Scared of needles.... Anyone else?!

smiversen · February 2015

I used to tell my mom I wasn't having a baby until they could be fully developed in a test tube or something crazy and weird like that because I'm terrified of the birthing process and blood work. Lol so next week is my first appt with the ob/gyn and I'm not excited at all because they'll be taking blood. Then last night I couldn't fall asleep because all I could think about was the epidural. I just want to enjoy being pregnant and not think about all the needles poking at me!!

bebeloveee · February 2015

We are exactly in the same boat momma! Petrified of needles!!!! Have no clue how the heck I'm gonna do an epidural

I'm hoping pain will be so bad come time to deliver I won't even care about the epidural, as I've heard that's what most women have said but still I'm freaking! First appt is this coming wed and I'm very nervous and scared bout the blood work (I always cry like a big baby it's redic). Anywaysss, you are not alone trust me. I promise I'm worse than anyone when it comes to pain especially needles ahh omg just thinking bout it gets me! Also I'm worried about what's gonna happen down there ya know, after delivery... Not looking the same or turning out to be all loose and gross that my man won't want to see it! Sorry tmi I know but that's just another fear among the many many other fears I have being and becoming a first timer Ahhhh

bmac2015 · February 2015

Same here. I always have them use the butterfly (I.e. Kiddie needle) to draw my blood. It takes a little longer but the stick doesn't hurt as bad. I always give them advanced notice I'm coming so they know to give themselves a few extra minutes in between me and the next person. We can get through it!

bebeloveee · February 2015

Lol me too! That's too funny I'm glad I'm not the only one! We can and will get through it!

smiversen · February 2015

I lay down whether it's a shot or drawing blood because I have passed out before. I've also learned wiggling my fingers and toes keeps my body from tensing and help a lot!!

nattn · February 2015

I don't have any advice for the bloodwork, but the epidural isn't necessary, so if it's keeping you up at night already, just think about the fact that you'll only be getting it if you choose to. I've had two, never saw the needle and never wanted to. They came in, had me hug a nurse while they numbed the area and it was done really quick. I felt pressure, that was it. If I didn't know the process, I never would have even known that a needle was used.

JustineOlivia · February 2015

I don't normally post, but this is my second pregnancy and I have always hated getting blood drawn. I remember during my first blood draw my last pregnancy the nurse actually was being snarky with me and implying I'd have a tough time with childbirth if I had to lie down just to get my blood drawn (I have low blood pressure which doesn't help).

During my pregnancy I tried to prepare myself by reading books about natural childbirth just to understand the process and calm myself when the time came. Although I never said I wouldn't get an epidural if I didn't need one, when I actually went into labor I was probably calmer than my medical student husband. I didn't fear what was happening because I trusted my body, and I remembered reading that when women get to that point when they think they can't do it, they're likely at the transition stage right before the actual birth. I should add that I never felt like I couldn't do it, but that knowing there might naturally come a point when I felt freaked out might happen, I was able to cut myself some slack and just let my body do what it needed to do. I stayed at home for as long as possible and when I got to the hospital was dilated to an 8/9 and had my daughter less than two hours later, without any meds. It helped that my husband would apply a lot of pressure on the sides of my hips during contractions since I was having back labor. I didn't let him leave my side, even when wanting so badly to help he thought he should go get me some ice chips!! I would advise that in early labor you and your birth partner start practicing to see what helps with the pain before it intensifies.

Despite being so terrified about birth my whole life to the point where I wasn't sure I'd be able to have kids, I handled it way better than I handle blood draws even still! I don't know how my next labor will go, but I will say the best thing I did was educate myself and then just trust my body. You will be fine too!

bebeloveee · February 2015

Haven't tried the wiggling I def will though cause I tense up way too much! And the part that sucks the most is every medical professional has a hard time finding a vein.. mine aren't very visible at all and very deep so I bruise SOOOO bad after blood work, like my entire arm will bruise it's nuts. So with that said that also does not help with my already prominent fear of needles lol

melco19 · February 2015

This is my second pregnancy and I survived all of the needles with the first one (and one set of ones this round). I am terrified too, but it is getting easier but by bit.
I still lay down when they take blood, but I'm getting less anxious and less passing out

Cupcakequeen1000 · February 2015

2nd pregnancy here i dont have a fear of needles. But you can do it. I had the epidural for my pregnancy i didnt even feel anything. They numb the area before inserting if that makes you feel better and they dont let you see it. There is some great advice here about learning to naturally get through the pain that is good to know either way. As for blood draws sorry no advice there. But it's usually quick, maybe dont focus on that and try to think about what your baby is going to look like or look up baby items on your phone while they are doing their thing.

bonniecouture · February 2015

I have a giant sleeve tattoo and I STILL hate getting blood drawn. It's not even the needles, it's the blood leaving my body that makes me feel lightheaded and sick. My best suggestion would be talk to the phlebotomist to take your mind off of it and don't look at the tubes of blood! Good luck mama!

blizmark · February 2015

bonniecouture said:
I have a giant sleeve tattoo and I STILL hate getting blood drawn. It's not even the needles, it's the blood leaving my body that makes me feel lightheaded and sick. My best suggestion would be talk to the phlebotomist to take your mind off of it and don't look at the tubes of blood! Good luck mama!

I am the exact same! I can get a shot like a champ and have a half sleeve but I cry like a baby when it comes to the blood draw. It's something about where it happens and how it happens and what is happening. I don't think I will ever get used to it and I'm glad I'm not alone!

LadyJane083 · February 2015

I used to get pretty nauseous and once passed out from giving blood. (I am small, light, have low blood pressure)

This doesn't happen anymore.

Look away while they are taking blood. Stay looking away for a minute or two if you need too. Bring a snack and orange juice for when you are done. Lay down if you have to.

I had a bad reaction to a spinal tap years ago, and an epidural will be my last choice. But that you won't really feel.

irenejean · February 2015

I don't have advice about how to be okay with needles, but as a former phlebotomist, I will say tell the person drawing your blood that you don't like needles. They can help you and they'll know to be careful!

beansideirae · February 2015

I would say if the epidural scares you then just don't do one. I'm not planning to. my friend had a bad reaction to hers, and I honestly am more scared of that than the pain! as for blood work, I like to tell the nurse I just need to look at my phone and not think about what they're doing. I have an immune disorder so I get blood drawn a lot even when not preggers

I mostly go the same place same time, so the nurse knows me and is very understanding.

mrscate88 · February 2015

I just always tell the nurse I'm nervous around needles and they always distract me with conversation, it's nice. I get light headed and sick thinking of having blood drawn, yuck! We'll have to go through it a lot, I know! So I just try not to over think it now.

karapalley · February 2015

I am ok with needles but have a long track record of fainting during bloodwork. While I did faint during my first OB apt, here are things that have helped...

-be hydrated and bring a snack like a granola bar.
-laying down helps vs sitting up
-talk to someone (nurse, husband, friend) to keep you distracted.
- keep a good sense of humor. Maybe it's just me but approaching the while uncomfortable situation with a little humor helps.

Good luck and I'm sure you'll do great!

jegagurl · February 2015

I am terrified of needles too... I have to lie down because as soon as they put the rubber band on my arm my vision gets spotty and the room starts spinning. But after 2 IVs last week and my blood draw at my apt this week I think it's getting better little by little. Just keep trying to tell myself to be strong for the little one. It's crazy how brave it's making me

roundhousekick · February 2015

I also told my mom the same thing! Absolutely terrified for my whole life to the point of crying, fainting and having to be sedated, even as an adult! It is so embarassing and childish but it is my worst phobia! However, I was having some bleeding early this pregnancy and I had to do lots of bloodwork, I can't even explain it but something changed for me in an instant! All I cared about was that my baby was okay and I just had to do what i had to do! I laid down and didn't look, asked for a nurse that was good with dealing with children (lol) and she was amazing! She was so kind and talked to me so that I felt comfortable and distracted, not a single tear from me! By the next day I was laughing with the nurse while she was taking my blood and didn't feel an ounce of panic!

uluwehi22 · February 2015

blizmark said:

bonniecouture said:
I have a giant sleeve tattoo and I STILL hate getting blood drawn. It's not even the needles, it's the blood leaving my body that makes me feel lightheaded and sick. My best suggestion would be talk to the phlebotomist to take your mind off of it and don't look at the tubes of blood! Good luck mama!
I am the exact same! I can get a shot like a champ and have a half sleeve but I cry like a baby when it comes to the blood draw. It's something about where it happens and how it happens and what is happening. I don't think I will ever get used to it and I'm glad I'm not alone!

I'm the same too! My whole back is covered in tattoos and I've got many piercings but I can't do shots, iv's, or have my blood drawn. With all the needles I've had lately I've learned to not tense up. But I always have to give myself a pep talk, LOL!

kcmomz3 · February 2015

I totally understand being scared of needles. I used to be so scared, but I have grown a lot in that area due to struggling with infertility and multiple losses the last 2.5 years. I have learned that looking away really helps and then I don't see the size of the needle. I just remind myself that my precious baby will be worth all the needles that I have to get during my pregnancy. Best of luck!

WDDCH · February 2015

Aw so sorry you're stressed about the blood draw! Just remind yourself that it's a poke and then over. And epidurals aren't required. Prepare for an epidural-free birth so you don't have to worry about being poked in the spine or get a catheter. I've given birth with and without epidurals. Honestly the epidural-free births were more pleasant as far as recovering goes. The less you have poked at you the lesser risk of cesarean.

toderiukt · February 2015

I hate needles too. Now I had not gotten blood drawn in quite some time prior to this pregnancy, but I remember it didn't really hurt. It was more pressure than anything. This time on the otherhand, I screamed ouch and swore the whole clinic heard me. I felt the nurse punch and break through my skin. It felt like my nose being pierced to be honest. Now.. Needles are going to be SO much harder.

JosefinK · February 2015

When I was little I had to have my blood drawn every month from the age of 7 til 14. I was always terrified, they didn't even use the kiddie needles in those days either. My trick to deal with it was to look the other way or close my eyes the entire time so I didn't know what was going on, I had the person drawing the blood talking to me about random stuff, so I didn't know the exact moment she would prick me. And I used to constantly tap my feet, something with the rhythmic movement made me calmer

Nowadays I still tense up when I'm there, but try to apply the same tactics. With regards to birthing, I'm very worried about this. But I've done a fair bit of research and I'm pretty certain of two things 1) I don't want to have and epidural 2) I don't want to give birth on my back (more painful, twice as hard). I've been reading up about hypnobirthing and will start practicing this as soon as I'm out of the first tri. It's all about breathing and putting yourself into a kind of birth focused hypnosis. Have a look at it, you might find it interesting!

Breewinters23 · February 2015

I also hate needles! I had to get blood work done with my first pregnancy obviously, but I skipped the gestational diabetes testing and had a natural birth, so I only dealt with a needle once thankfully!

Kiek · February 2015

Awe, honey I totally understand how you feel. I have been terrified of needles my whole life. I got panic attacks every time I had blood drawn or had an injection. My first pregnancy I would have serious anxiety for every blood draw and had nightmares about the epidural.

First of all, I didn't feel the epidural at all. Second, after I had my daughter, I couldn't have cared less when they needed blood. My body was like, we pushed out a human, we can handle a needle lol. Now I still get slight anxiety but not nearly as bad as it used to be. It gets better!

pixiecut · February 2015

yes! I almost passed out when they did my blood draw but my nurses were really nice. I warned them before hand and they were super sweet and understanding. im still scared of the epidural but im hoping what everyone says is true about the contractions being so painful I won't feel it. good luck other needle-phobic mommies!

majormayhem210 · February 2015

I used to blackout with needles but I learned if I don't watch at all, I'm ok. Try looking away the second they bring the needle in. It may help.

Knottie00400192 · February 2015

Stm and I still HATE needles! I have to pray and look away and pray again when they draw my blood. Ugh

orwillard · February 2015

I can 100% relate! I went to my first ob appt terrified that I'd have to do a ton of blood work, then they ended up telling me that I will go to a lab just sometime before my next appt.. which is march 12. I've been putting it off, because I cannot keep my cool with bloodtests. Bleghh! I'm just trying to remember it's for the little one. .

LoveLee85 · February 2015

I am not terrified of it BUT I do not enjoy it. I tell them I hate it, then I never look at what they are doing. Focus on my breathing. The rubber band is the worst part!!! I hate that thing!

mybabynumber2 · February 2015

bebeloveee said:
We are exactly in the same boat momma! Petrified of needles!!!! Have no clue how the heck I'm gonna do an epidural I'm hoping pain will be so bad come time to deliver I won't even care about the epidural, as I've heard that's what most women have said but still I'm freaking! First appt is this coming wed and I'm very nervous and scared bout the blood work (I always cry like a big baby it's redic). Anywaysss, you are not alone trust me. I promise I'm worse than anyone when it comes to pain especially needles ahh omg just thinking bout it gets me! Also I'm worried about what's gonna happen down there ya know, after delivery... Not looking the same or turning out to be all loose and gross that my man won't want to see it! Sorry tmi I know but that's just another fear among the many many other fears I have being and becoming a first timer Ahhhh

@bebeloveee‌ don't panic! I also have a phobia of needles. I had so many when pregnant with my son as I had an infection in my kidneys, and the only way to give pain relief was a jab in the thigh. I swear I looked like a druggie after a week or so, needle marks on both thighs. This started in month 7, so you can imagine how many needles I had.

I still HATE needles!!

The blood work they do is over in about a minute, if that, just one needle for lots of different tests. I just look away and ask the midwife to keep talking to me about anything, just not what she's doing lol!

Regarding the Epidural, I don't even remember there being any pain. I had about 3 all in all as they didn't work, still no memory of pain.

All I can say is, it's really nothing to worry about. Just look away as soon as she mentions the bloods and the needle.

Don't stress, it's over before you know it.

newtothiswholething · February 2015

Never had an issue with needles before then all of a sudden during my first prenatal I totally fainted and woke up to my husband calling my name and the awful smell of smelling salts. Worst feeling ever. Ughhhhh dreading the next blood sample

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