Advice on phobia

[Chab92]

I am basically looking for some advice or support I guess.
I am currently 13 weeks pregnant and was in for my first scan yesterday (including bloods and screening). I have been absolutely dreading this appointment since I received it in the post... I have a massive needle phobia!!!!!! I didn't see any of the scan as I was upset and anxious about the needles coming up. I then had a really horrible experience with the midwife who was to do the tests and she was incredibly unsympathetic regarding my phobia. I ended up not getting these tests as she basically didn't have the patience to allow me time to psych myself up for it... I really wanted to go through with the tests for sake of babys' health. I feel so disappointed and humiliated as I hate having this phobia but I cannot help my reactions. ( Have tried CBT. etc which has all been unsuccessful). Anyone have any experience with this phobia at all?

These tests won’t affect babies health it just tells you if there is a higher risk of baby already having certain syndromes. A lot of people now opt out of them and I am assuming they already looked on the scan for markers and didn’t flag any. So try not to worry about it. It might be worth looking into help with your phobia though as you may need needles in labour

I wouldn't worry too much, they only give you a likelihood that baby may have some health conditions but not everyone has them - I wasn't able to as they couldn't get the measurement at the back of the neck on the scan due to baby's position, so there was no point having the bloods done.

If you are set on having these done though because you'd like to know, could you phone up your midwife office and ask for the blood tests to be re-booked, explain the situation and perhaps you could then work towards a strategy to getting these done? It's a shame the nurse just didn't have more patience with you, they must see people with needle phobias often.

I've no idea if it will help you, but a colleague of mine had a needle phobia and during her pregnancy she would apply a numbing cream to the area prior to her appts so she wouldn't feel anything and then at the hospital or drs, she would always have to lie down to have these done, face away from what was happening and have her partner or Mum present too to help calm her, and afterwards she'd make sure she ate and drank something while still lying down to stop any fainting and only got up once she was ready x

Thanks guys. Unfortunately the woman I saw had literally no patience with the phobia and was very cruel with some of her words.. I know that many people don't understand what phobias entail but surely a little bit of compassion would be a natural thing in midwifery/nursing?? I left the appointment feeling really down and embarrassed by my phobia but its something I've had since 6 years old and have tried things to ease it but nothing has worked.
I can't actually have the numbing cream, unbelievably I am allergic to the stuff or id use doses and doses of it!!