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Confused 28 week blood results - any midwife here to explain??

4 replies

heverhoney1 · 12/02/2009 21:42

Hi all.

I know I know I am a silly worry wort but I got my blood results back yesterday and my midwife has said they are normal. I cant see how they can be though as 4 of the results are out of normal range?

I have WBC - 12.1 with a range of 3.9-11.1 so my count is a bit high.

HB -11.2 with a range of 11.8 - 14.8 so am Low

HCT 32.7 % range 36-46 so am low again and last but not least

Neutrophils 9.6 with a range of 1.7 - 7.5 so high.

Can anyone explain why my midwife thinks this is normal as from what I have read it looks like some kind of infection to me?? (Look at me my GCSE biology tells me that raised white blood cells look like an infection anyway lol)

OP posts:

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LiegeAndLief · 13/02/2009 09:18

My 12 week bloods were pretty similar. I think if you are just out of the normal range it is nothing to worry about - from what I know (not that much!) slightly raised WBCs and neutrophils may indicate an slight infection but probably just a cold! Really wouldn't worry about it - mws look at these kind of results all the time - if there was anything wrong she would have told you.

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Olderbutnotwiser · 13/02/2009 09:43

Hi I am a midwife so hope I can help. The blood range values stated on the form are in an adult female and are not correct in pregnancy. It is common for the white cell count to be slightly raised in pregnancy and at this level does not indicate an infection.
An Hb of 11.2 at 28/40 is good - the level at which treatment is indicated varies from unit to unit but is generally if the Hb is 10.0 to 10.5 g/dl. Because there is more circulating blood volume the amount of red blood cells within the blood become more dilute so the value is lower.
Again HCT and neutrophil values differ in pregnancy.

Please stop worrying. If I saw this set of results I would be completely happy wth them.

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sadminster · 13/02/2009 10:16

White cell count is normally raised in pregnancy

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heverhoney1 · 13/02/2009 18:31

Thank you so much. My mind is now at rest. I knew I was being silly but I am a scientist at heart and cant take things at face value if a set of numbers are put in front of me - must analyse, must analyse!!!