Stupid questions about booking appointment...

[gargalesis]

I am seeing the midwife for the first time in 2 weeks, and have a few daft questions:

1. I'm supposed to take a sample of fmu. What am I supposed to put it in? Should I do it in a jam jar, or should I go to the doctors surgery beforehand and get a proper sample jar?
   

1. My partner doesn't need to be there, does he?
   

1. I am absolutely petrified of getting my blood taken, and 95% of the time I faint. The long list of things they want to screen is really freaking me out - do they take loads and loads of blood? I'm also really scared the midwife will think I'm an idiot and I'm incapable of giving birth. I think I just need somebody to talk me down, because I'm totally freaking out here. Any tips for not fainting will also be welcome, I have tried loading up on sugar, lying down while it's happening, trying to distract myself, and nothing seems to work for me.

[MinesAPintOfTea]

I got a sample jar from reception at the gp's. But another clean jar is probably ok.

As for blood, they don't take lots. Its possible to do a lot of tests from 1-2 of the little syringe thingies.

[mummybare]

1. I did take a sample in a (sterilised) jam jar once but I got the impression this is not the done thing - if you're passing, perhaps pick up a sample pot...
   

1. Your DH doesn't have to be there but is welcome to be for support if you wish.
   

1. Don't load up on sugar! This might show up in your urine/blood and make them think you've got an infection or ring alarm bells for gestational diabetes or something. I actually don't remember having blood taken at the booking in appointment, I thought it was a later one, but they all do it differently, I suppose. My only advice would be to tell the mw that you're nervous, breathe deeply and don't look. They are pretty used to doing it and I've always found that it isn't as bad as I thought it would be. (Easy for me to say, I know, but true.)
   

Good luck and congratulations on your pregnancy!

[eurochick]

I think I picked up a sample pot from Boots for the first one and then collected some while I was there for subsequent appointments.

Your partner doesn't need to be there. If there are complicated medical conditions on his side, it might be useful unless you can remember all the details.

I have no suggestions on the blood taking as it doesn't bother me at all. I don't remember them taking that much.

[Showy]

Get a sample pot from the GP or buy one (pence) from any pharmacy.

No need to take a partner but you need to know their medical history (family illnesses, any genetic issues, things like diabetes for example) so if you don't, ask before you go.

They don't take that much blood but they do need to do the initial screening. Not sure how you get through it as having blood taken doesn't bother me. Talk to the midwife. You won't be the first.

First appointment can take well over an hour btw. Be prepared for it to take a while.

[Showy]

Or, what eurochick said!

[Moltenpink]

The blood test is on the second appointment where I am, the booking one is just loads of questions. I always faint too, I just tell them that I will do very matter of factly beforehand, and tell them not to worry! They just get me some water after. Ask them to get it over with at the start, then you have some recovery time before leaving. You might also warn them to keep the vial out of sight after, they often don't think of this.

Good luck, and congratulations!

[Flisspaps]

They don't need to do the initial screening - all tests are optional and not compulsory

However you have to weigh up the risks and benefits of each test and decide if you want to accept it (I had the blood tests with DD but not with DD)

#nitpicking

[gargalesis]

I actually got a full STD test before I started ttc last year, and I also got the MMR jab, so I reckon quite a few of the tests will be redundant actually. That should save me a bit of blood! I'm pretty sure they do the screening on the first visit here, I got an information pack which said they would.

I think I'll bring my partner and ask him to wait in the waiting room, to be summoned if (and when) I faint, I will be cycling home as well so I guess it will be best if he's there. He will be good at helping me not freak out while I'm waiting too.

I'll grab a sample pot from the surgery in the next few days. I think I'd feel a bit of a weirdo bringing wee in a jam jar.

Thanks for all your replies everyone :)

[notoasthere]

Yes, you don't need to have the blood tests if you don't want too. I have my booking in app for #2 and will be declining blood screening. Since this baby was almost immaculately conceived I doubt I will have contracted anything in the 20 months since ds was born

And don't worry about fainting - just ask them to let you lie down

[CorporeSarnie]

You can always go to the phlebotomy clinic to have your bloods done, my veins are not as easy to find and collapse readily when I'm pregnant.
I had a student MW in addition to my CMW at booking, CMW gave her one chance then sent me to the hospital to get it done. The advantage of this is that the phlebotomists only do bloods all day every day and a) are amazing at it b) have seen it all before. Having been bruised massively by MWs in the past I appreciate a professional blood-taker. Of course it does mean a trip to the hospital, but ours does a walk in blood clinic.
wrt urine, iirc they don't particularly need fmu, as they don't repeat BHCG. So even if you don't have time to get a specimen bottle before your appointment they will give you one there and then and get you to go off and do a midstream wee for glucose and infection check.

[gargalesis]

That's a really good idea Sarnie, I'll do that. The hospital is actually closer to me than the GP surgery, so it's not too much of a faff.

[LittleMissRayofHope]

I had bloods done at booking in at my hospital. I am crap at blood tests. Routinely pass out!! I can give birth but put a needle in my arm and I'm on the floor!!
Tell your midwife that you aren't good at blood tests. Simply say 'I'm not great at having this done, I often pass out' if she's nice and worth her salt then she will get you to lie down or recline a chair or something. Take a biscuit to eat straight after aswell. The sugar helps the adrenaline rush from the panic.

Re the urine, I would pick up a sample pot from gp as they may not accept it in a jar due to contaminations.

Don't stress. My first booking in I was all over the place but it's boring! Loads of questions about family history's and a few bloods and that's it!!
Good luck

[SallyMischievo]

I told the MW that I am squeamish about having blood taken and have previously come over very faint at my appointment and she kindly used a baby needle, (ie the type of needle they would use for a baby). I can honestly say it was quite painless so I definitely recommend asking for one of these! I kept my eyes firmly closed and took some squash to drink afterwards and I was fine. Good luck!

[Taura]

My partner was at the booking appt and showed the midwife a tip for reducing the stress of taking bloods. (He is a doctor so sticks a lot of needles in people). His suggestion was to put a pillow under my elbow (there is often one on the exam bed) which means that I didn't have to exert effort to hold my arm straight, causing tension and making it harder to get the needle in. Worked a treat. I am not a fainter though and this might make no difference...