First appointment at the birth centre

If you get lightheaded or faint, you can ask to smell one of the alcohol pads they they clean your skin with. If I am holding and smelling an alcohol pad, I don’t get as nauseous / light headed.

Drink lots of water before-hand. Look away and tell them that you are nervous.

Deep breath in before they insert the needle and try to stay calm.

They tend to use thin needles but you can ask for a butterfly needle.

I was awful with blood tests in my first pregnancy but I ended up having so many that it’s really built my strength. I had my first test a few weeks ago with this pregnancy and I realised how it really doesn’t hurt .. I felt so hot but I looked away and focused on something else x

Take a big deep breath and stare at something opposite to the where the needle is, count down from 3, I sometimes bite the tip of my tongue or dig my nails of the opposite hand into the palm to distract from the sting, hope you’re okay

You ladies are all so helpful thank you so much, ill let you know how it goes xx