Tips to Make Your Blood Draw Easier

With the monitoring of your blood and stimulation medication injections, fertility treatment can make you start to feel like a pin cushion! Nobody likes having their blood drawn and most people do not look while it's being done.

If you are scheduled to have your monitoring appointment and you need a blood draw, here are some helpful hints to remember:

• In the morning before arriving in the office, drink an extra 16oz of water or non-caffeinated fluid.
• Wear clothing with sleeves that can be raised over the elbow.
• Keep your arms warm during cold weather to prevent your veins from constricting.
• Let the phlebotomist know if you have a preferred arm or vein that has been successful in the past.
• We use the smallest needle possible for each draw. We choose the type of needle used depending on your vein and the amount of tubes we need to draw.
• The amount of blood that is drawn in each tube is equivalent to 2 1/2 to 5 ml of blood--equal to a half teaspoon or teaspoon of fluid.
• After your blood has been drawn, keep your arm straight and apply pressure immediately after. If you bend at the elbow the blood will pool and cause bruising.
• We do apply tape or a Band-Aid after you are drawn. This should be removed within 20 minutes of your blood draw so you don’t have a reaction from the adhesive.

We do understand that some patients that have a fear of needles and blood draws. Please let us know if this applies to you. We'll do our best to help you and to distract you during your visit!

To work with a fertility clinic that makes the process as painless as possible, schedule an appointment at one of InVia's five Chicago-area fertility clinics.