Taking my Daughter for a Blood Test. Should i tell her beforehand ? PLEASE HELP ME. Worried Mum here !!?

Question

Taking 8 year old Daughter, for a Blood Test.

Undecided on telling her - only because she hates needles, and reacts very badly around them.

So if i don't tell her - she'll have less time to worry ?

Answer 1

Always be honest with your child. Tell her. Then ask her what she's worried about. Say it's normal not to like needles, even adults don't like needles. But tell her it's necessary in order to get some blood and then test it.

Then tell her how the doctor can find out all kinds of things from just one sample of blood. If you can find an anatomy book designed for children, that may be useful to help you explain how blood circulates through the body, etc...

I am a registered nurse with a 6-year old boy. He always fusses when it comes to blood-drawing. I try to help by either sitting him in my lap or at least help hold his arm down. Then I tell him it's just going to hurt "like a little pinch" and I tell him not to look, if he doesn't want to.

You can always ask the phlebotomist for a butterfly needle. Then tell your daughter it's a "butterfly needle" and it's the smallest needle available. And that it's "going to just get a small bit of blood". She'll hopefully be more fascinated rather than fearful of the whole process.

Good luck!

Answer 2

You probably should tell her, concealing the truth doesnt solve her anxiety. You can help her overcome the anxiety by comforting her. I use to hate needles too, so my mom use to tell me if i was really afraid, tell the doctor to be gentle. It works because no doctor is gonna say no to be mean and it will settle her terrified thoughs.

Answer 3

yes you have to tell her to mentally prepare her. better that she freak out at home than at the docs. Tell her that yes it will hurt but not more than a pinch. ask her if you can pinch her hand to show her how it will hurt just so she has an idea or how much it might hurt. Also let her know that she doesnt have to look while they draw the blood. That usually helps. Let her know it's ok to cry but that she can try to be brave. Be honest with her so she can trust you. If you tell her it's not a big deal then she's freak out and no longer trust you.

Answer 4

Well maybe not, she is only 8, but at the same time just tell her that she is getting a check up. That is a tough one to deal with cause if you say you are getting a needle she will freak, but if you don't then she may not freak at the doctor.

Answer 5

I would just tell her so she will not think you are trying to trick her or lie to her. I had to do this with my son when he was younger. He hated needles too, but I explained to him that it was very important and will help him not get sick and I was shocked to see how calm and such a big boy he was when we did go to have his blood work done. I find that when I tried to trick him into doing things he remembers then he doesn't trust me when I try to tell him I'm not going to.

Answer 6

And if you don't tell her, she'll never know again if she's going to the doctors office/hospital to have blood work or other medical tests done when she gets in the car with you. Your daughter will lose trust in you.

I suggest you tell her.

Answer 7

Just tell her about it. She will be FINE.

Have them use a Butterfly Needle for the withdrawal. Much SMALLER needle.

My daughter WATCHES! :-)

Answer 8

TELL HER RIGHT BEFORE SHE GETS THE TEST, AND EXPLAIN TO HER ABOUT THE TEST,LIKE WHY SHE NEEDS IT, AND TELL HER HOW BRAVE SHE IS. GOOD LUCK, I WENT THROUGH THIS WITH 4 KIDS AND THREE GRANDCHILDREN.

Answer 9

You should tell her otherwise she'll probably hold it against you forever.

Answer 10

I would tell her the day of. Dont tell her any sooner.