Totally squeamish... Afraid to start trying, help

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annibes

You're pretty far ahead of yourself, but I was similar. At one point I was very afraid of the idea of pushing out a baby (who in my case happened to be 9 and a half lbs, ouch!), but once you're actually at that point you just kind of deal with it. Bloodwork= stick out your arm, tell the phlebotomist you're a wuss and look away. Needle in your spine = either deciding to go without the epidural or realizing once you're having those contractions that the relief will be worth the poke (my contractions were so intense that I didn't even feel the needle go in- I just 'magically' felt better). Take it one step at a time- there are plenty of things to worry about. Don't make yourself crazy looking for them!

DebateThis

If you don't want an epidural or IV, don't get them. Choose a care provider and a hospital that will be supportive of a low intervention pregnancy and delivery. If I am fortunate enough to conceive again, I will be seeing a midwifery group that does not routinely administer epidurals and I will do everything I can to prepare for a med-free delivery.

Education is the best way to combat fear for a variety of situations, and pregnancy and childbirth are no exceptions. Start reading some books and asking every question you can think of. GL.

stra0111

I was pretty much the same. I couldn't handle the thought of a needle in my hand, let alone my spine! My advice: just do it! If you know that yes you want a child. Go ahead with it. Because although u may be nervous as hell about bloodwork and all that stuff, once you're pregnant you don't have a lot of choice and you become ALL about your baby.It still bothers you a bit but just don't think about it! I even went through with an unplanned c-section. My husband told me he couldn't believe how brave I was,etc. But in n reality what else could I have done? Said "no nvm", and head back home. Not really...you just carry on and in the end you think "that wasn't so bad after all"

muskrat23

I'm also super squeamish. I am a big fainter when it comes to anything medical. In fact I sought therapy for it and am doing much better now. Before therapy, I would get dizzy even getting my blood pressure taken or even sitting in a waiting room. I was diagnosed with a phobia and did CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). After about 8 months, I was donating blood voluntarily. I still get dizzy/woozy, but I know that it's OK. I know I can ask to lie down and that feeling goes away. Now that I've conquered all that, I finally feel comfortable enough with the medical stuff to start TTC. That said, I do plan to use a midwife rather than an MD. I'm exploring the possibility of a birth center rather than a hospital because I do want a less medicalized birth. Good luck to you. Message me if you want to know more about therapy/techniques. 

easjer05

DebateThis:

If you don't want an epidural or IV, don't get them. Choose a care provider and a hospital that will be supportive of a low intervention pregnancy and delivery. If I am fortunate enough to conceive again, I will be seeing a midwifery group that does not routinely administer epidurals and I will do everything I can to prepare for a med-free delivery.

Education is the best way to combat fear for a variety of situations, and pregnancy and childbirth are no exceptions. Start reading some books and asking every question you can think of. GL.

There is sound advice here, but at the same time, it is impossible to say how things will go - I had to be induced for pre-e, and that meant being tied to an IV and monitors that I might otherwise have avoided.  I didn't even get to pitocin, but had fluids and mag sulfate going via IV (and later drugs and epi - and honestly, the epi was no big deal, but I was pretty out of it).

So it's worth keeping in mind that bloodwork is rarely optional and IVs may or may not be.  Honestly, OP, that is so cart before the horse - worrying about that now is only making you anxious.  

magdalina.h

I was the same way. Honestly, once I was pg, it didn't bother me anymore.

babyfoxy

I absolutely understand how you feel. I was afraid of the idea of getting pregnant for those reasons as well! A couple of years ago though, I was diagnosed with thryoid cancer and had to learn how to get over that fear, and fast! Up to that point, I had never even had a blood test done for cholestoral because I would get so anxious. The first time I went in for blood work, I was a wreck and could barely sleep that night, but once I went in - they were done so fast, and I barely felt it. The IV for the surgery was different because I have very difficult veins to penetrate. (I felt so bad for the poor nurse, took her 4 tries...)

A few tips that I've learned that help - I request to get my blood drawn from the lab instead of at my doctor's office. There's even a note in my chart, they just write me up a slip when I leave, or send me one in anticipation of an upcoming appointment. (It may seem to be more inconvenient, but for me, it gives me time to "prepare" and all of the phlebotomists are so great there.) I also drink a LOT of water leading up to the draw. The more hydrated you are, the faster they can find a vein and the faster it will be over with. Also, I know this sounds hard, but you have to try to relax while they're working on you. It's a lot more difficult for them to do their job and finish quickly if your body is all tensed up.

It's still not the most pleasant experience now for me, but when I have to go in for my regular bloodwork now every couple of months, I'm not nearly as nervous or scared about it anymore. Especially down the road, if I know I'm going through it for our future baby, it will absolutely be worth it.

Best of luck to you! 

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MajorBaggage

easjer05:

DebateThis:

If you don't want an epidural or IV, don't get them. Choose a care provider and a hospital that will be supportive of a low intervention pregnancy and delivery. If I am fortunate enough to conceive again, I will be seeing a midwifery group that does not routinely administer epidurals and I will do everything I can to prepare for a med-free delivery.

Education is the best way to combat fear for a variety of situations, and pregnancy and childbirth are no exceptions. Start reading some books and asking every question you can think of. GL.

There is sound advice here, but at the same time, it is impossible to say how things will go - I had to be induced for pre-e, and that meant being tied to an IV and monitors that I might otherwise have avoided.  I didn't even get to pitocin, but had fluids and mag sulfate going via IV (and later drugs and epi - and honestly, the epi was no big deal, but I was pretty out of it).

So it's worth keeping in mind that bloodwork is rarely optional and IVs may or may not be.  Honestly, OP, that is so cart before the horse - worrying about that now is only making you anxious.  

 

Agreed 

ltmacs

I had the same problem! I was scared of blood work, blood transfusions, IVs, epidural....it sucks, I'm still scared and I had a baby and all of those things. I spent the majority of my pregnancy obsessing over those things. And I'm a nurse.

What prompted me to finally get pregnant was my mom being in the hospital for a severe blood clot and pulmonary embolism. Almost died, but made full recovery. She had 3 surgeries, transfusions, all sorts of of blood work and was in the ICU for 2 weeks...I decided that if she can have all this crap done to her for a scary reason, I can suck up a few blood draws and an IV site for a happy reason.

 I am already anxious thinking about getting pregnant with baby number 2 for all the same reasons

ltmacs

oops, I didn't have a blood transfusion, I was so afraid I was going to need one, but they are really uncommon during pregnancy. I typed that on accident. I did have an epidural, though, which I did not want, but for me it was the best choice. I had PROM and had to be induced. The baby was losing amniotic fluid and the epidural helped me relax enough to the point that I didn't even feel contractions and the baby came out an hour later. People might tell you that you can't push well with an epidural, but I totally could.