Anyone else putting off doing the bloods?

aeron143 · August 2014

I hate needles my skin crawls at the thought and the pain is terrible to

I'm already almost 18wks and have so far missed the 1st bloods and soon the 2nd lot to. Mmmmm...

AF9211 · August 2014

I'm 18 weeks and have only had my blood drawn once. We decline any/all genetic screenings, so I haven't had any blood taken except for the complete pregnancy panel after my first prenatal visit. I know getting blood drawn sucks, but if I were you I'd just get it over with. The anticipation of the appointment is half the battle!

MichaelaMTP · August 2014

I hate having my blood taken as well. I always make it a bigger deal than it really is. I've had it taken 3x now since being pregnant. Once due to an ER visit. But here's some perspective- you're going to give birth and it's going to be a lot worse than having blood taken.

delaneykai · August 2014

I hate getting my blood drawn when I'm not pregnant, but it really is SO much better during pregnancy b/c you have so much more blood flow. For me, it's been 1 simple prick and then it's over!

coloradoginger · August 2014

I don't think "putting it off" is an option at my doctor's office? Honestly, I hate peeing in a cup more. I swear I pee all the time, but I have to seriously concentrate/force it out when it's game-time. It feels like it takes forever. I'm a weirdo.

edit: words are tough.

Sahara6971 · August 2014

sarabell52 said:

I used to hate it. I quickly got used to it with the first pregnancy, and now I don't even think about it or get worked up. I still don't watch it though.

This exactly.

Plus, now I have to take needles like a champ to set a good example for my kids

weansworld09 · August 2014

Nope. After all the monitoring & bloodwork I had at countless RE visits, I don't like getting it done, but it's par for the course.
Roll your sleeve up and getter done!

jeanzcarol · August 2014

I hate even seeing the words so I skimmed all these posts SUPER fast. I will say I am normally the worst at getting blood drawn. BUT I think being pregnant has helped. You have more blood to give so I feel less awful. And it goes by much quicker. But, that's me. And it's much better here in Germany where they don't talk to you or butter you up or warn you. They just stick it in. When I get back to the states I plan to warn nurses... Don't speak, just do the damn thing.

StephanieLBerg · August 2014

I hate getting any needle poked in me. I'm deathly afraid of needles since being traumatized from a botched TB test when I was 9. I've only had blood drawn once since getting pregnant. We had the full pregnancy panel screening plus the CF testing and that was it. No one has told me that I need to get more blood drawn, and I've been to the OB twice since my first visit. Anytime I have anything to do with blood, they just poke my finger and smear it on pieces of paper. The latest was a hemoglobin test done on Friday to check my iron levels. Past that, I had a finger poke test done when I had my NT scan done. I know they'll need more blood when it comes time to do the GD testing, but as long as the normal phlebotomist, that they had the first time I gave them blood, there I know I won't feel a thing and it will be over and done with in no time. At least, the part where they put an IV cath in so they can continue to draw vials as the test is performed. No need to get jabbed several times when a cath will do. :-) Just take a deep breath, grit your teeth, talk with your hubby or put your mind in your happy place, and don't watch. It'll be over before you know it!

cls78 · August 2014

From doing Fertility treatments I am very use to having my blood drawn. I have had many done since Sept. Just do it and get it over with. Just a pinch.

aggiebug · August 2014

Getting the bloods that makes me think of getting your period not having your blood drawn. Best not avoid it any longer. If you are rh- you are approaching when they will give you a shot for that I believe and anemia and some other diseases they test for are no joke.

magsame · August 2014

As long as you don't have rolling veins its easy. I have rolling veins and it takes them forever to get something they can use.

I have since learned to let them know so they aren't poking me a million times. I also have to look away. I use to not care, but as I got older I've gotten more freaked out.

Flygirl1979 · August 2014

I've only had the 1st panel of labs done however I don't plan on having any other screens done. Finding out any news (good or bad) wouldn't change my mind so I'm opting out:). Good luck!!

kefttsc · August 2014

I don't think anyone LIKES having blood drawn. If your doctor recommends testing, just do it. It'll be fine.

aggiebug · August 2014

Flygirl1979 said:
I've only had the 1st panel of labs done however I don't plan on having any other screens done. Finding out any news (good or bad) wouldn't change my mind so I'm opting out:). Good luck!!

Just to clarify there are genetic tests but there are also several more blood draws throughout pregnancy. Anemia frequently shows up at the end of 2nd tri for example. I am pretty sure that diagnosis would change what you do.

AF9211 · August 2014

^^ and the glucose test/tests...

mom2reesepiece · August 2014

coloradoginger said:
I don't think "putting it off" is an option at my doctor's office? Honestly, I hate peeing in a cup more. I swear I pee all the time, but I have to seriously concentrate/force it out when it's game-time. It feels like it takes forever. I'm a weirdo.
edit: words are tough.

This. I mean what the heck? I pee all day every day... It should not be an issue.

AF9211 · August 2014

mom2reesepiece said:

I don't think "putting it off" is an option at my doctor's office? Honestly, I hate peeing in a cup more. I swear I pee all the time, but I have to seriously concentrate/force it out when it's game-time. It feels like it takes forever. I'm a weirdo.
edit: words are tough.
This. I mean what the heck? I pee all day every day... It should not be an issue.

Same here! And it only gets worse as that belly gets bigger and bigger! But at the OBs office I go to now, they give me a new pee cup at each appointment to pee in at home and bring back at my next appointment. I almost forgot it last time so I sort of prefer the stage fright in the OBs bathroom LOL...

eta:words

rksxo · August 2014

I hate getting my blood taken too but you should just do it and get it over with. You'll feel better once it is done.

elephantsonpatrol · August 2014

Blood tests that must be run:

Blood type and Antibody (especially if this is not pregnancy number 1)

Glucose Tolerance

STD

Iron

Thyroid

These are not genetic screens, but they absolutely can have a large effect on you and your pregnancy. Don't wait any longer.

kdhuling · August 2014

You do know there's a reason they draw blood and run tests. I had a vitamin deficiency and had to be put on extra supplements on top of my prenatals. You really should have it done to make sure you're completely healthy and there's no extra steps that need to be taken to insure the health of your baby.

brittanyandjoshua2011 · August 2014

kdhuling said:
You do know there's a reason they draw blood and run tests. I had a vitamin deficiency and had to be put on extra supplements on top of my prenatals. You really should have it done to make sure you're completely healthy and there's no extra steps that need to be taken to insure the health of your baby.

Couldn't of said it better !! Go get your blood drawn !!

HeyStVincent · August 2014

Do you mean you've had NO blood drawn at all?? If you've had no blood drawn, that is bad. Also, beyond genetic screening, you'll need blood drawn again as the pregnancy progresses to assess for anemia and gestational diabetes. I'm going to give it to you straight with no sugar-coating:

There is so much your doctor or midwife tests for with bloodwork. Not getting it done is putting yourself and the baby at a MAJOR disadvantage and risk. Childbirth is a natural process, and your body is meant to do it, and yadah yadah yadah, but women used to die from childbirth for reasons like postpartum hemorrhage. Did you know that you're at greater risk of devleoping PP hemorrhage, spontaneous abortion, and pre-term labor with unmanaged gestational diabetes and/or anemia? Both of these require us to take a look at what your blood is telling us. Not to mention, we need to know your Rh factor to avoid hemolytic anemia of the newborn or a still birth due to your immune cells attacking the red blood cells of your infant if you are Rh- and the baby is Rh+.

Besides the fundamental CBC and blood glucose tests, the genetic tests can often tell us if there is a problem with the neural tube and the heart. If the risk comes back elevated, that tells us to look further into the possibility of these risks being real, which we can do via a variety of diagnostic imaging. If there is a problem, it may not change whether or not you have the child, but it SHOULD be indentified so we know what's going on with the child. Having an understanding of problems that exist prior to the child's birth could change who's in the room at the time of delivery (i.e. neonatal specialists) and what those specialists know about the condition of your child, which could save your baby's life.

Go get your blood drawn for all of the reasons outlined here. I understand that needles can make people feel uncomfortable, but you really need to get over it for your health and for the health of your baby.

aggiebug · August 2014

@HeyStVincent‌ I was hoping you would chime in.
1‌

lizjennings81 · August 2014

@HeyStVincent, thank you. I've been doing some research on fetal medicine for a work report and how you can absolutely optimize the outcomes for your baby with knowledge of what you and they face inside and outside of the womb. The doctors I've spoken to are passionate about making sure every kid gets the best start. Thank you, thank you, for chiming in.

HeyStVincent · August 2014

@lizjennings81 and @aggiebug - if you can't tell this topic is a sore spot for me. I'm all for a woman's right to choose whether or not to continue with a pregnancy. However, once you've committed yourself to having a baby I am of the opinion that it's no longer solely about your life - you have another life to consider when making healthcare decisions.

When I see stuff like this happen, I sometimes wonder if it's the provider's fault for not doing a better job of educating the patient about risks/benefits.

Devonc625 · August 2014

The blood work is vitally important during pregnancy. You really should get it done if you think needles hurt you're in a mess of trouble when you start laboring.....I think it's kind of childish to be afraid of blood work especially when you're pregnant....

foxslaw · August 2014

Needles aren't fun for anyone, but the longer you put it off, the more you could be endangering your child.

bes12 · September 2014

My doctor will dismiss you from her practice if you do not get your blood drawn, it's in her paperwork. If you like your doctor I suggest you do it soon. Honestly it's better to get it done. I try to go ASAP after getting the script (or whatever they call it), this way I don't get worked up over it. BTW delivering a baby is much worse than giving a few vials of blood.

elephantsonpatrol · September 2014

bes12 said:

My doctor will dismiss you from her practice if you do not get your blood drawn, it's in her paperwork. If you like your doctor I suggest you do it soon. Honestly it's better to get it done. I try to go ASAP after getting the script (or whatever they call it), this way I don't get worked up over it. BTW delivering a baby is much worse than giving a few vials of blood.

I wonder if she is even getting any prenatal care at all

aggiebug · September 2014

elephantsonpatrol said:

bes12 said:

My doctor will dismiss you from her practice if you do not get your blood drawn, it's in her paperwork. If you like your doctor I suggest you do it soon. Honestly it's better to get it done. I try to go ASAP after getting the script (or whatever they call it), this way I don't get worked up over it. BTW delivering a baby is much worse than giving a few vials of blood.

I wonder if she is even getting any prenatal care at all

My thoughts exactly, but I doubt we will ever know since OP hasn't been back since she posted this.

PeanettyGoodness · September 2014

Honestly, it doesn't really bother me. Shortly after we found out I was pregnant, I ended up going to the hospital after I noticed some red spotting and started getting severe stomach pain. They took blood then. About a week later, I went back because I was becoming jaundiced, they took more blood then and more everyday to check my levels. I just had more done a few weeks ago at my first doctor's appointment at 12wks and will be getting some more drawn next week.

estrellita23 · September 2014

I only did the blood draw at the first appointment. From my understanding, this is pretty important because of the complications that can come up if you are RH-, plus it's good to know that everything else is normal. I didn't think this was something you could really refuse to do. We aren't doing any other testing other than the in depth look they take at the 20 week ultrasound because we aren't high risk for anything really that we know of. But yeah, as others have said, giving birth is going to be way more painful than a poke that hurts for a second.

meepette · September 2014

I hate getting my blood drawn because I have such small veins and I tend to pass out. However, this is for the baby's health and well being. I had my blood drawn twice so far (one at first OB appt and then one at 16 weeks). You should do it soon.

lalans · September 2014

I hate it. Hate hate hate, panic attack hate ( I had a thread about this a bit ago because I'm also terrified of iv's, and thats what I"m most worried about during labor). I finally got my first trimester screen last week when I had to get something else that was time sensitive done. I'm talking with my dr to try and combine the draws as much as possible. I know there is another at around 26 weeks, so i'm going to see if there is one after that I can combine with it. It sucks, I feel you

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