Talk to me about 1 year bloodwork

Riley is 18 months and well, it needs to be done already.

I'm so nervous, worried. It's hard enough taking her temperature or aspirating or wiping her nose for godsakes!!

How do these people do it? Do you have to hold the child down? I have to go to LabCorp...

Thanks

Re: Talk to me about 1 year bloodwork

I didn't go to lab corp but the tech was great. My husband sat and held DS and they were done 1,2,3 and he really only great with the initial prick. I put it off till last minute for dear of how it would go but I have to say I made it bigger than what it was.
Good Luck

Re: Talk to me about 1 year bloodwork

Tara it's really not a big deal at all!!! We went to Quest, they have a chair you sit on with DC on your lap and an arm swings down to keep them somewhat still. Our tech was good, the needle went in and out so quickly!!! Get it done, you just want to make sure everything is normal!!!

Re: Talk to me about 1 year bloodwork

it's seriously that quick? I guess I'm thinking back to Riley's bloodwork back when we were testing her for EB- omg that was just unbearable!

Thanks for reassuring me!

Re: Talk to me about 1 year bloodwork

I have to say that I didn't have as good of an experience at a lab. They tried twice (in each arm) and couldn't get blood. They said DS didn't drink enough but that isn't true because he drank plenty before we went.

We still need to take him but it was a traumatic experience! Another doctor recommended that we go to Stony Brook and ask for a specific person in their lab. That is what we are going to try next.

Re: Talk to me about 1 year bloodwork

I'm sorry to say I didn't have a good experience at the lab either (Quest) w/ DD. She was sitting on my lap & they tried twice & he couldn't get it, so then a 2nd person came in & tried in her other arm & no luck. They took a break & let her calm down a bit & then finally got it. I was in tears by the time it was done.

For DS I decided to go to Good Sam lab where they are used to little children. The nurses were fabulous & they got it the first try & Jack was blowing kisses when he left.

Re: Talk to me about 1 year bloodwork

Re: Talk to me about 1 year bloodwork

Tara - my peds office suggested the hospital instead of a lab because they are better at handling the little ones.

We take Samantha to St. Barnabas. They were quick and really good with her. We have to take her next week again for her 2 year bloodwork.

Re: Talk to me about 1 year bloodwork

DS had it at 10 months at the office and it was just a fingerprick.

Re: Talk to me about 1 year bloodwork

Re: Talk to me about 1 year bloodwork

We haven't done it yet either :( Mia will be 18 months on the 30th. I know my ped. is going to be mad if i show up on feb. 4th for her well visit without it done. I have heard horror stories about labs and am not so sure about using a hospital in terms of where to go and if insurance will cover it.

Re: Talk to me about 1 year bloodwork

We had it done at a Sunrise Lab and it wasn't bad. My DD is very active and stubborn; she sat on my lap, my husband helped to keep her still while I hugged her and the tech drew the blood. It seriously took all three of us to keep her from moving. She cried but once it was over and we left she was fine. Bad 5 minutes, that's all.

Re: Talk to me about 1 year bloodwork

my ped did it in the office and just did a finger prick.

Re: Talk to me about 1 year bloodwork

My ped did it himself. I held Ian and he just stuck a butterfly needle in his arm and quickly drew one vial. It was over in 1 minute. YOU will be fine.

Re: Talk to me about 1 year bloodwork

I'm thinking I might ask the ped's office to write a new script so we can go to the hospital. I've already been to our labcorp to drop off samples...wasn't feeling good about the place then.

Re: Talk to me about 1 year bloodwork

I've been avoiding going too. DS had surgery at 13 months and I FORGOT to bring the Rx with me to see if they can draw blood while they had an IV in. Silly me - it would've been so easy!

For those of you saying it's a finger prick, that's NOT the bloodwork we're talking about. It's a needle in the vein to draw a vile of blood, not a small dot....

Re: Talk to me about 1 year bloodwork

I took both DS and DD to Quest.

DS never even flinched. I was amazed.

DD cried, but once it was over, she was fine. They also took more blood from her because the ped did a full allergy panel on her due to her milk allergy.

Basically you sit in the chair, DD will sit in your lap and you will hold her arm. That's the way I did it for both DC.

It's over very quickly and you are on your way.

We found out with DS bloodwork that he was anemic so I had to start giving him vitamins with iron.

Re: Talk to me about 1 year bloodwork

DD1 i did have to hold down and still do shes almost 4

DD2 doesnt cry fro shots and didnt for blood work either..

its over quick..

Re: Talk to me about 1 year bloodwork

Rylans was just a finger prick in the office. We have since switched peds and i'm scared sh*t to find out Xavier will need to have blood drawn. I am DEATHLY afraid of needles. when I get my own blood taken I cry...I can't imagine holding my baby down for this

Re: Talk to me about 1 year bloodwork

we went to quest. had a so so tech. My DD is very squirmy so i had to hold her in my lap with my arms across her very tightly because she doesn't like to be held and wanted out before she knew what was happening. Honestly it only take a minute or less and they get over it pretty quickly. Just bring a toy/treat for afterwards. i gave my DD her favorite snack and she was fine within before we left the place to get to the car.

Re: Talk to me about 1 year bloodwork

I never took Ethan. I put it off b/c of the horror stories i read on here, and then I completely forgot about it, and my pregnancy had a lot of issues toward the end, we just never got around to it, and now he's almost 2.

My ped is now sending me for 2 year bloodwork..maybe you should just wait for that.

And my ped also suggested the hospital lab over regular labs because they have more experience.

Re: Talk to me about 1 year bloodwork

Word of advice: Bring someone with you!! At the lab I went to, they make me sit & hold DD. The nurse at the lab was wonderful. He was extremely fast and dd got it on the first shot.

Re: Talk to me about 1 year bloodwork

I was a huge chicken and kept putting it off. Her script expired and now we have to get a new one. She will be 3 in a week and still hasn't had blood work done.

Re: Talk to me about 1 year bloodwork

Posted by nicrae

I was a huge chicken and kept putting it off. Her script expired and now we have to get a new one. She will be 3 in a week and still hasn't had blood work done.

Re: Talk to me about 1 year bloodwork

TBH it wasn't that bad. I brought both DDs to the hospital's lab since they are constantly doing bloodwork on people of all ages. Took 5 minutes. Hang in there mommy!