Blood work- what's it for?

[Astraia]

Just found out I'm expecting #3 - super excited! (btw, May 2012 DDC? When might that start?)

Thinking we might end up UC-ing this one as well, since our chance of a midwife is next to 0. We have an awesome family dr who seems okay with seeing me as infrequently or frequently as I feel like showing up and he is an OB and does hospital deliveries as well if we need to go that route...Not sure why I'm saying any of this... what I'm actually wondering is how important all that  first tri blood work is. I didn't ask with the first two and everything evidentally came back normal. I'm really want to cut down on the number of prenatals, ultrasounds, not doing the gestational diabetes tests or swabbing for GBS or... um, anything else.... wondering how important that blood work is? What is it for? Anyone know?

 

[Mummoth]

They check your iron, your titer for measles (maybe different illnesses, too... I just know that because I was told I had low protection and to get a booster after I had the baby) and they check you for STD's. 

Oh, and CONGRATS!! I'm expecting my third in December.

[Astraia]

Thank you, and congrats to you too!

That all sounds like stuff I'm happy bypassing. I did all of that about 2 years ago, my husband has DEFINITELY not had time to pick up any STD's anywhere so that's the least of my concerns, and all my immunities were fine the last time. Mildly concerned about my iron levels later in pregnancy- definitely not now- but I figure if I make sure I eat lots of iron rich foods I'll be fine.

[Lisoula]

Mine tests my blood type, Hepatitis B status, blood counts, and for a few STD's.  If you're UCing, it's irrelevent, really.  It would just be nice to know if you are Rh neg, but since you have 2 other kiddos, I'm sure you know your status.

btw....the May 2012 DDC is in the social groups.  Come join us!!!! 

http://www.mothering.com/community/groups/show/7/may-2012-ddc

[adoremybabe]

One thing that came up in the blood work from my 3rd pregnancy was the presence of E antigen antibodies. That means that my DH has the e antigen (notice the little e and big E diffeence and he was tested after the antibodies were found). Each of our children has a 50/50 chance of getting his e antigen. If that happens our baby's life will be at risk. So now I'm monitored monthly for the antibody titers.

For this reason I am glad for the blood tests.

[Lisoula]

Ooppps...sorry, didn't realize you were already over there with us :)
 

Originally Posted by Lisoula 

Mine tests my blood type, Hepatitis B status, blood counts, and for a few STD's.  If you're UCing, it's irrelevent, really.  It would just be nice to know if you are Rh neg, but since you have 2 other kiddos, I'm sure you know your status.

btw....the May 2012 DDC is in the social groups.  Come join us!!!! 

http://www.mothering.com/community/groups/show/7/may-2012-ddc

[akind1]

I know blood type (my question for them was, if I've delivered with the practice and hospital before, that should be on file, it's not like it's going to change, so why do it?), also rubella (which I'm not immune to evidently, but I won't get the booster after either), iron, std's, etc.

For me, I don't mind needles and drawing blood isn't likely to really hurt me or the baby . . .so I don't mind. I'm very much a pick your battles sort of person. Now, I do opt out of the quad/AFP screening stuff they do around 16 weeks I think. None of it gives definite answers, only risk factors, and I wouldn't do an amnio or a CVS (if the results came back in the negative range). Also wouldn't terminate a pregnancy for a diagnosis of Down's either . . . not to mention they do look for physical markers of Down's and spina bifida during the anatomy scan mid pregnancy. Since I do the ultrasound (which while I believe it does have its risks, it's still less than say, and amnio), I choose to skip the bloodwork for the screening.

Your doc seems pretty low-key, can you discuss with him what the tests are, and if there really are any in particular he thinks are super important (and why)?

[Toposlonoshlep]

I think if there is no chance of new STDs cropping up since you had your last, and you don't feel anemic, I would say bloodwork is definitely ok to skip. They should have your old bloodwork on file if it's the same practice, which would give them your bloodtype and other basic info SHOULD you need to be transferred. Just something to think about though...If you're transferred and they don't have your HIV results or other STDS, they will be required by law to do testing on you and, most painfully, your newborn. Some tests will be performed before they help you medically, some when your baby is first born. In a situation that is already bound to be stressful (as you are aspiring to not coming anywhere near the hospital), do you really want to fight those battles in the middle of an emergency? If it were me (and I know it isn't), I would just get some blood drawn now and avoid a lot of bureaucracy later. Like a PP said, I pick my battles.

As for gestational diabetes, again, I would pick my battle there. With my last pregnancy I was totally fine until the last couple of weeks, when my blood pressure was kind of high. I instantly changed my diet and got more exercise in and was able to curb it. It helps sometimes to do SOME tests so that you can take preventative actions SHOULD there be any red flags. I think the noninvasive tests are often worth it.

Originally Posted by Astraia 

Just found out I'm expecting #3 - super excited! (btw, May 2012 DDC? When might that start?)

Thinking we might end up UC-ing this one as well, since our chance of a midwife is next to 0. We have an awesome family dr who seems okay with seeing me as infrequently or frequently as I feel like showing up and he is an OB and does hospital deliveries as well if we need to go that route...Not sure why I'm saying any of this... what I'm actually wondering is how important all that  first tri blood work is. I didn't ask with the first two and everything evidentally came back normal. I'm really want to cut down on the number of prenatals, ultrasounds, not doing the gestational diabetes tests or swabbing for GBS or... um, anything else.... wondering how important that blood work is? What is it for? Anyone know?