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Original poster

blood tests .. Arghhhh! Emla cream?

30 replies

MissMartin10 · 04/07/2015 13:35

I'm a total total needle phobe.. i can't look at a needle without fainting. . even writing needle is making me feel funny! i have my booking appt on friday and really thought after being positive that i can do this but now all i feel is dread at the thought.. im not faint at the sight of blood its just knowing that it will be put in my skin so im thinking if i can buy some numbing cream and numb any area where she might stick the needle then if i lie down and look away and can't completely feel it going in it might be alot better had anyone every used emla cream? and does it work okay!? my only Other option is to be referred to a phlebotomist instead to be numbed.. please don't say it doesn't hurt or lookaway this has been my life long fear and ive never had to have one before... thanks Smile

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sparklesandfizz · 04/07/2015 14:07

Wow, you've got a shocker coming in 7 months!
In all seriousness I use emla/ ametop for work which involves taking blood from babies and young children. Seems to work for some and not others. You could take a bag of ice cubes or ask the to use a freeze numbing spray I'm not sure it's always available for adults though. Good luck! If you've never actually had one before I sure it won't be anywhere near as bad as you are anticipating.

mousmous · 04/07/2015 14:10

yes you can buy the cream at the chemist. apply before you go to the app and explain to the midwife your fear.
you will be fine :)

Penguinandminipenguin · 04/07/2015 14:14

I'm terribly needle phobic and out off my blood tests for weeks at the beginning. I used emla cream in the end and it's the only way I got through it tbh. I now have loads of tubes in my hospital bag in anticipation for labour!! I really do highly recommend it. Good luck :)

Original poster
MissMartin10 · 04/07/2015 14:24

haha sparkles I'm actually not scared of giving birth atall..YET! .. its just the thought of it piercing my skin.. ive just called boots and they don't have the emla cream but they have something else which they give for numbing for blood tests.. and its only £5.50
im glad it worked for you Grin it better work for me.. and i know its probably alot worse then im imagining it and it's worth it for the baby . . I've refused blood tests in the past for conditions that doctors think i may have because im so scared Confused

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Original poster
MissMartin10 · 04/07/2015 14:24

thankyouu all Grin

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skiingcat · 04/07/2015 14:27

I am also petrified of needles. My midwife was very understanding and used a butterfly needle which is smaller.

Purpleboa · 04/07/2015 14:29

I was the same as you, but can promise you that after that first test, it does get easier. Just as well as I had to undergo lots of blood tests because of protein concerns! It honestly became second nature to me and I'm now even planning to give blood in the future. Tell the midwife your fears, mine was very understanding.

Original poster
MissMartin10 · 04/07/2015 14:47

oh great that she could use a smaller needle! im going to ask! Smile ... i would love to get to a point where i feel comfortable to give blood as i believe the blood stocks are running low.. thanks Smile x

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Skiptonlass · 04/07/2015 15:53

The ideal is to get desensitised rather than be scared and try not to feel it. The best thing to do is talk to the midwife - if you're that phobic they can make sure you're reclining or lying down, be extra gentle, distract you, use a smaller needle etc. the small needles make a big difference!

Talk it through with her, then settle in and get comfy. Find something in the room to look at, concentrate on it and breathe through it. It's not painful, you'll feel a little pressure and then it's done. You can practise this by lying on the sofa and getting your partner to press your arm gently with a pencil or something like that.

It's also much easier to get blood out of someone well hydrated, so drink a pint of water with a bit of orange juice in it a while before you go. In this hot weather your veins should be easier as well! Take water and a snack for after in case you feel a bit wobbly.

wickedwitchofwaterloo · 04/07/2015 15:55

The Boots numbing cream is really good! I've used it for tattoo lasering and I couldn't feel a thing Smile

Original poster
MissMartin10 · 04/07/2015 16:01

skipton thanks so much for taking the time to write all that advice i really apreciate it... Smile
wicked oh good!! I'm going buying it tomorrow there was only one left so she has put it aside for me Grin

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ExConstance · 04/07/2015 16:03

When you are pregnant they seem to want to take your blood all the time. I have needle phobia very badly and just about managed one blood test with DS1 after that I refused any more and I refused all of them with DS2 - you don't have to agree. If you are certain of your Rubella and HIV status, know your bloodgroup and know you are not deficient in iron there is really not much reason to be poked and pierced.

LG1979 · 04/07/2015 16:04

I totally understand your fear! Been the same myself all my life and it's horrible! Unfortunately I haven't had the easiest times in the pregnancy for bloods and apparently my body doesn't want to give it up too easily, so sometimes it's taken more than once to get a sample!

Luckily I've managed to get through the bloods being taken by just looking away and making sure the midwife is aware of my fear, and they tend to be really understanding of it. I've used Emla cream in hospital many times and as long as you've had it on the area for no less than 45 mins to an hour then you won't feel a thing.

I've also had the freeze spray when Emla hasn't been available and it worked just as well. I plan on asking for one of these options when going in for the birth and having to get the canula/drip put into the back of my hand. Best of luck and I'm sure you'll be fine!xx

seaoflove · 04/07/2015 16:04

It does get easier the more blood test you have. I'd never had blood drawn before I got pregnant, and I was really scared. Two pregnancies later and it's nothing.

Original poster
MissMartin10 · 04/07/2015 17:09

ex - well i don't have hiv or rubella and im not deficient in iron but! i have no idea of my blood group and neither does my mum... Sad its really good you have had 2 healthy pregnancies with only 1 test... i said to my dp i can refuse but he was not very happy because he's a bit of a worrier.. lol Grin

lg- oh great im glad you can't feel a thing that's really reassuring! im sorry you've had a hard time with ur pregnancy, oh what a good idea for drip i hope everything goes well for you Smile

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Original poster
MissMartin10 · 04/07/2015 17:10

sea i hope its the same for me Haha!

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Goldiefawn · 04/07/2015 17:38

Another tip - make sure you drink lots of water before the test as this makes it easier for them to draw the blood. If you have a fear you don't want anything making it harder to get the blood! Good luck.

GentlyGentlyOhDear · 04/07/2015 18:43

I hated blood tests but have had to have them every two weeks this pregnancy due to being rhesus negative and having antibodies - grr! But I'm actually fine with them now since I have them so often! I don't find the needle a problem, it is the switching of vials I struggle with and having lots taken in one go.

I always make sure I've eaten before hand and have had loads of water.
I ask to lie down and I close my eyes and talk to the midwife and then I remain lying down for a while afterwards until I know I feel ok. I then have a drink of water.

I have also had to take my 3 year old with me to several appointments, which 'forced' me to be brave as I don't want her to be scared of them!

goodnessgraciousgouda · 04/07/2015 20:25

I am as bad as you are, and in all honestly, it's not that bad. It's certainly never as bad as it is in your head before you go in.

Make sure you see a phlebotomist, as they tend to be WAY better than nurses/doctors. Tell them you will most certainly faint, lie down on the chair, look the other way and just close your eyes.

You probably will faint at the first one, as it's usually a fasting test, and when you're already prone to passing out, that sort of confirms it.

Make sure you bring lots of water and some chocolate or something sweet to eat afterwards.

I wouldn't use creams or anything like that. It won't make that much of a difference.

sksk · 04/07/2015 20:27

Have you considered asking your GP about CBT regarding needle phobia? It can be quite effective.

Original poster
MissMartin10 · 05/07/2015 10:53

gently -aww poor you that's one of my worst fears for this pregnancy.. im glad your feeling better about it now Smile
gouda - i think im going to just let the midwife do it this time but use the smaller needle and if she dosent have one or if she does and i don't like it then ill ask to see the phlebotomist next time..and I'll drink alot of water the day before to prepare
sk - nope because i had stress and anxiety last year and they referred me for cbt and i never got a letter confirming when it would be like 5 months later and i couldn't be bothered to chase it up

Well thanks everyone you have have me aload of great tips... much appreciated Grin x

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sksk · 05/07/2015 21:57

There are online versions of cbt that can be a good start- honestly, ask your GP- I am sure there is an IAPT service that could help you. Best of luck!

cookielove · 05/07/2015 22:04

For my pregnancy they sent you to the phlebotomist for all blood tests. A Midwife has never taken my blood in pregnancy! When we had genetic tests done a Midwife (different hospital) tried to take my blood and failed so again it was down to a senior Midwife who also worked as a phlebotomist Grin

Original poster
MissMartin10 · 09/07/2015 15:16

i called the midwife and i am definitely having the blood test tomorrow..luckly i have veiny arms so it hopefully won't be hard getting the blood out.. feeling more positive about it as i know its all in my head! got my emla cream and ready to do this. .. arghhh Grin

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Ava50x · 09/07/2015 16:52

I find that the skill of the midwife will make a big difference whether it will hurt or not... My midwife is really gentle- she told me she used to be a geriatric nurse and had to take blood from old people with really bad veins so she's good at it.
Once she was away and I had another midwife. She pricked me before she had the actual vein and had to prick me again in my other arm. Both times really hurt- whereas with my regular one I barely feel anything at all.
So hopefully you'll be lucky and have someone nice and gentle!

I find that they're really nice, if you tell her you're needle phobic she'll try be gentle and make sure you're OK.

Good luck!