Making blood tests easier and less painful?

S

Shardote

New member
I'm currently 36 weeks pregnant and am having a second glucose tolerance test tomorrow. (For more information on this, see previous Q.)

From what I've been told/read, this will involve a number of blood tests over several hours.

I've always been a very skinny person and previous blood testers have also had problems finding a vein. I have had severe bruising from IVs and blood tests in the past.

My question is, is there anything I can do before the blood tests that will make it easier to draw blood or a little less painful?

The only thing I know of is to drink plenty of water.

Any other tips etc? Thanks =)
 
The blood tests are finger prick tests. They only need a small bit of blood. It does make your finger throb a bit, but only for a little while. Try and encourage the blood to your hand just before she pricks you by making fists and releasing it. Also try and keep your hands warm.
 
I've never been scared of needles, all I can say is yeah, hydrate yourself (lots of water!) and eat good food before you go in, usually they get you to clinch your hand into a fist so your veins shouldn't be hard to find.. Also if you're scared don't look, and stay relaxed. I know there's alot of needles involved during/after pregnancy, but you just have to be tough :-) I've got all the blood tests done during pregnancy (37 weeks 1 day now) that antibody test I had yesterday actually hurt my arm for a little while, even though it was 1 vial as opposed to 5! I went in and then had to go back and get another on the other arm because the pathology lady was sick and wasn't concentrating (she didn't get a reading!)

Oh yeah, and the glucose test since you're not good with needles might be a bit exhausting, and you might not like the drink they give you beforehand (lol) normally take 5 vials and takes about several mins, but you should be fine if you relax :-)
 
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