Blood Test? Is it necessary?

[Pandora]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Junglemum]

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]

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.

[Enchanted]

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

[AliBaby]

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.