TOP TIP - MAKE SURE THE STRAP THEY PUT ON IS TIGHT !
Before i got pregnant i never had my blood took & now its like being a pin cushion. i also hate needles
The first time they took my blood the women made right a right mess of my arm, then went on to do the same to the other. Qualified midwife PFFTT! I could feel the needle going right into my arm. I went away in absolute agony and had to book an appointment with a nurse to get it taken.
The nurse was lovely & did things completely different. The strap she put round my arm was tight (uncomfortably tight) and she took the blood no worries! Sharp scratch & abit of an ache, no pain.
I told the nurse about what had happened with that midwife and explained that it was like she was trying to measure my arm with her strap, really loose and comfortable.
The nurse then told me that some people who take blood try to be gentle with the strap but then hurt you more because it can take several attempts to get blood from a vein thats not being 'pressurised' by a tight strap.
If done properly its really not painful, just uncomfortable.
Best of luck + take someone with you if possible, holding someones hand is a great comfort