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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Anyone else have a phobia of blood tests?

18 replies

LowPainThreshold · 17/08/2018 21:50

Just booked my midwife's appt for the 4th September when I'll be 8 weeks and have been told I will be having a blood test.

It's 3 weeks away and I'm already freaking out about it. It's also just dawned on me that being pregnant basically means loads of blood tests.

What on earth do I do to stop my self passing out/ throwing up everywhere?

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Liverbird77 · 17/08/2018 22:42

They aren't as bad as you think and over really quickly. I got mine some by phlebotomy because the midwife knew I was prone to fainting and didn't feel confident. It was over before I knew it. Just tell yourself it's for the good of your baby

efeslight · 17/08/2018 22:51

I always tell the dr or nurse that i am prone to fainting and they let me lie down. I then ask them to talk to me to keep my mind off it. The best advice i got was from a nurse who said you always hold your breath, before you faint, you must breathe. So now i really focus on my breathing, deep and fairly slow. It has really helped

thisisnotmyname87 · 17/08/2018 22:55

I'm the exact same! I only had two blood tests throughout my pregnancy as I don't think they do them as much now. More urine samples. Make sure you've eaten something beforehand as the first time I went I was too nervous to eat but nearly fainted. The second time I was fine. They never hurt, just talk about the baby and it'll be over and done with before you know it good luck.

Original poster

LowPainThreshold · 17/08/2018 23:19

Ahh thanks everyone. I get hot all over and start feeling faint just thinking about it, I'm sure being pregnant isn't helping that either . I think I'll ask if I can have it done by the phlebotomist at my GP's as she did my last test years ago and was lovely when I nearly passed out on her.

In the mean time I think I'll look into some breathing exercises.

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NewMum800 · 18/08/2018 06:22

Hello, I am a nurse but working as a phlebotomist.
What is it that makes you nervous?
Theres no problem lying down, and you can ask them to use a fine needle if it helps, they are usually used for children so are thinner. You should talk through it to take your mind of it. It will take less than a minute! x

Purplestorm83 · 18/08/2018 07:13

I had some counselling for my needle phobia during my first pregnancy, it helped a lot. I also know people who have benefited from hypnosis - either way, find someone who specialises in phobias.

Original poster

LowPainThreshold · 18/08/2018 11:44

@newmum It's actually more a phobia of blood - I can barely have my blood pressure taken. I also have very deep veins and have had some awful experiences of being poked and prodded everywhere. I will ask about the thinner needle - thank you!

I will look into that as well @purple, thanks

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Sushirolls · 18/08/2018 17:19

My DD has an extreme phobia & hasn't yet managed to have any bloods taken (she's 37 weeks today).

She has been going to hypnotherapy for the last couple of weeks & although she couldn't quite do it at her last appt, the difference in her was fantastic. She got as far as having the tourniquet on & pumping her fist...doesn't sound much, but for her, this is an amazing achievement. We are still trying with the hypnosis & will continue to, until my DGS arrives.

Good luck xo

WoWsers16 · 18/08/2018 23:18

I cry and cry and start to shake, and then can not do it- then try and be brave then do it- then cry and apologise lots for being so pathetic lol! The worse was when they failed on the first attempt- I cried some more!

In the end they do it- but my gosh it is so strange how I get! So totally get the phobia!! Good luck! xx

MrsDrambuie · 19/08/2018 11:11

I hate people touching the inside of my elbow and I very much dislike needles. At the hospital recently I tried having blood taken from my hand instead of my elbow and while I can’t say it was “good” it was certainly more comfortable so that felt like progress! I would never refuse to have it done but it does make me squirm/shudder (less so with the hand, as it turns out).

Monopo1y · 19/08/2018 22:50

Hi am/was exactly like this. I'm currently 22 weeks pregnant and so have had 3 blood tests and one injection. After my first blood test I felt very faint and hot but the midwife was fab and really put my mind at ease. My next blood test was at the hospital and that midwife was very blunt and just told me I wouldn't faint. Strangely I didn't and from then thought 'I can do this!' I went to the last blood test alone and was fine again. I was a little funny after my injection at my last appointment but it's the ache after that I think gets me.

My advice would be to tell you midwife before they do them. I try to push the thought of having the next one to the back of my mind to stop myself worrying about it before hand. I've avoided injections since I was 14 because of my fear but just think we'll have beautiful babies at the end of it all!

sonlypuppyfat · 19/08/2018 22:54

I had a midwife have six stabs at me before she decided she wasn't being fair, she then got a Dr to take it from the back of my hand

Monopo1y · 19/08/2018 22:55

I'd also take a sugary drink/snack incase you do faint. I'm not sure if that's medically correct but I found it helped?!

Leatherboundanddown · 19/08/2018 22:59

Yes me. Even reading the title of your thread and scrolling through it had my heart banging and I'm sweating and feeling panicy.

My top tips are:

Take someone you like with you. Just having someone there helped me. I used to take my Dad, don't care if anyone found it pathetic, it helped.

Headphones. For me what used to make me pass out is the sound of it all being done, I never look at all. Before I go into the room I ask nurse to remove all the eqipment out of my view until I have turned away and am lying down. Listen to your music or audiobook and breathe deeply. If you can't hear their voice as person doing it to tap you very gently or something twice just before they do it so you can inhale.

Sometimes I sucked a sweet or mint for another thing to concentrate on.

You can also take a hanky/scarf with a nice calming smell on to sniff like a favourite perfume or lavendar oil.

When it is done (which will be very, very quickly it really will) get up slowly and steady.

Have a nice treat in your bag for afterwards or plan to go somewhere you enjoy for a short while if your schedule allows.

I really get it, I do. I have had so many other procedures and been through all sorts of crazy experiences but blood tests are my greatest fear.

Good luck and take care

welshmist · 19/08/2018 23:05

I was like this by third child I had conquered it pretty much still have to look away and talk rapidly to the nurse while she is doing it. Friend has to lie down during and after until her stomach settles otherwise she cannot cope.

When I was pregnant with my first, they took my blood pressure sky high all over the blood test. When I was sat outside a 6ft plus fireman went in ahead of me, there was a hell of a crash he had fainted. I was laughing so hard that I forgot about my fear.

welshmist · 19/08/2018 23:06

I remember now, I had a little mantra, "I`m doing this for you baby" that did help a bit as well.

MrsRubyMonday · 19/08/2018 23:19

I don't have a phobia of needles, but I'm terrible for getting blood out of due to deep, rolling veins, my nurse at my gps surgery winces when I walk in. 13 attempts is my record. What I find helps is making sure my hands and arms are warm, so fingerless gloves and long sleeves before a test if it's remotely chilly, and drinking plenty the day before and morning of so that I'm hydrated. I also have something to eat shortly before which stops me getting dizzy. Also, now that I've had so many tests, I know that they have to use a fine needle, and they won't get anything from my elbow, despite insisting there's a vein there. There's one above my wrist in line with my thumb which is usually easier so I try and direct them there. The good ones listen and are happy for the help, you know your body best. The stubborn ones like to try and prove they know better, so usually try the elbow, fail, and then get it where I told them to try.

If the pain is a serious concern, you can ask about numbing cream, some will allow it, some won't, but it's worth asking. Does mean you have to sit for a while in the waiting room for it to take effect though.

Original poster

LowPainThreshold · 20/08/2018 12:03

@Leatherboundanddown

I actually used to take my dad to ALL of my blood tests as well, even when I was mid twenties. He's great because he just chats away like nothings happening.

Headphones and lavender are two fab ideas that I will be 100% trying.

@MrsRubyMonday I nearly fainted just reading your post 😂 thank you though, I will ask them to look for an easier vein 🤮

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