How to cope with needle phobia in pregnancy

[Jj93x]

I’ve got a rather large phobia of needles, I obviously know I’m going to be subjected to a lot of them over the next 9 months and just wanted to know if anyone found any good ways to deal with it?

I’ve got my first appointment Friday and the midwife said she would take my blood and I am absolutely terrified. Obviously it has to be done, but is there anything I can do to help the anxiety?

It isn’t the pain I’m scared of, more so the thought of something being either injected into me or blood drawn from me makes me feel faint and I have actually fainted the last few times I have had blood drawn which doesn’t help.

I know there probably isn’t much I can do, but any advice that would help even a tiny bit is an improvement!

Oh this was me wen i was pregnant on my first. Terrified of needles would vomit and faint anytime i had to get bloods etc done. So at my first midwife appt with my dd i got faint started vomiting etc veins collapsed she couldnt get blood! Midwife left the room and a senior midwife came in, gave me time to come round, as she went to take the blood she stopped and said ur tense and holding your breath start breathing deep breaths and turn your head away from me... so i did what she said...and she got the blood and i didnt vomit or faint. She said due to me being so tense and holding my breath the oxygen wasnt gettin into me and i was working myself up. Luckily i have been fine getting bloods by concentrating on my breathing and turning my head away (and also i always request to be lying down getting bloods not sitting). 20 years of b3ing terrified of needles to being cured in a few minutes thanks to that midwife!!
Funny when i went to my next appt and got my file there was needle phobia written in really big writing at front of file and highlighted!!!

I used to have panic attacks at blood tests but once I became pregnant I kind of talked myself into accepting that it's for the best for baby. If my DH was at the appointment he would distract me and make jokes to take my mind off of it, if not I would watch a video on my phone of something I enjoy (drifting, motorsport) so I couldn't see and had something else to focus on. It slowly got easier. Take sweets or a lucozade with you, eat before you go. I only had one bad experience during my pregnancy with blood tests and it was down to a MW who was awful at taking blood, I won't go into detail!! Good luck with your pregnancy x

The doctors and nurses will be used to people who are scared of needles, you will be in safe hands.

I used to close my eyes and do deep slow breathing. Now i find it better to wqtch them do it. I think its because it takes he surprise out of when to expect it.

I didn't think I'd be able to handle an epidural during birth of my first child but honestly I was so hopped up on painkillers and wanting to give birth I agreed to anything and everything. It was really not bad at all and was such a relief. Helps you can't see anything cos it's all going on behind you. I credit that with getting better with needles x

My DD is extremely needle phobic. We have tried all sorts, desensitisation, hypnotherapy, medication.. but unfortunately, nothing has worked.

She didn't have any bloods taken while expecting DGS1 until she was in full blown labour (she still fought it, even then). They discovered at this time, that DD is Rhes- and DGS1 is Rhes+ but as she was no longer in labour, she couldn't tolerate the Anti D injection.

DD is now coming up 36 weeks with DGS2 and during this pregnancy, has managed to get bloods done in the last couple months, by going to the hospital and being given gas and air. She still struggles, but it takes the edge off, enough for her to have it taken.

Could this be an option for you? X

I used to be really bad with needles. Now I don't find them so bad at all. After my first pregnancy I just got used to them that now I'm having my second I can just sit there and let them crack on with it. I don't like them but I've managed to stop myself panicking like I used to as I always found once they did it it really wasn't that bad. Couldn't even feel the epidural at all.

Im terrible with needles and I must admit I do struggle with having a blood test done if they’re taking more than one vile especially I need to lie down afterwards just so I don’t faint, but I have found it easier during pregnancy I think because I am thinking about what’s best for the baby and therefore more willing and able to be brave!

Tell your midwife! I also have this problem (i'm ok with injections but HATE having blood drawn). I got sent to phlebotomy rather than the midwifes doing it themselves. They did try but struggled and rather than keep prodding me with needles they sent me to people who are more experienced and do it all day everyday. Tell them too. They lie the bed flat, talk to you to distract you, obviously don't look and then lie there for as long as you need after until you're 100% ok to leave. Maybe take a bottle of water and a snack to eat if you think you might faint. You'll be fine :)