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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Blood tests

15 replies

BIBIBOO · 26/04/2004 11:52

Can anyone tell me if it is necessary to give a blood sample or just recommended during pregnancy? I am terrified, I faint and the MW can't ever get blood out of me, which leaves me even more distressed and bruised.

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beansprout · 26/04/2004 12:52

Bibiboo, I don't know the official answer, but there are a number of things they need to test for, that can only be done by blood samples.

Could you have a chat with them and see if there are any options? You won't be alone in being needle-phobic and I'm sure they will have come across this before. Good luck.

twiglett · 26/04/2004 12:53

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BIBIBOO · 26/04/2004 13:56

Thanks for the advice - I know I really should have them, and I know the pain isn't that bad it's just the thought of blood coming out of my body when it really should stay in! I am such a baby.
My midwife is aware of how scared I am, having tried to get blood a few times already but just suggests we keep trying. I'll let you know how I get on.

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twiglett · 26/04/2004 13:57

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prufrock · 26/04/2004 18:12

BIBIBOO I used to be as scared as you - but then I got a pregnancy disease which necessitated weekly blood tests. My lovely midwife used the same needles on me as they use on newborn babies - much thinner so less of a scratch - can you ask yours if she has any of these?

highlander · 26/04/2004 19:31

Bibiboo, you poor thing

IMHO, nurses just aren't too good at taking blood, as they don't do it too often. The patient gets anxious, they get anxious - bit of a vicious circle.

I presume that you are always lying down to have blood drawn.

Ask to be referred to your local hospital to get a plebotomist to do it. A phlebotomist's job is to take blood, all day. They never miss a vein and are absolutely superb

Alternatively, if you have a friend who is a hospital doctor, they can do it. You just have to get the midwife to sign the forms and give you the tubes and needles. This is what I did, after 4 failed attempts in two arms - and I really don't mind have me veins poked about in!

The last alternative is to get referred to the ante-natal clinic for a doctor to draw blood after you've had some local anaesthetic cream dolloped on your arm. They do this for kids. However, it is a bit of a faff as the cream takes a while to numb the skin.

Remember, for your 20wk bloods, think ahead and maybe request that the 20wk scan and bloods are both done at hospital on the same day - less stress for you maybe?

Finally, don't let anyone let you feel that you are neurotic. Many people are what medics call 'vasovagal'. Basically, pain makes you faint. My DH, who is a doctor, suffers really badly from this and always has to be horizontal if a dentist or doctor approaches him with a needle!

Good luck. I hope you can get it sorted soon and get down to the more serious stuff like shopping for maternity clothes

littlerach · 26/04/2004 19:52

I was the same in my first pregnancy, as everytime they tried to take blood they couldn't so I ended up so uptight. In the past I had had the same problem at blood tests.
This time round was so different, I didn't even realise they had done it!! Relief!!!!! Basically, I think a lot depends on who takes the blood, and how good they are at it.

bunny2 · 26/04/2004 20:11

Bibiboo, I hate having blood tests but I seem to have rather alot of them. Nurses can never find a vein and stab around various sites before sending me off to the hospital path labs where the plebologists usually manage to get some blood quickly and painlessly. So... I go with Highlanders suggestion - get the experts in.

Cavy · 26/04/2004 20:55

This is my 3rd pregnancy and I'm not having any bloods done this time... Trying to read up on them, I decided they aren't necessary, just strongly recommended. Not having them because they make me feel awful (make morning sickness or anemia worse) and I don't feel anxious about the possible risks of not having them. When I said "No bloods", my midwife just said "Your choice!" I really like her.

BIBIBOO · 27/04/2004 11:47

Thursday is the big day - thanks for all your advice guys - I might ask the midwife if I can go to the hospital straight away - I was told this was an option before but didn't want to offend her by asking for someone else to do it...told you I was a baby!

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BIBIBOO · 27/04/2004 11:50

yes this is my first twiglett, can you tell?!?!

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BIBIBOO · 29/04/2004 12:23

I had the blood tests, didn't run away screaming from the needle, although I did faint! Had a different mw today who was a lot more reassuring and gentle and although it hurt, the pain was only a fraction of what I felt last time. My deep veins didn't pose a problem adn blood was taken successfully. Thanks to all who give me advice, I'm glad I was brave enough to go. Only once more now...

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twiglett · 29/04/2004 12:37

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Mum2Ela · 29/04/2004 12:43

Twiglett, this is my second pregnancy and I am as frightened as ever of needles! Its a nightmare, think about it for days beforehand, but the actual build-up in my head I think helps, because in my head it is always 100 times worse than it will ever be.

My second strategy is that when I go into the room to have my bood taken, I literally cover my eyes and look at nothing in the room, just sit straight down and put my arm out, still with hand over eyes. I think it helps me not to look at all those horrible little bottles or the stap thing, or anything else.

Whi;st I was in labour the doctor came in to put a drip in my arm, but he just grabbed my arm and was going to go for it, until I asked him what he was doing. I neede the gas and air whilst that was going in!

BIBIBOO · 29/04/2004 14:40

Twiglett - I think you might be right - many friends have told me that after childbirth, pain takes on a whole new meaning

I don't think I'll ever get over the stomach-churning thought of my blood being sucked out of my veins, and I may well always faint, but like Mum2Ela says, it's always worse in your head.

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