Are the blood tests really necessary?

[AFWife]

With DS it all came back clean. I know my blood type (DH and I are both type A+), I have all the titers they worry about, I know DH and I are both monogamous so I know I'm STD free...what else do they test for that would need to be repeated? Can I just decline?

[jenifera2]

Are you asking about blood tests for you now or for the baby after it's born?

In Michigan, testing for certain STDs is required by law. I have no idea if there's a waiver form. Have you asked your care provider what they're testing for and whether or not any are legally required? That's a great starting point.

[Aka mommy]

For me the only reason i had it done was confirmation of pregnancy (which is needed by our insurance) and i had back to back pregnancies (literally 3.5 months between birth and conception) and i wanted to make sure my thyroid and iron levels were stable in case i needed to get on top of them since my body hadn't had any time to recoop.

[MaerynPearl]

in my state and the one I am moving to it is required... if I do not they require the baby to be tested after birth.

Just better to have it done to me!

[AFWife]

I was talking about for me, now. I don't feel like it's necessary...I'll have to look into my laws.

After the baby is born...we did the PKU no big deal...


So wait, in some states if I don't get STD tested they'll HAVE to test my baby after birth? Why? In case DH or I are sleeping around?

[~Katie~]

I didn't have any early blood work done with my last pregnancy, but I also saw a CPM and planned a homebirth (turned accidental UC). I had iron checks, though. My midwife didn't bat an eye. I suppose it would depend on your care provider, where you plan to give birth, and the laws in your state.

[beachlover]

Originally Posted by MaerynPearl

in my state and the one I am moving to it is required... if I do not they require the baby to be tested after birth.

Just better to have it done to me!

I'm in NC and I lost a baby at 20 weeks, but had had the regular blood work up with him at my first appt. After our loss ,it was about 9 months before I got pregnant again, and my doctor was fine with me skipping them. No tests were done on him after birth other than the 24 hour heal stick for PKU, etc.


To the OP since it's been just over a year they may or may not require you to recheck because titers can change etc. You can even lose your immunity to things like rubella that they always check you for.

[jenifera2]

If you don't feel like a test is necessary, your care provider can't force it on you, though if state law requires, you may or may not bring on more headache trying to refuse. Depends very much on the situation. But, if you don't know what they're testing for, how do you know the testing is unnecessary? You can still decline - it's your body - but a couple questions would reassure you that you're not declining something you would actually find important.

[russsk]

My state and city require quite a lot of STD testing, IMO. I had it done with DS but am not doing it this time, though I am planning a homebirth with a CPM, who are not licensed here. I don't think my CNM would have kicked me out if I declined a syphilis test, but I'm not sure what the hospital would have done.

[AFWife]

Originally Posted by jenifera2

If you don't feel like a test is necessary, your care provider can't force it on you, though if state law requires, you may or may not bring on more headache trying to refuse. Depends very much on the situation. But, if you don't know what they're testing for, how do you know the testing is unnecessary? You can still decline - it's your body - but a couple questions would reassure you that you're not declining something you would actually find important.

I know I don't need the blood typing test (that's not going to change) or the STD test (another one I can be sure hasn't changed). I also doubt I've lost my rubella immunity in the past year.

[jenifera2]

Right, those are the kinds of things I meant. The STD thing, as mentioned, may be a legal requirement since many states don't believe our word on that fact. If the blood type and rubella immunity are the only other things they're testing for, then you know you're covered. But you asked up front what they're testing for, so I assumed you weren't sure if there was anything else, in which case you may or may not want to have it done.

I know plenty of people are comfortable declining all tests regardless of what they are, and that's a valid choice. I only gave the answer I did since you were asking what the tests were and if they're necessary.

[AFWife]

Originally Posted by jenifera2

Right, those are the kinds of things I meant. The STD thing, as mentioned, may be a legal requirement since many states don't believe our word on that fact. If the blood type and rubella immunity are the only other things they're testing for, then you know you're covered. But you asked up front what they're testing for, so I assumed you weren't sure if there was anything else, in which case you may or may not want to have it done.

I know plenty of people are comfortable declining all tests regardless of what they are, and that's a valid choice. I only gave the answer I did since you were asking what the tests were and if they're necessary.

I didn't know if they tested anything else. When I looked it up those were the main ones.

[WaitingForKiddos]

I think a general pannel is a good idea so you know what your baselines are. RBC, WBC, iron...etc. Then if something comes up you'll know how off the new reaulats are from your first.

[AFWife]

Originally Posted by WaitingForKiddos

I think a general pannel is a good idea so you know what your baselines are. RBC, WBC, iron...etc. Then if something comes up you'll know how off the new reaulats are from your first.

I don't remember them testing my iron levels at the 20something week test. They did it when I went into labor and after DS was born...

[fruitfulmomma]

I didn't know if they tested anything else. When I looked it up those were the main ones.

They should be checking things like iron levels which could have changed since the last time.

Obviously you can deny any medical care you want to, but that may change the way your cp is treating you so you need to speak with them and get the specifics.

[fruitfulmomma]

I don't remember them testing my iron levels at the 20something week test. They did it when I went into labor and after DS was born...

... I've never had any blood work done during labor or afterwards.

[AFWife]

Originally Posted by fruitfulmomma

... I've never had any blood work done during labor or afterwards.

Really? Yeah, they drew a bunch of vials of blood during and after...My iron levels dipped a ton (duh, you lose blood during labor) and they (the doc on call at the hospital when I was discharged) wanted me on iron pills (Thankfully when I went to see my DOCTOR she said not to worry about it)

[Aka mommy]

Here when they do an HCG, they also do iron, thyroid and a few others. Doesn't hurt to call and find out specifically WHAT they are testing for.

[fruitfulmomma]

Really? Yeah, they drew a bunch of vials of blood during and after..

I've never seen an ob, so maybe that is the difference. I don't know, they might have done them when my two girls were born at the hospital (transports) but I don't remember. I know they didn't take any after the birth.

My midwife sends me to the lab once during pregnancy for the workup and then she'll do a finger prick at the office to check sugar levels and one more little thing, don't remember what it is but she puts the blood in a little straw and spins it and then checks it.

[AFWife]

Originally Posted by fruitfulmomma

one more little thing, don't remember what it is but she puts the blood in a little straw and spins it and then checks it.

That sounds like the quick iron test they do before you donate blood...