you are that worried you cam get Emla cream from GP before, it is a cream to numb the skin before they take blood.

Ask them to use a butterfly needle, it is finer as previous poster said

Good luck

I always mention that I'm prone to fainting with needles, so I can lie down. I used to be phobic about it too, hence the fainting, but I've managed to stay conscious throughout bloods in 3 pregnancies now. My trick is to lie down and stroke my belly.

If u know your blood group and are quite sure u r usual healthy person (no risk of infectious diseases like HIV etc) then I would decline the test.

I declined all tests with DC2, not because I'm phobic but because I wanted minimal intervention and natural pregnancy.
I didn't have Downs etc test with either DCs.

I'm not having the down's test either Flo. But I don't know my blood group. It should be in my file from previous surgery...

This is all really great, good advice. Feel better equipped already.

Sorry, but please do not decline the group and save which puts your blood group on the hospitals system.

If you need a blood transfusion then they know what blood type to give you as oppose to using O neg which is very previous and should only be used in emergencies.

Use Emla cream, lie down, get the MW to use a butterfly needle or send you to phlebotomy.

You will be fine, we deal with people who are needle phobic on a regular basis.

Great to know TeaDr1nker, thank you

Sorry to hijack, but when do you hear about the results? I've had all clear for ds screening but nothing from my other blood tests? X

I was AWFULLY needle phobic. Then I fell and bust my knee up and needed am operation, or I couldn't walk/drive/work. The thought of the pre blood tests, canula, etc made me vomit. So I went for hypnotherapy and it made me cope. It was £200 and the best money I ever spent.
Fast forward a few years and we had to have IVF - self injecting every day! Oh my God! But I did it. And then they discovered I needed blood thinners EVERY day through pregnancy, self injected! In a former life it was my idea of darkest hell. But with the hypnotherapy I could cope.
I even had an epidural (that's a horse sized needle!) and just thought "I can do this" and now I also have Botox!!!
You CAN choose to overcome this. Good luck!

To be fair you can't see an epidural needle as it goes in your back. In my mind it was like a tiny hair. :o

See, this is the really weird thing - I'm used to injecting medication (but with a 'pen', so the needle isn't visible and it feels like a pricking sensation rather than the sliding into my vein and blood flowing that I associate with blood being taken...! Definitely just psychological but as others have mentioned it means my bp drops and it can be hard for them to get the blood. Hypnotherapy really helped my fear of flying so I'd be up for trying that.

Hypnotherapy helped me out too. I was shockingly needle-phobic. It stopped me travelling anywhere I'd need injections to visit etc - heck I even felt faint if I was driving behind a 'give blood' van.

It's not cheap & it took 3 sessions (I think - I later had a series of 'confident childbirth' sessions with her so they've merged a bit in my memory), but I'm so much better now. I don't think anyone actually enjoys blood tests, but as long as I look out of the window and get the nurse to chat brightly to me (and they all seem used to that) I'm fine, and I think that's well within the range of 'normal'. Oh, and who knew the flu jab was so painless??

I also hate blood tests and get myself very worked up in advance about them but a great piece of advice a nurse one told me (I'm quite petite and once had horrid experience of them struggling to get needle in) - is to drink LOTS of water beforehand, it really helps to make the process swifter - as makes it much easier for them and I promise that so far, just by looking away, it's been over in literally 20 seconds and not felt anything much at all. They say blood vessels bigger during pregnancy so it's easier for nurses...

I sympathise though as can't stand them and had to have extra tests for possible toxomaspolosis scare. Good luck!

definitely look away, no point in watching it goin in. Just have a nosey around the room but do not look at what they are doing!