How many blood tests?

[TheMamma]

I am 6 weeks (today) pregnant. I had blood tests done at just over 4 weeks, which came back at a hcg level of 191. Apparently now I just want until my obstetrician oppointment at 11 weeks and then Ultrasound at 12 weeks.

Now, this may sounds silly - but....should I be having any more bloods done just to make sure all is still going ok and the hcg level is rising?

I have absolutely no reason to think that it is not going okay - no bleeding, no cramping, have M/S, etc etc. It's just that with DD we had so many problems and things go wrong...we were always at the Dr's?

How many blood tests have you had? Ultrasounds?

Can you request another blood test from your GP?

[borntobemummy]

I've never had more than one blood test for hcg, I think that is for people with a history of miscarriage, I think. Or people on fertility treatment.

[Mummyto3blue]

I have only had hcg's done cos of previous m/c. With my boys I never had any up until 26 weeks for the blood glucose test!

I only had the 12 week u/s too!

[Emi]

i had a blood test at 6 weeks, then again a couple weeks later... had my first ultrasound at 12 weeks...

[SurpriseBubba]

I've only had the one blood test so far. I've had a previous miscarriage though.... so can I request more blood tests to make sure they are rising can I? :D I would love more solid evidence this bubba is a sticky one!

[epiphany]

I haven't even had an hcg test! The times I have, though, I only had one when the pregnancy was being confirmed.

You normally do another blood test to check iron levels, & make sure you don't have any STDs, rubella, etc (it's called a Maternal Serum test & checks for about 6 or 7 different things). You might have more bloods later on to check iron levels (if there's a problem) & often you do a blood glucose test later on, too. My ob also took a swab a couple of weeks before I was due to check for *insert name of infectious disease that I can't remember off the top of my head* - something reasonably common that can be passed on to the baby at birth. Not everyone does it, though.

If you're having an NT scan, you may also have a blood test for that as well. But not everyone has an NT scan (to check for a high probability of Downs or other chromosomal abnormalities).

As well as the scan you're getting at 11 weeks (which is probably to check dates, number of babies, etc), you'll normally have another scan around 18-20 weeks. This is a diagnostic scan - they check baby all over quite throughly to see everything is ok. They can also tell you the gender then if you want to know. This is a good one to get onto DVD or video - check with the people doing it & see if they can record it for you.

With my last pregnancy, I had a couple more scans in late pregnancy to check baby's position, etc. But not everyone has those - my ob has an ultrasound in his rooms & does those scans himself.

Hope this helps!

[Mamalicious]

I haven't had any tests done.

With DS I had a blood test at the start and then again a few weeks before he was due to check my iron levels.

[giveitago]

You can request a scan at any time you like.
Explain that you had a difficult pregnancy last time and that you would like a viability scan to ensure everything is going according to plan.

If you are ever denied a request for a scan, bloods etc or ridiculed for asking, change gp's.

and if you aren't comfortable with straight out asking for something, just say that the added stress of not knowing is affecting your eating and sleeping which in turn is making you stress more.

At ANY point during your pregnancy you can request a blood test or an ultrasound.

My dr had no intention of telling me my hcg level or giving me a viability scan, when she asked why I wanted them I told her I was an ex-nurse, from a medical family with the ability to realistically interpret results and know what they mean. She is now so open with me and we have a great relationship.

I dont think many dr's understand how educated women are on these issues these days, especially those that have been ttc'ing for a long time.

It's your body, its your baby, if you want something please dont be afraid to ask for it.

[fugly]

My doc did a urine test at 6 weeks and when I asked if they were going to do an HCG test - she said "no reason, we know you are pregnant". I have had a m/c too.
I then had an internal ultrasound at 7 1/2 weeks.
I will now go back on the 24th June to have the Nuchal test (am waiting that long as my parents are coming to town and want them to see baby on Scan)

[Hels*Bels]

I feel the same way, after having 3 days of migraines I would like some reassurance that bubs is ok in there. It's really horrible not knowing. I keep thinking what if bubs has died and I don't find out for several weeks? (pretty morbid, I know :o).

My next scan is in 3 weeks time so I'll have to wait until then I suppose.

[Pices_79]

You can definately request an US...

I am 6w tomorrow and have 2 US over the last 2 weeks as I have been having pains...Turns out I have a cyst on my left ovary...

I have my first Ob appointment in 2 weeks!

[Pices_79]

I havent had any blood tests either