Hi - wanted to ask the network if taking blood is a regular thing during the ivf process? I have very deep veins and it’s really hard for health care professionals to take blood from me, so wondering if taking blood is a regular part of the process and whether I need to start prepping my body a bit more before they try to take any blood.
TIA x
hiya - I would prepare yourself as it’s fairly regular, especially in preparation. After 3 rounds I actually can’t remember the specifics 🫣🤣 but I feel like I had them fairly often! Good luck x
Thank you!! I’ll prepare myself x
One clinic I used only did scans, the other did bloods and scans (this was in an egg collection cycle). Had my progesterone checked on one frozen transfer cycle in the clinic that didn't do bloods.
bloods were taken regularly with my fresh transfer, every other day during stims. With my frozen it was once on the morning of transfer xx
My fresh cycle was every other day before follicle scan until I had enough follicles of the right size so I would say about 7-10 days of that. Frozen cycle no bloods at all x
Before treatment they seemed to need a few for screening etc. Then for treatment think it depends on the clinic and the protocol- on my first NHS round they took bloods just about every other day from about day 7 of stims, but that seemed to be because they were having to up the meds and they were trying to work out the right dose. 2nd round and a FET at a private clinic they didn't seem to do them and relied on scans, save for a progesterone test that I asked for. Next round was back with the original clinic and they didn't seem to do any, but then they'd put me on max stims from early on so maybe there wasn't anything they could check or do anyway. So maybe ask your clinic and explain? It can be really difficult getting bloods from me and sometimes they haven't managed it at all and I've been left looking pretty bruised. I did get told recently that you should try and drink a lot of fluids in the run-up to having bloods taken as it helps with flow.
Yes, it's going to be a regular thing. I was scared of needles before wanting to get pregnant. Now, it's just a regular thing. Good luck on your journey. xx
I have the same veins! Blood tests are a right pain! I always make sure I’m super super super hydrated before hand, and keep my hands and arms as warm as possible. After having to have bloods taken from between my knuckles where all my arm veins were too difficult (and never wanting to repeat that), I have it sussed now!!
yeah they take bloods quite a bit I make sure I’ve eaten and drank, sometimes they send me out to have another drink and try again , sometimes they get it from my hand and one time they had to get the anethitist out of theatre to get my bloods as none of the nurses could but they always do get it. Sometimes (like last week) it’s no problem at all! I find if the appointment is a little later in the morning they get it easier. In one egg collection it took 2 anaesthetists to find a line for the sedation as you can’t eat or drink before it so my veins were very hidden but it’s never a stress and I know they will get it eventually they have seen veins like ours many many times before 🤗 so I don’t worry! I also find a little jog up the stairs from the car park to the clinic (rocky style) gets the blood pumping too 😂 xx
Hi SugarSnap, I'm a phlebotomist and all of the above tips will give you the easiest chance of someone getting a vein. A later morning appointment if you can allows you to be more hydrated, drinking lots and lots of water or cold drinks (not tea or coffee) will plump up the veins as much as possible, even if they're small or deep. So at least 2 litres. Keeping warm will help too, so lots of layers on the arms and hands, although hopefully they'll be able to get it from your arm. Let them know if you're nervous and hopefully they'll be able to reassure. Other than that, there's nothing you can really do to prep yourself, the main thing is lots of water a couple of hours beforehand. Hoping it all goes smoothly for you.
thanks to everyone for your replies xx
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