Requesting bloods to be redone

[Summersunx]

Hi guys
Can I request my bloods to be retested anytime during my pregnancy I ask as i had a blood test don't last week private clinic for toxoplasmosis and I'm concerned about the way my bloods were taken etc and I'm worried about blood bourne illnesses etc I know they test for those already and was wondering can i request them again? Many thnaks

It's usually best to explain to the Dr what your symptoms / concerns are and let them determine what, if any bloods need doing.

Asking for help for health anxiety rather than endless tests might be better x

What is concerning you about the way the blood test was done?

As pp have suggested, I would have a conversation with your GP regarding any concerns you may be having and it will be up yo them to determine if you require bloods. It does sound like you may be experiencing some anxiety, which is completely normal, but best to speak to GP or midwife about this too.

Coming from a nursing point of view the way bloods are taken is irrelevant as long there’s a blood sample. It does sound more anxiety related

It was at a private clinic phlebotomy and she had done the sample and then basically she applied the fabric torniquet to the area I was surprised as I've never had this happen usually the patient will hold the cotton wool ball but I'm sure there was nothing underneath the torniquet so when she removed it she then placed the plaster on. My concerns are if she uses the torniquet in this way with other patients is there chance of blood bourne illnesses passing

Thanks for the reply no it was just strange how the torniquet was placed over the area I'd had blood from to apply pressure usually the patient does this and then it noticed it didn't have anything underneath it when she removed it to stick the plaster on I'm concerned incase it's been used this way with other patients

OP, if you're needing blood tests for blood tests, it's going to be a looooong pregnancy. Please talk to your midwife for support x

Agreed, it sounds like the nurse didn't follow standard practice and it's not great infection control. However the risk of you catching any blood borne diseases are extremely minimal- unless the tourniquet was visibly covered in someone else's blood then I really wouldn't be concerned.

It would be a good idea to talk through your concerns with your midwife- they will likely advise that you do not need further blood tests for blood borne disease but may be able to offer some support for anxiety as this can be exacerbated by hormones and persist during pregnancy and postnatally. Getting support with this now will hopefully give you strategies to put in place to manage it and enjoy your pregnancy and baby. Best wishes.

Sounds poor practice from the potential of introducing general bacteria into your vein, fabric tourniquets shouldn’t be used full stop, never mind pressing them on the puncture site. But you’re never going to catch an actual blood borne virus such as hiv this way, the virus doesn’t stay alive out of the body for more than seconds.