Should I be going in for bloodwork?

[beckyphry]

I'm new to this whole pregnancy thing. When I called my midwife's office yesterday (the day I got my BFP), the lady just set me up with an u/s appointment for the 26th and then an appointment with the midwife for an exam and bloodwork for 11/03. I didn't think to ask, but now I'm wondering if I should go in for bloodwork to make sure my levels are ok? I thought that's something that would happen automatically, but I guess not.

I'm just a little nervous waiting 3 more weeks to make sure everything's ok for now... what do you gals think?

[sally Z]

i never went for bloods the first time and am not thing time, but then i am not into much intervention at all. For me what will be will be and blood work can't change that.

BUT if it would make you feel better than maybe see if you can get it done earlier

[mataji4]

are you talking about testing your hormonal levels or just basic bloodwork stuff like a cbc? this is my fourth pregnancy, and i've never had my "levels" tested before. in fact, i don't have any friends who've ever done this either, so seeing so many women testing their "levels" is all new to me. maybe women who have a history of loss or problems want the reassurance?

as far as bloodwork goes, your base bloodwork will just reflect your general health, so it's a good idea to get this bloodwork done before your eating habits change, in case m/s makes it impossible to eat a lot! i'm not even doing a cbc this time- never been anemic, i eat well and i feel very healthy.

it just depends on what you want...what your attitude towards pregnancy is.

[irises]

Becky,

I don't think you need to get your HCG levels tested unless you have some concern about the pregnancy. I think those of us who are getting quantitative tests (that show us if the numbers are rising appropriately) are doing so because of previous loss or scares.

If your pregnancy signs disappear, or you start spotting, you might consider getting you levels tested, but otherwise, I would suggest waiting until your scheduled appointment.

Best,
Iris

[beckyphry]

Thanks so much, ladies! I feel much better now reading your responses. I guess I've been hanging out on message boards too often, reading about how everyone says their levels are increasing!

I have no reason to think there would be any problems right now. I did have a CBC done about a year and a half ago, and my health was very good. I've been taking a prenatal since June, so I think I'm ok health-wise. I'll just wait it out, then... 3 more weeks!

[ChristineIndy]

Originally Posted by irises

Becky,

I don't think you need to get your HCG levels tested unless you have some concern about the pregnancy. I think those of us who are getting quantitative tests (that show us if the numbers are rising appropriately) are doing so because of previous loss or scares.

If your pregnancy signs disappear, or you start spotting, you might consider getting you levels tested, but otherwise, I would suggest waiting until your scheduled appointment.

Best,
Iris

: I had my levels tested this time because of a previous loss. As long as you don't have a history of losses and nothing suspicious is happening, waiting should be just fine!

Christine

[Jilian]

I probably won't have bloodwork done, just because I don't feel like going in to the doctor's office and waiting for it (the wait there is insanely long). I'd probably only have it done if I was worried about m/c.

As for bloodwork during pregnancy (tests) I decline all that too. There are so many chances for false/inconclusive results and I don't like the extra stress.

[Shell_Ell]

I didn't have any last time nor will I this time. Its too nerve wracking for me.

[chinaKat]

I didn't do anything of the sort for my first pregnancy. My second pregnancy ended in miscarriage, so I am getting my hCG levels tested this time around.

I certainly don't *need* to and honestly wouldn't recommend that anybody that wasn't nervous (other than standard pregnancy nerves, of course) should run out and do it.

On the flip side it's pretty non-invasive and I can't see how it could cause any harm. I'm sure that if you asked your midwife or doctor to order blood tests she would agree to it.

Some people like to just let nature take its course, other people like to take advantage of everything science can offer a pregnant mama. My feeling is, as long as you're not doing anything that can harm the baby, do whatever makes you happy/comfortable.

[torio]

I also don't like to do more testing than is absolutely necessary. I had a miscarriage last time so we did do bloodwork to make sure my progesterone levels were good (they were). If progesteron is low, often due to luteal phase defect, even a healthy pregnancy can miscarry, but there's no reason to assume this would be an issue for you if you've not experienced a pregnancy loss (or had a problem diagnosed) before. On the flip side, no amount of progesterone can keep a miscarriage from happening when it's due to a problem with the embryo.

The HcG levels can give some indication of whether the pregnancy is progressing as the numbers tend to increase pretty dramatically on a regular basis. However, if the numbers aren't looking good it can sometimes be a natural variation. Some people choose to have an early ultrasound then, to determine if there's a heartbeat. If not you have to choose whether to have a D&C or wait for mother nature to take her course.

When I had my miscarriage I felt fortunate that it happened naturally and completely--no surgery was necessary and AF returned in one month on the dot. I guess I trust my body more than I trust medicine.

The other bloodwork is CBC which basically measures red, white cells, iron, etc. is standard stuff.

Good luck with your pregnancy. Even when everything's perfectly healthy the early weeks are tough to wait through.
xo

[beckyphry]

Hm, ok, so on the progesterone issue... I came off the pill and started charting in May. My LP was around 9 days, so I started taking Vitex to lengthen it (in case you don't know, Vitex helps the body produce more progesterone). I was on it for 2 cycles (it lengthened my LP to 11 days), and I stopped taking it when I got my BFP. Should I be a little worried about my progesterone levels, then, since my LP was only 9 days?

[beckyphry]

*bump* Anyone? Now I'm freaking out about my progesterone :

[irises]

If you are really worried about it, go get it tested. It's a simple blood draw. I don't think you need to freak out over something that you can so easily test, and in such a non-invasive way.

[Mary-Beth]

Talk to the midwife about the progesterone issue.

I'm not sure why your already scheduled for an u/s. Just wanted you to know that not all midwives practice the same. Some are more medical- and infact practice like an OB. Maybe this is what you want? Just thought I'd mention it as being scheduled for an u/s before you have any question or concern or even walk through the door sounds like a very medicalized practice to me.

I'd encourage you to go into this pregnancy with the attitude that everything will be okay, not looking for what could be wrong. I get the impression from you that is what you want to do. If so, make sure you find a midwife who will join with you in that perspective.

Best wishes and congratulations!