Early days...

11 replies

ejclementine · 27/04/2015 07:33

Hi, I've just found out I'm in the very early days of pregnancy (3weeks). I'm making a doctors appointment today but I just wondered how far gone you usually are when you have a blood test? Needle phobic here! I'm told pregnancy will cure my phobia lol - but really I just want to psyche myself up for it.

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applecore0317 · 27/04/2015 07:42

You don't usually have a blood test until your booking in appointment with your midwife which is usually 8 weeks plus.

You then have another if you choose to have screening for Downs Syndrome at your 12 week scan, then another lot of bloods at 28 weeks.

Other injections are Whooping Cough at around 28 weeks and flu jab in the winter. Then an Anti D injection if your blood type turns out to be Rhesus Negative. Hope that helps :) Congratulations

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ejclementine · 27/04/2015 08:14

Thank you, that's great. I'm much better if there aren't any surprises. Thank you, it's very surreal!

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changingagain · 27/04/2015 09:14

Where I am you don't have any bloods taken until the 12 week scan. The only other needle I've had so far (22 weeks) was the flu jab which I got at around at around 8 weeks but I don't know if they still do that in spring.

AllIWant85 · 27/04/2015 10:11

I am also needle phobic and I stressed over this a lot in my first pregnancy. I spoke to my midwife and explained my fears and we discussed ways to make it a bit easier. For example if my blood is taken with me lying down that's easier. If it's taken by the blood nurse at the surgery rather than the midwife that's easier, etc. She was more than happy to work with me on these.

As it happened I had bloods at 8 weeks and then nothing until labour. Whooping cough vaccine wasn't being given at that time (3 years ago) and I chose not to have bloods at 28 weeks for reasons other than the phobia.

heatherxo · 27/04/2015 10:24

I used to be terrified of needles, well I still am. But I got mines at 12 weeks mw booking appointment, then 28 weeks mw, then the day after that (just last Friday) and needing to go back to hospital to get bloods again tomorrow! (I have suspected dvt - hence all the extra tests) but seriously you get used to to it.
I always get them to tell me when the needle is about to go in, that always helps me..

Original poster

ejclementine · 27/04/2015 17:55

Thank you everyone for the helpful words. Nice to know I'm not alone!

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macmissy · 28/04/2015 21:35

I'm the same, you're not alone! I've been diagnosed with Antiphospholipid Syndrome which means that I need injections every day to through to 36 weeks. I've soon gotten used to it (although I still can't do them myself and can't imagine I will do) if you tell everyone your fear they're really lovely & will work through it with you. The last thing they want is to stress you out. Congratulations and good luck x

Ladypug · 28/04/2015 22:15

Another phobic here (blood phobia instead of needles) I can faint even discussing it its that bad! I was so worried about this. My blood test at booking in appointment was the first blood test where I didn't faint! Midwife was really understanding and I lay down. I've had booking in bloods and scan blood - both I was fine, better than I've ever been, not sure if it's cos I have someone else to think about now. Pregnancy has helped me with my phobia!

macmissy · 29/04/2015 07:01

ladypug that's my other half, he's got a fear of blood, me needles! What a pair, especially as I've got a blood abnormality! Haha x

Ladypug · 29/04/2015 18:00

Hehe it's comical really, look at it that way! x

macmissy · 29/04/2015 22:28

We have to! You couldn't script it! Haha

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