testing, testing...???

[Santosha]

Hello to all, hope you're not too toasty wherever you are. Melbourne is scorching and I want to make a cubby in my fridge!

Saw my midwife on Tues - all's going well. Got to hear a heart beat, and even though the dance that's been happening on my cervix leaves me with no doubt that bubs is alive and well, it's still so wonderful to hear it! The midwife sent me a letter the next day with request forms for the anti D, FBE (full blood exam???), and GCT and a note saying "forgot to talk to you about these tests - give them some thought and if you want them, let me know next appt." So my questions for you gals...

What are the pros and cons with these tests?
Anti D... I have -ve blood and hubby has +ve so I know the anti D is recommended, but are you aware of any dangers or possible negative side-effects?
FBE... is that full blood exam? Do you know what they're looking for?
GCT... what are the odds that I'll actually get GD? Are there any factors that make me more or less at risk? Will I be able to tell from other symptoms without doing this test? Are there any risks / issues associated with doing this test that I need to know?

Thanks in advance!

[satya]

I had a full blood count during pregnancy. Can't remember exactly what it tested but it checked loads of different things that they need to know about when you are pregnant.

I think it's important to have the GD testing done. There is no way of knowing if you have it without being tested for it. There are no symptoms as such & I don't believe there are any risks involved. If on the otherhand you didn't get tested & had GD but were unaware that you had it there are loads of risks if left untreated.

[tenar]

I think there is no reason not to get all those tests done, personally.

The downsides are that you have to get a blood sample taken (some people are worse with that than other people), and it might cost a little (not sure if all can be bulk billed, and I'm sure it depends whether you are going private or public too).

My understanding is that Anti-D is really important, as there is a significant risk to the baby if you have the antibody already. My understanding is that the risk is that your body rejects the baby as a foreign thing, but you should read up about it (I'm Rh+, so I've never really needed to know).

The full blood test is probably for things like iron levels, your immunity to various diseases that could harm the baby, stuff like that. It's a measure of your own health and a way to identify some of the risks that might be more or less in this pregnancy as compared to on average.

I have just learned, for example, that I am not immune to "slapped cheek disease", so now I know that I need to be careful not to be in contact with young kids who have that, and also that my iron levels are dropping compared with earlier in the pregnancy, so I need to get more iron in my diet.

It is pretty routine to test for GD, as the problem with that one is that there are usually no symptoms, and it is thought to harm the baby. Another thing where there is minor hassle for you involved, no risk to baby, and there might be a significant gain for the baby if a problem is identified.

So, "enjoy" your tests (yeah, I'm joking - not many people enjoy getting blood taken, but it isn't the end of the world either), and stay cool (Melbourne is just horrible this week, isn't it - oh for an airconditioner!).

[Mumma2three]

I get all the tests done as they are harmless and to me I'd prefer know if there's something that needs changing in my diet, or if baby's health is at risk.
I had the bloods and can't really remember what they were for, but probably iron, sugar in blood etc. The GD is a pain,and I nearly didnt do it, but it turned out I was close to being GD and if I had been there is a risk you can have late onset diabetes further down the track. One I didnt' want that, and two I dont' want the baby to have that risk either, so if I'd had the GD I wouldve changed my diet.
NOt major things, but important all the same. If you didn't test and did have GD I think there's higher risk of pre-eclampsia which is life threatening, but also you may have symptoms, but may be big and you'd have swelling and possibly high blood pressure. At least if you know then they can keep an eye on things.