Needles!!!!

Hi C.,
I do Somatic Experiencing trauma release work and most likely would be able to help you get past this fear of needles. It worked for me. If you would like to give me a call and discuss it please feel free. S. ###-###-####

I don't pass out everytime I have to get a shot or blood work done, but I've done so a fair number of times, and I have often been near fainting, even while pregnant (like when I had to get my first RhoGam shot, because I'm Rh-, with my 1st pregnancy). Like you, I HATE needles...so much so that I have given birth to 3 babies without drugs to avoid having a needle inserted in my back! To get through my blood work, I ALWAYS ask to recline when having blood drawn (there is usually at least one reclining chair in the lab), ask for juice to drink before I get up, and wait several minutes before trying to get up. If I try to get up too soon, I tend to get light-headed. And whatever you do, don't watch. I also always have someone go with me in case I do pass out. As many times as I have passed out from my own blood work/shots, or watching others have stuff done (like my son's first IV), the RhoGam shot was the closest I ever came to actually passing out while pregnant. Hope that helps, and good luck.

Blood work is important. There are some test you can decline, such as the genetic testing for downs, spina bifida. These are optional test and need to be a decision made between you and your husband. However, you do need the ob panel in your 1st trimester (your doctor will explain what this test involves). In addition, you need your labs at 28 weeks, such as 1 hour glucose tolerance test(to rule out gestational diabetes) and a cbc (to rule out anemia). Make sure you are laying down during the blood draws and don't get up until you feel you can and when you do, get up slowly.. Have the phlebotomist put a cool wash cloth to the back of your neck or on your forehead and slow easy breathing. You can also bring someone with you so they can help coach you through this. Be sure to tell the phlebotomist that you pass out during blood draws. He or she should know what to do as well. Lots of people pass out. It's called a vasovagal reaction, but I believe you are going to do just fine. Take care!

The vasovagal reflex, which causes the heart rate to slow and the blood vessels to widen, or dilate. As a result, blood pools in the lower body and less blood goes to the brain. This reflex can be triggered by many things, including stress, pain, fear, coughing, holding your breath, and urinating. A person who experiences this, recoveries quickly.

Fainting caused by the vasovagal reflex is often easy to predict. It happens to some people every time they have to get a shot or they see blood. Some people know they are going to faint because they have symptoms beforehand, such as feeling weak, nauseated, hot, or dizzy. After they wake up, they may feel confused, dizzy, but as mention above, recovery quickly. Be Encouraged!

You will need to get over this to a certain extent - your baby will also need shots and possibly blood work at some point - and as a mom I can tell you it is 100 times worse to watch your child go through it than yourself. Your fear of needles doesn't mean you can't be a mom - but your attitude about it could affect your ability to be a good mom. Being a mom is being mature enough to acknowledge your issue, but handling it like a mom - which means you let the doctor and person drawing your blood know you faint when faced w/ needles, so they can take the appropriate measures - and don't try to get up and walk when you know you are about to faint. As a mom you will have to let your child's doctor know the same thing, and probably either let someone else be w/ your child or if that is not available (as I suspect it won't always be) than you sit down and look the other way, but find a way to reassure your child just the same. Kids sense their parents' fear and you have to find a way to deal with it now before they come in to the picture.

Good luck, I am sure you will do fine, but you REALLY have to lose the attitude where because of your fear, you are ready to skip necessary medical procedures that are there to safeguard your unborn child. Doing so puts your own needs ahead of your child's safety and well-being, which is the #1 thing you CAN NOT do when you are a parent.

Hope this was not too tough - but you asked for advice. I also wish you peace and happiness, and being a mom does help bring happiness (but not much peace, lol, that has to come from other places, maybe your faith?).

Take care and good luck!

Hi C.-

I don't doubt that this is a very serious issue for you and I do sympathize and truly don't mean to minimize it but this is a good first lesson on the road to becoming a mom. There are going to be a lot of things that you will have to do to put your child's well being first. There will be times when you will have to do things that you don't want to do but they are things that are in the best interest of your child so you do them. I think you should take the other mom's advice and just go into the blood draws prepared and motivated to be strong for your child.

Yes people had babies before there were these lab tests, but the death rate of women during childbirth as well as the infant mortality rate and the miscarriage rate were significantly higher than they are today as well. In my opinion, not a good trade off!!

Good Luck!
K.

EDIT: Not to scare you but just so you're prepared, if your blood type is negative you will also need to get a shot of Rhogam during the pregnancy and one after you deliver (if the baby's blood type is positive.)

The "big deal" about blood work is that it can save your baby's life. During the hundreds of years when there were no blood tests, the infant mortality rate was astronmical! Not to mention the number of mothers who died in childbirth.

One word of advice: I was really afraid of needles, too, when I got pregnant with my first child. But, I was willing to go through the ordeal of all the "sticks" in order to protect my precious baby. When you feel like you're willing to do that, too, maybe you'll be ready to have a baby. Please forgive me, but right now it sounds like all your worrying is about yourself, not about the little life that will be completely dependent on you while it is growing inside of you. Be a big girl, close your eyes, hold your breath, and grit your teeth. If you think bloodwork is an ordeal, just wait until you go through labor!

The blood work is very important. Yes, people had babies for hundreds of years without blood work, but there were also lots of still born babies and a lot of births that took the lives of the mother and baby. Have someone go with you to keep your mind off of it and think about what you may be doing to save your babies life. That motherly instinct and strength a mother has for her child should also help you out if you focus on that. Best wishes to you.

The bloodwork during pregnancy is very important to make sure that you stay healthy, which in turn should lead to a healthy baby. Yes, women have been having babies for thousands of years without bloodwork done, but there was also a higher rate of stillborn births and miscarriages then. You need to find some way of getting over your fear.

It is also important to have bloodwork done before you get pregnant to make sure that your hormones are in balance. I have hypothyroidism, which means that my thyroid doesn't produce enough of its hormone. I have to take medication everyday for this. My doctor diagnosed me before I got pregnant. She told me that if I had gotten pregnant first I most likely would have miscarried, and that if I was able to carry the baby to term with my thyroid levels unbalanced, the baby could have birth defects. That's why the bloodwork is important before and during pregnancy.

Discuss your fear of needles with your doctor, and let your doctor know that you usually pass out when you have to have blood drawn. Then make sure that on days when you are having bloodwork done, someone goes with you. GOOD LUCK!!!!

tell the person doing the blood work that this happens. she might have some suggestions. also talk on the phone read a book something anything but dont look at that needle or that blood. i dont have the same problem but i hope you can over come this. good luck and God bless.

C.,

Perhaps you need to see a counselor, now, to work through this aversion to needles. You are only 21 years old -- and there is virtually a guarantee that you WILL have to deal with needles at some point in your lifetime: (1) for your own welfare and, probably more immediately and importantly, (2) in the care and support of your child (or children).

An inability to accept treatment delivered by syringe, at the level you describe, is NOT within the bounds of normal - and is, in fact, a "phobia" (a persistent, irrational fear of a specific object, activity, or situation that leads to a compelling desire to avoid it.)

This is not a phobia that you would want to pass along to your kids - which may easily happen if you do not know where your fear comes from and do not deal with it. Not that I believe this is likely, but "What if..." ...your child has a medical condition that MUST be treated by needle, ranging from allergy shots to even more serious conditions, such as adolescent diabetes? Life deals us all kinds of challenges and it is wise to seek help when we find an area that is difficult or impossible to deal with on our own.

Please get psychological help now - for your sake and for those who depend upon you for their care.

God Bless you,
K.

One thing that might work, is when you have to get blood work down, have your arm on one side of the wall and your head on the other. That way you won't see the needle.

Dont feel bad, I used to pass out if someone came near me with a needle.

I have gotten over the fear now, especially since I have gone through 2 rounds of IVF.

Tell the "blood-sucker" you need a moment to yourself before she begins. Sit in the chair and stare out a window. You have to place yourself somewhere else. Get deep in thought.

It's taken me many years to get over the fear of needles and blood.

You could also ask your doctor what test will be done, and if it is even necessary. Most docs just run tests because it's what they have always done. Tell your doctor about your fear, and find out which tests are required and which ones are just done, you can probably get these passed on.

I used to have this same problem, when I got married the first time I knew I couldn't handle the blood work so I told the nurse and what we did was I didn't look, I told her to tell me when it was done because if I look while she was still doing it I knew I would pass out. Well that went fine, so then it was my husbands turn, and I thought I would be ok to watch his , I was standing in the doorway of the room where he was sitting getting the blood taken, and I woke up on a hospital gurney! I am a lot better now, what I did to get over it, was I worked in a hospital emergency room for a couple of years as a volunteer, thursday and friday nights! Yeah I got to see lots of blood! then I watched medical procedures on TV! very graffic, It would make me a little queezy, but I got over it. Anyway for now, make sure you get it across to them that you pass out if you see it, and they will be sure to try to help you "not" look. Best of luck!

You have to have the bloodwork to make sure you don't die as well as the baby. They may have had babies for hundreds of years without it, but alot of them DIED! So get the bloodwork, by the time the pregnancy is over you'll probably be over your needle fear. I too was very scared of needles. I got a tattoo 1st, then had two babies. Now I am not so scared. Much rather have the needle than a pelvic. CB

C.,
You will not be able to get through this lifetime without a few needle sticks (or worse). I understand completely. I too had a fear and loathing of needles. I gave birth to four children and I have had couple of surgeries as well. What works for me is to have a CD player with the sounds of the ocean. I close my eyes and picture myself at the beach. It is the only way I can get through these kinds of tests. There are CD’s with the sound of the forest or nature sounds. These can be very soothing. There are meditation classes you can take for this sort of thing. Tell the people who are doing the blood work that you pass out - they will give you a reclining chair. They don't want you falling on the floor and hurting yourself or the baby. Good luck.

People died having babies for hundreds of years, too!! The bloodwork is to make sure that you and your baby are both doing well and not causing damage to each other. It's very important. Passing out because of it is purely psychological. You have to convince yourself that this is important and necessary for the well being of your child. If all else fails, tell the doctor or technician taking your blood of the situation so they'll be ready to revive you. You're going to have to get over it if you're going to be a mom - they get all kinds of vaccines and shots and you have to be there to care for your child. If you don't, who will?

Lots of people feel as you do about needles .I have a few suggestions: 1. Tell your MD; 2.

askif he can give you a topical anesthetic likie Lidocaine before drawing blood. that will actually be an additional needle, but you won't feel the rest ,particularly the blood draws which are done with a larger needle. 2; NEVER<NEVER> look3. tell the PHlebotomist(that is the trained blood drawer, about your problem.; in fact, going to the phlebotomist instead of your MD toget blood drawn may help as one little known fact is that many physicians and even some nurses are not very good at drawing blood, but the technicians who do it for a living have to be. 3. Distract yourself;perhaps learn to do guided imagery or even conversely, think about aproblem you want to solve while they're drawing your blood, plan avacation or any especially pleasant activity; 4. make sure the drawer accesses the largest blood vessel he or she safely can rather than the most "distal", which is what they are trained to do; Plan asmall reward for yourself after a successful draw (you would know best what that will be;5. Treat a blood draw like any other necessary "evil",plan to go get it over with instead of procrastinating. That is all I can think of now.

Fran B.,Ret. RN

fr

My oldest daughter is like that. When she was pregnant, I went with her to every appt in case there would be needles that day. She wanted me to hug her tight and she would burry her head into my shoulder so she couldn't see what was happening. I don't know if it would help you to have someone go with you who would be willing to hug you through your fears. I am sure everything will work out for you and your baby.

I hate needles almost as bad as you do. When I was pregnant with our 2nd child I found out that when they draw blood they can use pediatric needles. The nurses questioned me about it. They told me it would take longer to draw the blood, but they did it. The needle is smaller. I barely felt it and it did not seem to take all that long. I hope this helps.

First up, if I were you I would probably talk to your doctor about it, and second up... if it were me, I'd probably refuse the blood work. You're right, people did have babies for 100s of years without blood work.

You definitely need to talk to your doctor. Find out if they can use a numbing agent like lidocaine prior to taking the blood, then make sure that you are distracted and not looking at the needle. If you don't know it's coming you can't pass out.

I also have a huge fear of needles, although I didn't pass out I would have panic attacks and usualy will cry while they take blood.

My fear actually got better after being pregnant and having my son. Unless you are high risk there is only a few times that they will need to take blood. You will most likely need an IV while in the hospital, but when you are in labor you really really really don't care about needles trust me!

You need to just bite the bullet and do what is best for your baby. Your doctor should be able to help you work through this especially since this is a pretty common fear.

Good luck!

Since you aren't pregnant yet you have a little time to try a few things and find out what works. I have endo and had my first surgery when I was 17 and I was terrified of needles. Before the surgery I was desperate for anything that would help and we finally decided to try hypnotherapy. I was awake the whole time, there wasn't any weirdness that went on, but at the end of my sessions I could tell a huge difference in my anxiety level. I really encourage you to try something like this because when you have a baby, the bloodwork is the least of the needles. If you give birth in a hospital you will have an IV and almost half of Texas births are C-sections, so needles are something that will be confronted at every turn. Good luck! By the way, I was 21 when we first started trying and it took 3 years and a lot of shots before I was able to get preg, so by the time I had my baby I had a lot of practice with needles.

Have you considered using a midwife? They are much much more hands off medically speaking, and don't require all the zillions of unnecessary testing. She may take one blood sample to check for anemia throughout the entire pregnancy. I have used the same midwife for the last 2 of my homebirths and would be happy to share her name and number with you :)

Hi C.,,
they have got to do blood work to make sure all is ok with you and baby to me ,,tell them of your problem of passing out maybe you can lay down,then close your eyes and think of the beautiful new life you have growing inside you and dont open your eyes till they are finished.thats how i made it throught narural child birth was to think oh soon my beautiful new baby will be here and the breathing of course
good luck L.

You can refuse the blood work. I tell the nurse to not let me see the needle or the blood. I look away the whole time and she slips it in her shirt pocket. I still get dizzy, but I don't pass out.

I understand your concern. I used to work as a medical assistant before my daughter was born, so I have no problem with needles myself, but my husband actually has a similar problem as you. He gets queasy/nauseous with needles & other medical procedures and has actually passed out on several occasions as well. Unfortunately, sometimes blood work is a very big deal and very important, especially during pregnancy. Yes, people did have babies for hundreds of years without it, but you also have to consider that in those days there were lots more babies and moms that died during pregnancy and childbirth. I say that not to scare you, but to explain that the advances in modern medicine are a huge part of the reason there are so many healthy babies, mom-to-be and new moms today. Some of the bloodwork (genetic testing, etc.) is optional, and your doctor can explain those tests and give you the choice whether to have them. However, there are several times during your pregnancy where they will do basic blood tests like blood counts (which check for anemia, low iron) and glucose (blood sugar). These are very important. While they are usually normal for most women, when they aren't they can let your doctor know whether you need additional iron supplements or whether you have pregnancy-induced diabetes. Both of these can be treated by your doctor fairly easily if they know you have them. However, if you just don't get the blood work and the doctor doesn't know you have them, they can have serious consequences to your baby such as low birth weight or preterm labor. These are just 2 examples of why bloodwork is so important. My advice to you would be to find a great doctor who you can talk to easily, explain your concerns, and discuss which tests are really necessary for the health of you & your baby & which ones can be skipped. Likewise, when you are going to get your blood drawn take something along (ipod, magazine, prayer or meditation, whatever you think will work best) to try & keep your mind off of it as much as possible. Also let whoever is going to do it know your problem so that they can be prepared just in case you do lose consciousness so they can be prepared. I will also say that they usually draw a lot of vials at one time the first time you have pregnancy-related bloodwork, but after that it is often only 1 or 2. Pregnancy & motherhood is an incredible journey, but not always easy. Definitely the hardest job you will ever love, like they say. Finding strategies to try & cope now will definitely help you later during labor & childbirth. That, unfortunately, lasts a lot longer than getting a few tubes of blood drawn, but the end result is so worth it! One other thing to consider might be hypnotherapy. It's an alternative medicine technique that some people are using during childbirth now to try & keep the mind calm during childbirth by learning to focus your attention on other things. I've never tried it myself, but I've heard that it has helped a lot during childbirth for some people. Sorry this answer got sooooo long & I know it's probably not what you wanted to hear, but I would hate to see any little baby or mom-to-be suffer from health problem that could have been avoided with the proper prenatal medical tests & care. Best of luck to you & your hubby - may God bless you both as you try to start down the road to becoming parents! :)

If you are considering refusing bloodwork, ask your doctor what is potentially worse for you & your baby for each test- fainting or skipping a test for something which if left untreated might increase the risk of pregnancy complications.

I hate needles also, but have stopped passing out everytime they draw blood.

I think for me, having to go more frequently for bloodwork during pregnancy actually helped me get used to things. I have high risk pregnancies and require more bloodwork than most.

Also- and this may sound simple- I now make sure to take a deep breath through my nose just before they stick me, and focus on breathing slowly out my mouth once the needle is in. I was so nervous I was holding my breath, which couldn't have helped things.

Also eating a good breakfast (but not overly heavy if the blood draw is first thing in the morning) and staying well hydrated helps me. Good luck!

Try looking the other direction and you really do need to get over this problem. Children do get hurt and you will not be able to help if you are on the floor also.

Hi C.,
I was the exact same way before I was pregnant. Pregnancy was what cured my fear. Every time you go in to an appt. they stick your finger and take blood. I had to get used to it and I decided to overcome my fear.

I used to have to lay down for blood work but then I started sitting in the chairs and just not looking at the needle at all. Put a magazine on the floor and look at that. Whatever you do - don't look at the needle. Eventually, I would suspect that you will overcome your fear like I did.

good luck,
J.
www.livetotalwellness.com/janislanz

Maybe hypnosis could work to calm your fear? Worth a try...

Here's a search result of hypnosis in Junction: http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&amp;rls=en-us&...

I also had a terrible fear of needles. However, I have learned that the more you have experience with them the fear may eventually disappear!!!! I was like you also (I didn't faint) until I got pregnant. There is no avoiding needles during a pregnancy. You just need to keep with it and do as your doc says and it will get easier. Also, you are so young, you have plenty of time to have kids. Enjoy your life now and when you get a severe case of baby fever, you will do anything to have kids, including dealing with needles.

I used to be this way too. Just know that it gets better with age and experience. Now that you are becoming a Mother you will find yourself in situations that you have to do what is best for the baby even though it is tough for you.

I found that as long as I was honest with the techs beforehand things went well. They have a place you can lay down to have blood drawn and they will give you juice and wet towel if you need it. They can have two people assit. One to talk to you one to do the work. They really do their best.

I found that staying really hydtrated helped considerably. Also focusing on one spot, not just the picture on the wall but like the corner of the picture frame really helped. I also found it helpful to say some random out of the blue bizaar thing to myself just as they priked me, like: "peanut butter and sardines!" It confused my brain enough that it distracted me and I thought of other things.

All in all, you will not get through this pregnancy without lab work. There is just too much that they need to monitor. I thought when I had the baby that lab work would end, but seriously they drew blood like four times the next 24 hours. Just be prepard!

If you want to buck the system your best bet is a midwife. They were around long before bloodwork and OB/GYNs as well! Try working with a holistic doctor for great attention to your complete health picture without blood draws. Or maybe hypnotherapy to get over the fear? Good luck! Have fun getting pregnant! ;)

P. (not afraid of needles and has the tattoos to prove it!)

C. I feel you. I too have a fear, but I have learned to get around it. For me is was just time. I now can give blood (just can't look) because I know the great things that can be done with it. I can help save a life without even being a Dr. or nurse.

Try looking a picture that takes you to a "happy place" Try your favorite tune on an I-Pod or radio, have a friend talk to you while it is being done.
Our fears become less when we find out more about them.
I am still trying to help my oldest son with his fear of needles. When he was 9 we had to rush him in to have surgery and he was not ready for all of the things that were coming at him all at once....the dreaded needle being the worst of it.
I wish you the best

I have the exact same problem you do. A couple things have worked for me that maybe you can try. If I drink a soda or have some candy, even some fruit beforehand I do okay. Also, I request all my bloodwork to be done while lying down and this has kept me from passing out. If I sit up though, forget it! I didn't pass out for any of the bloodwork I had done when pregnant. You will be amazed at what you can do when it's for your baby! During labor, I didn't pass out either - and I was in labor for 28 hours with no drugs for the pain. I ended up having to have a C-Section, didn't pass out for that either. I was really worried that I would have the passing out problem, but I did okay. I think you will be okay too! Good luck!

erks!

I completely understand your fear. I have a horrid dislike of them as well, and I'm a nurse! I haven't ever fainted, but I do turn ten shades of green to gray and my whole body shakes. They always ask if I'm alright, and I tell them(in a rather squeaky voice)that I'm just fine but to hurry up and get it over with. lol

Tricks to try? Lay down when having your blood drawn(any decent lab is prepared to deal with this), like another response said, if the blood pools, you can pass out, but if you're laying down, it doesn't have any where to pool. Second, close your eyes and RELAX. Easier said than done, I know, but find your safe place. It can be anywhere, pick your fantasy and live it out in your head while they're doing the blood draw. You have to concentrate 100% on the safe place though, feel it, smell it, hear it. Let it completely take over every sense you have. If you have someone that can go with you, great! They can talk you through your fantasy, asking questions about to make you pay more attention to what's going on in your head rather than what's going on outside your body. Keep your breathing slow and regular, in through the nose, out through the mouth...the other person can coach you through that as well. It does work, but you have to be willing to believe in it. I've coached many many patients through blood draws and other procedures with success most of the time. Sometimes it doesn't work, but the key thing to remember...this is IMPORTANT stuff.

Your health and your baby's health do depend on it. Your doctor's ability to properly take care of you depends on it as well.

Try having earbuds in your ears w/ music playing slightly too loud. This aids w/ motion sickness. It might help. I think it needs to be the buds that stick in your ears...not the kind of earmuff type. It does something to the inner ear. Good luck!

Hi C..

The bloodwork required during pregnancy has everything to do with the health of you and your baby. You are right: women did go without bloodwork before our time. Women also died during childbirth due to complications not diagnosed for the lack of bloodwork. If this is such a problem for you, there are two things you need to consider: Counseling to overcome your fear of needles and bleeding, or: Not becoming pregnant. Having your bloodwork done is the easiest part of your pregnancy. If you have any complcations during your pregnancy, there are a lot more things to fear than a needle. I recommend you seeing a counselor to help you overcome your fear. It would be a shame for you to miss out on the beautiful God given gift of a precious child. HTH

C.,
You sound exacly like myself. I have always had a fear of needles and hated ever doing any kind of blood work. I too passed out every time. This is something I worried about too when my husband and I decided to get pregnant. I knew I would have to overcome my fear if I ever wanted to become a mom. Once pregnant there was a lot of blood work done and I did pass out, but I always warned the nurse ahead of time that I would probably pass out, so be ready. Sure enough I did!! But the more times I did it the less fear I had. I really think being pregnant helped me overcome my phobia of needles. I did however pass out when I went to the hospital for the delivery when they put the IV in my arm. The IV was actually the worst part of my delivery...even the epidural. I think you will be fine and if anything it might help you over come your hatred for needles like it did for me. I just kept thinking to myself it is for a good cause!!!
Good Luck :)
K.

For hundreds of years women have also died unnecessarily during pregnancy and childbirth so the blood work is important, especially your iron and sugar levels that are done most regularly. Have you thought of having hypnotherapy to get over your fear? It might help to sort this all out prior to getting pregnant. Or doing some relaxation exercises. My sister has a huge fear of needles and managed to get over it during her pregnancy so maybe you will too. She would always vomit when having any kind of blood test or injection. It's important you deal with this now. Maybe your Dr would have some suggestions.

Hope this helps
S. (Mom of 2)

I understand how deeply fears and anxieties can affect people, so I'm not one to say "just get over it!" but I will advise you to start looking at this as just one of the many many many many many sacrifices that you will make as a mom. This is the introduction to the next phase of your life wherein "It's not about you anymore." The blood work is critical, and I'm pretty sure your OBGYN will require that it be done (for their own protection as well as yours). If you want to have monitored prenatal care from a liscened professional doctor and deliver in a hospital, needles are going to happen!
Yes, for hundreds of years women had babies with no prenatal care. They also had a lot of deaths and still borns. Bloodwork helps confirm pregnancy, make sure your body is responding appropriately, and checks for signs of defects in the baby. Women have babies with no prenatal care in today's world, but it is rare because we have so much technology and understanding to help things go smoothly. Just think about it as a necessity for your baby.

You can communicate your fears/worries with the techs and have hubby there next to you ready to help when it goes down. Perhaps you could work with a psychologist to help you reduce the fear. Calming exercises, visualization activities, something. If it's bad enough you're losing consciousness, I'd say its a medical condition!

BTW - you'll also get IVs put in before, during, or after delivery that use needles and the epidural (should you choose to have one) is the biggest most painful needle I've ever encountered in my life! I'm not trying to scare you, I just want you to be prepared for what happens.

FYI - I hope you aren't squimish when it comes to poop, pee, snot, puke, or seeing others bleed because, well, that goes with the territory! Heck, you might experience all of those just during delivery! Certainly, without a doubt, on a fairly consistent basis for the first 5 years or so of your child's life! Oh, and when your baby goes to well checkups, you'll get to help hold your baby still while he/she gets shots!

I'm the same way. This is what I do. I do not look at the needle at all, I turn in the other direction and think about things that make me happy, or what I need to do for that day.

Do not think about what's going on. And before you know it, it will be over.

Try this technique, it helps me, and I hope it will help you too.

Good Luck.

Rosie

C., you are not alone! You need to know that.

Don't hesitate to talk to your doctor and OB/GYN about this phobia. When possible, the doctor can order urine tests instead of a blood test; or work out something else.

My mother is seriously claustrophobic and can't stand to take an MRI test. The doctors and nurses have helped her out and the last time an MRI was needed, they let her sleep through it.

I encourage you to ask the nurses for suggestions. My sister is a nurse and they care! At our HMO, I try to make sure a Registered Nurse is doing the blood test not just a nurse technician.

Anyway, be strong and keep asking if alternatives are available.

D.

I used to have this problem too. Somtime at the beginning of my first pregnancy a nurse gave me some advice that, as simple as it is, has made a world of difference. One, drink a lot of water before having your blood drawn, it makes the whole process go much faster because your blood will flow better. Two, try to use some kind of relaxation technique as others have suggested. And third, now here's the big one, breathe. The nurse told me the reason that I was passing out, getting faint, vomiting, and so forth was because I was holding my breathe. I would hold my breathe in anticipation of the stick and continue holding it while they were taking my blood. By the time it was done, I was sick or out cold. I didn't even realize that I was doing it! Now I always count out my breaths while they take my blood. This was the simple advice that made getting blood drawn much better for me...good luck!

I used to be the same way, but then I was hospitalized for preterm labor and HAD to have the bloodwork done and an IV in. It's what was best for the baby. DO NOT LOOK and have them use something to deaden the area so you don't feel it so much. Tell you DR your concerns too and ask what tests need to be run and why.

S., mom to five

I am phobic about needles, too, and have been known to pass out. You can shop for an OB/GYN who will let you go through without bloodwork, but I think it's par for the course at least once, if for nothing more than liability issues. Tell the people your situation and tell them to get the person who draws blood best (some people do it better than others). Tell them too that if they're not confident they can get the blood on the first stick they'd better get somebody else. I had to go through the full-blown gestational diabetes test (get stuck every half-hour for a few hours) with one pregnancy. That situation came up again (a borderline urine sample) in the following pregnancy and I refused to go through the full-blown test. I told them to run another urine sample. They changed the procedure for the urine sample (I forget what it was, but they usually make you fast overnight; this time I think they took a couple samples over time in the office), and that time the time came out clean. Most doctors will also want you to have an IV line in while giving birth. You may be able to negotiate that or get a midwife. They generally aren't as needle-happy as doctors.