Blood Tests & Levels ???

[BookwormPrincess]

Hi ladies,
I have been reading on the Pregnancy Friend Forum a lot about women who seem to be having lots of blood test to check their pg is ok, especially when they have been spotting etc.

My doctor didn't offer me a blood test at all, should I ask for one? Or can I check myself by taking more HPTs - eg. the other day I took one and the test line was so much darker than the actual control line. I took this as a good sign that the HcG levels are higher. Does anyone know if it works like this?

I will try to stop obsessing now and wait patiently to ring the midwife at 6 weeks. It is taking forever! lol!

Thanks.

 

[PegasusOnFire]

I had a m/c at 8 weeks with my first, and then with my second, I never had the blood test done just an ultrasound at 7 weeks and again at 10 weeks. THis is my third and so far I have only had an ultrasound at 7 weeks due to cramping, then 10 weeks at my regular appointment for dating purposes, 20 weeks to check for chromosomal abnormalities and 30 weeks due to measureing 3-4 weeks large.

I personally wouldn't worry about it.

 

[BookwormPrincess]

I had a m/c at 8 weeks with my first, and then with my second, I never had the blood test done just an ultrasound at 7 weeks and again at 10 weeks. THis is my third and so far I have only had an ultrasound at 7 weeks due to cramping, then 10 weeks at my regular appointment for dating purposes, 20 weeks to check for chromosomal abnormalities and 30 weeks due to measureing 3-4 weeks large.

I personally wouldn't worry about it.

So sorry about your m/cs.
Thanks for the reassurance. When I ring the midwife at 6 weeks, if the cramping and spotting is still around they might do an u/s early for me.

 

[gracepaints]

Most often repeat bloodtests to check HcG and/or progesterone levels is reserved for women who have had repeat miscarriages. I had a bloodtest done only because my in-office urine test came back "inconclusive" (I saw a line, but whatever.)

Also, don't put *too* much stock in the darkening line phenomenon - the amount of dye, the type of test, how much you just had to drink, etc, can make the shade vary a lot. Which is not to say that a darkening line isn't a *good* sign, just don't freak out if it doesn't keep doing that.

 

[BookwormPrincess]

Thanks GracePaints. So far I haven't done anymore tests yet, so I'll bear that in mind if I do any more.