OMG!!! Is this normal? (kind of long)

I just came back from DS's 9 month checkup. DS was pretty bad with crying and being figedety (sp?). Anyway, they told me that he was getting a lead test (blood test, finger prick). The nurse came in to do it, and granted that my son was already hysterical crying and moving his hand while she was trying to prick him...i wasn't watching exatly what she was doing because i am squimish when it comes to blood myself...but, it took FOREVER and she couldn't get the banddaid on him and there was blood EVERYWHERE...blood all over my new pants! My son's body! Even the floor! I was so upset i was holding back the tears myself.....It was really an awful experience...SO, do you the the nurse (who was a young girl)...screwed up. I can imagine that all babies have to go though this...Why so much blood just from a finger prick. I'm thinking of calling the doctor. When we finally got out of there, i got in my car and was hysterically crying...i feel sooo bad for my son..it was so awful. I am not one to cry, but this was awful...
Is this finger prick test normal? And why so much blood?

Re: OMG!!! Is this normal? (kind of long)

The finger prick is def normal & they do have to squeeze to a good sample of blood. The mess is not normal though!

The nurse was probably inexperienced & didn't handle the situation the best way. Sorry you were upest

Re: OMG!!! Is this normal? (kind of long)

I had the same expierence with my DS (8 months) as well. I could have written the same post. I didn't call the doctor though -what's done is done and everything else has always been a good experience. My 3 yo had to get this test in February and since he was calm everything was smooth sailing. He had a lot of blood too though - just wasn't everywhere.

Re: OMG!!! Is this normal? (kind of long)

I'm sorry!

At my DD's 9 month appt they did the same thing. They pricked her finger and kept squeezing it so the blood would drip out while she "filled in" two circles on an index card type thing. It took a long time. The blood didn't go all over though. But when I took off the band aid 10 minutes later (because I thought it was a small hole and wouldn't need a band aid and didn't like DD chewing the band aid) the blood did get on her outfit and my pants. I should have left the band aid on!

Re: OMG!!! Is this normal? (kind of long)

This does not sound normal. I don't really recall a finger prick test, I think we went to the lab for bloodwork. I would be VERY upset with the experience you described. I'm sorry you had to deal with that