April 2016 Moms

Fear of needles

This is my first pregnancy and I am 4weeks and 5 days along. I schedlued my first Dr's appointment for the beginning of September I know that there will be a blood draw. Does anyone have any tips for getting over a terrible fear of needles???

Re: Fear of needles

  • I'm not fond of them either, and had to deal with several over my first pregnancy.  Just keep in mind the reason you're doing it all!

    Married since August 2012

    Baby #1 ~ DS ~ May 2014

    Baby #2 ~ Due April 2016

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  • Thank you! That was my plan to think about the baby.
  • I just commented this on another post, but my last pregnancy is what really helped me to get over my fear of needles! You just get used to it when they do it at every appointment. I would say look away and find something to distract you. My doctor's office has a bunch of little cartoons on the wall that you can look at while you are getting pricked. Maybe a picture on the wall, play some music on your phone, whatever will distract you. It's really not too bad :-)
    Amanda

    ******************************

    Nov siggy challenge: animals eating Thanksgiving food


    BabyFruit Ticker
    Rhys - born 04.17.2013
    Harry - born 04.18.2016
  • Look away, tell them if a certain arm/spot is easier to find a vein, and ask for a smaller needle if you have difficult veins, and make sure you're well hydrated before blood work. It doesn't really help the actual fear go away but it will make the process smoother.
  • I am the same way! With my first I only had one bood draw for the glucose test and then dealing with the epidural and iv's at birth were ok because the moment was so much bigger than those fears. I have had two losses in the past 9 months and have had so many blood draws for betas, progesterone, keryotype etc. it doesn't bother me much anymore. I trust the nurses are professional and do it as fast as possible. Like other's have said I still look away and make sure I chew gum durung the process. I also make sure I have had something to eat before and have a sweet snack or juice afterwards just in case i feel lightheaded. Your body is strong and can handle this!
  • Same advice as above and I always make my husband come in with me and talk to me. I bite down on my shirt sleeve, look away, and have my husband talk- I make him tell me a story, something we've done, something he heard about on the news, just anything that can help distract me. I always have a cold washcloth ready so I don't pass out! Good luck!
  • Look away and breathe. I'm a fainter with blood draws, so I have to tell them I need to lay down, then pray I get someone w who is really good at it. I've had both ends of the spectrum, but it's great when they are so good that you can barely feel it.
  • I had the same fears my first pregnancy then ended up having complications and having to get my blood drawn a couple times a week. Honestly it's all in your head usually as the actual poke doesn't hurt, if you're not in panic mode and you look away you can't even feel it! Most people doing the draws know people get queasy and talk you through it!.
  • I really appreciate all the feed back! It helps to know I'm not alone with this! I'm hoping this will help me get over my fear of needles and I can just be a normal person!
  • Definitely tell them you need to lie down, or at the very least have a chair that reclines! I'm also a fainter, so that helps a ton. I also am totally honest with the person drawing my blood, and let them know that I'm a big wimp - the majority have been really sympathetic, ask me unrelated questions to distract me, etc.
  • jonesl12jonesl12 member
    edited August 2015
    I have patients with anxiety about it lay down while I draw them . It helps calm the anxiety and they are less likely to pass out. If u get a good nurse it doesn't even hurt. It's the anxiety of getting it that seems the worst for people. ..Also don't hold your breath it causes a vasovagal response
  • I know Hypnobabies has a fear of needles track you can download :)
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  • For me it's the anxiety of it all not the pain. I think lying down and being completely honest with the nurse is my best bet!
  • I am not fond of them either. I try to look away. And....this might sound mean. But the nurse at my OB office that does the blood draws has a full mustash. So I end of staring for a sec and then look away and start wondering why she doesn't deal with it. And before I know it. The blood draw is over.
    BabyFetus Ticker
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