Medical Tests

[BriMiller]

I was just wondering what others opinions were on the subject-

I work at a hospital as a phlebotomist (drawing blood, ect.) and some times i feel like I'm a horrible mother. My son is almost a year old, but he was premature- he went through many MANY medical procedures, IVs in both arms, legs (all of which he ripped out, NOT FUN!) and finally one in his head that stayed there for a while. Blood draws were common. Any way, I feel like I'm an awful person because I dont feel badly drawing babies or children. I didnt feel badly when he was stuck, and I get really irritated at parents who cry, carry on, say how awful it is and all that when we are doing routine blood tests on their completely healthy children. We do our jobs to keep kids healthy, and their parents just seem to work their kids up more. I was not a phlebotomist before my son was born, but all the tests he had done did not upset me. I dont want my child to be in pain in any way, but medical tests are a part of life.

Any way- just my rant after a long day of work. Every one- prepare your kids when they are having blood work, tell them what to expect. And if you are going to cry yourself, remember youre the mommy so put on your big girl pants and move on!

[Disco Lemonade]

ehhh...I totally agree with you. It’s a procedure that has to be done so...build a bridge and move on. The first time my daughter had to get blood drawn I was all like aw man this is gonna suck, but crying about it is not going to make the situation any better. So yea, moms you need to man up and show your kids to be tough lol :D

[cay8099]

I agree that we as parents need to be the strong ones when our children are getting stuck. Here recently my 10 mo was in the hospital for dehydration; he had the rotovirus(sp?). The nurses all commented on how well I did. Did I feel bad that my baby was being caused pain? HELL YES, but I knew it was necessary. The alternative is much worse than having an IV put in, the sting of vacinations, or the prick from having blood drawn. So I "put on my big girl pants" and be the mommy. Besides after a certain age the play land at McDonald's, Dairy Queen, or a new toy can make any hurt better.

[mommy2b87]

Ok, I'm not gonna lie. My daughter goes in for her first shots in less than 2 weeks, and I'm nervous as hell about it. I don't know if I can watch, but I know I have to, and I have to be calm so that she'll calm down. She's typically a pretty easy baby to calm down which is fantastic. I'm just nervous because she's my first and my she's so little I guess.

But I'll wear my "Big girl pants" and suck it up. logically I know she won't cry forever....

[alyons2006]

Ok, I'm not gonna lie. My daughter goes in for her first shots in less than 2 weeks, and I'm nervous as hell about it. I don't know if I can watch, but I know I have to, and I have to be calm so that she'll calm down. She's typically a pretty easy baby to calm down which is fantastic. I'm just nervous because she's my first and my she's so little I guess.

But I'll wear my "Big girl pants" and suck it up. logically I know she won't cry forever....

You will be just fine. I am a new mother too for a beautiful 3mo and he went in for his 2mo checkup and immune shots. They actually gave him a shot in each thigh and a medicine to drink. I had no pretenses because like any of us who get blood drawn we know it's procedure and if you relax it'lll be over sooner. Actually the most aggravating part was the wait for the nurse to come in with the vacs...we waited almost 20 or 30 mins AFTER the doc had already seen our baby.

But seriously don't worry. Your baby will probably cry and you will hold him/her and calm her...try taking a fave toy or something.

Also my doc recommended for the next set of shots to pre-dose my baby with motrin. It'll prevent the major pain and keep the fever lower.

The worst part was later that night when the fever set in. I didn't have Motrin at the time so I gave him tylenol with the doc's dosage and he calmed enough to sleep normally. He just needed to cuddle a little more than usual.

I was nervous too. My BFF who now has 3 kids says she cries every time her kids get stuck....oh puhleeze! It really isn't THAT bad and the nurses try to do it as quickly as they can.

Good luck with yours! http://forums.parenting.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[luckymama2]

Also what can help is when my kids were both babies I would breastfeed them RIGHT after the shots. They calmed down IMMEDIATELY! I have even heard some ppl breastfeeding right during the shots. It helped baby feel safe and have skin to skin contact with their mama. Its my biggest recommendation if you are a nursing mother. My doctor said she nursed her babies through all their infant vaccinations and really it does help. And then when my daughter when in for her 2 yr shots I took a lollipop with me (all her doc office gives is stickers) and the minute the shot went in her leg my husband brought out the already opened lollipop he had behind his back....she forgot totally about the shot! And was all smiles before we even got to the parking lot. I will do the same with my son who will turn two in August. My kids only get candy very occasionally so it was a treat and well deserved!

[lena241]

I have to stick up for the crying mom, just a little. Now,I dont cry when my children get thier vaccination. However, from the time my DD was 6 months to 2 1/2 years her pediatrician insisted on ordering test after test to see why she was so small. With each new round of tests came new bloodwork and a trip to the lab. My DD at 10 months new the place so well, she would scream as soon as we entered the parking lot. I wore my "momma BIG girl pants" through most of the trips and would mainly only get misty eyed. However, I did have one visit with the lab tech that was horrific. The tech couldnt find her vein and kept digging and poking, my DD was screaming and sweating. She even peed on that tech it was so bad. I cried so hard and screamed so loud at that moron of a blood drawer and couldnt wait to get my daughter out of that slaughter house. After that appointment, I told my doctor no more blood tests and it was a good year before I allowed them to do ANY bloodwork on her. The ironic part of it is that they never found anything wrong with her. She is still small at 4 1/2 and 28 lbs. and NOW they agree with me that she is just small for her age. REALLY!!!!

I think that we need to remember that although we may think that a draw is routine or that the mother is getting out of hand, we have to remember that we may not always know her situation. I will admit that there are drama queens out there who need to Wear those pants, but for me, I was beyond upset on my "routine" visit with the phlebotomist.

[cay8099]

Ok. I can't blame you for that one. I would have went off. It's one thing if it is a routine blood draw, but for him to dig!!! I would have had his head. No kid should have to go through that.

[cabsmamma]

Sometimes I feel like a HORRIBLE mother because I actually laugh at my 7 month old daughter when she gets her shots. She's such a happy baby and she just sits there all smiles while she's waiting for the shots. The nurse sticks her and it takes a good 5 seconds before her face just completely melts and she realizes what's been done. It's not that I don't feel bad for her getting stuck, her reaction just cracks me up because as soon as I pick her up, she smiles at the nurse and coos. So, don't feel too bad and remind the drama queen crying Mommies who are there for routine blood work that it's routine and they aren't teaching their child any sort of coping techniques! :)