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I'm afraid...of all the blood...
  • abarclay353
    Posts: 3Member
    Hi out there. So I just discovered a week ago that we're expecting. It's obviously really early. We won't be seeing a doctor for another four weeks. But I'm scared...and I'm not scared of the delivery or the shit I'm going to go through. I'm scared of all the blood tests I'm going to have to take. I faint every single time I have to get blood drawn so I always try to avoid those test as long as possible. I know this all a part of being pregnant, but does anyone out there have any coping mechanisms with getting their blood drawn? Nothing has me freaked out more. Thanks!
  • shate98shate98
    Posts: 2,834Member
    @abarclay353 I know how you feel! I faint all of the time when I see it but I got through.

    Drink lots of water. INSIST on them letting you lay down. You might have to wait longer to get into a room with a lounging chair, but it's worth it. Don't look. Tell them you faint- the techs are really nice and helpful if they know up front. And remember, it's for your little pumpkin. :)

    You'll be ok. And by the end of everything you'll be a pro. (maybe a passed out pro, but you'll get through it.) :)
    "As you wander through your life, whatever be your goal,
    keep your eye upon the doughnut, not upon the hole."
  • FoulMouthedSailorFoulMouthedSailor
    Posts: 1,900Member
    Is it the site of blood or the pain of the needle stick? I draw blood pretty often, and I have Marines that pass out and act like babies. If its thes blood look away, listen to music to calm down. Let the phlebotomist or doctor know your phobic ahead of time. If its the needle stick, they have transdermal patches that numb the area and you can't feel it.
    You show the lights that stop me turn to stone, You shine it when I'm alone. And so I tell myself that I'll be strong
    And dreaming when they're gone.
  • BellaBefanaBellaBefana
    Posts: 8,227Member
    @abarclay353:  unless you're considered high risk, there really won't be THAT much blood work...I was getting draws EVERY OTHER DAY for weeks and weeks (to check hormone, hcG levels post IVF), then more than usual because of the history of diabetes in my family, my age, and my hypothyroid.

    A young, healthy woman, doesn't go through too terribly many, all the initial screening early on for blood type, infectious diseases, etc., then usually only once for glucose tolerance.  Poor me, I had at least 3 glucose tolerance tests.

    Anyway, @shate98 is right:  tell the techs you're a wuss when it comes to needles, and they'll find someone who's really good.  Make sure you are well hydrated with water, even if you must be fasting.  That makes drawing the blood so much easier.  AND BREATHE through it...slow, deep, cleansing breaths when they start the draws.  Don't hold your breath!!! 

    You'll be just fine, hon!  Congrats!
    Bite me, cupcake!
  • BellaBefanaBellaBefana
    Posts: 8,227Member
    @FoulMouthedSailor:  yeah, when I was drawing blood, the guys were the worst for crumpling...guys with the most beautiful, blood draw veins you've ever seen would hit the deck as soon as I uncapped the needle!
    Bite me, cupcake!
  • TrEr02TrEr02
    Posts: 687Member
    I was like that with my first...tell them your fears and they will go easy on you. Look away..the wait is always more scarey than the actual blood test. When its over you will wonder why you were so scared ;)
    We got no food, no jobs...OUR PETS HEADS ARE FALLING OFF!!
  • abarclay353
    Posts: 3Member
    Thank you for all the encouragement and the tips! It's been something I've dealt with since I was little. And I'll definitely make sure to use the advice. 
  • TrEr02TrEr02
    Posts: 687Member
    I always told them to use a butterfly needle too cause its smaller..but it does take longer to get the blood out
    We got no food, no jobs...OUR PETS HEADS ARE FALLING OFF!!
  • BellaBefanaBellaBefana
    Posts: 8,227Member
    the risk with butterflies is that if they have to draw more than a couple tubes, you risk hemolyzing the specimen and needing to redraw.

    they use butterflies on me because I've so much blood drawn I have no veins left, but if it's a good phlebotomist, s/he can get my vein with a regular one and me not even feel it...
    Bite me, cupcake!
  • FoulMouthedSailorFoulMouthedSailor
    Posts: 1,900Member
    Yep a butterfly is a pain in the ass to draw with, you can't flush them with internal pressure like you can a standard gauge. I can usually get entry on the first stick, IV training got me over my fear of needles, being a pin cushion for two weeks.

    @BellaBefana it's sad when a 220 pound Recon Marine gos under from the sight of a needle, but walking through a mine field does nothing.
    You show the lights that stop me turn to stone, You shine it when I'm alone. And so I tell myself that I'll be strong
    And dreaming when they're gone.
  • lmallison
    Posts: 59Member
    I'm diabetic, and I have to have blood drawn a lot, so I find it helps to look away, take deep breaths, and focus on something else (usually the lame artwork on the walls). You may not feel the same, but I find that NOT thinking about it, and panicking, makes me notice it a lot less. The worst part is the initial prick of the needle, from then on, if it's a good tech, you barely notice.

    And bring juice for afterwards, so you don't feel light-headed, and sit in the waiting room to collect yourself.
  • BellaBefanaBellaBefana
    Posts: 8,227Member
    actually, I think it's funny to see "big, strong" guys whimp out at a little lab work! >:)
    Bite me, cupcake!
  • shadylaneshadylane
    Posts: 3,037Member
    i don't recall having to get blood taken more than once or twice
    ~slim shady~
  • notperfectnotperfect
    Posts: 743Member
    I have fainted from having blood work done twice. I now always tell them so that they know to lie me down (really do you think they want a fainter) I also make it a policy to never look at the needle and warn them as such. You will be ok just remind yourself why you are doing this and the reward to come in a few months
  • GritsGrits
    Posts: 3,757Member
    I know what you mean...LOOK AWAY!! LOL, but seriously, I really don't love it, but if I don't watch, it helps. And really, unless you're high risk (or fail the GD test twice) you don't have to have blood drawn more that a couple of times. Congrats mama-to-be!
    "I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles." ~Audrey Hepburn
  • momofdbbmomofdbb
    Posts: 9,093Member
    I hate needles too!! I can not look when they are giving me ( or my kids) shots. I had to have iv medicine for a staph infection and was in the hosital for four days. I had 10 different ivs put in. The medicine was so strong it was blowing out my veins!! I still hate needles. And I even managed to get a tattoo!
    The ladies gave good advise , get them to let you lay down , close your eyes and listen to music. You can do this !!
    " Wibbly wobbly timey wimey ......." The Doctor
    " I'm a leafe on the wind..watch how I soar ." Wash :((
    " Oh the wall had it comming.' Sherlock Holmes
    yea I am geek !!
  • lolafllolafl
    Posts: 217Member

    A cool compress on the back of the neck helps, too.  Good luck!

     

  • TorturedbyTWINSTorturedbyTWINS
    Posts: 1,166Member
    My trick (because I'm animal obsessed) is I ask the nurse or whomever is poking me about their pets.  Dogs, cats, a freaking lizard, I don't care!  Just talk about something ANYTHING else to get me through it.  The only thing I hate worse is IV's.  Tomorrow I get to go have blood drawn and I plan on picturing kittens and puppies. 
  • motherofdragonsmotherofdragons
    Posts: 57Member
    I had blood taken about every two weeks once I hit second trimester. They do it to check for pre eclampsia which is serious bizness let me tell you. My sister had it, almost seized in delivery. Anyway because of that they checked me often for it, I just told them I had a fear and took deep breaths, almost like hyperventilating and didn't look. I told them not to tell me when it was going to happen and before I knew it, it was over. Trust me, you'll get over it pretty quick. By the time I delivered I didn't even flinch and could watch the whole thing.
  • TheHeadacheslayer
    Posts: 2,752Member
    @abarclay353    You can ask your OBGYN about EMLA cream--it's a numbing cream, you apply it one hour before blood draws/shots/etc. Also you can cool the area down a bit so it's a little "numb". But if you have sensitive skin, do a patch test on the EMLA (it's a prescription). My son had a bad reaction to it due to his eczema. And maybe they can "group" the tests closer together so you have fewer needle sticks.

    I used to be awful about blood draws--and then I got a tattoo--now I'm fine! LOL

    Congrats on your baby to be :)
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