Needle phobia and pregnancy

[1987Nic]

Hi everyone, I’ve just started to try for my first baby. I’ve got a huge phobia of needles and also have a medical condition that can be triggered due to the sight of blood, this causes me to feel faint. As much as I can’t wait to fall pregnant, the fact that I’m going to have to face my phobia is really worrying me. Can anyone give any advice on they managed with a needle phobia during pregnancy ?

Let the person who is taking blood/giving injection know, ask to lie down. Distract yourself with your phone while they do it (watch a video of cute animals or listen to soothing music, in fact do this before you go in as well!).
I am always very kind and understanding with my trypanophobic (word of the week!) patients, and with the ones who aren't but think they are! I do my best to get the calm and settled and try to distract them. Very had anyone pass out or throw up yet.

Never had, not very!

Do you think you will struggle taking baby for their injections? If so, enlist a relative but make sure you send a note with written consent as it saves us a lot of hassle chasing you up when someone who isn't mum brings the baby!

I had a huge needle phobia too before I was pregnant and at the start it was difficult but I knew it was necessary so I just found the strength to get through it. I can't count how many blood tests etc I had in the end but I just got used to it. Sorry no help but having your first baby is the most amazing thing, you can do it

Thank you for your advice, the last time I had bloods done, I had the window open, fan on and lay down on the bed. Think I’m just extra worried that it would be in a hospital setting too and I’ve never had bloods done anywhere other than my doctors surgery. I’d be lucky to be your patient by the sounds of it .

Why not see a hypnotherapist? It is usually a very quick phobia to eliminate. I lost mine in one session! Didn’t think I could cope with pregnancy before I got rid of it.

The difference afterwards was amazing - glucose tolerance test - a cinch. Spinal for ELCS - no problem. Cannula for C section - wasn’t at all bothered, even though these freaked me out big time beforehand. Can’t recommend it highly enough!

I had a massive needle phobia. Used to burst into controllable tears at the sight of one. V embarrassing. Through first pregnancy I got more used to them, and as fine (ish) by the end.
You'll be fine x

Yes I will definitely struggle to take my baby for an injection, my boyfriend or Mam will need to take them. My mam is the total opposite to me and loves anything medical. I will make sure I send a note.

@Lsquiggles Thanks for the encouragement.

@Tolleshunt That sounds amazing, how did you go about seeing a hypnotherapist ? I’ve tried cbt therapy to help with the needle phobia but that didn’t help.

Thank you @MissingMySleep it sounds like you did really well.

Pregnancy itself isn’t so needle heavy, assuming you are low risk. Blood test at 8 weeks & one at 28 weeks. You’ll also be offered a flu jab if pregnant during flu season & the whooping cough vaccine to protect baby, not you. That’s all the needles you’ll see. You could technically refuse the flu jab, that’s to protect you but the whooping cough vaccine is super important to protect baby.

Great advice above re-blood tests and maybe ask for the same during the vaccines!

Do you get issues just watching jabs & bleeding? Or is it just you having them? Just thinking obviously your baby goes through several rounds of multiple vaccines & they do bleed a little! You could always send your OH with baby to do it I suppose!

I have a big fear of needles. Trying to conceive this year and have had to go for some blood tests which I didn't think I'd ever be okay with. I've had 4 so far and it really hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. My husband always comes with me and thinks of a subject to talk to me about before to distract me or saves some gossip to make me focus on that instead 😂

I really didn't ever think I would be as okay with needles as I have been.

I always tell the person taking blood that I have a phobia and they are always very understanding.

There was a huge thread about exactly this bumped yesterday by the OP with a really positive update that she had successfully overcome her phobia in order to have two children. I’ll try and find it for you.

Hi! I'm currently 28 weeks pregnant and a needlephobic (I had therapy 13 years ago for it but it never fully went away).

My midwife was already aware when I went for my first appointment as it was in my GP notes. She told me when to expect blood tests and instead of taking blood at the first appointment she said I could have my tests done at the hospital when I went for my scan so I only had to have one test instead of two.

I've since had my flu vaccine and I've got my whooping cough vaccine next week and another blood test. My midwife has been fantastic at reminding me which appointments will involve needles so that I know what to expect.

I also made sure when I went to the hospital I let them know, they were really nice about it and asked the head phlebotomist to do the test because she is super gentle. I also had a cream to put on to numb my arm before the blood test.

Things that help me: taking someone for support, laying down/sitting far back so I can't see what's happening, talking throughout to distract myself and focusing on the person who has come with me. When I was younger I had put headphones in and listened to music so that may be something to consider.

I also request that a plaster is put on the "wound" immediately as I find the sight of it a trigger (particularly if there's a bruise). I've been known to keep a plaster on for days haha.

Don't be afraid to mention it to your midwife as in my experience they are very understanding and will do everything to help you :)

Nic I saw a local guy who came recommended. You could have a google and see who operates in your area? I couldn’t believe how easy it was. Wish i’d done it years ago.

Here it is

@bol87 That doesn’t sound like too many, I could possibly be considered medium risk due to a few medical conditions. It’s the needle and the blood, I can’t watch anyone so will have to send my boyfriend with the baby and be ready to give cuddles straight after.

Firstly you don’t have to have any needles if you dont want.

No one can force you into medical treatment or tests without your consent. If they try to it is assault and you should report them to the police.

With regards to the specific needles during pregnancy you can assess them all separately to determine if your your individual circumstances they are something you want to do.

Eg the blood tests- do you actually want these tests done? Could the outcome have an impact on health/ future decisions?

Flu/ whooping cough- also weigh these up but don’t rely on info from random websites.

Other needles are:

Epidural/ spinal- think about your birth plan and whether you’d want these

General anaesthetic- very rare, OBs usually prefer the above

IV would also be used for both of the above and for an induction so consider in what circumstances you would consent to an induction given the pros/ cons

-pethadine - this is an intramuscular injection so no blood - consider this in your birth plan

• local anaesthetic for episiotomy/ stitches- if this is planned it’s probably the least of your worries!

There is no inevitability about needles during pregnancy esp if you are low risk but getting treatment for your phobia is still a good idea.

I’ve had to get over a blood phobia as I needed lots of regular blood tests. I totally understand how you feel and have developed a bunch of coping strategies!

My top tips are:

Go with someone who can take you home after if needs be and so you don’t have to drive with your arm after if the thought of bending it freaks you out (or perhaps that’s just me)

wear a thin shirt sleeved top for easy access.

Take a bottle of water for after in case you need a drink if your tummy’s a bit unsettled with nerves.

I’d ask to lie down for it and tell the nurse “I can’t hold a bit of cotton wool over the injection site after or take anything to do with this sorry as it freaks me out and I’ll faint so it’s over to you while I try and think about something else and pretend I’m not here, I’m so sorry!”

I’d also take a facecloth and prior I’d ask if I could run it under the cold tap so i could put it on my forehead. It really helped A LOT. The colder the better (take it in a resealable sandwich bag as it will be soaking wet on your way home)

Take a plaster. A very sticky good quality one, not cheap crap! Have it in your jeans pocket ready to whip out and give to her to put on. Just in case they don’t have any as you don’t want to see the puncture later on! Gross. Leave it on for 24 hours so you don’t see anything. It will fall off on the shower.

Id always lie for a while after and sit up for a couple of minutes before standing so I was confident I was ok.

I’ve gotten much better and now I can manage without the facecloth or drink and can hold the cotton wool. I can even take the plaster off the same day and don’t freak out about any of it at all. I haven’t sat up yet to do it but that can come in due course.

Treat yourself to something nice when you get home like biscuits or favourite tea or whatever so you associate a good memory with your visit. I know it sounds daft but the mind is a strange animal!

Facing your fears is hard but it’s a great sense of achievement when you succeed!

I’m in the same boat. I had to have a general for a c section because there was no way I could deal with an epidural. I’m also rhesus neg so had to have several anti-d injections. I think my key suggestion would be to make sure your notes are clear. What most people describe as a needle phobia really isn’t and I would explain to each new medic who would try to shush me and then be freaked out by me freaking out. So make sure it’s fully set out in your notes.

@Christmas456 well done sounds like you have done really well. I usually try to talk about holidays as that’s my favourite subject ha.

@EstebanTheMagnificent Thank you so much, very nice of you to send the link.

@Verily1 Thank you for your advice, very helpful to know what needles could possibly be involved in the birth.

If you need blood tests at your surgery please let them know in advanced so you can have a longer appointment.