Just had 28 week blood tests done.

[nunnie]

Does anyone know if that is it now? Should remember from DD but to be honest I only remember having one set at the first appointment, so I can't rely on my memory anymore.

[PickleSarnie]

Yup, fairly sure that your days off being a human pin cushion are over for now. Don't believe that there are any more tests to be taken.

[Jenko77]

I had my bloods taken at 28 weeks, and get the results tomorrow (at 31 week appointment - so hopefully nothing urgent showed up )

According to my schedule, I get bloods taken again at 34 weeks. Oh joy!

[PickleSarnie]

Really? Do you know what that's for? I see my midwife next week for my 35 week appointment and was hoping all the needles were over!

[Jenko77]

Pickle No idea - I don't even know what the 28 week ones were for - iron levels perhaps?!

I guess I'll find out tomorrow.

[NoTeaForMe]

I've just had my 31 week check up. Blood tests at 28 weeks are purely for iron levels.

I have no idea if there are more blood tests to have?!

[DomesticG0ddess]

Blood tests at 28 weeks are also to check for antibodies if you are Rh -

Don't think there are anymore now for me.

[nunnie]

Thank you, she never mentioned anymore but she didn't say there weren't anymore so I will have to see.

These bloods for me were just for iron, she checked my notes for blood group and said just iron levels were needed.

Oh well it will give me something to look forward to, the not knowing for definate will make each visit more interesting I am sure.

[LittleSilver]

Why would you be allowing bloods to be taken without asking what they were for?

[nunnie]

I do know what they were for.

[nunnie]

Sorry just realised that might not have been for me.

[ReshapeWhileDamp]

I'm pretty sure you get three lots as standard - booking appt ones at c. 12 weeks, the 28 week one you've just had, and then again at either 32 or 34 weeks. I think they like the two last ones to see how your iron levels are, and how dilute your blood is, towards the end. Your blood is meant to dilute in pregnancy, which is why most people have a little bit of a drop in the red blood count, but obviously too much of a drop can cause problems so they want to keep an eye on the ratio. I think that the tests at 28 and 30-something weeks give them a sort of window on what's changing.

Also, it's really important that they know your blood group before you give birth, in case of a transfusion. They will want to have tested at least twice. Tests can be lost, or mislabelled...

I hate needles too, but at least it's only one for all those tubes of blood!

[nunnie]

Not really got a fear of needles really, just whilst I'm pregnant my veins aren't for showing themselves in a hurry.

Total thick question probably but can your blood group change, as I had mine confirmed through DD and at 12 weeks with this one, surely they don't need to test my blood group again?

That will probable explain why the midwife never said that was the last lot then, oh well there are worst things that blood tests I suppose.

Thank you for all your advice ladies.

[Porcelain]

I had some at 10 weeks with booking in (general blood count by the look of them, and blood group), then my combined test (for downs etc) at 12 weeks. I had iron levels, Rh antibodies (Rh- only) and GTT (that's a non standard one) at 28 weeks, plus my first Anti -D (Rh- only) and no more. I will get another Anti-D post partum and I am not sure if they do another antibody check with that or not.

I have no idea why they keep checking blood group, it doesn't change, it's genetic. They didn't recheck mine, although I did find it quite odd that at booking in when I told them my blood group (I donate regularly, so I have a card to prove it) they wouldn't even write it on my notes, or talk to me about precautions for my Rh status until after they got the results from my first test. The latter bothered me a lot, because it wasn't until 16 weeks that I was told I would need to report in to maternity if I had a bleed or a fall for Anti-D.