Can a doctor refuse service if you refuse to give any more blood?

Question

i am 9 weeks pregnant and i gave m dr 5 viles of blood. i have an extreme phobia of needles. today they wanted to steal 9 more viles of blood from my arm. i saw the DR put on the gloves and i started to BALL my eyes out... it was very embarrassing! i do not plan on giving anymore blood to them. i dont think that it is necessary any more. i am not a high risk pregnancy or anything.

My question is, since i have an actual phobia can the DR refuse treatment to me? I cant bring myself to give the blood. The last time i did i balled, passed out, my blood pressure went down, and i had nightmares about it. not to mention i cried the whole way home from the hospital!

Answer 1

Wow, that seems like a lot of blood. Perhaps you can talk with your doctor, maybe they don't need to take quite as much. Maybe they can tell you something to help you.

Your doctor wants to protect the health of your baby, and they also are protecting their bum, too. Talk to them, maybe they have an answer. You're not the only one, believe me.

I know a bit of how you feel, they have a hard time getting a needle into my veins (even though they're easy to see, they're just slippery) so they *tap* me black and blue. They'll call an anesthesiologist to poke me if one is around.

Answer 2

The tests that they do are for the health of your baby.  You need to get psychological treatment for this phobia, as you could be putting your baby's health at risk by not being able to tolerate the blood draws necessary for standard pre-natal care.

Answer 3

First off are you asking or know why so much blood is being taken. That is the first step! Next if it is for no reason than refuse. You do have that right and yes he can refuse to treat you too cause he thinks you are not cooperating with treatment for what ever reason. But then just find another doc. cause it isn't worth it.

Answer 4

To answer your question, yes. A doctor can refuse to see you anymore over almost anything. If he/she feels as though they are not the best fit for you in any way they can refuse further treatment.

We had a case of this with my oldest daughter. She has a health issue that is not anything anyone would notice unless they were with her taking her pills each day. When we moved, we found a doctor (supposed to the best , yeah right) that refused to see her any further because she simply "didn't wanna deal with it." It sucks, it's hurtful, but you're better off with another doctor anyhow if they act that way.

Answer 5

you're doc can't refuse to treat you.  He may have drawn 5 tubes of blood the last time, but levels in your blood change from minute to minute.  I guess if you don't want him to make sure everything is okay, then don't have your blood drawn.  It is so irritating as a healthcare worker to have a patient come to the hospital to get taken care of and then refuse to have their blood drawn.  It is one of the quickest and easiest ways to get information.  I understand that you are afraid of needles and that you pass out.  But it is important to the health of your child and you for your doc to draw blood.  So it's up to you

Answer 6

It's "bawl", not "ball" in this context. I don't know if they can refuse you treatment, but NOBODY is going to take 9 vials of blood. Also, if you refuse to follow your doctor's suggestions, they will eventually drop you from care.  

Answer 7

If you hate needles to the point of crying and passing out, that stress is no good for you and your baby.

We live in such an over-medicalized time. Sure, I believe in a lot of the tests and immunizations, but I don't think a normal healthy woman should be poked and prodded as much as she is these days, espcecially if it is a normal pregnancy.

Ask your doctor how many more tests they want to do and what each test is for. Then decide whether the test is important enough to go through the needle trauma. You need to have all the information to make an informed choice. Don't be intimidated of the doctor either, they are just people who went to school for a couple of years longer than the rest of us.

Answer 8

A physican can release you from his care. He has to give you ample time to find another physician, but they do NOT have to keep seeing you if you're not being compliant with your care.

Answer 9

A true fear of needles can really suck but that doesn't mean that they will not be needed... sometimes we have to go through things even when we don't want to or feel like we cannot... it is probly for your safety and the safety of your baby that you let them take all the blood they need... you will be okay maybe bring your baby's dad or your mom or a good friend to hold your hand next time you go... tell them that you are scared maybe they have a really great lab person who can take your blood with little pain... good luck to you.....

I don't think the Dr can say the will not see you...  

Answer 10

After the first time, unless something is wrong, they don't need to take anymore blood from you, you can refuse it. I don't know why they would want to take more than they need, but just tell them no. I am the same way, I freak out seeing a needle on TV, and I'm questioning pregnancy and is actually thinking of going natural just to avoid as much needles as possible.

Answer 11

Yes.  The doctor can recuse him/herself from your case and refer you to another doctor if you refuse to comply with medical treatment.  In this case, the doctor needs that information from those blood tests in order to treat you and your baby.  Without that information he/she cannot provide that treatment and does not want to be liable for it.  

Speak to your doctor about your phobia.  Even if you are pregnant, there may be a low-dose, low-risk medication he/she can perscribe for your anxiety over the test, like a one-time dose.  

But the bloodwork is essential for the health of you and your baby  

Best of luck to you.

Answer 12

wow i am opposite i actually watch them poke me and stuff, lol. idk why you are scared? when they are doing this can you close your eyes, breath through your stomach a few deep but natural breathes. think about something else? can you ask them to sedate you before like a xanex or adivan plus some advil i have had to do that once at my OB/GYN it works very very well i was almost puking and passing out when i had to have a colposcopy done and had to reschedule. why do they want this blood? if you dont give them it, there is not much they can help you with, like, if something goes wrong, it wont be there fault, you cant sue, because you refused. they will probably have you sign a paper thats states this. i hope you can work through it, i did with a lil adivan! do it for the health of your unborn baby if not for anything else. god forbid something goes wrong and all you had to do was get poked a few times to prevent it. (no saying it will happn, but to be on the safe side dont take chances)

Answer 13

Has your Dr. refused treatment to you? That does seem like alot of blood is being drawn. Have you asked specifically what they are testing for? As for your fear, I used to be terrified of needles. I now have to inject myself once a month! Its all in your mind. Its something you can overcome. Needles aren't that big a deal. Try to relax. Your newborn will be getting a series of immunizations throughout his/her childhood. You don't want your child picking up on your anxiety. I feel bad for you, I know what its like to be so afraid. Talk to your dr. and see if they can do something to make this easier on you, like using a butterfly needle, it will take longer to draw the bld that way tho. Good luck!