April 2008 Weddings
jenth
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Question for mommies... or pregnant ladies
When you're pregnant, how many blood draws did you have? And when in the pregnancy were they?
I'm still freaked out about that and DH and I are kinda talking about having a kid... I know my dr said awhile ago that if there weren't complications they would do two blood draws. I think the initial one when you first go in and then the glucose one... Did you have any more than that?
Re: Question for mommies... or pregnant ladies
Oh no... I hope my doctor didn't stretch the truth...
Were most of the blood draws early on? And sarbar, 6 times already?!?!
I would probably opt out of the optional ones. I have a phobia of needles, so it's sad but that actually scares me way more than labor (although the thought of labor scares me too but not enough to make me consider not having kids, where the thought of needles does...). I usually take a valium if I have to get blood drawn, and obviously that would be out if I was pregnant.
We were actually talking about not having any kids because of this. DH has seen how the phobia affects me... and he at least understands even though it's crazy. I've tried a few counselors, psychiatrists, but haven't found one I liked. The last one I couldn't stand; she was making me feel MORE stressed and I started getting optical migraines when I left her office.
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i think once when i found out i was pregnant to test for any sort of diseases, once at 12 weeks, once at 20 weeks, and maybe once for the GD test? i don't remember if the GD test was blood test or not, but i think so.
so i think it was 4 times. however, i think you have the option of skipping the 12 and 20 week draws. At first I didn't want to do them only because if there was something "wrong" with the baby, i didn't want to worry the rest of my pregnancy since I would have continued to carry the baby, but then TJ convinced me to do it b/c then we could better prepare if necessary. plus we got an extra u/s and i just loved peeking in on my little princess!
I've only had one blood draw so far. I think it sounds like Sarbar's were for the optional tests. I declined the testing for any genetic issues (outside of cystic fibrosis). The blood draw for me was at 8 weeks and maybe took 3-5 minutes total.
Good luck getting help with your phobia. Just try to think of the bigger picture. I've been reading up on what your vagina is like after birth and frankly I wanted to puke and it scared the heck out of me. I seriously wanted to start crying. BUT, I then shifted to my precious little baby. Maybe that can get you through it? If you dr. does an ultrasound at 8 weeks like mine did, maybe you can focus on the picture of the baby while getting your blood drawn...
I had it maybe 3-4 times. I can't remember when they all were but I think it was 1st appt (9 weeks) then again maybe halfway and then again for the GD test around 33-34 weeks.
I think I can cope a little better if I have a forewarning, so thanks. My doctor must have assumed that I would skip the optional ones probably, and was telling me that 2 were mandatory and those I would have to do? At least she sympathizes...
I told DH that, even if we are trying, if I ever test positive, I will most likely burst into tears first thing. I do want a baby, but I am so scared about everything that happens in those 9 months and the labor. And I'm emotional enough already- I can't imagine all those hormones and how I'd react!
Yeah I've heard some people say they schedule a c section just because of everything that happens to you if you deliver naturally.
I'm not sure if thinking about the result of all this would help- usually as soon as they put the tourniquet on, I start physically shaking and of course I cry. It's actually pretty embarrassing.
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so, before my pregnancy, i was TERRIFIED of needles. needless to say, i was the girl that usually always passed out after/during getting my blood drawn. i got over it. the first few times, i would just close my eyes and not think about what was happening (and i had some awesome nurses that would have random conversations with me to distract me).
and OH MY GOD, i can't even explain to you how scared i was of the epidural. out of everything, that was what i was most afraid of. let me tell you something, that epidural was the best thing that has ever happened to me (well, other than mia, but at the time she hadn't officially happened yet).
you'll be fine.
Jen, I TOTALLY understand. I actually do faint unless I am horizontal for every.single.needle. When I first was PG, the tech didn't seem to believe me- I passed out in the chair and (apparently) they used multiple vials of smelling salts to get me out of it. DH was terrified- and yes, they had me lie down every time after that. And had smelling salts and orange juice at the ready for me (I took the juice every time but never needed the salts again).
The four hour screening for GD was the worst, because I couldn't have any juice or anything between draws. I drove myself home afterward and I wouldn't recommend anyone like me to do that! I felt the worst I ever felt then. Oh- and I didn't have GD.
I know people will hate me for saying this, but childbirth for me was much easier than I expected. Liam came very quickly and I was only in the hospital for an hour or two before he was born. I didn't even need an IV, as I progressed so quickly- and IVs are my biggest fear. So no drugs at all for me during birth- some Motrin after he was born, but that was it. I pray that any future children will be as easy! My doc told me that Michael should be prepared for a home birth next time! Haha
You can totally do it- and it is sooo worth it.
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I believe I only had 2-3 blood draws...maybe one at the first appointment to check that I was really pregnant (though I can't really remember!) then definitely one "big" one (6 vials) and then the glucose test.
I wouldn't say I have a needle phobia, but I HATE them. I feel for you!
I would think you could opt out of many...if not all tests (but there is good reason they do many, like GD), I was terrified of all the pregnancy stuff too...but somehow once pregnant I mellowed out about it all...hormones maybe?
I pass out with needles...but was more terrified of the epi then labor (i went natural instead). I took most of the tests and donated cord blood (another 4 vials on top of the 10+ I'd already done...ugh)