My hands got really sweaty when i was about to do it!!!

The changing bottles bit is difficult but im just hoping it will get easier once im used to it!!

XXXX

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ha ha
i have quite shaky hands anyway, but it gets worse when i am taking blood! I have to REALLY concentrate to try and stop it happening, but find it hard. I usually just shake and watch the womans face as i come at them with a needle!!
x

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STMW 2nd year - no, really!

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i can just picture it!

XXX

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Well done Tiff!!! I remember those first days well and I was stupidly excited!! I love venepuncture, my mentor threw me in at the deep end and one clinic said 'Josie will take your blood now' I didnt have time to panic so I just did it lol I was taught both way but much prefer vacutainers

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Josie
StudentMidwife.NET Founder & Director



MidwiferyWorld.NET our sister site for Senior Students and Midwives is now live, tell your mentors and tutors!

I love taking bloods. Before I did my first one, I spent an hour in the phlebotomy clinic watching and listening to how to do it. I then took a needle and bottle home and practised on a pillow (yes, I know, but it was what was suggested to me). I then took blood from the phlebotomist who was happy that I could manage - even though I moved the needle slightly and ended up with blood running down her arm...hahaha - and then it was straight into it.

I asked my mentor If I could do the first one on someone who only needed one bottle, so that I didn't get flustered so much, but in the end it was two bottles. Like you, she just said to the woman, is it okay for KS to take your blood, rightio, off you go then!

Then, once I was on the wards, I got given the job of taking bloods from all the medical staff admitted to the ward - which was both terrifying and a very good way of learning how to get good quick. When you have women watching you do it, who do it themselves, you learn very quickly to become proficient....lol

Then to help find the veins, a couple of days doing GTT bloods in the clinic is good practice as it is harder to find veins on a starving woman. So managing this is a good confidence booster.

Now we have just introduced vacutainers, and I love them! So much easier to use.
KS x

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Kentish Spitfire
Moderator, Student Services
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"It's better to be thought a fool - rather than proved a fool!"

Well, am psyching myself up for taking blood for the first time tomorrow........will i chicken out???? I'll let you know lol!!!

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Cami
~x~

Camilan,

The build up is so much worse than actually taking the blood, do it tomorrow and you will be SOO proud of yourself!!

K x

I find taking blood very satisfying. However, haven't had the opportunity to take any for several months. So will probably miss next time!

Cami - just go for it! (I shall admit to changing a few bottles before I attempted to actually find a vein!)

Well done Tiff, I knew you'd be fine.
xxx

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Donna

STUDENT MIDWIFE BRADFORD 2007

Thanks chick!

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