Pregnant with severe blood test and needle phobia - need urgent options/suggestions for help

[TeamPoppy]

Hi, my 29 yo daughter has just been advised she is pregnant, but she has major blood test anxiety and needle phobia. She was told she needed tests and her blood pressure went through the roof. She wants to be able to do it, but she can’t stop crying and her anxiety levels are through the roof.

She has never had a blood test and has avoided doctors because of this. She has been told since she was small that she was just being stupid. She has been able to make herself get an injection and said she will talk herself into the whooping cough vaccine, but just can’t get past a blood test.

She had her wisdom teeth out a few years ago and we had to find a dentist that would do gas for the IV.

Does anyone know of any options that may be able to assist, or provide her with alternative solutions? Her current GP has just told her she is a mother now and she has to just do it - then was very worried when her blood pressure was really high and said she needed to calm down. My daughter normally has very low blood pressure. 

need recommendations

Thank you - concerned mother (future Gran)

[Soberlicious96]

Dear YeamPoppy,

Welcome to Beyond Blue.

I must say that if I was in the height of anxiety and some insensitive person told me to just "get over it" ...... Oh my goodness, let me just say that they wouldn't do it a second time!

I too am NOT a fan of needles and a few years ago was in a high-speed car crash where I had to have a number of needles for different reasons, over the ensuing weeks and I can also tell you that not everyone who provides medical treatment is as harsh as some.

I will also say that I am not a medical professional of any kind either ..... Just a fellow human being with similar fears.

I would strongly recommend some deep breathing and meditative exercises beforehand, during, and after. If the pain from the needle is also an issue, then there is some stuff you can get over the counter from the chemist that is a numbing cream, which will numb the area a bit. It needs to be applied some time before, like 30 minutes or so.

Anyway, I don't know if that helps or not, but I do hope so.

Take care, and congratulations on becoming a grandparent soon! Xo

[TeamPoppy]

Thank you for your kind words

[Ebi]

Hi TeamPoppy,

I'm surprised that the GP didn't discuss the possibility of seeing a psychologist to help with your daughter's phobias. Specific phobias (those that are triggered in relation to something specific) are quite treatable. Basically, your daughter could work with a psychologist to gradually get used to the things she is scared of... Admittedly, it might take longer than the time she has before the blood tests are due...

Anyway, a GP can create a Mental Health Care Plan which allows your daughter to see a psychologist at a subsided rate through Medicare (some psychologists will bulk bill meaning no out-of-pocket expense).

Hope your daughter has a great pregnancy, Ebi

[TeamPoppy]

Thanks Ebi, I don’t know if the GP mentioned seeing a psychologist to her. I previously looked in to some phobia centres and do they certainly mention a care plan, but I haven’t been able to discuss the idea as she gets overwhelmed by the thought and starts crying. She basically just shuts off and won’t engage. I appreciate your kind comments.

[Ebi]

That certainly is a difficult situation, if her fear and distress are so strong she doesn't even want to talk about treatment. You can't force people to have treatment.

I wonder if, instead of taking about the steps for getting treatment, she'd be willing to talk about the pros and cons of dealing with her phobia/fears. A conversation where you aren't trying to persuade her as such, but rather, to help her explore whether there are any reasons for trying to do something about it. I suspect it would need to be at a time, and in a place, and with a person/people that she feels very safe and secure.

What do you think?

[TeamPoppy]

Thank you for your comments. I know she wants to, but it is all just too hard. Hopefully she will find a way to move forward. If she could have gas I know she would do it, but we have struggled to find out if that is an option that could be available to her.

[Clownfish]

Hi there, I just joined the online forum and saw your post. I realise it was posted a while ago. How did your daughter go with the blood test? My daughter needs a blood test but is refusing and very emotional. She too can have an injection with a lot of support but blood test is next level anxiety and refusal. We are familiar with deep breathing techniques etc but she has tried all that for anxiety and it’s not enough in this situation. Refusing to see a psych about it. Just shutting me out. Would be great to know how you went. Congratulations on the baby. Kind regards,

[Guest_206]

Hi Clownfish, I have a needle phobia so I understand what your daughter is going through. If I have to have a blood test, I use an emla patch (it has the numbing cream) and that helps me get through it. I put it on 45 mins before having the test. And Of course always lie down. Its still awful to go through, but the emla patches have been a life saver for me.

[blossom321]

Hi TeamPoppy,

how did your daughter go getting the blood tests, needles during labour? i too am so frightened of blood tests, needles and pain in general that its made me keep pushing back having a family! i want to have children so much but this fear is really holding me back