TB test in PG?

[fairymom]

So I'm with a new clinic this time around and I'm really liking them but they are highly pushing getting a TB test done. I've never had one offered or even suggested before at my old clinic so this strikes me as odd. I'm not in any of the high risk groups either. I'm leaning to no, but....


WWYD? For? Against? Risks? Pros? Cons?

I guess the only thing I know of as a pro is that the only treatment they do for it is a vit for 9 mths?.

[~Adorkable~]

That seems so strange, if you have not had any issues or done any traveling to risk areas, why would they bother? My docs are test happy but just asked me a list of questions to rule our being at risk.
Can you ask your doctors directly what makes them want to test, it is it normal in their office or do they see something in your health history that is a red flag?

[fairymom]

This is a new clinc for me- and they didn't get my health records from my last. But I do think it may be something the do regularily there- it serves a large immingrant population. So they test everyone there?

[SteelerMom]

Personally, I would refuse it. If you are not high risk, it sounds ridiculous to me. Being a nurse(it is required yearly), I have twice had to get the PPD test while pregnant and was told it was perfectly safe. Since I needed it to continue working, I got it, but I still think it unnecessary for them to request that of you. I wouldn't do it.

[~Adorkable~]

I could see it being a normal thing for them if they serve a lot of immigrants, I would talk to them and if they push it without good reason, I would just say no.

[MamaPhD]

I would really ask if you HAVE to. I know for my DD's preschool, co-op moms have to get TB tests done unless if we are preg, then we get a pass, so I assume there might be something that might not be perfectly OK about the test. I would ask for a blood test instead of PPD skin test. Blood test can detect whether you have TB just as well and does not require putting germs in you!

[cloudgazer]

I did the blood test. Even though I am planning a homebirth, my midwife recommended it in case I have to transfer to the hospital (they require it there). Because there is no risk the blood test, I did it.

[CherryBomb]

I've never been asked to take one before, but since dh lost his job (and our insurance) I have to use the free clinic for this pregnancy, and they wanted me to do it (high immigrant population in that town as well). I went ahead, there aren't any risks afaik and it's an easy test, but it's probably unnecessary.