ANOTHER blood test at 34 weeks?!

[PreggoEggo]

with my previous two pregnancies, I only had a blood test i think at 12 weeks and then again at around 28 weeks. I have since moved to a new area and have had the 28 week one, and went in for my appointment today and they were ready to take more blood! I don't do blood tests, let alone surprise ones (and with 2 DDs in tow, no way). So I declined. MW made me feel like i was making a mistake and that i should really think about it later on... I asked what was so important about another blood test and would it affect my homebirth, and he just said no we just like to look for antibodies and anemia. Considering I only just got my 28 week blood results back, I am hardly jumping on the barrel to have another lot done.
Anyone else have lots of blood tests required?

it's normally a routine 36 week one. but maybe because you are in a new area they want a new sample so the results are official, not just written somewhere, so mistakes aren't made.

My iron levels altered remarkably between 28 and 34 weeks. I started iron tablets immediately and got my levels up a bit in preparation for a homebirth. As it was, I ended up with an emcs and my iron levels ended up at 7 post birth. It could have been much worse if they hadn't checked.

I had the 12 & 28 week one. Then the 28 results showed low iron so had another one. Do they have any reason to suspect low iron now from your 28 week results (as iron is likely to fall further later on unless you're increasing iron in diet?)

hmm interesting, thanks for replies. No Iggly my iron levels came back fine from 28 weeks. Might think about it then for around 36 weeks...

I had one at 12 weeks and 28 weeks. Currently 36 weeks and dont have anymore planned? I dont even have a midwife appointment till after my due date with them being fully booked/christmas.

I just had some more at 35 weeks! Standard bloods apparently. Do you not have a schedule of appointments with your notes? Mine says routine bloods at 34 weeks.

Mine said on my notes I would have them, but I didn't and I have only just realised on reaading this!

crosshair you dont have any more mw appointments planned?? I was told by my mw 6 weeks ago that at 34 weeks we'd book my 36 week home birth assessment, today different midwife- he says book to see mw at 36, THEN book the home birth assessment, soo paranoid as its christmas time then! dont they think ahead?!

I made one with my gp for next week. Next midwife appointment isnt till the 5th of jan if I haven't had the baby by then.(Due 1st)

Well no idea why they want more tests then!!

I didn't have one after 28 weeks with my DD who's now 14 months. however poliies change, and it is the lat trimester where you typically become anaemic as far I can gather (I'm pg with twins now, so more concern about it as much, much more likely) so I will be having all recommended blood tests. I ended up anaemic after a PPH at my last birth (third degree tear) so think it's always worth making sure you're going into it as fit as possible!

Good luck with it OP!