Labwork/bloodwork during pregnancy

[callieollie]

What labwork or bloodwork is usually done during the pregnancy? I know with my first when I started with an OB, I had tons of stuff done during the first appointment. With my second, I had an OB and I know I had less done (I oped out of the quad screen and a few other optional things) but I know I still had some bloodwork done at first. Anyone know what kinds of things are done and how much of it is necessary vs. optional? Also, would it differ at all if you were doing a homebirth in terms of what tests they may run?

[AustinMom]

I copied this off of another post I replied to...

This is based off a sheet given to me by an MW I interviewed with

OB Panel-Blood type/Rh, blood count, antibody test, Heb-B, Syphilis, Rubella
I am not getting this one, because I know all this, and of what I know, I am O- and had a +baby last time and got the pp rhogam, and the antibody just shows whether or not you have the antibodies to a + blood type baby, I don't think they can do anything about the baby's blood type or what CAN (like 2% of the time) occur with different blood types

CBC-tests Iron levels and anemia-we got this one done

HIV-I'm not getting, because I know I'm neg, some states suggest you get test 3 times during the pregnancy and birth period, I think this is silly.

Urine culture-usually tests proteins and other levels, you'll probably do it every prenatal visit.

Chalydia/Gonorrhea-not going to

regular pap-had one recently, all have been normal

quad test-optional birth defect screening (15-20 weeks) we aren't going to get because it's a screening test and not a diagnostic test. It will only cause stress and not tell us anything for sure

Varicella-immunity for chicken pox-not getting, if you were immune before, you still are. They would have told you with your first baby if you were not immune

toxoplasmosis-tests for immunity-not getting, if you have grown up with cats or been around them your whole life then don't worry, if you don't have a cat, don't worry

fifths disease-tests for immunity

cystic fibrosis-tests to see if you are a carrier

Jewish Disease Panel- tests to see if carrier of cystic fibrosis, tay sachs and canavans

at 28wks-
1 hr glucose-test for diabetes, you don't have to drink the sugar drink, just get blood drawn on empty stomach, then eat a hearty breakfast, then come back, or just get it if you show signs of diabetes

hematocirt/hemoglobin-tests for anemia-I may get as I usually have low iron, but this is the only one I got done on my first prenatal

Antibody screen-same as above

36 weeks-GroupB strep cutlture-it's only recommended, and there are ways to prevent it and symptoms to look for.

If you don't do the HIV or Heb B or Blood type and have to go to hospital, they do them all again at birth anyway, so there is no point in getting them prenatally for this reason alone.

We don't plan on having an U/S mid term, they are only recommended for medical reason/concerns, a normal healthy mom doesn't have any. If you want to find out the sex, then of course, that's up to you, and they can look at blood flow and heart, brain, cleft lip, etc.

Hope this helped!

Also Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn is a good book that goes over all this

[chandasz]

I had thought that if some of the STD screens were not done on mama in pregnancy - they would be done on baby at birth requiring a blood draw for the baby.

[callieollie]

Thanks! That was very helpful! My current insurance doesn't cover prenatal care so I'm trying to get a feel for how many tests and things are done to get a feel for cost. We may be switching insurances that do cover but then I'd need shadow care from an OB so I'm just looking at all the options.

So am I correct in assuming that any test that looks at immunity or if you're a carrier for something would be the same in this pregnancy (it would be my third) as it was for the previous 2? Anything else that wouldn't need to be redone?