Blood tests - when and how much?

[lastnightiwenttomanderley]

Hi all,
30 years old, healthy and 8+2 with first. When I was a teenager I had some misguided medical tests which left me with a severe phobia of having blood taken.

Can anyone advise when you have blood taken and how much they take? (problem when I was a teen was that they pretty much bled me dry). Aware I'm going to need to get used to this so want to make.sure I'm not caught by surprise.

Hi there, I'm 17 weeks & only had one set of bloods done at 10 week booking appt. I cant remember if u get anymore further on. Xx

I haven't got my notes handy but I had blood taken at booking in, once more later on (30+weeks I think), and you can have extra taken if you need extra tests, for anaemia for example, or for additional screening.

If your midwife isn't confident or your not comfortable, you could have them done by the phlebotomists at your local hospital.

Be honest with your midwife. You won't be the first.

Congratulations on your pregnancy.

I had blood tests at booking in so about 8 weeks and then at 28 weeks. Was anaemic so had another one at 36 weeks to check on that

If you have a straightforward pregnancy then it should only be a small number of times. Obviously if anything else crops up then you may have more.

I have a extreme phobia of blood tests. I pass out almost everytime. So I do understand. People often dismiss it as nothing but I truly appreciate how awful it can be - so this comes from a place of total honesty I have managed and you will too. I have had a lot of blood tests this pregnancy due to various things and although not pleasant I have been okay.

The diabetes test was probably the worst. Hopefully you wont end up needing it.

Also tell your midwife how you feel. Mine was very good about it

I have a phobia of needles since a botched attempt at placing an iv line many years previous. Pass out sometimes at the mere thought of it!

Unfortunately due to light-headedness continuing well into 2nd trimester and a history of anaemia, I've had to have bloods taken every 2 weeks so far. Around 3 tubes each time.

I know in regular pregnancies if you would like Downs screening you'll need bloods taken, plus I think a couple more times later in pregnancy, so not usually many rounds.

But from my excessive experience, I would say my biggest top tip is to not let people on wards or outpatients take the blood, get them to send you to a phlebotomist in the blood tests department. They are absolute pro's and have hardly left a mark on me each time. Also very quick and don't say silly things to me beforehand like "ooo your veins are hard to find!"

Thanks everyone!

MW is coming to ours for the booking appt so at least if I do pass out (likely) I don't need to worry about going anywhere!

I had bloods taken at booking in (two small vials), then again at the 12 weeks scan (1 small vial) because I wanted to have the combined screening for Downs (this was with ds, with this pregnancy I had no bloods at 12 weeks but some at 15 weeks instead). I'm going to have a Glucose tolerance test too which is 1 vial taken in the morning than another after 2 hours (had this with ds too). I needed a synto drip so that was a canula and i had the injection to deliver the placenta. That was it for injections I think.

Diff people have different amounts I had 10 vials taken at 9 weeks. I read most people have 3/4

You should be fine let them know you're worried and they'll ease you into it.

I had four vials taken at 8 weeks at the booking in appointment, and two or three at my private Harmony test at 10 weeks. They only need to put the needle in once at each blood test and just clip on new vials, so if it's the needle bit you hate that might be reassuring. The midwife checked to see if I was OK with blood and needles before beginning, and I think if you aren't she'd be glad to do something to make it easier for you.

I had 3 tubes at my booking in appointments - testing for rubella etc

1 at 12 weeks for the Down syndrome test.

Then I'll have two for the glucose tolerance test one before and after.

4 tubes at booking appointment (8wks) & 1 today at 28wk appointment

I did it! 3 vials taken, no drama!
MW was amazing and worked out that it wasn't needles as such but a phobia about my inner arm being exposed. She said 'oh, well what about your hand?' Smaller needle and so much better for me!

Thanks to all of you for sharing experiences so I knew what to expect. Feeling very chuffed as this is a major breakthrough for me.

Great news!! Huge step and well done. :)