Blood tests at 27/28 weeks

[Hopeful8289]

I had my appt today and found out that I will not only be doing the glucose test, but they also have patients have a CBC and HIV antibody blood draw a second time. I had these tests at eight weeks with no concerns so I am trying to determine why they are having them done a second time. It wasn't explained to me at the appointment. I just saw it when I was looking over the orders they gave me to take to the hospital when I have the tests done. Anyone else have to do this around this time? Is it standard for some areas/doctors?
I also have to have the rhogam shot. I really do not enjoy needles so I hate to have to do all of this at once again if it isn't medically necessary. Just curious if this is the standard or a way for my doctor/hospital to charge my insurance and myself more. Sorry if I posted this in the wrong spot. Thanks in advance for replies.

 

[marmoset]

When I did the glucose test the last draw they did was a real draw (not just a finger prick) and they also ran a CBC on it (even though I'd had one earlier in the pregnancy). I'm in Canada.

Hope this helps as a data point!

 

[Rhiannon137]

They routinely test for HIV at least 3 times during pregnancy where I live. It is either a city or state health department thing. I also find it kind of annoying as an essentially zero-risk individual, but I get why they do it. If testing 200 people only finds 1 who is unknowingly infected, then medications can be administered to prevent transmission of the virus to that person's baby. They also do routine testing for syphilis for the same reasons.

The CBC has to do with your own health, and is important to repeat over the course of pregnancy since pregnant women can become anemic more easily. Treating this before birth will help protect you if your delivery ends up causing unexpected blood loss.

 

[MoBaby]

Rhogam is medically necessary. They also check CMC because they want to check platelets for birth and hemoglobin. Platelets naturally decrease when pregnant but too low and it can be dangerous if you need an epidural or c section. It's standard to test for hiv during pregnancy as they need to take other precautions for baby if there would be a positive result. So everything you've had done is pretty standard.

 

[Hopeful8289]

Thanks for all your responses. With me being a FTM I guess myself and OH really had no idea how much goes into preparing for a healthy baby. I've been very lucky through my life and not had too many big health concerns and have rarely had to have doctor visits so this all feels very over the top to me at times. I have to keep reminding myself that growing another human changes things and that its much better to be over catious than miss something important. I can get over my aversion to needles for the baby of course. Just wish the doctor would keep me updated on what's happening and why instead of just sending me off to get things done. I like to feel informed.

Also, I have just been looking at the costs of these medical tests as hospital bills and insurance statements come in and am completely in shock so it has made me question the medical necessity of everything and wonder if it's for the good of the patients or part of what seems like big business for doctors and hospitals. But that's a whole other topic.

Thanks again for the replies!

 

[minties]

I don't recall exactly what they tested for at 28ish weeks here, they didn't repeat the HIV though. I think it was looking at iron etc again. We don't pay for maternity care here (well tax does) in New Zealand so I don't worry about it from that point of view.

This time my midwife sent me for bloods at 37 weeks which she did not do last time, as well as a vaginal swab and urine, I was like why?! But ok then...

 

[ajarvis]

I would turn down the HIV test myself. I'd take the CBC. If you're RH negative then definitely take the rhogam or I'd turn that one down.

I had my GTT and a CBC done to recheck iron levels. I declined any other blood testing.

 

[Elisheva009]

You only need the rhogram if you're Rh- AND the baby's father is Rh+.

If you know for sure that the baby's father is Rh- too, you do not not need the shot.

I had it at 28 weeks with my first and third pregnancies and again after the birth. With my second I only had it after the birth, not during the pregnancy.

 

[Hopeful8289]

Unfortunately my OH doesn't know his blood type. Even his mother doesn't know so I am going to be safe and get the shot. But after a lot of thought I am going to call my doctor's office and ask why I need to do the second HIV test when the first was negative and I have no risk factors for that changing. I would have probably just quietly complied if they would tell me what is happening and not just hand me orders and send me on my way. That's not professional and it really irritates me. At the very least I am calling to get an explanation and complain about them not keeping patients informed. I live in a rural area with bad hospitals so I chose the best hospital in the area (40 minutes away) but sadly that came with an obgyn clinic where I see a different Doctor almost every time and I feel like that affects the way they communicate with patients. All of the doctors seem knowledgable and I trust they will get my precious baby here safely but I am really missing the type of treatment you get when you see the same Doctor each time and develop a rapport. That's also coming from a slightly spoiled perspective of having the same Doctor who delivered me as current my general practicioner. After 27 years it's hard to get used to the change...