how bad was the blood test for your lo?

luvmybaby28

I called the lab and they prick the arm and not the foot, they said they use a baby needle, but I am freaking out!  I know he needs it done, but I feel like his arm will be all over the place and he will be the saddest baby around

 

edit: i just called another location and they said they can do the heel stick - would that be better?

luvmagoldn

DS#3 has had it done twice now - once at seven months and again at two years.  He C-R-I-E-D...for a few seconds.  Then he was completely over it.    They used a small butterfly type needle.

DS#2 on the other hand was around three when he had his done.  He cried and was upset by it after the fact.  Every time he thought about it he welled up a little bit. He was ok the next day though. 

Good luck.  Finding out what you are dealing with is well worth it! 

g_belle

I think the heel stick is easier for non-walkers (not sure if it would hurt to walk on after).  My son has little veins though and they always seem to be faster when they can stick his heel.  I think the scratch test is far worse than the blood test- you have to keep an itchy kid from scratching for what feels like forever. 

Lil Kate

Depends on how much blood they need...heel stick might take forever to get enough blood.  DS cried but was fine with it and it was over super quick.  He had an IV a few weeks ago and cried but stopped very shortly after.  I worried myself crazy over having to take blood from his arm but it is not that bad.  Good luck

 

luvmybaby28

Thanks for the replies ladies, just got back and it did not go well!  Had to do it in the arm, but she said she lost the vein halfway through and he pulled his arm away and the needle got much deeper.  She said she wanted to do it again, but it was not possible, I hope they got enough blood.

carlinlp

I just wanted to say I'm sorry, it's really hard.  My kids know all the blood draw places in town since if I try to go back to the same one more than once they totally freak before we get out of the car....they know and remember at 3 and 5.  Better to do while younger! 

luvmagoldn

I'm sorry it didn't go well.  I forgot to say that our allergist sent us to a particular person at a particular lab b/c she trusted their ability to do draws on infants and toddlers.  When that person left after our first two draws, we were sent to the hospital lab since they have more experience with little ones.

If you have to do the draw again (I hope not!) maybe you can try that. 

 

ABColeslaw

I'm not sure how yours is going to be done.   Each set of ours has been awful.  They have me lay down on the bed with him and wrap my arms and legs around him.  Then they fish around to get the IV In.  And then they do like 10 vials.  He screams the whole time and it makes me feel awful. 

aniceucchik

Jacob was 9 months and we held him down...it only takes a second and it had to be done. Its going to hurt no matter where the needle goes...even if you do the foot, someone is going to have to hold him down so he doesnt kick the nurse in the face.

MaxandRuby

Blood draws for DS2 are awful for him and for me. He has CP and he stiffens up making it difficult to get blood and they generally just have a really hard time getting the blood. I abhor blood draws. Thankfully we have not had any in awhile but I will always make sure to ask if there are alternatives (like a finger or heel prick) for getting blood vs an actual draw.