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 ?

@Elieza Thank you so much for your advice. It sounds like you are doing really well. In the past I’ve had a banana to have straight after and try not to rush back to work. I really like the idea of a cold cloth.

Check out applied tension
It works to stop fainting with blood
Tests
Very effective when you have vasovagal syncope

@Abracad Thank you I’ll make sure I make sure everyone new that I see knows about it, my doctors are fully aware too.

I am 33 weeks and needle phobic. At the start of my pregnancy I struggled with the blood tests (i would faint and get sick). I told the nurse as soon as I went in and asked to lie down and not be told anything. I always had someone come with me to talk to me to take my mind off it.

I am having twins so i am high risk so I cant remember how many blood tests I have had now! I am much better with needles now and I can now sit up for them and request a fan on me as I do still get clammy after. I have also been for them by myself and the nurse has just chatted with me whilst they do it to distract me. I still cant look as they do it but what normal person would watch!

Today I have been prescribed blood thinning injections that I have to self inject at home! A big step for me but I have no choice. I wont be able to do it myself (the nurse wanted me to) but my husband or mum are going to do them.

I just have to keep reminding myself its for the babies.

@Halloweenbabyy I always book a double appointment so I don’t need to be rushed in to it. Is it possible to have pregnancy blood tests at the local surgery ?

@Schmoozer Thank you I often try this when I’m feeling faint, I usually clench my fists. Do you have vasovagal syncope episodes ?

@Wishing56 Aw congratulations . It sounds like you have came so far, going alone is a great achievement. I would definitely also have to get someone to inject me. You are doing so well.

No, but I’ve had training in it, and it’s very effective for ensuring you won’t faint !
Practice it daily, give the big muscles

• thighs bum, arms a good squeeze 😊

@Tolleshunt Thank you, I live in the North so will see who is in the area.

Good to hear that you’ve had training, lots of people aren’t aware of what it is. I will do .

@Wishing56 I was massively needlephobic when I was pregnant and ended up on blood thinners, too. It took two hours of hysterics and sobbing while on the phone with DH for me to do my first jab. I was convinced that I would never be able to do it myself but I did and it took less time each day for me to mentally fortify myself to do the deed. By the time I gave birth I was on two jabs a day and was giving myself injections with zero fuss. Thirteen years later and I'm still totally fine with needles. I still have to inject myself every couple of weeks for something else and that's fine too. Hopefully it will be the same for you!

I actually found the blood tests at the hospital so much easier than at the gp surgery. They see so many women and were lovely letting me lie down, fan on, bringing water etc. They even had a radio on to distract patients. I was terrified of needles before too but I ended up getting gestational diabetes and strange as it sounds it sorted it out for me! Having to do my bloods and inject insulin everyday for my baby's health it just became routine in the end. Obviously I hope you don't have that but it's amazing what you are capable of when you know it's what's best for your baby. Good luck with it all

Ask for some local anaesthetic cream. You can have some at home. Put it on liberally an hour before your midwifery appts incase they need to take blood and cover it with cling film. It’s what we do where I work and it works a treat. X

@Wishing56 That’s a really great achievement, hopefully I will end up less nervous about them too.

@piercedmyfootonaspike Thank you for the good luck. Nice to hear some positive from blood tests at the hospital. A radio is a good idea for keeping people occupied.

Is that the emla cream ?, I’ve gave that a go and not sure if it’s in my mind but it hurts a lot less with using it. That’s a good idea about putting on before appointments just incase.

Yes Emla cream. X

@piercedmyfootonaspike i agree the blood tests at hospital where better than the ones at GP surgery. In my hospital the antenatal clinic have two ladies that just take bloods so they do it all day everyday and know how to deal with us 'tricky' patients.

@1987Nic thank you. Hope these messages have reassured you that you will be fine and you can just enjoy the thought of getting pregnant x

I’ve just noticed the Trust Me I’m A Doctor episode I taped on bbc2 Wales on my Sky last night says it’s about phobias, amongst other things. How to cute on two hours. (I’ll believe it when I see it right enough).

May be worth watching on sky or in iplayer if you haven’t taped it?

I’ve not watched yet so don’t have a clue if it will be any good.

My DD is extremely needle phobic. We have tried desensitisation, hypnotherapy, medication.. nothing worked 🙈

With DGS1, she had no bloods done until she was in the throes of labour (still fought it though), and bloods taken then, showed that she is Rhesus negative, and DGS1 is Rhesus positive due to her needle phobia and no longer being in labour, she couldn't tolerate having an Anti D injection.

She's currently coming up 35 weeks with DGS2 and has finally managed to cope by going into the hospital and having gas & air. She still struggles, but the G&A just takes that edge off a bit, to get it done.

Thankfully, DGS2 is also Rh-

Maybe you could enquire about trying that?

Good luck

@Wishing56 I’ve definitely got positive views from hearing everyone’s experiences.

@Wishing56 Thank you again

@Elieza Thank you, I’ll see if I can get it on sky.

@Sushirolls Thanks for the advice I will see what help they can offer.