Is anyone else terrified of having blood taken?

I am so terrified of having my blood drawn & I Have my 1st appointment on Friday. I am panicking just thinking about all of the vials I am going to have to fill.

Was anyone else like this???? Please help!

Re: Is anyone else terrified of having blood taken?

Just don't look...I hate getting blood drawn as well...I just turn my head and keep breathing. I'll usually read something on the wall to not think about it. Good luck on Friday.

Re: Is anyone else terrified of having blood taken?

I'm not, becuase I had several bad illnesses as a kid.... so it's routine for me.

if you're scared of the pain, it really is nothing. It's just a pinch. If you don't like the sight of blood, turn your head away while they do it.

They usually put a needle with a thingy attached to it, so they can do all the vials with only one needle prick. I had 7 large vials drawn in about 1 minute last week.....

the amount they take looks like a lot, but it really isn't. you won't get dizzy or anemic from it.

hope this helps

Re: Is anyone else terrified of having blood taken?

see if they can give you the pediatric needle..they used them on me everytime..not sure if it was routine or not but it made it so easy to give te blood. hth

Re: Is anyone else terrified of having blood taken?

Re: Is anyone else terrified of having blood taken?

another thing you should do is warn the the phebologist that you are scared... they'll take extra care to ease your nerves....

Message edited 10/7/2009 11:10:14 AM.

Re: Is anyone else terrified of having blood taken?

Posted by wannabemom

I'm
They usually put a needle with a thingy attached to it, so they can do all the vials with only one needle prick. I had 7 large vials drawn in about 1 minute last week.....


hope this helps

Re: Is anyone else terrified of having blood taken?

Re: Is anyone else terrified of having blood taken?

Tell the tech. I did and they gave me things to look at and talked to me about the coming schedules for visits & the baby's growth. They totally distracted me and it went super-quick. It was not that bad, and I am not normally bad at having blood, but when I heard how much I almost fainted

You'll be great!

Re: Is anyone else terrified of having blood taken?

not so much giving blood i'm more terrified of the IV that has to stay in your hand throughout labor and delivery. they say you don't even notice it but what happens if you move the wrong way and tear it out..ughh i can't

Message edited 2/3/2008 9:34:26 PM.

Re: Is anyone else terrified of having blood taken?

I used to be pretty nervous about it. But then I became an active donater and since then it's a breeze.

When I was petrified the easiest way for me to muddle through t was just to make sure I looked the opposite way and I would tell the doctor not to say anything. Not to tell me when they were about to enter the vein and not to tell me when they were done. Because in reality you don't feel anything at all so them not telling me was easier - less mind preparation for me.

Hang in there, blood is just the beginning of what you will be enduring!

Re: Is anyone else terrified of having blood taken?

I'm really bad with needles cuz I have poor veins....

They wind up using the butterfly syringe on me cuz of this.

It's not that bad at all. Hopefully the person taking your blood isn't a newbie. I just look in the other direction, and let them do their thing.

Re: Is anyone else terrified of having blood taken?

Yes, I don't like it at all...I usually ask for a baby needle...b/c I'm a baby

Re: Is anyone else terrified of having blood taken?

Posted by cpanyc

I'm a fainter. Anytime in the past I've had to deal with needles I pass out.

I've gotten through the pregnancy blood tests without fainting by looking the other way and just talking like crazy about anything so I keep my mind occupied. Hope it goes ok for you!

Re: Is anyone else terrified of having blood taken?

ME!! I am petrified of needles. I literally have tears pouring down my face when I go. It's pathetic...lol. It's all in my head...once that needles in i'm fine...it's just the anticipation.

Re: Is anyone else terrified of having blood taken?

Don't worry, it's not that bad. As long as you don't look, it goes much faster than you'd imagine!

Re: Is anyone else terrified of having blood taken?

I was terrifed of needles. But you will have a lot of blood tests etc during your pregnancy. By the time I gave birth I was a pro.

I found that when I told the nurse I was afraid and asked them to use pediatric needles it really wasnt so bad.
The pediatric needles do take a little longer for the blood to go into the tubes but it doesnt pinch as much as a regular needle.
You will be fine! Good luck!

Re: Is anyone else terrified of having blood taken?

Thanks so much for all of the encouragement. I hope I am as brave as you all say I can be!