Go to the WA equivalent of the Royal Children's Hospital. Apparently at RCH they have clowns, fish, things to distract them and they are very quick and efficient.
The stupid nurse (at the local pathology collection place) we saw told DD (3.5) what she was going to do: "I'm going to have to put a needle in your arm and it will hurt a little bit and I'll take some blood" and DD started crying hysterically.
Ask the referring GP for a children's specialist. Or if you know the equivalent to our RCH, go there.
Call in advance and see if they have someone who is very good with kids that they can put you in with. DS had blood taken twice. The first time was extremely traumatic because she couldnt find his vein etc and she didnt explain anything very well to either of us. The second time was a different person and place. I thought it would be horrific given what happened the previous time. They deliberately made us wait for this person to do it and she explained it all to him in language he understood, she even asked his permission to do so and it was far less traumatic for us both. If your little person has a special toy or blanket, take it with you. We used ours for distraction as well as comfort afterwards. He also got a treat for being such a brave boy afterwards. Good luck with it!
We've had blood tests twice. I recommend going to a place that is familiar with doing children. The first time we had a bad experience. I don't recommend Angel cream (some type of topical pain relief). For us it caused raised swelling and made finding the vein more difficult and DS felt every bit of the needle still. The second time no tears and no Angel cream. We had a dummy on hand (his comfort item).
I'm not sure if you are aware but in Victoria anyway you can pretty much go to any pathology despite what is written on the slip.
Emla.
I can't recommend that shizz enough.
We took DS1 for blood tests and they asked us to use it and then the nurse who did all the children talked him through it and gave him stickers afterwards. I was more traumatised than him - he wanted to go back again
I swear by the emla cream. I faint and vomit without it but if I've had it on for an hr, I don't feel the needle. Give more water to hydrate the veins if you're worried about the cream but I have tiny veins and the drs don't seem to have trouble getting my veins with the cream.
My mum was recently a pathology collector for about 18 months. Anywhere is happy to do 2 kids, but only if there are 2 collectors on hand.
Mum didn't do any kids. She didn't feel experienced enough to get in & out quickly without traumatising anyone. I've only had it done with mine (DD2 mainly) a few times, but DD2 has a 'nice thick layer of fat' (paeds words) & has been pretty much impossible to get blood from. Every time taking up to an hour... the only time they actually got a vein, she was 8 weeks old. It wasn't pretty
Make sure you book in advance (some places are take a number) & I think kids do need to be explained to a little... depending on age. I know DS handled his 4yo vax so well coz he knew what was happening IYGWIM...
Getting blood tests for kids
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