Okay, here's a quick question for ya: how do you tell the difference between a trainee doctor and a trainee nurse?  It's very simple.  Have blood drawn.  A trainee doctor will almost always certainly balls it up.

Yesterday was my 28 week checkup.  I have glucose and full bloods taken, along with my first Anti-D shot.  Usually, it's the intra-muscular stuff that hurts more.  Not so.

First jab, she missed the vein altogether, which meant that the midwife had to do it.  Which meant injecting again into a quicky-getting-sore spot, but at least the midwife did it.  Then the blood was being sluggish (gee, wonder why?) so they had to withdraw from that arm and jab the other one.  Fun.  This time she clamped my arm too tight and didn't release the tourniquet when she found the vein so each and every nanosecond was pain personified.

Tell you what, Miss Trainee Doctor.  A few things.

Number one: Get some bedside manner.  I was very obviously not in a comfortable position, being intensely phobic of syringes.  It's a good idea NOT to tell your patient victim when the needle's coming.  A 'sharp scratch' is a tattoo needle.  At least they have the common decency to take the bloody thing out of your skin as soon as they put it in.  Granted, repeatedly, but still... I was ready to 'sharp scratch' her.

Number two: Don't just stand there and expect the needle to inject itself.  Yes, you're in the vein (finally), try drawing the blood already!  Or, better yet, release the strap so my arm doesn't drop off.

Number three: When you've very obviously missed the vein entirely, don't move the needle around in the arm trying to find it!  The inside of my right elbow looks like the dregs of a heroin breakfast.  Veins are bruised.  Badly.

No, actually, we are not amused...

Apart from that, everything's alright.  Blood pressure's 110/60, Bub's heart rate is at 140bpm, 10 fingers, 10 toes.  Healthy as a horse.  Should be; all the food he makes me eat.