February 21st, 2010
I was interested in know about anyone who has refused blood tests during pregnancy, i have a very bad fear of needles, i stress it very much over it and its bad enough where im shaking and hiperventilating, i cant eat or sleep, this has already cause me a m/c once before, so i was considering refusing the blood test if possible.
there are some test that need to be performed during pregnancy.you cantell your health care provider that you want to see the needle being removed from its package most will .
you’d better get over it… how will you handle it when your kid needs a blood test? or vaccinations?
They can’t make you take a blood test. You have the right to refuse any procedure you wish. I refused the triple screen because it has a high instance of false positives, and if my baby had a severe genetic defect, I would still birth it anyway….so people can and do refuse blood tests all the time.
There are NO blood tests that “need” to be performed during pregnancy.
I will say though, if you are afraid of needles, don’t give birth in a hospital. I would seriously consider researching and independent birthing center or a homebirth.
Good luck!
ETA:
Preeclampsia: Determined by blood pressure and urine screen, not a blood test.
Iron: Can be determined by an ear prick, which involves a lancet and is painless.
STD status: It’s really not necessary that mom’s must have this done, especially if you’ve been monogamous and had the blood test when you were married.
Diabetes: Tested from urine after a glucose drink.
RH factor: You likely have your + or - status in your files already. If you don’t, it’s a non issue if this is your first baby.
Tests for Defects: The triple screen test has a very high rate of false positives….a lot of doctors won’t even recommend the test anymore. A lot of moms have this test early in their pregnancy so they can decide whether to continue the pregnancy. If you would carry the baby to term anyway, then there is no reason for the test. Genetic problems can also be determined by femur measurement and nuchial scans…both done by ultrasound.
So no, there is no “need” for any blood test. You aren’t putting your baby in danger by refusing one. You aren’t putting your health at risk and there is nothing a blood test can determine that is “life or death” at this point.
That being said…again. If you birth in the hospital, you will likely have IV’s whether you tell them “no” or not. We told them no and they did it anyway. So if you really hate needles that much, a hospital birth might not be the best option for you.
Again, good luck!
Can they not give you something to relax you before they take your blood? I wouldn’t refuse the ones they really need to take if I were you. I never refused any so I can’t help ya there, sorry….
I wouldn’t it might be beneficial to your young one, it could mean the difference between health and abnormalities.
Well I believe it is something you HAVE to do. Im sorry you have such a bad fear of it. Just think of your baby and how it is for the better for the both of your health.
It’s very possible. But the dr’s might make it harder on you. It is your body and you have a right to refuse treatment and make your own decisions. Some women have totally unassisted pregnancies.
Also- if you want them done but are anxious perhaps you could get your dr to prescribe something to be taken before the blood tests.
you can refuse anything you want to, they cant force you to do anything. however, how do you think you are going to go through labor and delivery? are you planning to not have blood drawn then, and not get an IV? god forbid you hemorrhage at the delivery and dont have an IV because you are scared. you maybe could get some kind of counselling to deal with this very irrational fear that you have
Well honey I will be the first to tell you that I am afraid of needles but I just put that at the back of my mind when I got pregnant. Those blood test are for your safety and the safety of your unborn child. Those blood test can detect whether or not there are any problems with the baby.
I realize your fear is bad.. but you would really be willing to risk the health of your baby and yourself over something that honest to god hurts so very little? It’s time to grow up and come to terms w/ this.. you will HAVE TO have needles and shots and IV’s when you deliver unless you plan to do so in your own home. I really don’t want to sound cruel , but shots and blood test are just part of life you can’t avoid them forever. It’s best just to face the fear and get them over with. You will need to be checked for diabetes as well as other things to ensure a healthy baby. Trust me they are so worth the 2 seconds of discomfort.
No scared. i also afraid of needles. u just close your eyes or see other place n it will be ok. it a bit pain only. if u afraid of needles n how r u going 2 give brith??? BE A STRONG MOTHER.
You can refuse anything you want, of course you’d be putting the baby’s health second to your wishes… a pattern for the future?
You will just have to get over it. Being pregnant you will poked bye More needles it is just part of having a baby. Besides you will want the pain medicine.
If you refuse the blood test they can refuse you. It is not just for you that they do it, it is for their own safety. blood work is also important for you and the baby. It checks for pregnancy diabetes and preclampsia.
No, as a patient you have the right to refuse to any treatment that you don’t feel comfortable with. However, many blood tests during pregnancy check not only your health but the health of your baby as well. Personally, I would rather suffer a little discomfort and know that all is good with my unborn baby. Trust me, if you go along with it, by the time your baby is born you will be used to it.
I did the first inital blood test to make sure that I was healthy and that the HCG levels were normal. I didn’t do the 2nd blood test where they screen for certain disorders, because I didn’t care either way and a sonogram can tell you medically how the baby is doing. I did do the 3rd test where they look for gestational diabetes. You can choose not to have any blood test if you want. It’s your choice. But know that giving birth is way more scary then having blood drawn. Also they take blood when you’re in labor and they don’t give you a choice, they just do it.
I refused all prenatal testing except measuring my fundal height and urine dips sticks. I can’t even list the number of things I declined. I declined to be weighed, declined the pap, blood tests, diabetes screening, ultrasounds, etc, etc.
I declined them on the basis that they do not improve outcomes. I did a lot of research and I was comfortable about my decision. They only thing I think you do need to know is your blood type. You need to know if you are Rh- or not. You, however, do not need to know this until within 72 hours of birth AND technically speaking when they type your baby you only need to know your blood type if your baby is positive (I decline rhogam/winrho during pregnancy UNLESS there is trauma, as the difference it makes in preventing sensitization is minimal and I do not believe in receiving human blood products during pregnancy unless it is life or death). However this can be done with a finger prick on an ELDON card. You can do it yourself. You can buy ELDON cards. Also there is a decent chance if you’ve ever had blood work done your blood type is on file.
Do some research into what tests they want to run, and how important they are. Figure out which you think are worth it for you, and have them all done at the same time if possible.
E-mail me if you want.
Unfortunately, having a child brings about many things that will make us worried and scared.
True, you can’t be FORCED to have your blood drawn, but think of the possible complications that could come from NOT doing it? If you refuse ALL blood tests, that will include things like HIV testing, and Rh factor testing. The results of those tests could reveal serious life-threatening conditions for you and your baby. And in many cases, there are measures that can be taken to prevent serious complications during childbirth……BUT only if they know in advance!
You need to realize that by refusing all blood tests, you are seriously putting your child’s and your health in danger.
Please reconsider.
ugh hun i feel the same way i hate needels but i think im just going to have to suck it up and think of my baby try that if not talk to your dr
you can always refuse the tests–but they dont perform tests on you unless it’s something that should be done to determine how your body is doing or how baby is.
you would want to know if you were anemic right? or if your body is producing too much sugar? or if the baby were to have some sort of problem?
they are all tests for the better of the baby.
Im sorry that you dont like needles, but some of the tests really need to be done.
do you think that maybe because you didnt get the blood tests done that caused your miscarriage? not the fact that you were stressed over needles?
–despite popular belief-it isnt stress that causes a miscarriage–it is something inside your body not ready/able to carry a child.
(you can do a google or whatever search for that and find it on any medical website)
some of the early on blood tests can determine risk for miscarriage by checking for different things in your blood, etc.
I hope you reconsider the tests-maybe you can have someone with you while they draw the blood?
How far along are you? I am trying to see what tests you are talking about. The first set of test where they draw blood are essential and I don’t think you can refuse them because it checks for STD’s and other things that may be a risk for you unborn child. Now I did not do the test where they stick the need in your stomach to check for birth defects. My baby is absolutely healthy. I didn’t see the importance because it wasn’t like I was going to abort my child in mid-pregnancy.