Pregnancy without antenatal screening bloods?

[Sushirolls]

Morning, this is my first post and I'm just after some reassurance please x

My daughter is coming up 15 weeks in her first pregnancy, but is extremely needle phobic, so she's been unable to tolerate any bloods being done for screening.

We've tried desensitisation in the past with a nurse (long time before pregnancy), even with meds to try and relax her, but her fear takes over and she just cannot do it 😢

I'm very proud of her for trying to get past this for the sake of her baby, she got as far as having the tourniquet on, but then was in such a state that her mw said she wasn't going to push it and distress her further.

My daughter has had her 12 week scan which we were told was normal and all as it should be 🎉 and she is booked for another scan next week at coming up 16 weeks and for a consultation with a consultant. This is afaik, due to her medical history (history of epilepsy & hydrocephalus).

I'm just wondering if anyone else has been through pregnancy without the bloods being done and everything turned out ok, going purely on scans?

Thank you for any advice, sorry this is such a novel!! X

"Could she continue her sessions working on her phobia so that hopefully it's managed by the time of birth?"

Hopefully We will speak to the consultant about it next week & hopefully, we can try desensitisation again and/or hypnosis x

Definitely ask for an anesthetist appointment. I'm pregnant again and as soon as I told the consultant I would need a general anesthetic for a repeat section, the appointment was made for me.

One possible issue would be that my school friend with the same diagnosis was told she couldn't try for a normal birth and instead had to have elective sections because they didn't want her pushing. If the extensive surgery you talk about in your second post was to deal with the hydrocephalus (as was the case for my friend) they might say the same thing to your daughter and I would think a plan would definitely need making in that case.

I think it's worth asking about hypnosis and seeing if she can try the desensitization again.

Have they thought about what they'll do if she needs to be tested for gestational diabetes, cholestasis, or other pregnancy related conditions? They can have extremely serious consequences if not treated. Also what if she needs emergency surgery? She's likely to be prescribed a daily blood thinner injection for 2-6 weeks afterwards and not taking it can result in a fatal blood clot.

Dino, yes, she had brain surgery for her Hydro. AFAIK this appt next week is to do with all of that

Bella, yes it is a worry, that`s why we tried the desensitisation. It was a couple of years ago now though. We intend to discuss everything at this consultation next week.

In the past as a child, she would just be pinned down I think that is most likely where her phobia has come from x

Thanks again everyone