ftm: fear of needles

[brizzybreeze]

I know I am hiping myself up, but im just saying im terrified of needles.. like so bad to the point I kicked a nurse in her stomach to be held down. Does anyone else have this fear or any advice that could possibly help me get over it? My first prenatal appt is next week and I know there going to draw blood. This has become a burden on my life.. please help

[BabyNorasMom]

I was terrified but got used to it with my first pregnancy. I had pre-eclampsia and they hooked me up to all kinds of IVs and magnesium drips and I had to have blood drawn every 3 or 4 hours the 6 days I was in the hospital :p it really does get easier. Just remember it's for your little one.

[brizzybreeze]

Thank you ladies. I think this will help alot and always keep me a little more open minded.

[alice_cheshirecat]

I have a fear of needles as well. I always discuss it with the nurse right away and warn them that I do have a fear I will get very sweaty palms get hot and possible to faint. They are always very nice about it. I look away the whole time and just keep talking to them about anything. I am 33 weeks 4 days pregnant and high risk so I've been poked a lot since I got pregnant. Everytime I just remind myself that it is for him not me and that is all the motivation I need. He is what matters not me and I will do whatever it takes to ensure his safety even if it means facing fears.

[festivette]

I start off by telling them I am a big baby and apologize in advance. I watch them prepare everything, and once they start cleaning the area, I tell them they can't count down before the poke. Just to do it. Then I look away and take deep breaths, scrunch my face or make a fist with my other hand. I don't watch anything and once the poke is over I try to keep conversation going.

If they count down, I pull away or flinch. I've learned it sbetter not to know when it's coming!

[newmomma8488]

I draw blood for a living.  Completely understandable to be scared of needles.  I agree with Destynee2015.  Don't watch, wiggle your toes, deep breaths, and if you want to then start talking about the baby with the person drawing your blood.  It's a good distraction.  I can handle patients that are scared and will talk them through it. If you kick me, hit me, jump, or start yelling at me then that's it, I'll stop the blood draw and you'll have to be stuck again even though I was getting the blood.  I don't know if you have HIV or Hepatitis and kicking causes a high risk of the needle coming out of your arm and sticking me.  What if the nurse would have been pregnant?  Just throwing out a view from the person on the other side of the needle.

[shelbynorma]

I was terrified of needles, I still cry every time, I had to do the 3 hour glucose test since I didn't pass the first one so I had 4 needle pokes that day and it helped me get over it a little bit, also being prepared and just knowing that I'm going to be poked helps

[Destynee2015]

Oh man i totally get whete ur coming from. I use to be absolutely terrified of needles. My grandmother helped me get over my fear though Thank God. Idk if this will help you but did for me. First off, do not watch anything nurse is doing. As soon as u sit down, look away at something and start taking deep breaths. Focus on ur breathing and it may sound funny but wiggle ur toes as it will distract ur mind from the needle. I use to pass out everytime and now i do it like its nothing. I also came to realize once i got pregnant that im going to continue getting pricked until birth so may as well get over it. Hope you find a way to cope with it.

[Allocate]

I completely understand

[brizzybreeze]

It seems so easy to think and say but when it really comes down to it happening, I just freak. Its almost like a natural reaction at this point. I have told nurses I was going to kick them and that I couldnt help my actions because honestly its just the reaction. It seems crazy to be apologizing before I do the action, but I just get so scared and freaked. Soo frustrating

[Allocate]

I myself have a fear of needles, this is my second pregnancy. Ive come to the conclusion that its just that first prick of the needle in my arm that gets me