blood test opting out

[jen0221]

I have my first prenatal visit coming up on Tuesday and I am very nervous about the routine blood work they do. I had it done with my first, but with my second I only did the anemia test at 28 weeks. I have always had an intense fear of needles (my first 2 were unmedicated home births). Has anyone opted out of all routine blood work including the initial ones? How did your doctor respond to it? I don't feel that I am a risk for having anything wrong as I've had 2 completely complication-free pregnancies and births. I am a nervous wreck waiting for my appointment. Please help

[jen0221]

Oh I can handle birth. I've had 2 kids at home naturally with no medications. Circumstances this time (moving to the middle of nowhere and no money to pay out of pocket) prevent me from being able to do so again. My fear of needles happens to be deep rooted from childhood. I am a nurse's worst nightmare when it comes to needles. I eat pretty healthy so I'm not too worried about having a deficiency in vitamins. The things they test you for, like anemia and GD, usually you will have symptoms of. I'll talk to her and see what she says.

[jannahmre06]

If you can't handle a blood test, how can you handle birth? ! I'd suck it up for your baby, and close your eyes while they do it!  It's a quick process that will benefit you and baby.

[wyattsmom2015]

There is nothing wrong with opting out. It is a choice a mother has to make. I know a lot of people that won't do blood work for religious reasons, they don't believe that you let blood enter or leave the body willing. Accidents are different for them because you have no choice. What you do to your body is up to you. But once your child is here what would you so if it called for your child to get blood work or whatever done would you let your child decide not to get it done or get shots because they may be scared. If your answer is your child would need and get it done, then you should do the same now. I never go to the Dr and hate hospitals but I do a lot of things I don't like or would not normally do when pregnant, because it is things I would require of my child.

[cdoucette1101]

Only do what you're comfortable with, I opted out of mostly everything.  Your body, your choice. If you doctor pressures you, time for new one, probably best to go the midwife route, they are so much more holistic and in tune with what women want! Good luck mama!

[LaKesha2922]

I did the requires blood testing but so far as the optional ones like checking do down syndrome or whatever, I opted out of those because I didn't want to worry myself. I'll love my son either way

[Skittles_2_1_15]

Ive never ever ever been a fan of needles at all the process usually took way more time on me then another person I knooooow the doctors hated to see me coming due to my fears with needles but every pregnancy is different I wouldn't ever put my fears over finding out the health of my child and nope this not my first pregnancy. I've even failed both the sugar test the one hour is 1 needle.. but I also failed the 3 hour as well which is 4 needles.. they had me.. me .. mee omg testing my sugar every day 4 times a day with a needle but for my child I will do it.. it's not limit to anything I would do for my child.. so suck it up like me girl and do what you gotta do.. you wasn't scared of your man needle lol and his is bigger right.. lol just thought that make you smile Goodluck..

[jahawr89]

I wouldn't opt out. I found out I had low thyroid levels which needs to be treated for because of the blood tests. They can find other vitamin deficiencies as well which are important to fix.

[Maleka87]

I don't think it's the best choice to opt out honestly. It's non-invasive and doesn't pose a risk to the baby. Prior healthy births are not always in indicator of future healthy births. Just saying. I wanted to opt out of the screening for Trisonomy and Down Syndrome because it wouldn't be my choice to end a pregnancy due to those things, however the midwife said that knowing is important in case the baby needs special help immediately after birth, or even during birth. I would just get the tests done and call it a day, we all have to do things as parents that we don't really want to do-but it obviously your decision. I'd say if it was something like an amniocentesis-absolutely opt out... But bloodwork is pretty basic.

[jen0221]

Bump