Blood tests for toddler Options

[stars87]

We have to take our girl who is 13 months to get a range of blood tests on the weekend and I am panicking Our GP said they will probably take it from the back of her hand but for the life of me I can't think how they will do it, let alone hold her still long enough to take the vials of blood they need?

I am also worried because she doesn't tend to drink much and I am scared her veins won't be easy to get to because of this.

Can anyone share their experiences with getting blood tests with children of a similar age? How do they do it? Is there anything I can do that will make it easier?

Yes I am probably panicking unnecessarily I know but the thought has me all worked up!

Thanks

[~ Peta ~]

Hun go to the chemist hun and get some Elma cream and apply it to the back of the hand put it on about an hour before and she would feel a thing...

[~MG~]

Not sure how much blood they need to take for your little girl...But when Noah had blood taken they pricked his finger and collected it that way...this was in the hospital when he was about 14 months from memory...

Hope it doesn't cause to much pain

[**** Sarah and Adam ****]

Oh I feel for you, Hamish had blood taken at....oh gosh maybe 15 months. I cannot remember the age now. They took 3-5 vials for memory! I was so so so so so incredibly anxious prior to the procedure.

As someone suggested above get your hands on some Emla cream, this cream can collapse their veins and make it more difficult to get the blood. But at least they won't feel it! When I arrived with Emla on both Hamish's arms the lady said 'oh you used that, that makes my job harder' to which I responded 'oh really? Well that makes my job much easier'. I couldn't believe it, the pain a blood test could cause a toddler would be immense not to mention several people to hold them down.

Also, have you called the facility to let them know you are coming in. they said I couldn't come in on a weekend because they needed lots of staff....whatever given they only had 1 with me doing the blood and that was it but anyway!!!

Hamish (with the cream) was really good. they got to vial 3 and he had just been sitting there watching it and then he got really upset. The worst part was probably having to starve him, it was a test where he couldn't eat since midnight that night. I was so anxious about starving my hungry boy....he got a big milkshake afterwarD!!

Let us know how you go.

[stars87]

Thanks so much for your advice ladies!!

I have rung our collection centre and the lady was lovely, but suggested we go to the local hospital as they have more staff and facilities to hold them down on a bed etc The good news is they are open at 8:30 on a Saturday so DH can come too and I won't have to face it alone.

I am glad I rang too, the lady asked for all the things she was being tested for and then told me it would need to be a fasting test - the GP didn't mention anything at all!! Not too happy about that, poor muffin will be starving but at least we know now.

And the other good thing is I rang two places and both said to use the cream - I can't believe the nurse at yours complained about it Heather! I am very thankful for the suggestion ladies, at least now when I use it I will know that she won't feel it and the most she will be upset about is being restrained etc. That eases my mind a lot.

The collection centre is saying they will take the blood from the arm which is different to what my GP said. Heather where did they take Hamish's from if you don't mind me asking?? Did you put the cream on both arms in case they had trouble getting blood from one?

[Jazy84]

ER has tried a couple of times to get blood from Riley. Once when he was itty Bitty. Maybe 2months old. and again when about 12months old. I dont want to scare you but from our experience its really not pleasant to watch. Each time they have explained to me what they were going to do then asked if I wanted to leave the room. I stayed with him both times, it was hard.
I don't know if it was also because they were trying to get a canular in at the same time or what, but they had a bit of trouble. All the trys were on the back of his hands.
They say its more the pressure and being restrand (sp) that frightens them though not pain...
What they did was wrap him up with one arm out. A nurse held his hand so it was bent down. and held it down against the bed. I held his legs and torso and the doctor did his bit on the hand.
I hope it is easy for you and bubba and they can get what they need 1st time.
P.S. After our experiences I wont be letting them try for blood just to double check, it will have to be something they NEED to do. I anticipate they will continue to have problems because they have problems getting blood from me too. But I would definately do it again and stay with him if it is needed again one day.

[*Michelle*]

Jack was about 18 months old when he was in hospital and needed blood taken.

definatly try the elna cream.They put it on Jack.He still screamed but i dont know if it was from the needle or just scared.

Sadly we had to hold Jack down.One nurse held his hand while the DR put the canula in and my mum held his legs.I held the top of him and talked and sang to him and stroked his head trying to distract him.

She will cry but shower her with kisses and cuddles after.I know jack quickly forgot...

[**** Sarah and Adam ****]

Thanks so much for your advice ladies!!

I have rung our collection centre and the lady was lovely, but suggested we go to the local hospital as they have more staff and facilities to hold them down on a bed etc The good news is they are open at 8:30 on a Saturday so DH can come too and I won't have to face it alone.

I am glad I rang too, the lady asked for all the things she was being tested for and then told me it would need to be a fasting test - the GP didn't mention anything at all!! Not too happy about that, poor muffin will be starving but at least we know now.

And the other good thing is I rang two places and both said to use the cream - I can't believe the nurse at yours complained about it Heather! I am very thankful for the suggestion ladies, at least now when I use it I will know that she won't feel it and the most she will be upset about is being restrained etc. That eases my mind a lot.

The collection centre is saying they will take the blood from the arm which is different to what my GP said. Heather where did they take Hamish's from if you don't mind me asking?? Did you put the cream on both arms in case they had trouble getting blood from one?

My GP didn't tell me either, it was only when I called to book that the blood place told me to have him fast!

So basically what we did was put him to bed after a big dinner and had everything ready to go as soon as he got up in the morning. I kept him in his PJ's, less to change the better. I put the cream on both arms (yes they took it from his arm) and then we got in the car. I was petrified, my little boy is a starving boy, he eats ALOT and eats breakky as soon as he gets up so I was so scared about not giving him breakfast.
It turns out he was so surprised at the different routine of waking up and going in the car he didn't say a word! We got to the shops and I put him on a ride to bide time and then we went to the blood place....oh but not before I got a milkshake for him whilst he was busy with mum and a croissant!!

Went up to the blood place and I said 'the lady is going to take blood from your arm, you can watch it'. So he sat on my lap in the same position that an adult would sit. Mum stood by to help and he just watched the needle go in. It shows how much the cream works, he just sat there watching it until vial 3 where he got bored and annoyed and started squirming and had to hold him. I did wonder at the time though whether he could have had the milkshake while they were taking blood, it would still be fasting as it wouldn't hit the blood stream. They would porbably say no but perhaps if your daughter did the same thing you could have something ready to distract her when she got annoyed!

Honestly, with the cream it was a much easier process. Starving him caused me almost as much anxiety!!!

Good luck, let us know how you go with it all!

[stars87]

Thanks for the info Heather, I bet you were glad when the whole ordeal was over!

It didn't go well for us, DH ended up taking her in as I was worried I would lose it and upset her more. I heard nothing but screaming for 10 minutes straight, even when I went and stood by the outside doors Longest 10 minutes of my life!

Finally the two of them emerged, only to find out they couldn't find a vein and we will have to come back next week So horrible. They were surprised the other lady told us she would need to fast though, even though she had water this morning they told us not to fast her next time as that was the reason they couldn't find a vein.

I did feel a bit better after speaking to DH though, it turns out she started screaming as soon as they started to hold her down (she hates laying down at the best of times on the change table etc, let alone being restrained) and then continued the whole time they were trying to get blood but she didn't even notice the needle itself apparently so the cream looks like it worked really well thank goodness. I hate to think how it would have been without it.

But even so, I hate that she has to go back and do that all again, poor babe I am just hoping like mad all goes well next time and we can finally stop worrying about it!