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9 month complete blood count??

LorenNichLorenNich
in Babies: 9 - 12 Months

I am mainly a lurker on here, but was wondering if any of your pediatricians requested a complete blood count at you child's 9 month appointment? 

We went to our DSs appointement on Wednesday and our pediatrician told us that he would not need any shots at 9 months, but she likes to do a complete blood count on all 9 month olds to check for anemia, lead in blood, and get an iron count. 

So we go over to the lab next door to the dr's office, and they pin DS down and attempt to do a blood vein draw from his arm like he was an adult.  I thought to take blood from a baby, they would take it from his heel or a finger prick.  I was shocked! So the nurse ties a rubber band around his arm while the other nurse is pinning him down and attempts to draw blood, but she was unable to find the vein. Then she continues to try in his other arm without any success. So they suggested we come back another day.  (which we have not done). Meanwhile DS is screaming his head off and I am crying as well.  I know I cannot protect my child from pain for his whole life, but both me and DH felt this was a little harsh for a 9 month old.

I want what is best for my child, but I have several friends that also have 9 month olds and their doctors did not request this at their 9 month visits.  My DH and I are thinking about opting out on this test. Our son has always been a healthy with no problems so far. Thank goodness!!  Therefore, I do not want to do this to him if it is really not necessary.

My question is how many of your doctors required this at your child's 9 month appointment and/or do you find this to be a little too harsh for a 9 month old?

Thanks!!

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Re: 9 month complete blood count??

  • HappyTXChickHappyTXChick

    Yes, my dr does this at 9 mos.  And yes, they take it from their arm.  It may seem harsh but the holding them down is to make it easier and faster, for everyone!

    Some pedi's do this at 12 mos, but mine also does it at 9. 

    They aren't trying to hurt your baby, I promise!

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  • cutelilfishstickcutelilfishstick member
    We did it. DS let out a scream but no worse than when he gets shots. He was fine the minute we left the building and was back to his happy self.
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  • majors31majors31

    we haven't been yet, but they did tell us no shots, just blood work at 9 months.

    i'm glad you posted this.  DH and i were wondering how they did the blood draw.  i will prepare myself since it will be the first appointment i will be flying solo.

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  • fairychick77fairychick77 member

    We've had blood drawn and it is standard procedure for them to take it out of the arm. They have also drawn blood from the back of his hand when they could not find a vein.

    Can you hold him instead of the phlebotomist or lab tech the next time? Might make it a little easier on DS and you.

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  • aly401aly401 member
    We were given the option of either doing it at her 9 mnt or waiting till the 12 month check. I decided to wait. I asked if they would prick her heel and she said no, it would be drawn from a vein in her arm. Im not looking forward to that.
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  • NDwife07NDwife07
    Wow, huh. For us it was a toe prick. SUPER quick, DD didn't even notice or cry. We got our results within an hour.
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  • adge76adge76

    imageNDwife07:
    Wow, huh. For us it was a toe prick. SUPER quick, DD didn't even notice or cry. We got our results within an hour.

     

    Same here.  I actually got the results before we left the office. 

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  • aariceaarice
    Yes, ours was a toe prick also and DD didn't even notice. I wonder why some draw from a vein?
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  • jjwheat1007jjwheat1007 member
    Thank you for posting this - we have DD 9 month appointment in a month and was told that it would just be blood work as well.  I will be calling this afternoon to find out what the procedure is at our dr's office ASAP!
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  • deeanneharrisdeeanneharris
    My DD also had to have it at 9 months and they did a blood draw from her arm. I wasn't expecting it.
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  • LorenNichLorenNich
    Thank y'all for your responses. I guess it is more common than I thought. I wonder why some doctors do it differently.  I think we will go ahead and get it done.  I just wish they would have been able to do it on the first try. I hate putting him through it again. :( Thanks again!
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  • bridetobe05bridetobe05
    Yes, my pedi gave me a slip to get labs (CBC and lead level) at the 9 mos appt. I have to have it done before he's a year old.
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  • mocitygirlmocitygirl member
    My Dr also does it at 9 months but we had an ear infection so they didn't do it.  Now that we are going in for the 12 month appt they want to do.  So I asked how they get the blood, I was told before 12 months they do a heel prick, after 12 months they take it from the finger.  So I'm assuming it's just a few drops of blood they need.  However, she is also getting 12 month vaccinations, which is either 3 or 4 sticks.  So in my mind, that's plenty.  Give her the vaccines and that's enough.  She is a healthy child and I feel the additional prick is going to be unnecessary.  I will most likely be refusing it.
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  • dkny155dkny155 member

    Our dr gave us a script to get blood drawn also at our 9mth appt last week. I haven't made the appointment yet but after reading this i will definitely take my hubby with us.

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  • 08summerbride08summerbride member
    My doc just did a finger prick blood sample for an iron check. 
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  • stephy920stephy920 member
    Some peds will check at 9 months, others at 12 months. It really just depends. They check a CBC and Lead typically. The CBC will tell the provider if the child has an infection or anemia. The lead level checks....the lead level. If it is elevated they will request that you come back to have it redrawn. CDC just changed their guidelines indicating anything over 5 needs to have some type of follow up. Lead levels have shown to cause learning disabilities and other issues. It is a good thing they are checking it! :) Some places need to take it out of the arm (Best practice) but some can do it from a finger stick. They will not take it out of the heel after the baby is older than 6 months.We allow our patients to hold their child if they wish so it could possibly be less traumatic. It really should be up to you and if you feel you can actually hold your child still enough for the blood draw.
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  • hdall0807hdall0807 member
    My daughter has had blood drawn multiple times from her arm. It's not too bad. The best was when they wrapped her in a blanket like swaddling her but left the one arm out. It didn't look as dramatic. As soon as she is back up she is fine.
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  • MommymorticiaMommymorticia member
    Hhmm we didn't have to do it at all. Maybe at the 12 month one we will.
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