Hi all,

I took blood for the first time yesterday (yey)...it wasnt half as bad as i thought it would be, i really thought i wouldnt be able to do it just because i didnt like the thought of putting a needle into someones skin (i have injected pethadine before but thats over within a few seconds so i wasnt as nervous about that) but it was actually ok. I did have a bit of trouble when changing the bottles though.

I took someones elses blood today too and it was much better so im hoping the next time i do it ill be an old pro

How sad, getting giddy because i took someones blood,lol!

XXXX

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well done Tiffany that's great. I go through phases with blood taking, it all goes very well and then suddenly I will come across someone and be totally rubbish for no apparent reason.....then that's it, confidence gone and a run of bad venepuncture coming up! Then I slip back into gear.
My confidence varies with it tbh, but am fine with that, it keeps me on my toes!!
x

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STMW 2nd year - no, really!

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Haha its weird isn't it? I remember my first time, I made sure it was on someone with really juicy veins (of course) I like a challenge but not too much of one lol. The weird thing is since I've been taking bloods I no longer bother if I have to have my own done, or an injection etc... Dunno why though!!

Well done though Tiff xx

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Well done! That's another box to tick-off!

When I trained I found changing of the bottles tricky. It gets easier with practice. I find it helps if you rest your fingers that are holding the vaccutainer on the woman's arm, to keep the needle steady whilst changing the bottles over.

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Woohoo!

I remember my first time well! my very first two were with a needle and syringe (really hard too, she didn't use vacutainers as she didn't like them!)

I have times where it just doesn't happen for me, but generally it's ok.

I get hot and my heart goes like the clappers still though! it's such a responsiblity, isn't it?

Changing the bottles is hard, at the birthing centre they take 5 now, which is tough going.

My old problem was worrying about the bottles and taking my eye off of the needle, so I lost the vacuum (do use use vacutainers?) my mentor in community was brilliant and suggested that I keep my eye on the needle and let my fingers put the bottle on! (I miss her being there, still though, she was so quietly reassuring!)

Glad it's going well! It seems ages since I took some!

It must be nice to get the expereince behind you to take blood and not be tense about it, midwives are so relaxed and confident

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Proud Mummy Of: Morgan 3 & Angharad 9 Months
& 2 Beautiful Angels Benjamin 2 years & Baby Angel 5 weeks Gestation x

yeah we use vacutainers, god i dont think id like to use a syringe!

XXX

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I found them really hard, I only did it three times, then changed mentors as she went off sick for ages and thankfully learned vacutainers. Pulling the syringe back was very hard to do (well, for me anyway!)

Good luck for next time, Tiff!!

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Glad im not the only one who finds it hard to pull a syringe back,lol

When i was on D/S and had to take blood out of the cord with a syringe i could hardly pull it back so theres no way id be able to do it on someones arm!!

XXXX

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Ahhhhh i'm so glad i found this post! My mentor is very eager for me to learn to take bloods! I am so nervous! I've watched her a squillion times now and think i could do it but am worried about shaky hand syndrome and keeping the needle nice and still whilst changing the bottles. ARGH! x

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Cami
~x~