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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Blood test - bad experience

15 replies

Ktchang · 01/05/2010 12:40

Anyone had blood taken by someone who doesnt seem to know what they are doing? Had a routine ante-natal blood test a few weeks ago and the phlebotomist accidently scratched me on my arm with the needle before she put it in the right place. It totally freaked me out. I hate blood test normally but now I'm petrified - dreading my next one. Its not the first time I've had a bad experience - I have had nurses really brusied my arms and hand trying to find a vein.

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waitingforbedtime · 01/05/2010 12:43

I have this every time , usually end up getting blood taken out my wrist. Its not pleasant but its one of those things - imo its not necessarily because they dont know what theyre doing - some people's veins are just hard to find.

strawberrycake · 01/05/2010 14:10

I had a student do my first, missed completely which was't too bad, until the midwife surpervising her usd force to ram it in the right place with some force. It hurt quite a bit! The rest were fine until yesterdays, she just didn't care and made no effort to be gentle and left a large bruise.

Original poster

Ktchang · 01/05/2010 17:02

I just couldn't believe it when she scratched my arm with the needle. I mean not being able to find a vein is one thing but they really need to be careful when they have a needle in their hand. The whole experience has left me quite traumatised.

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SmilerJane · 02/05/2010 14:22

Ktchang

i know what u mean... Unfortunately i am needle phobic and i struggle very much to have bloods however i have no choice as i have hyperemesis and i'm anaemic n have to have more to make sure my fbc is back up n ok. Its not about us its about baby too.. i think thats why i can actually go n have em done (Maternal Instincts kicking in lol).. my old mw said i am not needle phobic which i was furious about and i now have an new understanding mw (other reasons too why i sacked her)

My veins are very clear but i have had nurses who are too rough n hurt me..
before you have your next one tell them your anxious and they should be more understanding n take a bit more care.. If they hurt you 'tell them'

strawberrycake OUCH Id of been in tears

minimuffy · 02/05/2010 14:44

I had hyperemesis and was so dehydrated they ended up having to get the anethesitist to finially get the venflon in, think that was attempt 10.

as a nurse i know how difficult it is to get veins. and it doesnt matter who takes bloods or how long theyve been doing it, people get bruises, its not a sign of bad practise.

obv, scratching your arm wouldnt help your anxieties, but bloods need taken and there is no other way of getting it out of you!

BelleDeChocolateFluffyBunny · 02/05/2010 14:51

I've had a few blood tests, the worst one I've ever had was a couple of years ago, I've never experienced pain as bad as this, she must have gone right through as my arm swelled up and was badly bruised for weeks afterwards (all of the inside of my elbow, about 4 inches above and 4 inches below). I was training as a nurse and my tutor (a qualified paeds nurse) was horrified. There are some really bad ones out there

Original poster

Ktchang · 02/05/2010 19:01

Thank you all for replying to my threads.I know when it is important to have blood test during pregnancy and I will continue to have them for the sake of my baby. I was just a bit freaked out when the woman scratched my arm with the needle and it started to bleed bit. I just thought how did you manage to that, you're suppose to be a professional.

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SmilerJane · 03/05/2010 09:06

I'm sure the next ones will go gr8 ktchang just tell em u anxious

i know what u mean tho if someone so careless then you think 'omg, do u know what your doin' which scares you more!

Good luck on any future tests hun

Dinkytinky · 03/05/2010 23:42

I'm usually fine with blood tests but carelessness upsets me too- I needed a tap in my arm (incase I needed a drip) and they tried to send me home with it still in- when I asked a receptionist if this was normal she was horrifed an the nurse that took it out said if I'd had gone home and fallen asleep with it in me and ripped it out I could have had a severe bleed! I was absolutly gobsmacked!!!
99% of the time I think you will have a good experience, I suppose phlebotomists are only human too!
All the best for the future tests though, am sure they will be fine x

Ozziegirly · 04/05/2010 00:09

I really don't like having blood taken (after a couple of horrid experiences).

Now, when i go into the room, I mention that I am fairly squeasmish about blood tests and also may come over faint, and this has actually meant that they always seem to be ultra careful. So worth mentioning it next time.

I just hate veins! Makes me shuddery just to think of the blood pumping out.

Strangely am fine with actual blood.

Poppet45 · 04/05/2010 14:47

I think there's something about pregnancy that makes a mess of your veins, I've never had too many problems before, but when I was expecting DS it took 8 attempts to get my booking bloods. Midwife was getting v stressed - as was I - and said if she couldn't get it she'd have to book me into hospital phlebotomist, but my work were being evil to me so I didn't want to take anymore time off and growled at her to get on with it. It worked
That said i pulled the canula out of my arm after having DS and didn't give a rat's, despite blood spraying every where. Labour and a PPH does wonders in terms of putting these things in perspective!

jwiggles · 04/05/2010 15:27

Oh god, I hate having to give blood, and I have very difficult to find veins!
Even though when I tell them, and that they will have to use a butterfly needle, they hunt around on both arms for about 20 mins, bruising me up in the process as the blood never flows, and usually scratch the inside of my arm with the needle in the process going in at different angles... give up and say 'oh i'll have to use a different needle' !! Arrrgh

I have my first blood tests tomorrow and im dreading it!

Good luck everyone else, I know exactly how you feel!

bloomingbex · 04/05/2010 16:56

My midwife dug around 4 times while trying to take my booking bloods. In the end she gave up and sent me to the hospital to get them done

I'm due to have more in a few weeks and can't say I'm looking forward to it!

Original poster

Ktchang · 05/05/2010 08:52

Its quite comforting to know that I'm not the only one who freaks out when it comes to having blood taken. I think I have one or two more before I give birth..eeek.
I usually look away when they put the needle in the arm but not I feel like I should watch what they are doing - just dont trust them anymore after the scratching incident!

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Mallona5005 · 15/02/2022 19:08

Went to get my bloods took and the nurse was shaking🤔😪😭 and struggling to get the needle out i felt a tear 😫when she pulled it out struggling to take the band off too like omg why no never again i wish i said something she clearly was a trainee but another nurse reassured me and got my flu and whopping vaccine so feel better

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