Fear of blood draws, an iv and epidurals

bellamatson · August 2013

I'm not looking forward to this next blood draw within the next couple weeks whenever I do my glucose test. I'm so scared of it, I have huge anxiety attacks before I get it done, and cry like a wimp.

I don't know how I can be fully sleeved with tattoos on one arm, half sleeved on the other... Have my rib cage almost fully covered... AND I AM SCARED to get my blood taken....

Where is the logic in any of that? Lol

jhunter89 · August 2013

Eh, when I was 18, I got a tattoo thinking it would help me overcome my severe needle anxiety, it's not the same. Tattoo needles do not feel, look or sound like syringes or IV needles, so it didn't compare for me. Before I got pg with DD, I had a lot of the same reactions. What I realized was that, at least for me, when I fully understood what was happening and why it was necessary, it really helped my anxiety. That and not looking! Also, blood draws are way easier for me mentally to handle than getting something injected into me.

Maybe try and figure out what specifically about needles i.e. what kind, what circumstances, drawing vs. injecting etc, causes anxiety and then it's much less daunting to cope with. And educating yourself about what's happening and why.

As for the epi, i'm no help there, they scare the bejeezus out of me, hence the med-free birth with DD and the repeat with this one!

kteeswei · August 2013

I feel the same way. I've found taking a deep breath and blowing out hard during the needle prick helps but doesn't take away the anticipation anxiety. I'm terrified of the epi too!

bellamatson · August 2013

They do feel different! Lol

Everything about it bothers me. If its going into my vein, it freaks me out.

I'm just irritated how just because I am heavily decorated, the nurses get annoyed at me when I need a minute to get my shit together and calm down.

MrsGraham06 · August 2013

I hate needles of any kind, I've never actually seen the epidural needle and don't ever plan to, but I've had IVs for the other 3 when I was giving birth, and got an epidural with each one. Apparently, I hated the pain more than the epidural procedure.

We'll have to see for this one.

TNgoldengirl · August 2013

I used to be that way. Bad experience once when I was younger where I almost passed out. In college, had to ask for "butterfly needles" and explain my anxiety and got all worked up every time. Guess I finally got over it and its NBD. I just don't watch and try to think about something else. Hope it gets easier! Don't psych yourself up.

washyourhandsplease · August 2013

I'm the same way. I start sweating and get really nervous. By the way, I also get weekly 17P shots in the hip and I still haven't gotten use to the idea of it. It helps a little bit for me if I don't look at the needle and take lots of deep breaths.

jhunter89 · August 2013

I agree with @TNgoldengirl I always ask for butterfly needles when I need IV's, my veins suck and it makes it a lot easier, though it takes longer for whatever they're giving you to get in.

jldubb0626 · August 2013

I close my eyes and breath through it. It's all you can do. When you're in labor though, you'll be a lot more focused on the contratctions and delivery that you won't have to be worried about the IV's.

HeartOverMind · August 2013

Getting blood drawn is the worst, but I just think that I'm doing this for the health of my baby and that gets me through it.

wedbliss5 · August 2013

FWIW - I was SCARED TO DEATH of the epi and almost hyperventilated, but it was seriously not nearly as bad as I expected. The IV was at least 100x worse. Meanwhile, I cry as soon as I sit down in the chair for blood draws, and then i start laughing at the same time because I know I'm being ridiculous. I have a very low pain tolerance and yes, needles hurt, but i also know that I'm over-reacting a bit - which i think ultimately helsp me stay more calm (or as calm as I can be when I'm crying and laughing).

But back to the epi, in my experience, it looks a hell of a lot scarier than it is. And, chances are when its time to get it, you'll be in labor pain and just want the kid out, so its even less scary. And 100% totally worth it!

lmills730 · August 2013

I hate needles too and wish I had some words of advice. My veins are always "hiding" too so I have taken to demanding the best person when I go into the lab for blood draws, otherwise I end up getting pricked multiple times which doesn't help my anxiety. It wouldn't hurt to tell them you are nervous about it so they get someone who is more skilled to be sure it gets done the first time.

ac1259 · August 2013

izenb1dm said:

The worst to me is having an IV where the needle actually stays in for a lengthy amount of time.

Good luck! Can you have someone come with you to hold your hand?

Ok....this is just a pet peeve of mine- with an IV, there is no needle in your arm. An IV is a straw...that's its purpose to deliver something into a vein ...there's no way it could do that if there was in fact a needle in your arm.

Now, I'm a nurse so I've stuck people with needles many times, and on top of it I'm a pediatric nurse, so I get to stick children. An IV is a very flexible bendable straw, there is a needle involved in inserting it but once the IV is in place the needle is retracted (usually into a handle type thing) and there is a straw in your arm. I've had a million of them and then do suck! I totally agree that they don't feel too good.

I have a semi funny story about my epidural. I went into labor at 3 AM. DH woke up and we were pretty frantic getting stuff together and getting to the hospital. I packed some peanut butter crackers, but he refused to eat anything, said he was fine. So when I finally got into the L&D room and they got the anesthesiologist it was like 8 AM. They brought my DH around to hold my hand while they were doing the epi. They started setting everything up and prepping my back and (mind you I've seen an epi needle) DH starts getting lightheaded. All I could think was "OMG did you just see the needle?"...he hadn't btw, he just really needed to eat. So he got to sit in a chair holding my hands with my feet in his lap (the doctor raised the bed up really high) while they put in my epi.

Sorry this is really long...the epi really wasn't that bad though. I did get stuck 3 times because they let a resident try first, lesson learned, no residents touch me next time! (no offense to residents) Idk, my personal opinion is just don't watch what is happening, hold someone's hand, and it'll be over quick! It's not like you really have much of a choice with blood work anyway.

KristaBelieve · August 2013

Oh yes! I've finally arrived at the point I can do blood draws but that took me three years to get over. I drink a ton of water so it comes out faster, it seems to help me. I also carry my heavy purse on my right arm the day of the draw (better vein on that side) so it is strained and the vain is more visible.

IV- no...I NEED valium to even have an IV put in. I've had a few surguries in preparation of this pregnancy and my RE allowed me to have that in my tummy with one sip of water before the proceedure. I am a little worried about delivery and the IV process. That will be tough.

Shots, wow, that was tough to get through during our IUI shot treatment and our IVF shot regimine. I created a mantra I told myself every single time my DH gave me my shots. It was very hard for me but sooooo worth it. I;m hoping I can use the same mantra during the IV and delivery at the hospital. Good luck!

KristaBelieve · August 2013

Oh, and the epi.......I can't wait for it! No anxiety at all about that one!

ach298 · August 2013

I never saw the epidural needle when they brought it in when I had DS and have no desire to see it with this one. I definitely am in the "don't like needle" group, but have found I do okay if I just don't look anywhere near where they are.

am0138 · August 2013

I get all sweaty before they prick my finger for hemoglobin! At my blood draw, they let me lay down and the nurse was so talkative to keep me distracted. I also fanned myself, which helped. I try to remind myself that it's all in my head and I have no real reason to fear- the pain is barely existent. I've never had an IV so I'm definitely nervous about that. As for the epidural, I plan on not looking and trusting in the fact that by the time I get around to wanting it, contractions will be distracting me from it enough to cause me not to panic!

citybeach · August 2013

I'm fine with needles, and even the idea of an epidural, but I cannot stand IVs!!

My only advice for blood withdrawal is definitely look away!

Kismc · August 2013

Sounds like you have a true phobia on your hands. I don't mind needles, but a friend of mine frequently passed out at even the mention of them. She did hypnosis before giving birth to her first just so she had the tools to alleviate the anxiety. It seems to have worked really well for her. Just a suggestion!

juliasmama2010 · August 2013

Put a sound byte on your phone of a tattoo needle at work...maybe the sound of that will calm your anxiety! Haha!! Sorry, no good advice, just my immature humor!

)

jmjj1310 · August 2013

I hate them, too! I was more afraid of the IV I knew I'd be getting with DS than the epidural or labor/delivery itself. I've since gotten over that, still don't like them by any means, but I don't freak myself out about it anymore.
I always turn my head away, bite my finger and otherwise distract myself. It helps a lot.

AnnikaD20 · August 2013

I guess I'm the opposite of a lot of you ladies. I hate needles, but if I go in knowing well in advance that I'll need a shot or bloodwork, I can psyche myself up beforehand. I'll tell myself that my health is important, that there's a good reason for it, that it won't hurt much at all. When I get there, I'll put on my big girl face, take a deep breath, look away and think about lolcats or space travel or other happy thoughts for a minute, and then be proud of myself for being so brave. And buy myself a latte or some tater tots on the way home.

If I go in to the Dr. for what I think is going to be a needle free appointment and they're like "surprise, bloodwork/biopsy/vaccination time" I lose my shit. I cry, I hyperventilate, I stomp my feet like a toddler throwing a tantrum. (I'm not proud of it.)

I've gotten by in pregnancy just assuming that everyone will want all my blood all the time and mentally preparing for it any time I have any appointment at all. So far I've had more appointments with blood tests than not, so it's been a good assumption.

Tomerine · August 2013

Me too. I'm actually planning to talk with my obgyn about the possibility of avoiding the IV unless absolutely necessary.

gina0485 · August 2013

It took me some time to get over my needle fear. Here is what has helped me out - I "pretend" I am brave and put on a happy face. It tricks me into thinking I'm calmer than I really am. To be honest, if you can keep your wits about you, you're good to go. When you lose it, its a steep slope down.

When I am super nervous I put on my headphones and listen to tune what's happening to me out. The nurses don't mind

flufy82 · August 2013

I have a real needle phobia despite the fact that I grew up with an insulin dependent diabetic brother! Much worse with injections than withdrawls. A prick of the finger? GOODNIGHT! I go in not even scared, all calm, ready to use all the relaxation and distraction techniques Ive learned over the years. No tears, no screaming, no drama....Aaaaaand then I wake up on the floor. It's so frustrating.

An Epidural is out of the question...or so I say now...

I asked my doc about the IV, totally prepared for a fight, ready to threaten I'd have the baby at home. She said IVs are not routine or required at our hospital (ranked #2 in US behind mayo clinic for OBGYN) unless a complication comes up. WHEW!!! I'm all in for an all natural birth. Will deal if it doesn't work out that way.

HappyDoc · August 2013

I always request to lay down during blood draws, and never have a problem being accommodated. If I have to sit up, I faint 100% of the time, if I am allowed to lay down (and get up slowly), I am fine. Maybe you can request this to see if it will help?

apickett925 · August 2013

I guess I'm "lucky". I had to be on a medication for 3 years that required monthly blood work to check for liver and kidney function, and then another for a year that needed it every other month. That second one was an infusion med, so I got to to sit for 2 hours every 2 months for an IV infusion. I've also had several endoscopies and colonoscopies, a liver biopsy (awake for that!), and multiple surgeries on my right hand when I broke my 5th metacarpal. Needles don't bother me anymore, and I've got a really great vein on my left arm for draws, and some good ones on my hands for IVs. Only time I had an issue was when I went for an early morning 3 vial blood draw before work and didn't eat much yet. I got dizzy, but the phlebotomist laid my chair back and I was good in a minute or two.

Jmattis · August 2013

I'm the same way! Have been since I was little. My mother always joked she would make sure she's in a different country when I give birth bc I'm going to be a ranging psycho. I just hate the feeling of something stuck in your arm. Im such a baby that when I got my tonsils out this past January i had the nurses call me husband in the room before the anesthesiologist gave me the IV :-/ looks like our DH's are in for a fun time in 5 months!!

bellamatson · August 2013

Lol mine thinks its funny but feels bad cuz I look extremely pathetic when I cry. Lol
The needles don't hurt me.. It's the anxiety and then the aftermath when I have a huge bruise for a week.

Epidural is going to be a whole other mess! Lol

SarahA918 · August 2013

I got pregnant with the help of an RE and for a few months had to go in for daily blood draws to check for my LH surge! I even had to give myself a couple shots in the TTC process! In the past, I avoided my regular doctor for three years bc she ordered me to get bloodwork and I refused and after that, I'd tell her that I respectfully decline bloodwork! I had passed out after my blood was drawn when I was a kid so I was always so nervous.

After a while it really was nothing, but then a couple months went by between gettin pregnant and then seein my OB and I got nervous again! I'll never really be comfortable but I get through it.

I've never had an IV though. Do they let you have a natural labor/birth without an IV in??

bellamatson · August 2013

I believe you can

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