Routine bloods, rant/hand holding

[chillisbopper]

This is going to seem so daft but I've a mw appointment in like 8 hours and I know they need to take bloods which I'm really nervous about

Usually I'm okay with it, I don't really like needles but I just get on with it...I have a tattoo so clearly I don't really hate needles or anything lol. It stings a little going in but once the needle is in place I can look at it and see the blood coming out I've no problem with that (DH does though ).

The problem is more about last time they took bloods...at my booking appointment (11+5) they had difficulty taking it and sent in a doc instead of mw, it came out really slowly but she managed it. Then we moved house, so I had to have a new booking appointment in the new area and they insisted on doing the bloods again (c.18wks)...it's this experience I'm working myself up about:

So I told the mw that they had previously had difficulty but she didn't seem to be bothered. The trainee mw was doing it, found a vein and had a go, the tiniest bit of blood came out and it was so slow they would have been there all day. So they sent for the phlebotomist (increased my vocabulary that day, apparently she specialised in taking blood lol). They sat saying if she couldn't do it they'd have to get the anaesthesiologist which did concern me a bit I won't lie. The phlebotomist tried the other arm that they hadn't tried and got no where, actually binning the tubes as so little was coming out. They had me lay on this bed and sat feeling around different places for a vein, asking if I've ever had blood taken from the back of my hand. Apparently the vein they found was really good but when they put the needle in it retracts or collapses or something I didn't quite listen by this point . In the end they managed to get half a tube from the usual spot on your arm (so the 3rd time they'd put a needle in me) and said that would have to do. There's now a note on my record saying it's "very hard" and that they should always use this smaller needle type apparently used on babies and small children so I have to go to the hospital not gps for it .

Oh and when getting the bit of blood they managed to get the phlebotomist had to keep pushing the needle in to keep it flowing so it was really uncomfortable .

The next appointment I had I saw the same mw (actually rarely happens up here) and she saw the bit on my notes about blood and said "I remember you!" And made out as if I made this big fuss which I actually really didn't so that just irritated me . And both arms were quite bruised for ages after .

So now at 13.40 I'm due back in and playing the whole thing back I just don't want to go, I'm usually okay with these things but I feel they just made the whole thing an ordeal last time . I really don't want the same mw again as I feel part of the problem was her attitude and I don't think she will help matters. Also I really really don't want it from the back of my hand, I just don't think I could manage that, I'm okay but I have my limits and that is it lol!

I'm also a worrier due to an anxiety disorder so I get worried when these things happen, why can't my blood just come out like normal people's does?! I start to wonder if it's because something is wrong with me

Oh and DH is really ill at the minute and can barely walk but he's insisting on coming with me because he knows I'm worried but I am also really worried about him trying to walk there and I just so want to cancel/reschedule ...I know I can't and I have to go and I'm sure I sound like such a wuss and should just get on with it but I just needed to get it off of my chest, with DH being unwell I don't want to whine to him. I just hope it goes better than last time...

I haven't slept all night because I'm scared about my whooping cough vaccine and my husband is in America so...I know how you feel.

Just don't think about it and remember the feeling scared part is the worst part. I'm terrible with having blood taken but it's gotten better during this pregnancy. NOTHING is wrong with you, I've had MW unable to take my blood and say that I have tiny veins etc and then others tell me I'm perfectly normal and there's no problem.

I'm the world's number one worrier and I promise you'll be ok!

If you really want to laugh just think that as if I wasn't scared enough about this vaccine. My tooth got infected - fine its being treated. I developed sciatica - again it's easing up. The icing on the cake was when my tummy button piercing that I haven't had any jewellery in for over a year, randomly got infected and was oozing pus. WHAT?!?? How does that even happen.

Good luck, let me know how it goes :)

Also when you're scared your body tries to protect itself and blood literally won't come out, so try to relax and please eat or have a sugary drink before hand.

I now have the vaccine at 10.10 and a doctor's appointment at 10.20 to swab my tummy button...yes I'm being serious lol.

This has become a much more common problem since vaccutainers were invented. The vaccuum is so strong that it can cause the vein to collapse.

If you have a chance to explain to whoever is taking the blood, they might use a butterfly needle and a syringe. This will be easier if you are lying down, well hydrated and warm.

Is it the midwife who will be taking it?

You would probably be better off with an older midwife or phlebotomist who remembers how to take blood the old fashioned way.

You can ask to go to the phlebotomy department at your local hospital.

HTH and good luck.

Try not to let them make you feel bad op. they see this thing all the time. im the same, terrible to get blood from!! my last app took 2 mws and a dr 5 attempts to get my blood. the dr even joked that she was glad she was leaving the hospital before my edd so she wouldn't have to deal with me again!! they are trained medical professionals and should be able to deal with this situation without it being a problem.
I've tried to give blood in the past but got told not to bother as even when they did find a vein it came out too slowly to collect. some of us just have lovely small deep veins!!
I hope today goes well for you!!

I know how you feel. I was absolutely fine with blood tests until my last pregnancy. It was not my normal midwife and when she came to take blood I showed her my usual vein (I'm not easy, but reliable) and she said "yes yes, I know where it is"... Except she didn't. Put in in the wrong place, pulled needle back and forward, side to side and I could feel myself getting hot, sweaty, dizzy and distant. I had to tell her to stop and then lie down for a couple of hours

But, when I did go to the hospital the maternity HCA was amazing. I hardly felt the needle go in, she always got blood first time and never left a mark. She was called Joy, and it suited her.

I am really nervous about it now though, and that's annoying. I have blood tests relatively often and I don't want to be stressing out about it. I will just make sure I always go to phlebotomy at the local hospital, and not let anyone who knows my body better than me after two minutes near me again!

I had this with a routine blood test a few years ago. Ever since I have dreaded my blood being taken. I've moved a couple of times so have had to change gp, and each time I dred the nurses attempt but thank god each time has been ok. I had my first routine bloods last week and I've got more this afternoon after my dating scan for the blood for the scan! Anyway, apparently the nurse who attempted to take blood from me had hit a valve, and was explaining in great detail how she could feel the valve against the needle and could I makes me want to vom just thinking about it now

They can never get blood out of me, I end up feeling like a pin cushion by the time they've finished. I also hate it when they wiggle the needle to try and get it flowing, it makes me feel sick .

The only advice I've been given is to make sure you're well hydrated before you go but TBH I think I drank about a pint of water before my appointment last time and it didn't seem to make a lot of difference!

I've got really tiny veins and have been turned down from giving blood for that reason

I'm 27 weeks pregnant and have just told the midwife each time that there's no point trying with a normal needle, they need a butterfly needle in the back of my hand to have any success. They generally just give me the forms and send me to the local blood clinic. I'm much more comfortable with that as the phlebotomists know what they are doing and generally get it right on the first try rather than giving me multiple bruises! I always tell them straight off that they'll need a butterfly needle. That way, less hassle and less stress.

You're not alone! You may just have to develop your own strategies for dealing with blood tests, especially when you're pregnant and they want bloods more often than usual. Hope it goes well, thinking of you!

I'm the same, my record is 8. drink absolutely loads in the hours before you go. or just ask them to take it out the back of your hand, I prefer this to multiple failed attempts. Good luck!

I'm the same. It can help to hold something in your hand.... They give me a urine sample bottle as apparently that's the perfect size!

Don't worry if you need an anaesthetist..... They are the masters with needles and will sort you out. Just make sure this is all on your notes. I needed a canula for fluids in labour and they just got an anaesthetist straight away.

He was amazing. Didn't feel a thing and he joked he loved patients like me as I gave him a chance to show just how skilled he is!

Luckily I'm not worried by needles. Just hate all the appointments taking so long!

I can totally empathise! I hate needles too and really need to psyche myself up for every blood/jab appointment.

I think someone has mentioned above already about asking them to use a butterfly needle. I have what a mw once referred to as "baby veins", so giving blood is really hard for me. They have to fiddle around a lot to find a vein, but when they use butterfly needles, they seem to be able to find a vein quicker and it doesn't hurt as much too.

I've had really bad experiences with needles, the worse when a doctor attempted to take blood from me using a 150ml massive syringe. I hyperventilated whilst she poked me down the arm up to my wrist trying to find a vein . Didn't help that it was for a hcg test as I was miscarrying too.

OP you have my sympathies! When I booked in the MW have 10 attempts, then the phlebotomist had two before using butterfly in back of hand. I am able to be quite calm from years of practice as have regular thyroid tests. (Injections are another matter!)

I have found it really depends on who is doing it and you can't predict ahead of time who will be able to do it.

I agree with other posters about being calm, hydrated and warm. I used to run to drs surgery and do star jumps in the waiting room (when a student, not pregnant!)

Good luck!

The anaesthetist will be the dogs bollocks at finding a vein (even better than the phlebotomist) so that is the only reason they will get them to try, so don't panic about that.
Now you're further along your blood volume will have increased so it should be easier this time. Also, I agree with the PP who said drink lots of water beforehand. This make a real difference in my experience and I have been sent away to rehydrate before when they have been trying to take bloods.

The vaccine wasn't at all painful :D I didn't even feel it. I did then faint, however, which was mortifying.

I always have the same problem and hate needles. I needed iron infusions in my last pregnancy and it took an anaesthetist 3 attempts to get the cannula in. It was awful. The next time I needed one for more iron it took 3 goes again and this was a different anaesthetist. I'm hit and miss with blood too, sometimes they get it first go and others 3 or 4 times with me getting more and more panicky as it goes on.

Where possible I go to the phlebotomy unit at the hospital. My veins hide when a needle comes out no matter how promising they look beforehand.

The only times I've had a successful stick first time not by a phlebotomist were (1) my consultant anaesthetist just before surgery and (2) my own highly trusted midwife on my own sofa in my own house after a cosy relaxing chat.

Routine bloods are important, unfortunately, otherwise I'd suggest you simply decline. There are some very dangerous conditions that can be picked up so you really do have to grin and bear it. Plan a very nice outing for afterwards, like cake and decaff at a very nice tea shop.

Thank you everybody I'm back now and much more relaxed now that it's over ...I'm so glad I'm not the only one that has this problem, I always feel like I must seem such a difficult patient because I get nervous about it.

I think who is doing it really does have such an effect of how it goes. Luckily I got a different mw today from last time and as soon as she saw the note saying it is difficult to do she just called a doctor through straight away. They were much more confident and matter of fact than the previous people I had....

the doctor didn't bother with the crease in my arm because the veins were apparently no good but she tried about half way down my left arm, (with a butterfly): absolutely nothing came out .

Then she just went to try from the back of my hand which I just said I really can't do...DH however was a huge traitor and while the mw and doctor were saying its better from the back of the hand as more likely to get the blood I said I really didn't want it and DH said to and totally didn't back me up even though I'd told him before hand how I felt about it, but I forgave him because he got me chocolate after lol . The left hand she got half a tube blood from but when she went to change the tube the blood just stopped at that point, sooo she went to the right hand. So 3 holes again but slightly nicer experience due to the attitudes in the room, although I did get quite anxious about the back of the hand but now that it's been done once I suppose next time they want to take it there it won't be as big a deal (hopefully!).

Chocolate helped though after . Now I'm just so exhausted but glad I only have one more routine blood to go, getting much closer to the big day now!!

Thank you for all the supportive comments they really helped, and I feel less stupid about being so bothered about it now . I could sleep for a week though lol but I best get on and cook dinner before I end up repeating the take away of last night !

Hope you're all doing well x

I am so sorry (and delighted) to find I am not alone it being totally crap at having blood taken. My mum was the same apparently she had to have it taken from the veins in her feet!

All I can advise is drink lots of water starting about 12 hours before to make sure you are properly hydrated.

I am very lucky now that we have a phlebotomist at our GPs who can find my veins, and always books me a double appt.