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Original poster

Midwife appointment: blood sample taken by apprentice

44 replies

hyounhee · 16/02/2021 15:02

Hi all,

I'm 9 week pregnant with my first baby. My husband and I have been trying for sometime, so we're very excited.
Today I had my first midwife appointment. The appointment went very well until the blood sample collection. There was this girl in the room who seemed to be shadowing the work of midwife, I guess she's a student or something. Somehow, she attempted to collect my blood, needled in the wrong spot, caused a huge pain. It was a horrible minute long nightmare. During the minute, the midwife was instructing her that the needle needed to be moved to the side, etc. Hearing all of those, looking away, not really understanding what's really going on, sweating on my palms, was the longest one minute I had. I was screaming from the pain, at the end midwife said that the needle didn't go into the vein but to its side. She said to try again on the same arm, and I suggested to do it on the other arm because I was still in the pain to do it on it again...

At the end I was in tears a little bit, but we just ignored it and continued the meeting. I was really upset, was hoping to hear some explanation or a little bit of an apology but nothing happened. Now I am upset at myself for not having expressed anything, and to be honest, I now feel uncomfortable to continue with the same midwife without hearing any explanation. Has anyone had similar experience? Is it normal that the apprentice take your blood sample?

OP posts:

MyGoMargot · 16/02/2021 22:06

Sometimes the more junior the staff, the better they are at taking blood.

Seniors don’t tend to get involved in that sort of thing 🙄

ButtonMoonPie · 16/02/2021 22:17

I had a student midwife last pregnancy and I actually loved her! My midwife was quite stern and I didn't warm to her at all. But the student was caring, compassionate and took the time to explain everything to me.
Importantly though I was asked at the first appointment if I was comfortable with a student being present and always asked for consent before any blood test/examination

Eleoura · 16/02/2021 22:29

I've work in a medical field for 20+yrs. Originally as a student and later as a clinical trainer to students. The patient should be asked beforehand, out of ear shot of the student, if their presence is ok. Its unprofessional if the patient is asked in the presence of the student if its ok that they attend! It puts the patient on the spot for them to say yes and makes the student feel awkward.

In your situation, the midwife should have asked you before going into the room if having a student present and doing procedures was ok with you. Next best is to at least introduced to 'the girl' to you and who she is? Secondly the 'girl' should have asked permission to take your blood!

Did you not ask the girl 'sorry, who are you???'.

The lack of basic introductions of name and job role infuriates me when you are seeing a so called medical professional.

sandgrown · 16/02/2021 22:36

Goodness me you do seem a bit dramatic . You have a long way to go yet ! When you actually give birth you probably won’t bother if the England first 11 are in there as long as baby is delivered safely.

LittleMimi · 16/02/2021 22:40

It’s weird they didn’t introduce themselves and explain what was going to happen. I had a qualified midwife take my blood at my 12 week scan. Thankfully she’s not my regular midwife as my arms looked bruised like a junkie’s arms the next day. It was on the fourth attempt she got some blood.

Rainbowhunter89 · 17/02/2021 10:19

Honestly, that sounds like such an over reaction. Having had blood cancer and what feels like millions of blood tests over the years, even the 'best' trained staff can struggle at times. I'm not sure how you could end up screaming in pain? I've had needles in veins here there and everywhere being wiggled around trying to push them into the vein and it didn't result in screaming, just a lot of discomfort. They would stop at that point for sure!

Students have to learn somehow and it's disappointing that some people flat out refuse to let them come near. Even the best trained phlebotomist can struggle if your veins aren't playing ball that day.

Herja · 17/02/2021 10:28

They should have asked if a student was ok, but it sounds not so bad otherwise.

It's easy to insert a needle in me, but my veins colapse easily and my big veins are awkwardly wrapped around tendons so everyone but phlebotomists avoids them. I let students have one shot (they need to learn), but then someone else takes over. Every blood test I have had has come with missed veins, stabbed straight through, collapsed or huge bruising. It's not comfortable, but nor is it that painful really; I am confident that it's not deliberate!

Doing it all on the same arm is good sense (until a fair few goes), otherwise both your arms are aching later. At least this way you have one good arm.

HeyDW96 · 17/02/2021 13:05

I wouldn't dwell too much on one blood test..you will have to endure things a bit more painful than that soon

Bleepers · 17/02/2021 13:10

You probably just have difficult veins. I am always having people digging around in my arm to get blood - it's a bit painful but I sort of think you need to be brave about it because it's a hell of a lot less painful than labour...

Lovemylittlebear · 17/02/2021 13:21

Had a student do mine and she was fantastic / almost pain free compared to normal. Clearly explained who she was and my consent sought beforehand so all fine. I’ve been in a situation before with one of my miscarriages where a EPU nurse explained about my type of miscarriage, got a book out and explained what we should see at my gestation and what we were seeing instead... it was just so unbelievably inconsiderate to do that with me in the room. X

Lovemylittlebear · 17/02/2021 13:22

Sorry to a student - about me and in front of me but not to - just for instructional purposes sought if thing x

iluvpickles · 17/02/2021 13:37

They shld have asked. Although I recently had paramedics attend me at home and they said is it ok if she (the girl does this) although they didn't explain she was a student! I kinda guessed that anyway. She tried twice to get a canula in my hand with quite a thick needle was quite painful. She did say sorry though. The guy was talking her through it similar to you describe and saying she was just slightly wide of the vein. In sat there thinking just fucking get it in! In the end the more experienced guy took over and did it. Apparently my veins were being difficult. U shld have seen the bruise I had and 3 puncture marks!

I always seem to get the students. Was same in my first labour was student midwife and every time I was examined it was 2 examinations! I'm convinced that's how I caught an infection during labour. I had about 12 internals during 12hr labour. I tell u though the student was much more gentle!

I wouldn't make a fuss to get a new midwife but I'd be wary of her and see how it goes next time.

leftitlate37 · 17/02/2021 13:47

thats not good if they didnt ask you if you were happy for student to take it.As others have said, im usually happy for stuff like that as they have to learn somehow, but think you're well within your right given the experience to not agree next time! You know if they've got in the vein right as it doesnt hurt whereas if they miss it does - and generally dont want them digging around more to try and find it!!
If it makes u feel better, sometimes it is just really hard - i was freezing at my booking appt and midwife struggled and took 3 attempts to get any blood. She hit a nerve in my arm on 2nd attempt and had shooting pain down my arm into hand and 4 weeks on ive still got numbess and tingling in my thumb and finger which i've been assured will improve with time?! sometimes just get variable experiences! Ill do my best to be well hydrated and as warm as poss next time!! hope its not too sore today :)

SleepingStandingUp · 17/02/2021 13:50

Well if you're screaming in pain I don't think they should have carried on trying regardless, and you should have had the option of refusing to let the student try. Personally I'd complain

ConeHat · 17/02/2021 13:58

They have to learn somehow. However... it's ok if it's not on you as a ftm. Be assertive and so no to or stop when you need too.

I would politely say you had a bad experience with a student taking your blood next time and if you want refuse or complain about this experience. Theres nothing wrong with a light touch complaint that the midwife and student can grow from. I think she have stopped not dug about in you.

I have had 4 kids and I would be more confident to know what should and shouldn't hurt. Bloods dont have to hurt and it's not a bad thing that students learn that

Shaniac · 17/02/2021 14:05

I’m actually shocked at the amount off people who did not want a student or apprentice to help take their blood, it’s really not a big deal and they have to learn somehow.

It is a big deal to some people. Many people are phobic about having blood drawn and yes it can hurt and if done wrong can cause serious issues. (i trained in phlebotomy and am very conscious of serious but rare issues such as hitting nerves.). That aside sometimes people can have other issues with blood taken, me for example even though i am calm and not overly stressed blood tests always make my heart rate drop and i throw up. The op has said shes already nervous about blood tests and thats a big issue for her, telling her its no big deal and you are ok with them doesnt help.

Op she should have introduced herself and asked if it was ok for the student to be in the room and draw the blood. She didnt get concent and thats wrong. Best telling the midwife next time you dont want a student doing it and explain how unhappy you were with this appointment. Ignore anyone who trys to guilt trip you into accepting students.

wewillmeetagain · 17/02/2021 14:15

Sorry but you sound a bit hysterical OP! If you are screaming in pain from a blood test god help you when you give birth!

Tiredmum100 · 17/02/2021 14:56

I'm a nurse and I take blood. In our trust you do a study session then need to be observed 20 times to be signed off as competent. I would always ask a patient if I was with a trainee to ensure consent is gained. Sometimes blood can be difficult to get, especially if you've not drunk enough. I don't always get them first time, (mostly though) and I am good at getting blood from difficult to bleed people. So it wasn't necessarily that the student didn't know what they were doing. It's not always straightforward. However you should have been asked first and consented. If you look online you can find out how to make a complaint to your trust.

FudgeSundae · 17/02/2021 17:12

I’ve probably had around 30 blood tests/cannulas in my life, and my veins are terrible. Those who are saying it’s not a big deal - actually it is if you get someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing. I had a vein collapse in A&E when I had a ruptured appendix and didn’t know, and during my first pregnancy I had a very poorly placed cannula that turned my entire hand black and blue and took longer to heal than my 3rd degree episiotomy!

OP - as others have said, she should have asked your permission and explained she was a student. Then it depends how you feel whether you say yes or not.

Tips to make blood tests easier - drink a tonne of water, then before he test hang your arm down by your ankles and clench and unclench your hand. That encourages the blood to go there and the person taking the blood may be able to feel the vein better.

But it’s a proper skill and can be painless or complete agony.

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