Please can someone tell me, how a blood test is done. Having my first one soon. Thankyou?

Question

I would be very grateful,for help please.
I'm having a blood test tomorrow. Feeling very apprehensive.
Please can someone tell me, what's going to happen.
Also will it hurt ? i'm not worried about pain, it's just having a needle put into a vein.- very squeamish.

Thankyou

Answer 1

Yes, a needle will be put into your vein. If you ask for or get a nurse that's known for their IV skills, you won't even notice. Nothing to be afraid of.

Answer 2

Dont worry it will be ok ive had a few done they only find the vain in your arm put a band around your ram until a vain becomes visable then they get the needle which will feel like a pin prick goin in i find it better not 2 look and 2 keep chatting to the nurse whos doin it keeps your mind from thinking 2 much at the time u dont feel the blood coming out its the same as having an injection just takes a few more seconds if you feel faint afterwards sit for a few minutes after good luck

Answer 3

I felt exactly the same way until i had one done. there is something wrong about the idea of it isnt there!i still hate the idea of it though!
Well what they do is get you to put your arm straight and they strap a tight band around the top of your arm to make the vein pop out a bit.
They then put the needle into the vein in the crook of your arm, although the needle looks big it only actually goes in a few mm they attach a small tube to the bottom of the needle which makes the blood flow into it.
once the bottle is detatched the blood stops coming out so you dont see blood go anywhere except the bottle! they then take out the needle and get you to press a cotton pad over the pin prick. to stop bruising dont bend your arm until after the bleeding has stopped!
its not half as bad as you think. i nearly passed out when i first went as i was so scared of it but it feels a bit like when you catch a single arm hair!
plucking our eyebrows are more painful.
if you are worried just tell the nurse its your first blood test and are a bit nervous thats what i told mine and she was great!
good luck with it

Answer 4

dont worry about it
i had my first one done a couple of weeks ago so they could check if everything was alright
and i was getting myself worked up for nothing my appointment was delayed and i was getting really worried when they called me in to have it done i didnt know what to do
but it was over in no time i couldnt really feel it!

this is what they do:
they get a band and put it aroud your arm so they can stop the blood circulation so they can find your vein easily
they then stick the needle in (you wont feel that)
they suck up the blood (you may want to not watch this i didnt!)
depending how many samples they need they will change the tubes (you can feel this a bit, but it isnt painful!)
then they take the needle out and its done!!
it literally takes 10 seconds and not longer the nurse who is doing it will probably try and make conversation to keep your mind of it!

don't worry youll be fine it doesnt hurt at all!
good luck with it!
xxxx

Answer 5

I have my blood tested regularly, it doesn't hurt and I only feel a bit squeamish sometimes when I'm having a fasting blood test, then I just look away.

All it means usually is having a small needle put into a vein in the crook (inside) of the elbow. Nurses and doctors are used to people feeling a bit squeamish, so don't feel embarrassed to tell them. Then look out of a window if there is one, or think of what you're going to have for lunch or dinner. oh, and it doesn't take long, it will be over before you know it. No need to feel apprehensive.

Answer 6

I'm having one every three weeks at the moment as I'm pregnant. I've had several over the years and felt the same as you to begin with. I have to say some nurses were better than others. It's more momentary discomfort rather than pain....and it's over before you know it.
They will put a little medical alcohol on your arm...and an elastic tourniquet just to bring up the vein. The needle goes in and a small tube will be fixed on the end of the syringe to collect the blood...cotton wool and a bit of elastoplast...all over!!!
You'll be fine.

Answer 7

They should use something very small like an orange size needle. You then wont feel any more pain than that similar to a bee sting for just a moment . Once it's in you will feel nothing. Depending on what tests are wanted will depend on how much is needed, but no more than 50ml should be taken. You are getting all worried about something very simple, and if you take that worry with you the event will be worse. Honestly it's nothing to worry about, it's no more painful than if you prick your finger sewing.

Answer 8

Don't worry, they know what they're doing. They will ask you to roll up your sleeve, they'll put a rubber band around your arm to make the veins swell up, you'll be asked to make a fist, they'll feel for a nice obvious one then push the needle in and hey presto, the blood gets sucked into a little container. If you're warm, relaxed and have drunk lots of water beforehand, it all works even better. Be brave!

Answer 9

Just dont look at the needle, and dont think about whats gonna happen,
then i might not even feel it being put in, but u will feel a bit of pain when its taken out.
Good luck :)

Answer 10

I have had so many done, i used to have acute anaemia when i was 16 so had them every 4 weeks for a year, then had them with 2 pregnancies.
All i can advice is look away and breathe deeply, it doesn't hurt, but if you get yourself worked up you will convince yourself it does.
Hope that helps.