blood tests fbc / esr

[pinkyp]

Got a phone call from drs yesterday and he wants me to go have some blood tests and a urine sample done. Called in to pick my form up and i asked receptionist what it was for she said its just something dr likes to keep an eye on whilst your pregnant. i thought the mw did that tho? Anyway on the form he'sticked 2 boxes one says fbc and one says esr - i know fbc stands for full blood count but why's he checking it and does anyone know what esr means?

esr is erythrocyte sedimentation rate, it is the rate in which red blood cells fall down, in increased ESR is a non-specific marker for inflammation, however ESR is raised in pregnancy anyway.
It is not a routine test to do in pregnancy I've had mine done along with CRP (another test to check for inflammation) but only because I went to gp as I have been feeling unwell for a while.

Have you had a previous fbc done which showed raised white cell count? He may be thinking you have an infection hence the urine sample too?

I currently have a uti and had raised white cell and raised esr and crp.

Thank u for ur reply that makes sense

FBC also shows anaemia.

Thank you, my mw did take some blood 2 weeks ago and i'm seeing her on weds so i'll ask her about this.