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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

bloods being taken during pregnancy

54 replies

HarrysMummy17 · 02/02/2016 16:04

Quick question.

My cousins is currently pregnant with 1st child.

She's petrified of needles and having bloods taken. She's fretting about bloods bring taken at her 28 week midwife appointment and wants to know if she can refuse.

Any thoughts?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 02/02/2016 18:29

The 28 week blood tests in my very normal second pregnancy showed I had antibodies. I was then scanned every 2 weeks to check for HDN, a life threatening condition potentially in the newborn. Knowing about this meant I was monitored and had a peadiatrician present at birth in case DD needed a blood transfusion.
I'd urge her to have the test. And also ask for referal for her phobia as others have said refusing things during birth could be dangerous

Original poster

HarrysMummy17 · 02/02/2016 18:31

I dread to think how she'll cope with birth to be honest! I've given her the book 'first time mum' as it was quite informative when I had ds1.

OP posts:

cheekstime · 02/02/2016 18:41

Hi TheCatsMeow. I've always had bloods sat up. Vit D - wonder if a new thing then push for it, on NHS website too and'll

cheekstime · 02/02/2016 18:41

typo: '...new thing they are pushing for..'

TheCatsMeow · 02/02/2016 18:43

It might be, I had mine 6 months ago and it was mentioned to take pregnancare but I was horribly sick so don't think anything id have taken would have stayed down

cheekstime · 02/02/2016 18:45

Thats true what AbbeyRoadCrossing has brought up. Worth her getting over the phobia now, if in high stressful situ in birth occurs it could be a nightmare. she'll save herself a lot a fear later on if she deals with it now. Goodluck

goodnightdarthvader1 · 02/02/2016 18:57

I have a needle phobia (often have panic attacks while they're drawing the blood) but I get on with it because I'm an adult. Also had to have way more blood tests than the average pregnant woman due to being in a pre-eclampsia clinical trial and having anemia. Sorry for the lack of sympathy but she needs to sort herself out sharpish. She could put herself and her baby at risk.

TheCatsMeow · 02/02/2016 19:46

Again guys it's not childish to have a phobia

StrawberryQuik · 02/02/2016 19:49

I think some people are being a bit unkind re: the vitamins making people sick.
I stopped taking pregnacare because they made me threw up immediately after and at the time I was dehydrated/losing weight/ had a uti - It would have hardly been good for the baby if I threw up an extra time a day. I took the tiny single folic acid tablets in the first trimester (most got thrown up), and now I take tiny single vitamin d tablets (that don't get thrown up, yay)

I think if she tells the midwife about her needle phobia they will be sympathetic and try to make things easier for her.

maybebabybee · 02/02/2016 19:54

Both my mw and consultant said vitamins were not an issue except for folic acid in first trimester. Unless your diet is lacking.

Mum had 4 of us without any vitamins so I'll take my chances. I don't like taking supplements just for the same of it.

Vitamins and bloods are a separate issue however.

goodnightdarthvader1 · 02/02/2016 19:57

It's not childish to have a phobia, no, Cats. But it is childish to let it get in the way of receiving vital or important medical attention. I can't control my fear but I can control my actions and reactions to my fear.

goodnightdarthvader1 · 02/02/2016 19:59

Also, OP, if I ask they usually let me lie down / have a fan on my face / have a drink of water / distract me while they're taking blood. Except for a few useless nurses / doctors in my lifetime, most have been very understanding and accommodating.

maybebabybee · 02/02/2016 20:03

I disagree that phlebotomists do a better job BTW. I've had my bloods done by phlebotomists every time during this pregnancy and it's always hurt and left me with a bruise. Having bloods taken is unpleasant. But necessary.

LadyLuck81 · 02/02/2016 20:07

A genuine phobia of needles has zero bearing on how she'll manage with delivery. A phobia is a phobia. If she has a natural delivery with a natural 3rd stage that's likely easier for her to cope with than facing an actual fear.

goodnightdarthvader1 · 02/02/2016 20:07

That's a shame, maybe. Usually mine have been good (a couple of notable bad ones though...)

HaveIGotAClue · 02/02/2016 20:08

As one doctor said to me (English wasn't his first language)....... 'Little prick now'... I couldn't stop laughing after.

I've been pricked and injected 100's of times. I find wiggling my toes (just toes) and squeezing my eyes tight helps with the 'little prick'.

goodnightdarthvader1 · 02/02/2016 20:09

Lady, I don't understand. If she has to have a EMCS, she'll need to be cannulated. It's not as simple as going "I'll have a natural delivery please, thanks".

HaveIGotAClue · 02/02/2016 20:11

I also look away. They usually say 'you'll feel a sharp scratch'. I squeeze eyes shut, wiggle toes and look away. I'm sure I look like a wuss, but I don't like 'little pricks'

HaveIGotAClue · 02/02/2016 20:21

I do understand phobias though, so, I'm not sure whether my advice would help remotely. I don't have a fear/phobia of needles. I just despise them.

I once nearly walloped a nurse on her fourth attempt at inserting a canula. I demanded someone more competent. * not my finest moment

I also roared in pain and gave the evils to a bitch/doctor who stabbed me between my bones in my hand in order to extract arterial blood. She told me 'that didn't hurt'. Very lucky to escape with her head in tact she was. It wasn't the needle that hurt, it was how I jerked as a result of the needle, which caused excruciating pain (I had a blood clot in my lung at the time).

LadyLuck81 · 02/02/2016 20:23

I just meant Darth that the patronising "scared of a needle better warn her about childbirth" type posts are wide of the mark. Just because she's scared of needles doesn't mean pushing out a baby would scare her.

How she copes if needles are required and things can't happen naturally is a sensible thing to cover with her healthcare professionals

TheCatsMeow · 02/02/2016 20:27

But it is childish to let it get in the way of receiving vital or important medical attention. I can't control my fear but I can control my actions and reactions to my fear.

It isn't, some people genuinely can't deal with it.

goodnightdarthvader1 · 02/02/2016 21:21

Then they need to get treatment. It's not just her life on the line now - how is she going to cope when her child needs a blood test? Collapse or run away? Refuse for her child to do it? Make a friend or relative take them? Very supportive.

CBT is all about controlling your reaction to your fear. So it can be done.

TheCatsMeow · 02/02/2016 21:34

It can be but it doesn't work for everyone. For some people the phobia applies to them. I used to have this phobia and it's awful, but I wasn't too bad with others having it done.

Puppymouse · 02/02/2016 21:38

Having to have multiple blood tests when pregnant actually helped me mostly get over a needle phobia. You have to have it done for the good of your baby and I know what I need to do to get through it now. I don't think anyone should refuse tests offered during pregnancy if possible

tappitytaptap · 02/02/2016 22:15

I had/have a needle phobia and found frequent pregnancy blood tests (I have low platelets that they monitor) a good way to face it and its definitely a lot better than it was now!

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