Absolutely necessary???

[aries_moon]

Hi would just like some opinions on this subject-

Am 10 weeks pg, and doctor has asked me to get some blood tests. There's a whole list of things, I wouldn't even know what they are for. I know blood group and Hep B,C, tests are pretty standard, but can you refuse other tests if you don't think it's absolutely necessary. Has anyone else been tested for 5-7 things when first pg? Please respond, I don't know what to think!

[mum2JLH]

when i had them done, i was in the same boat. I just let them test me for everything. Im sure YOU have the right to refuse any/all tests that you want. Of corse the docs will sit there and tell you why you should get them done and all the benfits of getting them done, but in the end, its up to you.

[melbryan]

They did ask me if I consented to the test and because I had nothing to hide I went along with it. They tested for AIDS too which I was a bit taken aback by but went ahead with it anyway I think it is mainly for the hospy records and they may find out that some mothers have problems they aren't disclosing so I thought of it as helping those mothers too. I am sure you can say no though.

[~Emmylou~]

It's totally standard for them to test you for about 5-10 things when you first get pregnant. Your doc isn't being overzealous, they all do it.

Let me share something from experience with this pregnancy. When my OB ordered my blood tests there was a test on there for something called "CMV". I had never heard of this and in my previous pregnancies did not recall ever being tested for it.

About two months ago my husband began to get sick - I was 18 weeks pregnant by this time. After multiple blood tests it was discovered he had contracted something called Cytomegalovirus - CMV. This virus is contaigious and puts unborn babies at very high risk of hearing and learning difficulties. THANK GOD my OB had already tested me earlier in the pregnancy and determined that I was immune. It saved us what would would have been at least a week of total panic.

So you don't know what might happen down the road. The information gleaned from early blood screens can be very valuable - the things they're testing you for can cause big problems if they don't know about them.

But as others have pointed out it is always your right to refuse if you don't want them.

[Seekrit]

I was tested for the usual suspects, I think i had 6 viles maybe more taken... to be honest it not only gave the doctor the information he needed, it also put my mind at ease as far as STDs were concerned! :)

[aries_moon]

ok then I guess i'm fine with all these tests since it sounds like it's pretty standard for everyone. I guess a lot of it has to do with me being such a huge wuss and hate having blood taken! I revert back to childhood when they bring out the needles!! :laughing: Thanks for all your replies, and oh yes i am being tested for CMV as well!

[Seekrit]

don't worry! they only jab you once (I hate needles! my hospital twice now have said, without warning, "okay blood test time" :eek:) hehe

[~Danni~]

don't worry! they only jab you once (I hate needles! my hospital twice now have said, without warning, "okay blood test time" :eek:) hehe


haha so true:thumbsup:

[MrsMiggins]

A Seekrit said, they do only jab you once & usually you'll be lucky enough to get someone who has been doing it for years and can put that needle in without you even realising!! It's definitely a small price to pay for the peace of mind you get.

You'll have to have a few jabs here & there down the track, but it's seriously not too bad. And mine were worse than normal because I was retaining so much fluid they couldn't see my veins properly!

The one I was not prepared for was the one you have 6 weeks post-partum! No-one told me about that one!

[Stretchmark Diva]

I've had 3 babies, and never had a blood test at the 6 week checkup - you were very unlucky Mrs Miggins! What was your test for?

[FourAngelKisses]

I've had 3 babies, and never had a blood test at the 6 week checkup - you were very unlucky Mrs Miggins! What was your test for?


Same here......I'm curious too, what was it for??

[BlueGin]

I am feeling pretty dopey, and a little angry after reading this thread.
Last week when my caring but paranoid doc sent me for scans at the hospital and told me I might have to go straight to surgery for an ectopic (I say paranoid as I am so early on that there wasn't even a spec on the ultrasound so no doc would be able to tell if ectopic :confused:) anyway, I was so nervous that when the hospital doc said they needed my blood and took 7 vials I assumed it was something to do with ectopics.

When I got my results the normal doc told me they were standard pregnancy bloods! I was surprised to say the least, as they were all sealed up and I couldn't look at them, and after reading this I find that they are optional?

:rolleyes: I sometimes feel a little angry at the medical professional just doing what they think "is best" without even the respect to offer us alternatives.

[Miaow]

I had the normal tests they give you hep b, c etc - Actually my doc forgot the hep C one but the hospital wanted it so i had to have that seperatly.

I also had CMV, toxoplasmosis and Parvo tests (yes adults can get parvo) cause i had a fever for a little while

I also had a few tests checking kidney function cause my BP was going up a little.

I didnt have any tests at the 6 week check up though