Blood Test? Is it necessary?

Enchanted · January 7th, 2009, 07:43 AM

I went and saw my GP at roughly 6wks. He gave me a form for a BT and said to have it done around 10 weeks.

I didn't get the BT done as I have had my fair share of them over the past year. About 15 in total and when you have a phobia and pretty much have an anxiety attack each time I didn't think it was worth it.

I am heading back to the Dr today without any BT results obviously and I want to know if these BTs are beneficial?!?! I have had pretty much every BT under the sun over the past year and have been cleared of pretty much of every nasty that can exist. I want to be prepared and know what I am talking about and why I am refusing the BT in case he gets all thing on me for not getting it done!

I don't think that made any sense

queenbee · January 7th, 2009, 07:45 AM

Why do you get anxious? Is it because of the needle or the tests being done (and finding out the results)? Sorry I am a bit confused.

**Janie** · January 7th, 2009, 07:47 AM

Is it the one to do with the screening? The one that they use in conjunction with the results of the neuchal fold scan? If so, then if you would like the most accurate results possible then I would recommend having it done. If not, I would check exactly what it's for, and then decide how important it is to you.

Sorry, it's been awhile since I did the pg thing, so I've forgotten alot of stuff

**Pandora** · January 7th, 2009, 07:47 AM

do you know what they were for? What does it say on the form?
It may be they were the same tests you have had before, but they also could have been for different things.
I had done them done at 10 weeks, It hink they took 5-6 samples for different things. The ones I can remember were full blood examination, thalassemia, syphellis, rubella immunity. there was also a midwstream test for UTI and I think something else.
The other one was for the first trimester screening test, which gets combined with the 12 week scan NT measurement & age factors to give a ratio of risk for DS.

If you didnt have them they may give you a form to have BT @ 16 weeks instead. Discuss it with your DR and ask what the test are for.

**Nai** · January 7th, 2009, 08:04 AM

It sounds like the BT for the 12w scan to combine with the NT measurement to get your risk factor. If you aren't getting the NT scan or risk factor then you probably don't need the BT. If you are then you do need it to get an accurate result.

Enchanted · January 7th, 2009, 08:06 AM

Queenbee- I get anxious about the needle itself not the results.

Janie- The nuchal scan I won't be having done. I didn't have it done last time as I don't see the point. I wouldn't want to be faced with the results should they not come back "normal". It's not for that though... I think it's just the test for Hep B,C etc etc Don't worry... I have clearly forgotten A LOT of things too

Rayray- I have actually misplaced the form! I was looking for it this morning but can't find it anywhere!

**briggsy's girl** · January 7th, 2009, 08:14 AM

play dumb if you've lost the form then hun!

even though i'd had all the normal serology testing in the recent past with the IVF stuff, it all had to be done again to check on whether there was anything additional needed to help with the baby. chances are high that you're perfect, but if it was the hep tests, they'll make you go through them before birth so that current risk is on your hospital/medical file

Enchanted · January 7th, 2009, 08:17 AM

I'm not at risk of having Hep B,C etc I just thought that was part of the "general" thing they test for. My appt is this arvo... so I guess I'll just have to wait until then.

**briggsy's girl** · January 7th, 2009, 08:20 AM

i think a lot of it is for the benefit of the medicos as well though - they need current results so that, if you're in labour they can do added barrier nursing if you're positive, or so that they know your results if a needlestick injury occurs etc...

if you need another referral cos they NEED the tests, you'll be given one

hope you can get away with it...

ooh, and on your other thread (cos i closed it by accident) - ask your dr/hosp to request your file - they should be able to get it without the cost to you...

**Danni** · January 7th, 2009, 08:20 AM

Dont stress about it hun. Tell them you decided against having the BT and explain your phobia and the fact that you had so many last year. They can't force you to have it. Good luck this arvo! xx

Enchanted · January 7th, 2009, 08:22 AM

I have found the form this is how it reads:

Tests requested:

A BLD GRP/FBE/RPR/URINE M+C+S; AB SCREEN/RUBELLA/HEP B/C/HIV

**Junglemum** · January 7th, 2009, 08:28 AM

i think it is important to check for things like rubella immunity, iron levels, RH type, things that may directly effect your pregnancy that may not have been tested in other blood tests you have had.
But you might be lucky and they do have all those results already. The Dr isn't going to yell at you, well they shouldn't anyway! Just be honest and tell them you didn't want to have it b/c you were scared. They will soon let you know if they need the results or not.
It's no big deal if you have it done later anyway. Hope your appointment goes well.

**Karina** · January 7th, 2009, 07:33 PM

I had blood tests at around 10 weeks or maybe it was 8 weeks... The hospital told me to have it done and they gave me a list of what they wanted. I just went to my GP and he took the blood and sent it away to the lab for testing. They were just looking for my blood type (which mum had always told me was O but it actually B+), rubella immunity, a few diseases, full blood count, glucose level and a few other things. I had it just because i was unsure about all these things (like my rubella immunity) so thought it would be a good idea to have the info on my hospital file.

**[M]umma[M]ia** · January 7th, 2009, 07:42 PM

yep thats a rountine test. Just bite the bullet hun. just think.. this will be the only BT for weeks and weeks thats if your having a GD test.

Its a full blood examination so they may take a fair bit but its worht getting done.

**AliBaby** · January 7th, 2009, 07:46 PM

Queenbee- I get anxious about the needle itself not the results.

Oh hun, I so can relate to what you are saying about a fear of needles.

I just wanted to let you know that the reason that people like you and me have this fear is because it is a foreign object entering our body and our mind makes us anxious as we know it is not normal as such to have an object like this in our body.

I have been known to pass out, run away, scream as a 10yr old and carry on so much that they couldnt give it to me in the end but I have learnt some tricks to help me get through it.

I am sure you have tried some of these but if not you could do the following when having a needle:

- when you go in there to have a needle, dont look at what the nurse is doing, focus on something else (just dont look at any of the needles)

- tell the nurse that you dont like them and would she mind talking to you about something else to keep your mind busy while you are in there. I have had great conversations about different movies, funny things that nurses have seen (that have nothing to so with needles!) and this has helped ease some of the anxiety and tension that my body creates when I know I am going to get a needle.

- tell yourself that you are doing this for your baby! I have found that since being pregnant and needing to get anti-d needles and blood tests, etc I have had this thought in my mind that I am doing this for my babies health and it is more important than my fear of needles.

- Ask to lay down while you are having a needle if you feel that you might faint.

I cant tell you whether or not you need to have the needle but it is probably for a good reason and for your baby's health and well-being. I hope this has helped you in some way.