Blood Tests.

[kayzr]

Dh and I are planning on ttc #2 this year. Do I still need to have all the blood tests? I know I havent caught hiv or anything between having ds and now. I'm needle phobic and hate having blood tests.
Also are there any plans to bring in a test for Strep B?

[Lulumama]

you don;t have to have any of the tests you don;t want to have. what is your RH status
and no plans for routine strep b screening, which is not a blood test, AFAIK.. but you can pay privately for a test which would need to be carried out around 34 weeks IIRC. the GBS support site has info about it.

[kayzr]

I think my RH status is negative. I honestly cant remember. I really think they should bring in a test for strep b
Thanks Lulumama

[spugs]

they test for other anti bodies and also your hemaglobin levels. if your negative then its important to have them, so they can check nothings happening. sorry, i hate them to though there never as bad as i make myself think there going to be

[whomovedmychocolate]

Kayzr - your GP should have a record of your blood type from the discharge note from your last child. The GBS test is a vaginal and anal swab (the private one - costs £30 I believe). The NHS are unlikely to introduce it at the mo because it's thought that it causes unnecessary interventions in labour for little overall benefit (at least to the majority of those who receive antibiotics during labour). Or so I was reading in the BMJ a couple of weeks ago but I can't find the link sorry!